Norwegian Buhund

Originating in Norway, dogs similar to the Buhund have been found in Viking graves dating back to 900AD. Thought to be a close relation to the Iceland Dog, the Icelandic Sagas tell of a similar dog arriving from Norway in the 9th century, and these written and archaeological records give us a good idea as to how old this ancient breed really is.

The name Buhund translates as ‘farm dog’ as they were used as an all-round farm dog, performing multiple functions including herding, and watchdog and pest control, some are still used for this purpose today.

First brought to England in the late 1940’s following the second World War, more examples arrived in the 1950’s and 60’s. The breed received official recognition in 1968, and became popular in the show ring due to their unfussy appearance and lively, appealing nature.

Ideal Buhund owners are Vikings. If you don’t happen to be a Viking however, you’ll be someone experienced with Spitz type breeds and have some skill in training a multi-talented, clever, problem-solving breed. The usual caveats about shedding hair and barking noise apply here, be fond of vacuuming and ready to put work into teaching a solid ‘shhh’ cue.  Buhunds are active and agile so you’ll need a large secure garden, and ideally either a child free home or older, sensible children who can take part in training and exercise.

Up to two hours of exercise per day, plus training, games or puzzle solving, will keep the active mind of the Buhund occupied and satisfied. They will enjoy free running off the lead, but remember the instinct to herd and gather livestock is still strong, so use of a longline and harness is sensible if training a solid and reliable recall has not been achieved.

With their thick, insulating coat, the Buhund is happy in cold or wet weather, but will prefer to avoid the heat of the day in summer and won’t enjoy the central heating cranked up high.

Whilst not requiring a huge indoor space, the Buhund is an active dog who will appreciate a home with a decent sized garden and room to play. Secure fencing is vital, and as these dogs can shed incredible amounts of fur daily for several months, it’s wise to consider if that is an issue in the smaller home. Better suited to rural or at least rural suburb homes with access to a variety of interesting walks.

Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed them at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of their particular food.

The double coat of the Buhund moults profusely once or twice a year, at which time daily grooming is recommended. Otherwise, a brush and comb through twice a week should suffice.

With the right approach to motivation, using positive reinforcement and kind, sensitive handling, the Buhund is capable of high levels of obedience and training, but it will be a dedicated trainer who enjoys dog training for its own sake that achieves this. Care must be taken to teach them not to bark unnecessarily, and much effort needs to be put into a strong recall.

Whilst the Buhund can make an excellent family pet, they will be better suited to homes with older children who can take part in training and exercise and who enjoy spending time outside even in cold or wet weather. This is not a breed who will enjoy living in a home where the heating is on high all the time so take this into consideration as well.

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.