Norwegian Buhunds

The Buhund ranges in size from 16 to 17-l/2 inches for females, 17 - 18-l/2 inches for males, with weights of 26-1/2 to 35-l/2 pounds for females, 31 to 40 pounds for males. In overall appearance the Buhund should be well- balanced and without exaggeration. Like most kennel club recognized breeds, the Buhund has gradually taken on a more standardized appearance compared to its earlier, more varied appearance. Originally wolf sable colors also were seen, as well as longer coats and more loosely curled tails, but these are now considered faults by show breeders.

The Buhund is still used as a general-purpose farm dog in Norway, herding livestock and guarding property. Other activities in which Buhunds now take part include conformation shows and obedience and agility competitions. 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 have the typical spitz characteristics of activity, self-confidence and independence, but are trainable and home-loving with less inclination to hunt than other spitz breeds, having been bred as herding dogs rather than as hunters and draft dogs. They are alert watch dogs but not prone to senseless barking. Affectionate and intelligent, they are excellent family companions, good with children. Buhunds want lots of playtime with their owners. They are good retrievers and swimmers and will round up anything that moves.

As a farm dog, the Buhund is large enough to handle all types of livestock but small enough to be economical and easy to keep. Hardy and enduring, the Buhund must be agile, quick and sure-footed to work in the rugged terrain of its homeland. In Norway, the houses and farm buildings often are built on steep slopes, leaving the flat land for farming. Lorraine Smart, an English breeder, has written a description of the Buhund at work in Norway:

"In the spring the sheep are driven onto the mountains and looked after by just a handful of shepherds and their dogs. In the autumn when it is time to bring them down to the lower pastures all of the owners with their Buhunds congregate at a given point. They then send the dogs up the mountains (the dogs now work on their own initiative), to gather in and drive the sheep down to the large open space set aside. Time and again the dogs will go out and bring in, sometimes just one or two, sometimes twenty or thirty, sheep at a time. Now you can imagine, conditions are not conducive to sheep spotting; outcrops of rock, fallen boulders and hard springy gorse all combine to hide the sheep from the dog. So what does the dog do? He barks. This disturbs the sheep so that they move and are therefore very easily spotted and rounded up . . . during shearing the Buhund can and does work in the same way as the Kelpie. He walks over the backs of the sheep ... The Buhund also guards his flock. When brought down from the moutain, the sheep are not enclosed by fences, it is up to the Buhund to ensure than no sheep get out (day and night) and more importantly no marauders get into the flock. This guarding instinct can be very strong."

This account accords with the kind of work done by the "huntaway" dog of the Scottish Highlands, as well as with the work done by the herding dogs of Iceland and other northern islands settled by the Vikings. Buhunds introduced to livestock in the U.S. show the typical free-moving working style of the loose-eyed, upright breeds. They have a natural tendency to circle and gather, fetching the sheep when the handler gives ground, turning back any individual animal that tries to leave the group.

When dog showing began in Norway, the Buhund at first was overlooked as being something of a utilitarian animal. The breed was first entered in agricultural shows in 1913, then the first Buhund shows were held in the 1920's. A breed club was established in 1939 and rapid progress was made. After World War II, Buhunds were brought into England. The Buhund has since become established in other European countries and in Australia and North America.

In the United States, the Norwegian Buhund Club of America was formed in 1983. The NBCA held its first National Specialty show in 1990 in Roanoke, Virginia. Performance activities were given early attention, and obedience, agility, and herding instinct tests have been regular features of the subsequent National Specialties. Breeders have demonstrated a commendably strong interest in promoting the versatility and wide range of talents of the Norwegian Buhund.