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

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Norwegian Buhund Versus Plott: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott 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 Plott. 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 Plott.

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 Plott.

Norwegian Buhund versus Plott: Overview

Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott are similar in size. The Norwegian Buhund and the Plott are both medium-sized dogs.

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 Plott belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Norwegian Buhund versus Plott: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norwegian Buhund to the Plott 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 Plott

FactorNorwegian BuhundPlott
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 14 years
Height16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Low Prey Drive4/51/5
Weight26 to 40 pounds40 to 75 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/51/5
Good For Novice Owners3/51/5
Easygoing3/52/5
Dog Friendly3/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
Does NOT Shed3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Intelligence3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Tolerates Being Alone4/52/5
General Health4/55/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/51/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/53/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.0 years
Price RangeNo Data$480 – $700
Average PriceNo Data$600
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds168161

    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 Plott. 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 Plott is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Norwegian Buhund is a better pet than the Plott. 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 Norwegian Buhund and the Plott 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 Plott

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

  • Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Plotts are very easy to groom.
  • Norwegian Buhunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Plotts have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Plotts are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Norwegian Buhunds can tolerate cold weather. However, Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott

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

  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott are very easy to train.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Plott require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Buhund versus Plott

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

    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, Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Plott

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

    The lifespan of Plotts is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Plotts is 13.0 years.

    Norwegian Buhunds live longer than Plotts.

    Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Plott

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Norwegian Buhunds and many Plotts 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, Plotts are also available for adoption. For example, Scallion is a Male Plott that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Plotts like Scallion that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Also, Gruff is an adorable Male Plott on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Plott

    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 Plott over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Plott is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Plott is 161 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 Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    `
    Year Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank Plott Popularity Rank
    2013 166 149
    2014 172 154
    2015 165 149
    2016 174 158
    2017 170 166
    2018 165 171
    2019 169 177
    2020 168 167

    Tolerates Being Alone: Norwegian Buhund versus Plott

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

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Plotts?

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Plott

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Plotts 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 Plotts?

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

    Plotts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Plott

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

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

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Plotts can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Plotts?

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

    Plotts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Plotts?

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

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

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Plott?

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Plotts are very easy to train.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Plotts are not the best dogs 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 Plott vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Plott

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

  • Patterdale Terrier (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Affenpinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus Brussels Griffon     Norwegian Buhund versus Affenhuahua     Norwegian Buhund versus Dutch Shepherd     Norwegian Buhund versus Belgian Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Pinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus Chorkie     Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Shepherd     Norwegian Buhund versus Borzoi     Norwegian Buhund versus Japanese Chin     Norwegian Buhund versus Norwich Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Bearded Collie     Norwegian Buhund versus Belgian Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Norwegian Buhund versus Border Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Cavachon     Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Wolfhound     Norwegian Buhund versus West Highland White Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Maltese     Norwegian Buhund versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Norfolk Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Schnoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Siberian Husky     

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus Mastiff     Plott versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Plott versus West Highland White Terrier     Plott versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Plott versus Ibizan Hound     Plott versus Finnish Spitz     Plott versus Basset Hound     Plott versus Irish Water Spaniel     Plott versus Borzoi     Plott versus Whoodle     Plott versus Bedlington Terrier     Plott versus Bernedoodle     Plott versus Kai Ken     Plott versus Redbone Coonhound     Plott versus Afador     Plott versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Plott versus Miniature Pinscher     Plott versus Beaglier     Plott versus Jack Russell Terrier     Plott versus Finnish Lapphund     Plott versus American Eskimo Dog     Plott versus Maremma Sheepdog     Plott versus Collie     Plott versus Sealyham Terrier     Plott versus Australian Cattle Dog     

    Conclusion: Norwegian Buhund versus Plott. 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 Plott better suits you and your family.