Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Italian Greyhound Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
- Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
- Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund
- The Similarities Between the Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund
- Lifespan of Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund
- Adopting the Italian Greyhound versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund
- The Popularity of Italian Greyhound versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
- Health Problems of Italian Greyhound versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
- Tolerates Being Alone: Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund
- Do Italian Greyhounds shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
- Which one drools more, the Italian Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Italian Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Does the Italian Greyhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Do Italian Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Italian Greyhound vs. Norwegian Buhund
- Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Italian Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- How Kid-friendly are Italian Greyhounds and Norwegian Buhunds?
- Is the Italian Greyhound Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Italian Greyhound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Italian Greyhound Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund.
Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
A very important difference between the Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Italian Greyhound is a small-sized dog while the Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Italian Greyhound belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
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.
Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund
| Factor | Italian Greyhound | Norwegian Buhund |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 14 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 6 to 15 pounds | 26 to 40 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1930 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2250 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 70 | 168 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound is a better pet than the Norwegian Buhund. So, you should get the Italian Greyhound!
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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund
Below is a list of where the Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund
The Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund.
Italian Greyhounds weigh 6 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Italian Greyhounds are 13 to 15 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 Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund
The lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is 14.5 years.
The lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is 13.5 years.
Italian Greyhounds live longer than Norwegian Buhunds.
Adopting the Italian Greyhound versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound named Beamer (Houston) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Italian Greyhounds like Beamer (Houston) on pefinder.com.
Also, like Italian Greyhounds, 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.
Niczu is the name of another Italian Greyhound (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Italian Greyhounds and Norwegian Buhunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Italian Greyhound is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Italian Greyhound is 70 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Italian Greyhound
Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
| Year | Italian Greyhound Popularity Rank | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 66 | 166 |
| 2014 | 74 | 172 |
| 2015 | 71 | 165 |
| 2016 | 72 | 174 |
| 2017 | 74 | 170 |
| 2018 | 73 | 165 |
| 2019 | 67 | 169 |
| 2020 | 69 | 168 |
Health Problems of Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Italian Greyhound than for the Norwegian Buhund.
4 health tests are recommended for Italian Greyhound while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Italian Greyhounds and in Norwegian Buhunds.
Italian Greyhound Health Problems
Italian Greyhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
This is because the Italian Greyhound ranks 3 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Italian Greyhounds, 4 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Italian Greyhounds, and how common these diseases are in Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund:
| Disease | Italian Greyhound Rank | Norwegian Buhund Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 3 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 30 out of 182 dog breeds | 35 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 58 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 62 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | Not Common | 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: Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund
Italian Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Italian Greyhounds shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
Italian Greyhounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Italian Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund
Italian Greyhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Italian Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom.
Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Italian Greyhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Italian Greyhounds bark and howl, but not very much.
Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Italian Greyhound vs. Norwegian Buhund
Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Italian Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Italian Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
Italian Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds and Norwegian Buhunds?
Italian Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Italian Greyhound Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
Italian Greyhounds are fairly easy to train.
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Is the Italian Greyhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?
Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Italian Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund?
Italian Greyhounds are very good for new dog owners.
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Italian Greyhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound:
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 Italian Greyhound and how the Norwegian Buhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Italian Greyhound and of the Norwegian Buhund to other breeds:
Italian Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Italian Greyhound versus Norwich Terrier Italian Greyhound versus Miniature Schnauzer Italian Greyhound versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Italian Greyhound versus Ibizan Hound Italian Greyhound versus Bluetick Coonhound Italian Greyhound versus Shetland Sheepdog Italian Greyhound versus Field Spaniel Italian Greyhound versus Greyhound Italian Greyhound versus Pyrenean Shepherd Italian Greyhound versus Tibetan Spaniel Italian Greyhound versus Kooikerhondje Italian Greyhound versus Norwegian Lundehund Italian Greyhound versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Italian Greyhound versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Italian Greyhound versus Bullmastiff Italian Greyhound versus Swedish Vallhund Italian Greyhound versus Tibetan Spaniel Italian Greyhound versus Cairn Terrier Italian Greyhound versus Bulldog Italian Greyhound versus Shiba Inu Italian Greyhound versus Toy Fox Terrier Italian Greyhound versus Sealyham Terrier Italian Greyhound versus Kishu Ken Italian Greyhound versus Sussex Spaniel Italian Greyhound versus Morkie
Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Poodle Norwegian Buhund versus English Toy Spaniel Norwegian Buhund versus Aussiedoodle Norwegian Buhund versus Xoloitzcuintli Norwegian Buhund versus Belgian Malinois Norwegian Buhund versus American Foxhound Norwegian Buhund versus Whoodle Norwegian Buhund versus Cesky Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Skye Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Boxer Norwegian Buhund versus Black Mouth Cur Norwegian Buhund versus Norwich Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Schnoodle Norwegian Buhund versus Vizsla Norwegian Buhund versus Scottish Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Norwegian Buhund versus Bluetick Coonhound Norwegian Buhund versus Azawakh Norwegian Buhund versus Bedlington Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Norwegian Buhund versus Bulldog Norwegian Buhund versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Norwegian Buhund versus Toy Poodle Norwegian Buhund versus Lhasa Apso Norwegian Buhund versus Maremma Sheepdog
Conclusion: Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.