A Detailed Comparison of the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier.

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Norwegian Buhund Versus Norwich Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwegian Buhund and for the Norwich Terrier. 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 Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Norwegian Buhund or the Norwich Terrier.

Norwegian Buhund versus Norwich Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Norwich 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.

Norwegian Buhund versus Norwich Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norwegian Buhund to the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier

Factor Norwegian Buhund Norwich Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Height 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Weight 26 to 40 pounds Up to 12 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $2650
Average Price No Data $2140
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 102

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Norwegian Buhund 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 Norwich Terrier. 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 Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwich Terrier is 83 out of 125.

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

    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 Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier

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

  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Buhund versus Norwich Terrier

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

    Norwegian Buhunds weigh 26 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Norwegian Buhunds are 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Norwich Terriers weigh Up to 12 pounds when fully grown. Norwich Terriers are Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Norwich Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Norwich Terriers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Norwich Terriers is 12.0 years.

    Norwegian Buhunds live longer than Norwich Terriers.

    Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Norwich Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Norwegian Buhunds and many Norwich Terriers 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 Norwegian Buhund named Odie that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Norwegian Buhunds like Odie on pefinder.com.

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

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

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

    The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    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 Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Norwich Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Norwich Terrier is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Popularity of Norwich Terrier

    Year Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank Norwich Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 166 89
    2014 172 97
    2015 165 103
    2016 174 103
    2017 170 105
    2018 165 108
    2019 169 102
    2020 168 109

    Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund versus Health Problems of Norwich Terrier

    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 Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier 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 Norwich Terrier is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Norwegian Buhund.

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

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

    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.

    Norwich Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwich Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Norwegian Buhunds and Norwich Terriers

    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
  • 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 Norwich Terrier Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Norwich Terrier ranks 2 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 64 Norwich Terriers, 27 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 2 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Primary Lens Luxation problems: Rank 13 out of 17 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 22 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 86 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 94 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 109 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Norwegian Buhund and in Norwich Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Norwegian Buhund and the Norwich Terrier:

    Disease Norwegian Buhund Rank Norwich Terrier Rank
    Eyes problems 35 out of 182 dog breeds 109 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 131 out of 198 dog breeds 86 out of 198 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 2 out of 49 dog breeds
    Primary Lens Luxation problems Not Common 13 out of 17 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 22 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 94 out of 144 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: Norwegian Buhund versus Norwich Terrier

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

    Norwich Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Norwich Terriers?

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Norwich Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwich Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

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

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

    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.

    Norwich Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds Bark and Howl? What about Norwich Terriers?

    Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Norwich Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwich Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwich Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Norwich Terrier

    Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Norwich Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Norwich Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Norwegian Buhund or the Norwich Terrier?

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Norwich Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Norwich Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Norwich Terriers?

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

    Norwich Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Norwich Terriers are very easy to train.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Norwich Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Norwich Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    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 Norwich Terrier vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwich Terrier

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

  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Cavachon.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (81 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Lowchen (78 percent match with Norwich Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Lowchen.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus German Pinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus Maremma Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus Golden Retriever     Norwegian Buhund versus Westiepoo     Norwegian Buhund versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Norwegian Buhund versus Chi-Poo     Norwegian Buhund versus Sheepadoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Saluki     Norwegian Buhund versus Schnoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Goldendoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Shichon     Norwegian Buhund versus Chorkie     Norwegian Buhund versus Norwegian Lundehund     Norwegian Buhund versus Lancashire Heeler     Norwegian Buhund versus Dachshund     Norwegian Buhund versus Fila Brasileiro     Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Schnauzer     Norwegian Buhund versus Bernedoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Stabyhoun     Norwegian Buhund versus Finnish Lapphund     Norwegian Buhund versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Korean Jindo Dog     

    Norwich Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwich Terrier versus Berger Picard     Norwich Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Norwich Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Norwich Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Norwich Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Norwich Terrier versus Bernedoodle     Norwich Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus Pekingese     Norwich Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Norwich Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Norwich Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     Norwich Terrier versus Chinook     Norwich Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Norwich Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Norwich Terrier versus Beaglier     Norwich Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Norwich Terrier versus Westiepoo     Norwich Terrier versus Affenhuahua     Norwich Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Norwich Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Norwich Terrier versus Miniature Poodle     Norwich Terrier versus Border Collie     Norwich Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     Norwich Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Norwich Terrier versus Bullmastiff     

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