Norwegian Buhund

The Norwegian Buhund, a Nordic spitz ciated with the Vikings, is a medium-type closely associated cold weather worker adept at herding and guarding. As family dogs, Buhunds are smart, affectionate, and steadfastly devoted. Characterized by a dense coat, a tail curved tightly over the back.

The head is wedge-shaped with pricked ears and a black nose. Their back is level with a deep chest. ("spitz" means "pointed" in ancient German).

Wheaten, black, red, (red not too dark), wolf-sable. Self-coloured but small symmetrical markings e.g. white on chest and legs, blaze on head and narrow ring on neck, black mask and ears, and black tips to the tail.

This Norwegian farm dog, who guarded property, helped herd livestock, and hunted or ran off predators such as wolves and bears, is thought to have a long history. The excavation of a Viking grave dating to the 10th century turned up the skeletons of six dogs of various sizes. They may be the forebears of today's Buhund. Over the years, Buhunds have escaped the bounds of their herding past to be trained for certain types of police work and as hearing dogs, as well as participating in agility and obedience trials.

The dogs were first exhibited at dog shows in Norway in the 1920s, and a breed club was organized in 1939. The dogs were first imported to the United States in the 1980s.

Typical of Nordic breeds, the Buhund is confident, energetic, and affectionate. He enjoys being with his family, but he s independent enough to stay on his own during the day as long as he has toys for entertainment and a yard or other place to play. He gets along with children, cats, and dogs if he is raised with them. As with any breed, all interactions with young children should be supervised so that neither dog nor child accidentally gets hurt.

Buhund's alert nature makes him an excellent watchdog, but it also makes him highly vocal. His loud bark will let not only you but also all your neighbors know that a leaf has fallen, a car has passed, or a kid has whizzed by on a skateboard. Teach him early on to moderate his voice.

The Buhund has a thick double coat. Brush it weekly to keep it clean and remove dead hair. The coat sheds some all year round and more heavily once or twice a year. During shedding seasons, which are usually in the spring or fall, daily brushing will help to keep excess hair under control.

Regular brushing will keep the Buhund clean. It's rare that he will need a bath. The rest is basic care. Trim the nails as needed, usually every week or two. Brush the teeth frequently with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.