Is the Miniature Pinscher Better than the Norwegian Buhund as a Pet? Answer…

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Miniature Pinscher Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

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

Miniature Pinscher versus Norwegian Buhund

Miniature Pinscher versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Miniature Pinscher 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.

Miniature Pinscher versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Miniature Pinscher Norwegian Buhund
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 8 to 11 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1470 No Data
Price Range $825 – $1500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PENNGEN
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 67 168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher is 73 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 Miniature Pinscher. 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 Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund

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

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

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

  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Miniature Pinscher versus Norwegian Buhund

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

    Miniature Pinschers weigh 8 to 11 pounds when fully grown. Miniature Pinschers are 10 to 12 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 Miniature Pinscher versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of Miniature Pinschers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Miniature Pinschers is 12.0 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 Miniature Pinschers.

    Adopting the Miniature Pinscher versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinscher named Sid that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Miniature Pinschers like Sid on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Miniature Pinschers, 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Flurry is the name of another Miniature Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Miniature Pinschers and Norwegian Buhunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Pinscher is 67 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Miniature Pinscher

    Popularity of Miniature Pinscher

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Miniature Pinscher Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 53 166
    2014 61 172
    2015 64 165
    2016 68 174
    2017 71 170
    2018 70 165
    2019 74 169
    2020 77 168

    Health Problems of Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher 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 Miniature Pinscher.

    3 health tests are recommended for Miniature Pinscher while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

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

    Miniature Pinscher Health Problems

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

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PENNGEN
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinscher Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    This is because the Miniature Pinscher ranks 7 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 169 Miniature Pinschers, 2 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

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

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 7 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 39 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 68 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 190 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 Miniature Pinscher and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Miniature Pinscher and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Miniature Pinscher Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 7 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 39 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 68 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 190 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: Miniature Pinscher versus Norwegian Buhund

    Miniature Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Miniature Pinschers shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Miniature Pinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Miniature Pinscher or the Norwegian Buhund

    Miniature Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Pinscher or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Miniature Pinschers are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Miniature Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Miniature Pinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Miniature Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Miniature Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Pinscher vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinscher or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Miniature Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Miniature Pinschers good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Miniature Pinschers 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 Miniature Pinschers and Norwegian Buhunds?

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

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

    Is the Miniature Pinscher Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Miniature Pinschers are fairly easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Miniature Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Miniature Pinschers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Miniature Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Miniature Pinscher

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (75 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Manchester Terrier (79 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Schipperke (75 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Schipperke.
  • 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 Miniature Pinscher vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Miniature Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Miniature Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog     Miniature Pinscher versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Miniature Pinscher versus Tibetan Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Miniature Pinscher versus Akita Chow     Miniature Pinscher versus Maltipoo     Miniature Pinscher versus Harrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Chinese Crested     Miniature Pinscher versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Miniature Pinscher versus Redbone Coonhound     Miniature Pinscher versus Beaglier     Miniature Pinscher versus Irish Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Cavachon     Miniature Pinscher versus Cocker Spaniel     Miniature Pinscher versus Collie     Miniature Pinscher versus Harrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Yorkipoo     Miniature Pinscher versus Maltipoo     Miniature Pinscher versus Toy Fox Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Bichon Frise     Miniature Pinscher versus Bouvier des Flandres     Miniature Pinscher versus Norfolk Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Puggle     Miniature Pinscher versus Mal Shi     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus English Setter     Norwegian Buhund versus Carolina Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Basset Hound     Norwegian Buhund versus Doberman Pinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus Plott     Norwegian Buhund versus Havanese     Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Schnauzer     Norwegian Buhund versus Papipoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Toy Poodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Stabyhoun     Norwegian Buhund versus Rottweiler     Norwegian Buhund versus Bordoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Water Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Goldendoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Kai Ken     Norwegian Buhund versus Lhasa Apso     Norwegian Buhund versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus American Water Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Saluki     Norwegian Buhund versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus Tibetan Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Cattle Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Yorkipoo     

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