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

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Norwegian Buhund Versus Schipperke: Introduction

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

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

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 Schipperke.

Norwegian Buhund versus Schipperke: Overview

A very important difference between the Norwegian Buhund and the Schipperke is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog while the Schipperke 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 Schipperke 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 Schipperke: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norwegian Buhund to the Schipperke 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 Schipperke

Factor Norwegian Buhund Schipperke
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 13 to 15 years
Height 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
Weight 26 to 40 pounds 11 to 18 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 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
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 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
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 $900 – $1500
Average Price No Data $1170
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hips
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 109

    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 Schipperke. 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 Schipperke is 73 out of 125.

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

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

  • Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Schipperkes are very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Schipperke

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

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

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

    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, Schipperkes weigh 11 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Schipperkes are 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Schipperke

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

    The lifespan of Schipperkes is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Schipperkes is 14.0 years.

    Schipperkes live longer than Norwegian Buhunds.

    Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Schipperke

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

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

    Also, Urchin is an adorable Male Schipperke on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Schipperke

    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 Schipperke over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Schipperke is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Schipperke is 109 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 Schipperke

    Popularity of Schipperke

    Year Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank Schipperke Popularity Rank
    2013 166 109
    2014 172 109
    2015 165 109
    2016 174 112
    2017 170 110
    2018 165 105
    2019 169 106
    2020 168 114

    Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund versus Health Problems of Schipperke

    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 Schipperke 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 Schipperke is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Schipperke than for the Norwegian Buhund.

    3 health tests are recommended for Norwegian Buhund while 7 tests are recommended for the Schipperke.

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

    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.

    Schipperke Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hips
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Schipperkes here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Norwegian Buhunds and Schipperkes

    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 Schipperke Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    This is because the Schipperke ranks 5 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 295 Schipperkes, 4 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

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

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 5 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 36 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 50 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 54 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 93 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 142 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 165 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Norwegian Buhund and in Schipperke and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Norwegian Buhund and the Schipperke:

    Disease Norwegian Buhund Rank Schipperke Rank
    Eyes problems 35 out of 182 dog breeds 165 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 131 out of 198 dog breeds 142 out of 198 dog breeds
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems Not Common 5 out of 40 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 36 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 50 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 54 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 93 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 Schipperke

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

    Schipperkes can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Schipperkes?

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Schipperkes shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Schipperke

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Schipperkes do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Schipperkes are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Schipperkes 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 Norwegian Buhunds Bark and Howl? What about Schipperkes?

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

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

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

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Schipperkes can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Schipperke

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

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

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Schipperkes Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Schipperkes cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Schipperkes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Schipperkes?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Schipperkes?

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

    Schipperkes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Schipperke?

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Schipperkes are not easy to train.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Schipperkes adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Schipperkes 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 Schipperke vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Schipperke

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

  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Lancashire Heeler (74 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Lancashire Heeler.
  • Miniature Pinscher (75 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Kelpie     Norwegian Buhund versus Komondor     Norwegian Buhund versus Kishu Ken     Norwegian Buhund versus Norfolk Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus French Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Boykin Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Poodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Norwegian Buhund versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Bichon Frise     Norwegian Buhund versus Black Russian Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Xoloitzcuintli     Norwegian Buhund versus Bulldog     Norwegian Buhund versus Welsh Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Tibetan Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu     Norwegian Buhund versus French Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Great Dane     Norwegian Buhund versus Bluetick Coonhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Welsh Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Belgian Tervuren     Norwegian Buhund versus Ibizan Hound     

    Schipperke Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Schipperke versus Bouvier des Flandres     Schipperke versus Dalmatian     Schipperke versus Black Mouth Cur     Schipperke versus Shiranian     Schipperke versus Dachshund     Schipperke versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Schipperke versus Saint Bernard     Schipperke versus Manchester Terrier     Schipperke versus Pointer     Schipperke versus Stabyhoun     Schipperke versus Maremma Sheepdog     Schipperke versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Schipperke versus Beaglier     Schipperke versus Coton de Tulear     Schipperke versus Maltipoo     Schipperke versus Chi-Poo     Schipperke versus Lancashire Heeler     Schipperke versus Xoloitzcuintli     Schipperke versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Schipperke versus Frenchton     Schipperke versus Miniature Pinscher     Schipperke versus Mudi     Schipperke versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Schipperke versus Miniature Poodle     Schipperke versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     

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