Which is Better between the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund? A Very Detailed Review.

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Manchester Terrier Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

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

Manchester Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund

Manchester Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Manchester Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Manchester Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Manchester Terrier 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 Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Manchester Terrier Norwegian Buhund
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Weight 12 to 22 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Life Span 14 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Height 15 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
General Health 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 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
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1030 No Data
Price Range $725 – $1300 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Juvenile Dialated Cardiomyopathy
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Xanthinuria type 2A
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 133 168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Manchester Terrier 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 Manchester Terrier is 74 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 Manchester Terrier. 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 Manchester Terrier 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 Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Manchester Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Norwegian Buhunds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Manchester Terriers are very easy to groom. However, Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Manchester Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund

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

    Manchester Terriers weigh 12 to 22 pounds when fully grown. Manchester Terriers are 15 to 16 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 Manchester Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of Manchester Terriers is between 14 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Manchester Terriers is 15.0 years.

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

    Manchester Terriers live longer than Norwegian Buhunds.

    Adopting the Manchester Terrier versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terrier named Bozo that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Manchester Terriers like Bozo on pefinder.com.

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

    The Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Parker is the name of another Manchester Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Manchester Terriers and Norwegian Buhunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Manchester Terrier 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 Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Manchester Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Manchester Terrier is 133 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Manchester Terrier

    Popularity of Manchester Terrier

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Manchester Terrier Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 120 166
    2014 136 172
    2015 137 165
    2016 133 174
    2017 135 170
    2018 133 165
    2019 140 169
    2020 132 168

    Health Problems of Manchester Terrier 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 Manchester Terrier 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 Manchester Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Manchester Terrier than for the Norwegian Buhund.

    7 health tests are recommended for Manchester Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

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

    Manchester Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Juvenile Dialated Cardiomyopathy
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Xanthinuria type 2A
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terrier Breed is Von Willebrands problems.

    This is because the Manchester Terrier ranks 4 out of 15 dog breeds for Von Willebrands problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 171 Manchester Terriers, 2 of them had Von Willebrands problems.

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

  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 4 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 41 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 68 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 116 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 192 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 Manchester Terrier and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Manchester Terrier and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Manchester Terrier Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Von Willebrands problems 4 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 41 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 68 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 116 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 192 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: Manchester Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund

    Manchester Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do Manchester Terriers shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Manchester Terriers shed moderately.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Manchester Terrier or the Norwegian Buhund

    Manchester Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Manchester Terrier or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Manchester Terriers are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Manchester Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Manchester Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Manchester Terrier vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terrier or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Manchester Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Manchester Terriers good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Manchester Terriers 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 Manchester Terriers and Norwegian Buhunds?

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

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

    Is the Manchester Terrier Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Manchester Terriers are not easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Manchester Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Manchester Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Manchester Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Manchester Terrier

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (79 percent match with Manchester Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Miniature Pinscher (79 percent match with Manchester Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • Silky Terrier (79 percent match with Manchester Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Silky 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 Manchester Terrier vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Manchester Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Manchester Terrier versus Chinook     Manchester Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Manchester Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Manchester Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel     Manchester Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Manchester Terrier versus Schnoodle     Manchester Terrier versus Newfoundland     Manchester Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Manchester Terrier versus Whippet     Manchester Terrier versus Pekingese     Manchester Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Manchester Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Manchester Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Goldador     Manchester Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Manchester Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Manchester Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Manchester Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Manchester Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Manchester Terrier versus Patterdale Terrier     Manchester Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog     Manchester Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Pinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Cavapoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Norwegian Buhund versus Saint Bernard     Norwegian Buhund versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Cavachon     Norwegian Buhund versus Canaan Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Poodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Pharaoh Hound     Norwegian Buhund versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Norwegian Buhund versus Belgian Tervuren     Norwegian Buhund versus Cockalier     Norwegian Buhund versus Portuguese Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus French Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Black Mouth Cur     Norwegian Buhund versus Belgian Malinois     Norwegian Buhund versus Pug     Norwegian Buhund versus Scottish Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Setter     Norwegian Buhund versus Whippet     Norwegian Buhund versus Bullmastiff     

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