Breed Comparison: Komondor Versus Norwegian Buhund

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Komondor Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

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

Komondor versus Norwegian Buhund

Komondor versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Komondor is a large-sized dog while the Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Komondor belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Komondor versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Komondor 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 Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Komondor Norwegian Buhund
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Height 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 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
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Weight 80 to 100 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $840 No Data
Price Range $550 – $800 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 170 168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Komondor 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 Komondor is 70 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 a better pet than the Komondor. So, you should get the Norwegian Buhund!

    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 Komondor 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 Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Komondors do not like to be left alone. However, Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Komondors do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Norwegian Buhunds do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Komondor 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 Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Komondor versus Norwegian Buhund

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

    Komondors weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Komondors are 25 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 Komondor versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of Komondors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Komondors 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 Komondors.

    The Popularity of Komondor 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 Komondor 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 Komondor. 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 Komondor is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Komondor Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 159 166
    2014 168 172
    2015 163 165
    2016 177 174
    2017 163 170
    2018 173 165
    2019 181 169
    2020 178 168

    Health Problems of Komondor 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 Komondor 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the Komondor.

    3 health tests are recommended for Komondor while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

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

    Komondor Health Problems

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

  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Komondors 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 Komondors 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 Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 19 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 30 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 90 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 Komondor and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Komondor and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Komondor Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Eyes problems 19 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 30 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 90 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: Komondor versus Norwegian Buhund

    Komondors do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Komondors shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Komondors shed moderately.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Komondor or the Norwegian Buhund

    Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Komondor or the Norwegian Buhund?

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

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

    Does the Komondor Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Komondors 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.

    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 Komondors Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Komondors 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 Komondors Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Komondor vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Komondors 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 Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Komondors 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 Komondor or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Komondors good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Komondors 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 Komondors and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Komondors get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Komondor Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Komondors are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Komondor Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Komondors 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 Komondor

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

  • Belgian Tervuren (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Black Russian Terrier (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Giant Schnauzer (72 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Giant Schnauzer.
  • 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 Komondor vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Komondor Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Komondor versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Komondor versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Komondor versus Jack Russell Terrier     Komondor versus Great Dane     Komondor versus Portuguese Pointer     Komondor versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Komondor versus Weimaraner     Komondor versus Goldador     Komondor versus Basenji     Komondor versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Komondor versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Komondor versus Borzoi     Komondor versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Komondor versus Great Dane     Komondor versus Boxer     Komondor versus Fila Brasileiro     Komondor versus Kishu Ken     Komondor versus French Bulldog     Komondor versus Japanese Chin     Komondor versus Lhasa Apso     Komondor versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Komondor versus Borzoi     Komondor versus Belgian Tervuren     Komondor versus Cockalier     Komondor versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Weimaraner     Norwegian Buhund versus Alaskan Malamute     Norwegian Buhund versus Goldendoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Saluki     Norwegian Buhund versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Gordon Setter     Norwegian Buhund versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus Shiranian     Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Schnauzer     Norwegian Buhund versus Finnish Spitz     Norwegian Buhund versus Cavachon     Norwegian Buhund versus Akita Chow     Norwegian Buhund versus Papipoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Japanese Spitz     Norwegian Buhund versus German Longhaired Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus American Hairless Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Italian Greyhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Westiepoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Basenji     Norwegian Buhund versus Gordon Setter     Norwegian Buhund versus Bull Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus Peek A Poo     

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