Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Norwegian Buhund Versus Papillon: Introduction
- Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon: Overview
- Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon
- The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon
- Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon
- Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon
- Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Papillon
- The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Papillon
- Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund versus Health Problems of Papillon
- Tolerates Being Alone: Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon
- Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Papillons?
- Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Papillon
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Buhund or the Papillon?
- Does the Norwegian Buhund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
- Do Norwegian Buhunds Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
- Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Papillon
- Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Norwegian Buhund or the Papillon?
- Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Papillons?
- How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Papillons?
- Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Papillon?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon. Which One is a Better Pet?
Norwegian Buhund Versus Papillon: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon? 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 Papillon 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 Papillon.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon 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 Papillon. 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 Papillon.
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 Papillon.
Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon: Overview
A very important difference between the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog while the Papillon 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 Papillon 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.
Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Norwegian Buhund to the Papillon 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 Papillon
| Factor | Norwegian Buhund | Papillon |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 26 to 40 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1400 – $2000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1800 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 168 | 49 |
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 Papillon. 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 Papillon is 89 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the Norwegian Buhund. So, you should get the Papillon!
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 Papillon so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon
Below is a list of where the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon are most different:
The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon
The Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon.
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, Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon
The lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Papillons is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Papillons is 14.0 years.
Papillons live longer than Norwegian Buhunds.
Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Papillon
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Norwegian Buhunds and many Papillons 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, Papillons are also available for adoption. For example, Phineus is a Male Papillon that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Papillons like Phineus that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
You can find more Norwegian Buhunds and Papillons that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Papillon
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 Papillon over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Papillon is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Papillon is 49 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 Papillon
| Year | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank | Papillon Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 166 | 38 |
| 2014 | 172 | 43 |
| 2015 | 165 | 48 |
| 2016 | 174 | 53 |
| 2017 | 170 | 53 |
| 2018 | 165 | 54 |
| 2019 | 169 | 53 |
| 2020 | 168 | 53 |
Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund versus Health Problems of Papillon
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 Papillon 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 more genetic health problems than the Papillon.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Norwegian Buhund than for the Papillon.
3 health tests are recommended for Norwegian Buhund while 2 tests are recommended for the Papillon.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Norwegian Buhunds and in Papillons.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Buhunds here.
Papillon Health Problems
Papillons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Papillon 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 Papillon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Papillon 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 Papillons for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Norwegian Buhunds and Papillons
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:
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 Papillon Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Papillons, and how common these diseases are in Papillons relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Norwegian Buhund and in Papillon and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Norwegian Buhund and the Papillon:
| Disease | Norwegian Buhund Rank | Papillon Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes problems | 35 out of 182 dog breeds | 148 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 131 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 55 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 67 out of 159 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 Papillon
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Papillons do not like to be left alone.
Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Papillons?
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Papillons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Papillon
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Buhund or the Papillon?
Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Papillons are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Norwegian Buhund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
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.
Papillons 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.
Do Norwegian Buhunds Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Papillons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Papillon
Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Papillons do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Papillons can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Norwegian Buhund or the Papillon?
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Papillons get along very well with other dogs.
Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Papillons?
Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Papillons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Papillons?
Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Papillons get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Papillon?
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Papillons are very easy to train.
Is the Norwegian Buhund Better for Apartment Owners than the Papillon?
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Norwegian Buhund or the Papillon?
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
Papillons are very good 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Papillon 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 Papillon:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Norwegian Buhund and how the Papillon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Norwegian Buhund and of the Papillon to other breeds:
Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Norwegian Buhund versus Bull Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Kai Ken Norwegian Buhund versus Flat-Coated Retriever Norwegian Buhund versus Bolognese Norwegian Buhund versus Portuguese Pointer Norwegian Buhund versus Great Pyrenees Norwegian Buhund versus English Setter Norwegian Buhund versus Barbet Norwegian Buhund versus German Wirehaired Pointer Norwegian Buhund versus Scottish Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Frenchton Norwegian Buhund versus Aussiedoodle Norwegian Buhund versus Mudi Norwegian Buhund versus Korean Jindo Dog Norwegian Buhund versus Beagle Norwegian Buhund versus Bracco Italiano Norwegian Buhund versus Saint Berdoodle Norwegian Buhund versus Akbash Norwegian Buhund versus Maltipoo Norwegian Buhund versus Portuguese Pointer Norwegian Buhund versus American Eskimo Dog Norwegian Buhund versus Alaskan Malamute Norwegian Buhund versus Redbone Coonhound Norwegian Buhund versus Glen of Imaal Terrier
Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Papillon versus American Staffordshire Terrier Papillon versus Greyhound Papillon versus Afador Papillon versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Papillon versus Plott Papillon versus Chi-Poo Papillon versus Shiloh Shepherd Papillon versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Papillon versus Labradoodle Papillon versus Goldendoodle Papillon versus Bouvier des Flandres Papillon versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Papillon versus Field Spaniel Papillon versus Lowchen Papillon versus Biewer Terrier Papillon versus Irish Setter Papillon versus Puggle Papillon versus Bouvier des Flandres Papillon versus Dutch Shepherd Papillon versus Skye Terrier Papillon versus Affenhuahua Papillon versus Coton de Tulear Papillon versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Papillon versus Borzoi Papillon versus Bluetick Coonhound
Conclusion: Norwegian Buhund versus Papillon. 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 Papillon better suits you and your family.