Norwegian Buhund puppies

About the Norwegian Buhund

The Norwegian Buhund is an old Scandinavian farm spitz, used to herd stock and watch the homestead, and the breed's name comes from the word for farm. This is a medium dog of 41 to 47 cm and 11.8 to 18.1 kg, with pricked ears, a tightly curled tail and a hard medium double coat that sheds dirt and dries itself after a soaking. They are cheerful, closely involved in whatever their people are doing, alert to everything on the property, and quick to say so.

This is a herding dog with real stamina, and they want vigorous exercise twice a day: running beside a bike, retrieving, or long hikes. They also take well to obedience, tracking and agility. Brush two or three times a week, and more often when the undercoat blows once or twice a year. Barking is a genuine consideration for anyone with close neighbours. Ratings with children and other pets are moderate, so supervise and socialise. Keep them well exercised, because the noise an under exercised Buhund makes can look like a training problem.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Norwegian Buhund puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
• von Willebrand disease, a clotting disorder detectable by DNA test
• Hereditary eye disease including cataract, screened by an ophthalmologist examination
• Epilepsy, diagnosed clinically once other causes have been ruled out

Your Norwegian Buhund puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Norwegian Buhund.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 11.8 to 18.1 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 30 inch (30 x 20 x 23 in, 76 x 51 x 58 cm) for an adult of up to 18.1 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

Previous: Norrbottenspets · Next: Norwegian Elkhound

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Norwegian Buhund breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/norwegian-buhund/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.