Which is Better between the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund? A Very Detailed Review.

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Ibizan Hound Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund.

Ibizan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund

Ibizan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are similar in size. The Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Ibizan Hound 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.

Ibizan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Ibizan Hound Norwegian Buhund
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Height 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Weight 45 to 50 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 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 12.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 160 168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Ibizan Hound is a better pet than the Norwegian Buhund. So, you should get the Ibizan Hound!

    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 Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund

    Below is a list of where the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:

  • Ibizan Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Norwegian Buhunds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Ibizan Hounds are very easy to groom. However, Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Ibizan Hounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Norwegian Buhunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund

    The Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:

  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Ibizan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund.

    Ibizan Hounds weigh 45 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Ibizan Hounds are 22 to 27 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 Ibizan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of Ibizan Hounds is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Ibizan Hounds is 12.0 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 Ibizan Hounds.

    Adopting the Ibizan Hound versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Ibizan Hounds and many Norwegian Buhunds are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Ibizan Hound named Ibizan Hounds (Nationally Located) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Ibizan Hounds like Ibizan Hounds (Nationally Located) on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Ibizan Hounds, Norwegian Buhunds are also available for adoption. For example, Odie is a Male Norwegian Buhund that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Norwegian Buhunds like Odie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Ibizan Hounds and Norwegian Buhunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Ibizan Hound is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Ibizan Hound is 160 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Ibizan Hound

    Popularity of Ibizan Hound

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Ibizan Hound Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 151 166
    2014 159 172
    2015 160 165
    2016 152 174
    2017 165 170
    2018 152 165
    2019 171 169
    2020 171 168

    Health Problems of Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Ibizan Hound than for the Norwegian Buhund.

    4 health tests are recommended for Ibizan Hound while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Ibizan Hounds and in Norwegian Buhunds.

    Ibizan Hound Health Problems

    Ibizan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hounds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Ibizan Hounds 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:

  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Buhunds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Ibizan Hounds 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 Ibizan Hound Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.

    This is because the Ibizan Hound ranks 5 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 402 Ibizan Hounds, 8 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Ibizan Hounds, and how common these diseases are in Ibizan Hounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 5 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 5 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 15 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 24 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 193 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 35 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 131 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Ibizan Hound and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Ibizan Hound Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 5 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 5 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 15 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 24 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 193 out of 198 dog breeds 131 out of 198 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: Ibizan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund

    Ibizan Hounds do not like to be left alone.

    Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Ibizan Hounds shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Ibizan Hounds shed moderately.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Ibizan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund

    Ibizan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Ibizan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Ibizan Hounds are very easy to groom.

    Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Ibizan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Ibizan Hounds 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 Ibizan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Ibizan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Ibizan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Ibizan Hounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Ibizan Hound vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Ibizan Hounds 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 Ibizan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Ibizan Hounds 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 Ibizan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Ibizan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Ibizan Hounds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Ibizan Hounds 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 Ibizan Hounds and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Ibizan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Ibizan Hound Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Ibizan Hounds are fairly easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Ibizan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Ibizan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Ibizan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Ibizan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Ibizan Hound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound:

  • Sloughi (79 percent match with Ibizan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Sloughi.
  • Whippet (86 percent match with Ibizan Hound). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Whippet.
  • 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:

  • Pyredoodle (78 percent match with Norwegian Buhund). Here is our comparison of the Ibizan Hound vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Ibizan Hound and how the Norwegian Buhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Ibizan Hound and of the Norwegian Buhund to other breeds:

    Ibizan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Ibizan Hound versus Finnish Spitz     Ibizan Hound versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Ibizan Hound versus Cavachon     Ibizan Hound versus Pug     Ibizan Hound versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Ibizan Hound versus Bichon Frise     Ibizan Hound versus Vizsla     Ibizan Hound versus Whoodle     Ibizan Hound versus Alaskan Malamute     Ibizan Hound versus Lakeland Terrier     Ibizan Hound versus Field Spaniel     Ibizan Hound versus Greyhound     Ibizan Hound versus Australian Kelpie     Ibizan Hound versus Papipoo     Ibizan Hound versus Sheepadoodle     Ibizan Hound versus Doberman Pinscher     Ibizan Hound versus Maltese     Ibizan Hound versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Ibizan Hound versus Bloodhound     Ibizan Hound versus Peek A Poo     Ibizan Hound versus Komondor     Ibizan Hound versus Yorkipoo     Ibizan Hound versus Chihuahua     Ibizan Hound versus Sloughi     Ibizan Hound versus Rottweiler     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Lhasapoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Poodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Collie     Norwegian Buhund versus Samoyed     Norwegian Buhund versus Valley Bulldog     Norwegian Buhund versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Bearded Collie     Norwegian Buhund versus Black Russian Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Dogo Argentino     Norwegian Buhund versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Poodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Schipperke     Norwegian Buhund versus Bullmastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Japanese Chin     Norwegian Buhund versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Harrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Norwich Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Maltipoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Poodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Basset Hound     Norwegian Buhund versus Beagle     Norwegian Buhund versus Pomchi     Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Cattle Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Airedale Terrier     

    Conclusion: Ibizan Hound 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 Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.