Breed Comparison: Norwegian Buhund Versus Siberian Husky

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Norwegian Buhund Versus Siberian Husky: Introduction

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

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

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 Siberian Husky.

Norwegian Buhund versus Siberian Husky

Norwegian Buhund versus Siberian Husky: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Norwegian Buhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Siberian Husky belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Norwegian Buhund versus Siberian Husky: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norwegian Buhund to the Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky

Factor Norwegian Buhund Siberian Husky
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Weight 26 to 40 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 1/5
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 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
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 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $700 – $1250
Average Price No Data $1080
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 13

    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 Siberian Husky. 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 Siberian Husky is 71 out of 125.

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

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

  • Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Siberian Huskys do not like to be left alone.
  • The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky

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

  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Buhund versus Siberian Husky

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

    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, Siberian Huskys weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Siberian Huskys are 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Siberian Husky

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

    The lifespan of Siberian Huskys is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Siberian Huskys is 13.5 years.

    Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Siberian Husky

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

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

    Also, Simba is an adorable Male Siberian Husky on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Siberian Husky

    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 Siberian Husky over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Siberian Husky is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Siberian Husky is 13 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 Siberian Husky

    Popularity of Siberian Husky

    Year Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank Siberian Husky Popularity Rank
    2013 166 14
    2014 172 13
    2015 165 12
    2016 174 12
    2017 170 12
    2018 165 14
    2019 169 15
    2020 168 16

    Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund versus Health Problems of Siberian Husky

    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 Siberian Husky 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 Siberian Husky.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for Norwegian Buhund while 2 tests are recommended for the Siberian Husky.

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

    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.

    Siberian Husky Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- min age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Siberian Huskys here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Norwegian Buhunds and Siberian Huskys

    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 Siberian Husky Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Siberian Husky ranks 46 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 131 Siberian Huskys, 1 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 46 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 62 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 98 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 120 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 135 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 188 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Norwegian Buhund and in Siberian Husky and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Norwegian Buhund and the Siberian Husky:

    Disease Norwegian Buhund Rank Siberian Husky Rank
    Eyes problems 35 out of 182 dog breeds 62 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 131 out of 198 dog breeds 188 out of 198 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 46 out of 49 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 98 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 120 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 135 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 Siberian Husky

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

    Siberian Huskys do not like to be left alone.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Siberian Huskys?

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Siberian Huskys shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Siberian Husky

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Siberian Huskys drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Buhund or the Siberian Husky?

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

    Siberian Huskys require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Norwegian Buhund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Siberian Husky?

    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.

    Siberian Huskys have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds Bark and Howl? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

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

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Siberian Huskys can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Siberian Husky

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

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

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Siberian Huskys Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Siberian Huskys can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Siberian Huskys get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Siberian Huskys?

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

    Siberian Huskys get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Siberian Husky?

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Siberian Huskys are not easy to train.

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Better for Apartment Owners than the Siberian Husky?

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Siberian Huskys do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Siberian Huskys 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 Siberian Husky vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Siberian Husky

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

  • Samoyed (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Samoyed.
  • Bloodhound (75 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Bloodhound.
  • Finnish Spitz (78 percent match with Siberian Husky). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Finnish Spitz.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Pomapoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Azawakh     Norwegian Buhund versus Borzoi     Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Schnauzer     Norwegian Buhund versus Cairn Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Chi-Poo     Norwegian Buhund versus Toy Fox Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Bearded Collie     Norwegian Buhund versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Norwegian Buhund versus Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Affenpinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus Shichon     Norwegian Buhund versus American Water Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Mudi     Norwegian Buhund versus Gordon Setter     Norwegian Buhund versus Afador     Norwegian Buhund versus Cockapoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Akita Chow     Norwegian Buhund versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus English Setter     Norwegian Buhund versus Pomeranian     Norwegian Buhund versus Bich Poo     Norwegian Buhund versus Rottweiler     

    Siberian Husky Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Siberian Husky versus Rottweiler     Siberian Husky versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Siberian Husky versus Komondor     Siberian Husky versus Shichon     Siberian Husky versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Siberian Husky versus Bearded Collie     Siberian Husky versus Goldador     Siberian Husky versus Belgian Sheepdog     Siberian Husky versus Komondor     Siberian Husky versus Maltese     Siberian Husky versus Sealyham Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Swedish Vallhund     Siberian Husky versus American Eskimo Dog     Siberian Husky versus Irish Water Spaniel     Siberian Husky versus Jack Russell Terrier     Siberian Husky versus West Highland White Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Shichon     Siberian Husky versus Sealyham Terrier     Siberian Husky versus Whippet     Siberian Husky versus Chorkie     Siberian Husky versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Siberian Husky versus American Eskimo Dog     Siberian Husky versus Norwegian Lundehund     Siberian Husky versus Chi-Poo     

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