The buhund is very good with children but an adult must always be present to supervise.
The Norwegian (or Norsk) Buhund is closely related to the spitz breed. So it is no surprise that these dogs have the typical spitz characteristics of activity, self-confidence and independence. They are also easy to train, and they like their homes, meaning that they have less of a tendency to want to hunt than other spitz breeds.
All these attributes and more make them a top choice for a family pet. In addition performance of this breed in activities was given successful early attention by the early breeders, so they perform excellently in obedience, agility, and herding.
The breed is lightly built, with a short, compact body and free from exaggeration. Buhunds were taken along by the Vikings on their travels and colonising expeditions over a thousand years ago and were the ancestors of the Iceland Dog. it is also thought that they influenced the development of the similarly skilled Collie breed.
Watch our video about the Buhund. Turn up your sound!
This is such an eager and responsive breed, as it should be, as it has been domesticated for so long, and bred for just those characteristics, among others for such a long time.
The Norwegian Buhund makes an excellent house-dog and their warning bark will deter unwelcome visitors despite their relatively small size.
This breed is at heart a working dog and has existed for many hundreds if not thousands of years through running and barking all day for most of the day. While modern owners need not meet these extreme levels of activity this breed must be exercised at least say 1 hour daily and not just on the lead. Open space and freedom to run should also be provided during dog walks for these dogs.
You may have to train these dogs to reduce their barking, It is achievable! The breed is considered by many researchers to be the easiest of the spitz breeds to train due to their innate desire to please plus, a quick learning aptitude.
As usual you do need to take all precautions before you buy a puppy. If you purchase a puppy from a member of the Norsk Buhund Club, you will know that the puppies are usually only sold after they have been screened at the age of six weeks and that the parents have a current clear eye certificate under a recognised eye scheme. Other clubs run similar schemes. Do take the health of your puppy seriously. By doing so you will also help reduce the possibility of irresponsible puppy farmers ever being able to make a business from puppy breeding exploitation.
During shearing the breed can and does work in the same way as the Kelpie. The Norwegian Buhund was known as a companion to the Vikings over 1,000 years ago
Buhunds have been trained as hearing dogs, and one dog in England was taken through the training course at the RAF Police Dog training school, where it performed protection work (only lack of size made it unsuitable for this in a practical situation) and tracking.
Buhunds often are born with double dew claws on the rear legs; the dew claws are left on in Norway but usually removed in Britain and the US.
Do consider this breed before you go out and buy you next dog. You will not regret it as long as you train them out of barking too much. In return you will be the owner of a hugely affectionate, gentle and companionable pet.
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