Differences and Similarities between the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier.

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Norwegian Buhund Versus Silky Terrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Silky Terrier.

Norwegian Buhund versus Silky Terrier

Norwegian Buhund versus Silky Terrier: Overview

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

The table below compares the Norwegian Buhund to the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier

Factor Norwegian Buhund Silky Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Weight 26 to 40 pounds 8 to 10 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1425 – $2075
Average Price No Data $1890
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 103

    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 Silky Terrier. 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 Silky Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

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

  • Norwegian Buhunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Silky Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Norwegian Buhunds can tolerate cold weather. However, Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier

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

  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Buhund versus Silky Terrier

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

    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, Silky Terriers weigh 8 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Silky Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norwegian Buhund versus Silky Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Silky Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Silky Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Adopting the Norwegian Buhund versus Adopting the Silky Terrier

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

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

    Also, Luke 2 is an adorable Male Silky Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Popularity of Norwegian Buhund versus Popularity of Silky Terrier

    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 Silky Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Silky Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Silky Terrier is 103 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 Silky Terrier

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Year Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank Silky Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 166 92
    2014 172 101
    2015 165 102
    2016 174 100
    2017 170 106
    2018 165 112
    2019 169 109
    2020 168 108

    Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund versus Health Problems of Silky Terrier

    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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for Norwegian Buhund while 2 tests are recommended for the Silky Terrier.

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

    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.

    Silky Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Silky Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Norwegian Buhunds and Silky Terriers

    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 Silky Terrier Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Silky Terrier ranks 22 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 109 Silky Terriers, 0 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 22 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 50 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 61 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Norwegian Buhund and in Silky Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Norwegian Buhund and the Silky Terrier:

    Disease Norwegian Buhund Rank Silky Terrier Rank
    Eyes problems 35 out of 182 dog breeds 61 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 131 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 22 out of 159 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 50 out of 145 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 Silky Terrier

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

    Silky Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Norwegian Buhunds shed more than Silky Terriers?

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Silky Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Norwegian Buhund or the Silky Terrier

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Silky Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Buhund or the Silky Terrier?

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

    Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Norwegian Buhund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Silky Terrier?

    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.

    Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers?

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

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

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Silky Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Buhund vs. Silky Terrier

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

    Silky Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Silky Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Silky Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Norwegian Buhunds good family dogs? What about Silky Terriers?

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

    Silky Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Buhunds and Silky Terriers?

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

    Silky Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Easier to Train than the Silky Terrier?

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Silky Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Norwegian Buhund Better for Apartment Owners than the Silky Terrier?

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Silky Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Silky Terriers are OK 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 Silky Terrier vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Silky Terrier

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (81 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Australian Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Shepherd     Norwegian Buhund versus Affenpinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Norwegian Buhund versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Catahoula Bulldog     Norwegian Buhund versus Boykin Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Manchester Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Samoyed     Norwegian Buhund versus Collie     Norwegian Buhund versus Borzoi     Norwegian Buhund versus Whippet     Norwegian Buhund versus Shiba Inu     Norwegian Buhund versus Silky Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Pyredoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Border Collie     Norwegian Buhund versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Norwegian Buhund versus Spinone Italiano     Norwegian Buhund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Norwegian Buhund versus Azawakh     Norwegian Buhund versus Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Norwegian Buhund versus Yorkshire Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Alaskan Klee Kai     

    Silky Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Silky Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Keeshond     Silky Terrier versus French Bulldog     Silky Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Silky Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Silky Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Silky Terrier versus Chinese Crested     Silky Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Silky Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Silky Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Silky Terrier versus American Water Spaniel     Silky Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Silky Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Silky Terrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Azawakh     Silky Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Silky Terrier versus French Bulldog     Silky Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Great Pyrenees     Silky Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Silky Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Silky Terrier versus Beaglier     Silky Terrier versus Puggle     Silky Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Silky Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     

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