Norwegian Buhund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Norwegian Buhund Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Norwegian Buhund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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.

Norwegian Buhund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norwegian Buhund to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Factor Norwegian Buhund Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Weight 26 to 40 pounds 35 to 55 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
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 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 169

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Buhund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    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, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    The lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is 11.0 years.

    Norwegian Buhunds live longer than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Norwegian Buhund is more popular with dog owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Year Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 166 157
    2014 172 170
    2015 165 164
    2016 174 169
    2017 170 176
    2018 165 170
    2019 169 173
    2020 168 175

    Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund versus Health Problems of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Norwegian Buhund than for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    3 health tests are recommended for Norwegian Buhund while 2 tests are recommended for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Norwegian Buhunds and in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    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.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Polish Lowland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Norwegian Buhunds and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog Breed is Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Polish Lowland Sheepdog ranks 1 out of 8 dog breeds for Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 341 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, 60 of them had Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

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

  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 60 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 106 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 116 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Norwegian Buhund and in Polish Lowland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Norwegian Buhund and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog:

    Disease Norwegian Buhund Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Rank
    Eyes problems 35 out of 182 dog breeds 106 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 131 out of 198 dog breeds 60 out of 198 dog breeds
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 1 out of 8 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 116 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Buhund or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Norwegian Buhund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    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.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds Bark and Howl? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Norwegian Buhund or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Better for Apartment Owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Norwegian Buhund or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog:

  • Barbet (83 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Barbet.
  • Bernedoodle (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Bernedoodle.
  • Miniature Schnauzer (79 percent match with Polish Lowland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Miniature Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Canaan Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Boerboel     Norwegian Buhund versus Coton de Tulear     Norwegian Buhund versus Pomsky     Norwegian Buhund versus Azawakh     Norwegian Buhund versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Norwegian Buhund versus German Pinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus Catahoula Bulldog     Norwegian Buhund versus Beagle     Norwegian Buhund versus Shiranian     Norwegian Buhund versus Shiba Inu     Norwegian Buhund versus Chihuahua     Norwegian Buhund versus Spanish Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Maremma Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus Chinook     Norwegian Buhund versus Maltese     Norwegian Buhund versus American Hairless Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Biewer Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Pekingese     Norwegian Buhund versus Canaan Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Water Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Terrier     

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Komondor     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Spinone Italiano     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Sloughi     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Shiloh Shepherd     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Dogo Argentino     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Keeshond     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Irish Wolfhound     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Cairn Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Chinese Crested     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Black Russian Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bordoodle     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Pekingese     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Tibetan Spaniel     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Tibetan Spaniel     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Ibizan Hound     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Border Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Goldador     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Pug     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Norwich Terrier     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus Bich Poo     Polish Lowland Sheepdog versus American Foxhound     

    Conclusion: Norwegian Buhund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.