Breed Comparison: Norwegian Buhund Versus Scottish Deerhound

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Norwegian Buhund Versus Scottish Deerhound: Introduction

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

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

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 Scottish Deerhound.

Norwegian Buhund versus Scottish Deerhound: Overview

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

The table below compares the Norwegian Buhund to the Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound

Factor Norwegian Buhund Scottish Deerhound
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 8 to 11 years
Height 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Weight 26 to 40 pounds 75 to 110 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
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 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 9.5 years
Price Range No Data $975 – $975
Average Price No Data $980
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 158

    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 Scottish Deerhound. 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 Scottish Deerhound is 67 out of 125.

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

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

  • Norwegian Buhunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Scottish Deerhounds 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, Scottish Deerhounds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Scottish Deerhound

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

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

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

    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, Scottish Deerhounds weigh 75 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Scottish Deerhounds are 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Scottish Deerhound

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

    The lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is between 8 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is 9.5 years.

    Norwegian Buhunds live longer than Scottish Deerhounds.

    Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Scottish Deerhound

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

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

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

    The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    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 Scottish Deerhound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Scottish Deerhound is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Scottish Deerhound is 158 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 Scottish Deerhound

    Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Year Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank Scottish Deerhound Popularity Rank
    2013 166 165
    2014 172 157
    2015 165 152
    2016 174 154
    2017 170 168
    2018 165 158
    2019 169 149
    2020 168 166

    Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund versus Health Problems of Scottish Deerhound

    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 Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound 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 Scottish Deerhound.

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

    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.

    Scottish Deerhound Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Scottish Deerhounds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Norwegian Buhunds and Scottish Deerhounds

    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 Scottish Deerhound Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Scottish Deerhound ranks 4 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 148 Scottish Deerhounds, 5 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 4 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Norwegian Buhund and in Scottish Deerhound and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Norwegian Buhund and the Scottish Deerhound:

    Disease Norwegian Buhund Rank Scottish Deerhound Rank
    Eyes problems 35 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 131 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 4 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 Scottish Deerhound

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

    Scottish Deerhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Scottish Deerhounds?

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Scottish Deerhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Scottish Deerhound

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Scottish Deerhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Buhund or the Scottish Deerhound?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Norwegian Buhund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Scottish Deerhound?

    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.

    Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhounds?

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

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

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Scottish Deerhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Scottish Deerhound

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

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

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Scottish Deerhounds?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Scottish Deerhounds?

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

    Scottish Deerhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Scottish Deerhound?

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Scottish Deerhounds are not easy to train.

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Better for Apartment Owners than the Scottish Deerhound?

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Scottish Deerhounds 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 Scottish Deerhound vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Scottish Deerhound

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

  • Alaskan Malamute (70 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Alaskan Malamute.
  • Icelandic Sheepdog (75 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (73 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). 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 Scottish Deerhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Norwegian Buhund and of the Scottish Deerhound to other breeds:

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Beagle     Norwegian Buhund versus Bullmastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Saint Bernard     Norwegian Buhund versus Canaan Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Norwegian Buhund versus Great Dane     Norwegian Buhund versus Newfoundland     Norwegian Buhund versus Bluetick Coonhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Black Mouth Cur     Norwegian Buhund versus Pomapoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Water Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Saint Berdoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Bullmastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus English Setter     Norwegian Buhund versus Field Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Pinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus Tibetan Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Shepherd     Norwegian Buhund versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Kooikerhondje     Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu     Norwegian Buhund versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Schnoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Akita     

    Scottish Deerhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Scottish Deerhound versus English Springer Spaniel     Scottish Deerhound versus Japanese Chin     Scottish Deerhound versus Schipperke     Scottish Deerhound versus Affenpinscher     Scottish Deerhound versus Chinese Crested     Scottish Deerhound versus Cockalier     Scottish Deerhound versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Scottish Deerhound versus Redbone Coonhound     Scottish Deerhound versus Pointer     Scottish Deerhound versus French Bulldog     Scottish Deerhound versus Gordon Setter     Scottish Deerhound versus Doberman Pinscher     Scottish Deerhound versus Goldendoodle     Scottish Deerhound versus German Shepherd Dog     Scottish Deerhound versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Scottish Deerhound versus Tibetan Spaniel     Scottish Deerhound versus Australian Cattle Dog     Scottish Deerhound versus Norwich Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Basenji     Scottish Deerhound versus King Shepherd     Scottish Deerhound versus Saluki     Scottish Deerhound versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Scottish Deerhound versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Scottish Deerhound versus Brittany     Scottish Deerhound versus Dogo Argentino     

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