Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
- Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
- Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund
- Do Harriers shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Norwegian Buhund
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Norwegian Buhund
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Norwegian Buhunds?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Harrier and for the Norwegian Buhund. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Harrier or the Norwegian Buhund.
Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
Both the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund are similar in size. The Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
On the other hand, the Norwegian Buhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier to the Norwegian Buhund based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund
| Factor | Harrier | Norwegian Buhund |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 26 to 40 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | No Data |
| Average Price | No Data | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 168 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Norwegian Buhund. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Norwegian Buhund is not better or worse than the Harrier. So, you can get the Norwegian Buhund or the Harrier!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund
The Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund.
Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Norwegian Buhunds weigh 26 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Norwegian Buhunds are 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is 13.5 years.
Norwegian Buhunds live longer than Harriers.
The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Norwegian Buhund is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Harrier
Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 166 |
| 2014 | 181 | 172 |
| 2015 | 183 | 165 |
| 2016 | 186 | 174 |
| 2017 | 183 | 170 |
| 2018 | 189 | 165 |
| 2019 | 186 | 169 |
| 2020 | 190 | 168 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Norwegian Buhund is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Norwegian Buhund than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Norwegian Buhunds.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.
Norwegian Buhund Health Problems
Norwegian Buhunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Norwegian Buhund puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Norwegian Buhund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Norwegian Buhund breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Norwegian Buhunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Buhunds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Norwegian Buhunds
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Norwegian Buhund Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Norwegian Buhund ranks 35 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 244 Norwegian Buhunds, 7 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Norwegian Buhunds, and how common these diseases are in Norwegian Buhunds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Norwegian Buhund Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 131 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 35 out of 182 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Harriers shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
Harriers shed moderately.
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Norwegian Buhund
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Norwegian Buhund?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
Harriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Norwegian Buhunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Norwegian Buhund
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Norwegian Buhund?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Norwegian Buhunds?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Norwegian Buhund?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Harrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Norwegian Buhund that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Norwegian Buhund:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Norwegian Buhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Norwegian Buhund to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Keeshond Harrier versus Maremma Sheepdog Harrier versus Boxer Harrier versus English Toy Spaniel Harrier versus Cocker Spaniel Harrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo Harrier versus English Toy Spaniel Harrier versus Westiepoo Harrier versus Silky Terrier Harrier versus Sheepadoodle Harrier versus Welsh Terrier Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound Harrier versus Catahoula Bulldog Harrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer Harrier versus Mastiff Harrier versus Chinese Crested Harrier versus German Longhaired Pointer Harrier versus Labrador Retriever Harrier versus Tibetan Spaniel Harrier versus Boxerdoodle Harrier versus Whoodle Harrier versus German Longhaired Pointer Harrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd Harrier versus Cavapoo Harrier versus Border Collie
Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Norwegian Buhund versus Bouvier des Flandres Norwegian Buhund versus Lhasa Apso Norwegian Buhund versus Korean Jindo Dog Norwegian Buhund versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Norwegian Buhund versus Shiloh Shepherd Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Setter Norwegian Buhund versus Bluetick Coonhound Norwegian Buhund versus Boston Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Chinese Crested Norwegian Buhund versus Pharaoh Hound Norwegian Buhund versus Sheepadoodle Norwegian Buhund versus German Shorthaired Pointer Norwegian Buhund versus Manchester Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Norwegian Buhund versus Boxer Norwegian Buhund versus Bernedoodle Norwegian Buhund versus Kerry Blue Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Cockalier Norwegian Buhund versus Airedale Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Bernese Mountain Dog Norwegian Buhund versus Barbet Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Wolfhound Norwegian Buhund versus Afador Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Kelpie Norwegian Buhund versus Bedlington Terrier
Conclusion: Harrier versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Harrier and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.