A Detailed Comparison of the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Lowchen Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

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

Lowchen versus Norwegian Buhund

Lowchen versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Lowchen 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.

Lowchen versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Lowchen Norwegian Buhund
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 13 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 9 to 18 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2870 No Data
Price Range $1642 – $4500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 163 168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lowchen 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.

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

    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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Lowchens do not like to be left alone. However, Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lowchen versus Norwegian Buhund

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

    Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 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 Lowchen versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is 13.5 years.

    Lowchens live longer than Norwegian Buhunds.

    The Popularity of Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lowchen is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Lowchen Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 154 166
    2014 165 172
    2015 161 165
    2016 171 174
    2017 169 170
    2018 168 165
    2019 158 169
    2020 161 168

    Health Problems of Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen.

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

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

    Lowchen Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens 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 Lowchens 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 Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 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 Lowchen and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Lowchen and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Lowchen Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Patella problems 19 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 42 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 163 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: Lowchen versus Norwegian Buhund

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Lowchens shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lowchen or the Norwegian Buhund

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

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

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

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

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

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lowchen vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lowchens 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 Lowchen or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Lowchens good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Lowchen Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

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

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen

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

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • 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 Lowchen vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Border Terrier     Lowchen versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Papipoo     Lowchen versus Miniature Pinscher     Lowchen versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Lowchen versus Bull Terrier     Lowchen versus Pointer     Lowchen versus Akita Chow     Lowchen versus Greyhound     Lowchen versus Belgian Malinois     Lowchen versus Sealyham Terrier     Lowchen versus Tibetan Spaniel     Lowchen versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Lowchen versus Cesky Terrier     Lowchen versus Kai Ken     Lowchen versus Pomapoo     Lowchen versus Swedish Vallhund     Lowchen versus Affenpinscher     Lowchen versus Sheepadoodle     Lowchen versus Schipperke     Lowchen versus Norwich Terrier     Lowchen versus Toy Poodle     Lowchen versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Lowchen versus Labradoodle     Lowchen versus Frenchton     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Korean Jindo Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Aussiedoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Boerboel     Norwegian Buhund versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Bluetick Coonhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Valley Bulldog     Norwegian Buhund versus Lowchen     Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Afghan Hound     Norwegian Buhund versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Norwegian Buhund versus Pyredoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Mal Shi     Norwegian Buhund versus Chorkie     Norwegian Buhund versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Norwegian Buhund versus American Eskimo Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Norwegian Buhund versus Airedale Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Kishu Ken     Norwegian Buhund versus Cesky Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Manchester Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Poodle     

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