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The Norwegian Buhund, also known as the Norsk Buhund, the Norwegian Sheepdog, and the Nordiske Sitz-hund, is a breed believed to have its origins with the Vikings. We know this because the skeletons have been found in the graves with the Viking people who were often buried with their most prized possessions. They were used to help with farming, but also to hunt animals such as bear. Today, they have changed some with more refined breeding and are native to the land of Norway. There, the dogs are used for herding sheep and guarding farms. They are also kept as family pets. They get their name from the word "bu" in the native language, which means "farm".

This breed is accepted for registry in the NBCA, the FCI, the KCGB, the ANKC, the NKC, the CKC, the ACR, the APRI, the AKC, and the DRA. In all of these organizations, they are classified under the "Northern" dog category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.

The Norwegian Buhund is a medium sized spitz-type of dog with good looks and a well-proportioned composition. According to breed standards, the dogs should be between 16 to 18.5 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight can vary a bit, but they should be between 26.5 and 40 pounds, with males being larger than females of the breed. The ears are pricked and are held in the upright, erect position. The eyes are dark and oval-shaped, holding an expression of alertness and incredible sensitivity. The lips and the nose are black. The tail is fluffy and curves up over the back tightly. The feet are webbed.

The fur of the Norwegian Buhund is double-coated. The outer coat is harsh and the undercoat is softer. The accepted colors for this breed are wheat, biscuit, reddish or light yellow, wolf sable, and black. The fur is short to medium in length. Their grooming is fairly simple, but it should be maintained regularly. This breed does not tend to mat, but they do need to be brushed on a weekly basis to ensure that nothing is stuck in the fur. This will also help to remove some of the loose hair and keep the dog clean. These dogs are average shedders, except during their yearly heavy shedding season.

They are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, especially when there is good human to canine communication between the two. Training should be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. Without this, you can end up with a dog that believes he or she is the "alpha" in the home, rather than the human being in charge. If you are firm, consistent, and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly. They are very eager to please the owner that they love and respect.

They are extremely friendly, social, and affectionate. This breed enjoys being with his or her family and friends above all else and is exceptional with children. This dog will not want to spend a lot of time alone as they will get very bored and this can lead to very undesirable behaviors, such as destructiveness and obsessive barking. They are very active and need to have room to run and are not suited for life in apartments. They do fine, however, with a small, fenced yard that they can run freely in, if they are getting a brisk walk daily. The average lifespan of the Norwegian Buhund is between 13 and 15 years, so you will be able to enjoy a long time with this beautiful and loving companion.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Tiegert.
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