Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Wolfhound Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
- Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
- Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund
- The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund
- Lifespan of Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund
- Adopting the Irish Wolfhound versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund
- The Popularity of Irish Wolfhound versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
- Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund
- Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Buhund
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Do Irish Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Norwegian Buhund
- Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Wolfhounds and Norwegian Buhunds?
- Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Wolfhound Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Buhund.
Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound is a giant-sized dog while the Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Irish Wolfhound 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.
Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund
| Factor | Irish Wolfhound | Norwegian Buhund |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 115 to 180 pounds | 26 to 40 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 6 to 8 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 7.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1930 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2400 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 73 | 168 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Wolfhound is a better pet than the Norwegian Buhund. So, you should get the Irish Wolfhound!
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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund
Below is a list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund
The Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund.
Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 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 Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund
The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 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 Irish Wolfhounds.
Adopting the Irish Wolfhound versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound named Tex that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Irish Wolfhounds like Tex on pefinder.com.
Also, like Irish Wolfhounds, 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.
Action Jackson is the name of another Irish Wolfhound (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Irish Wolfhounds and Norwegian Buhunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Wolfhound is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Wolfhound is 73 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Wolfhound
Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
| Year | Irish Wolfhound Popularity Rank | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 73 | 166 |
| 2014 | 72 | 172 |
| 2015 | 69 | 165 |
| 2016 | 73 | 174 |
| 2017 | 73 | 170 |
| 2018 | 76 | 165 |
| 2019 | 76 | 169 |
| 2020 | 74 | 168 |
Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Wolfhound than for the Norwegian Buhund.
5 health tests are recommended for Irish Wolfhound while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Wolfhounds and in Norwegian Buhunds.
Irish Wolfhound Health Problems
Irish Wolfhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the Irish Wolfhound ranks 11 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 682 Irish Wolfhounds, 12 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Irish Wolfhounds, and how common these diseases are in Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund:
| Disease | Irish Wolfhound Rank | Norwegian Buhund Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 11 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 12 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 34 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 50 out of 182 dog breeds | 35 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 164 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: Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund
Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Buhund
Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.
Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Norwegian Buhund
Irish Wolfhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds and Norwegian Buhunds?
Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Is the Irish Wolfhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?
Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound:
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 Irish Wolfhound and how the Norwegian Buhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Wolfhound and of the Norwegian Buhund to other breeds:
Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Wolfhound versus Boxer Irish Wolfhound versus Newfoundland Irish Wolfhound versus Weimaraner Irish Wolfhound versus Kuvasz Irish Wolfhound versus Chinese Shar-Pei Irish Wolfhound versus English Cocker Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Labrador Retriever Irish Wolfhound versus Icelandic Sheepdog Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese Irish Wolfhound versus Stabyhoun Irish Wolfhound versus Sheepadoodle Irish Wolfhound versus American Water Spaniel Irish Wolfhound versus Norfolk Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Skye Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Irish Wolfhound versus Bichon Frise Irish Wolfhound versus Puli Irish Wolfhound versus Biewer Terrier Irish Wolfhound versus Pyredoodle Irish Wolfhound versus Puggle Irish Wolfhound versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Irish Wolfhound versus Black Mouth Cur Irish Wolfhound versus Schipperke Irish Wolfhound versus Sheepadoodle Irish Wolfhound versus Bichon Frise
Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Pinscher Norwegian Buhund versus Coton de Tulear Norwegian Buhund versus Dogue de Bordeaux Norwegian Buhund versus Cocker Spaniel Norwegian Buhund versus Basset Hound Norwegian Buhund versus Valley Bulldog Norwegian Buhund versus Curly-Coated Retriever Norwegian Buhund versus Harrier Norwegian Buhund versus Border Collie Norwegian Buhund versus Dachshund Norwegian Buhund versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Norwegian Buhund versus Skye Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus American Hairless Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Black and Tan Coonhound Norwegian Buhund versus German Wirehaired Pointer Norwegian Buhund versus Sloughi Norwegian Buhund versus Pharaoh Hound Norwegian Buhund versus Bedlington Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Patterdale Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Bull Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Labradoodle Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Schnauzer Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Poodle Norwegian Buhund versus Brussels Griffon Norwegian Buhund versus Bullmastiff
Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.