Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Norwegian Buhund Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu
- Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Buhund or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Norwegian Buhund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Norwegian Buhunds Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Norwegian Buhund or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Norwegian Buhund Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu? 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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu.
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 Shih Tzu.
Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu: Overview
A very important difference between the Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog while the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Norwegian Buhund to the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu
| Factor | Norwegian Buhund | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Height | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 26 to 40 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1200 – $2300 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1820 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 168 | 18 |
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 Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Norwegian Buhund. So, you should get the Shih Tzu!
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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu
The Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Norwegian Buhund and the Shih Tzu.
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, Shih Tzus weigh 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Shih Tzus are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
Norwegian Buhunds live longer than Shih Tzus.
Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Norwegian Buhunds and many Shih Tzus 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, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, Cooper is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like Cooper that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Jack Jack is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Norwegian Buhunds and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
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 Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 18 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 Shih Tzu
| Year | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 166 | 15 |
| 2014 | 172 | 17 |
| 2015 | 165 | 19 |
| 2016 | 174 | 20 |
| 2017 | 170 | 20 |
| 2018 | 165 | 20 |
| 2019 | 169 | 20 |
| 2020 | 168 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Shih Tzus?
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Shih Tzu
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Buhund or the Shih Tzu?
Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Norwegian Buhund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
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.
Shih Tzus 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 Shih Tzus?
Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Shih Tzu
Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Norwegian Buhund or the Shih Tzu?
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Shih Tzus?
Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Norwegian Buhund Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Norwegian Buhund or the Shih Tzu?
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Norwegian Buhund that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Norwegian Buhund:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Norwegian Buhund and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Norwegian Buhund and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Norwegian Buhund versus Patterdale Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Lakeland Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus English Cocker Spaniel Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Afghan Hound Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Poodle Norwegian Buhund versus Rottweiler Norwegian Buhund versus Bernedoodle Norwegian Buhund versus Black Russian Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Saint Bernard Norwegian Buhund versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Dutch Shepherd Norwegian Buhund versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Norwegian Buhund versus Affenhuahua Norwegian Buhund versus Dutch Shepherd Norwegian Buhund versus Japanese Chin Norwegian Buhund versus Affenhuahua Norwegian Buhund versus American Water Spaniel Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu Norwegian Buhund versus Affenpinscher Norwegian Buhund versus Bluetick Coonhound Norwegian Buhund versus Chi-Poo Norwegian Buhund versus Cavapoo Norwegian Buhund versus Norwegian Lundehund Norwegian Buhund versus Labradoodle
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Pomapoo Shih Tzu versus Bullmastiff Shih Tzu versus Patterdale Terrier Shih Tzu versus Scottish Deerhound Shih Tzu versus Biewer Terrier Shih Tzu versus Boston Terrier Shih Tzu versus Basset Hound Shih Tzu versus Estrela Mountain Dog Shih Tzu versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Shih Tzu versus Kooikerhondje Shih Tzu versus Akbash Shih Tzu versus Cavachon Shih Tzu versus Australian Cattle Dog Shih Tzu versus Cocker Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Hovawart Shih Tzu versus Hovawart Shih Tzu versus Border Collie Shih Tzu versus Puli Shih Tzu versus German Shorthaired Pointer Shih Tzu versus Black and Tan Coonhound Shih Tzu versus Ibizan Hound Shih Tzu versus Labradoodle Shih Tzu versus Morkie Shih Tzu versus Bulldog Shih Tzu versus Beagle
Conclusion: Norwegian Buhund versus Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.