Norwegian Buhund vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Norwegian Buhund vs Basque Shepherd - Breed ComparisonNorwegian Buhund is originated from Norway but Basque Shepherd is originated from Spain. Norwegian Buhund may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than Basque Shepherd. Norwegian Buhund may weigh 11 kg / 24 pounds lesser than Basque Shepherd. Both Norwegian Buhund and Basque Shepherd has same life span. Norwegian Buhund may have less litter size than Basque Shepherd. Both Norwegian Buhund and Basque Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance.

History

norwegian buhund - historyThe Norwegian Buhund is a spitz type dog belonging to the herding group of dogs. The dog is related to the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Jämthund.

This dog breed dates back thousands of years to Nordic Viking times. For centuries these dogs have served working dogs, being herders as well as guardians of flock. Even today in remote parts of Norway, you’ll still find this dog doing farm work.

basque shepherd - historyThe Basque Shepherd is one of the oldest dog breeds. With this Spanish dog, you’ll find paintings dating back 12,000 years ago. The Basque Shepherd is known as a landrace breed, which means the dog hasn’t gone through the same selective breeding programs as what other breeds have. Landrace breeds have more variations in appearance and temperament than regular breeds.

The Basque Shepherd has 2 distinct varieties, the Gorbeiakoa and the Iletsua. The smooth-haired Gorbeiakoa has a softer coat that is fairly short while the rougher-haired Iletsua has a lighter coloured coat, and unlike the Gorbeiakoa, the ears are not typically erect.

Even though this is an ancient breed of dog, only the Royal Canine Society of Spain recognizes the breed with the two varieties, and in January 1996, the two breeds - Iletsua and Gorbeikoa – were recognized.

Description

norwegian buhund puppy - descriptionThe Norwegian Buhund stands at 41 to 47cm in height both male and female. He is a medium sized dog and weighs between 12 and 18kg.

Known as a herding dog, he is described as being deep chested with a well built, compact body, erect ears and a tail which curves over the back. The head of the dog is wedge-shaped and he has a bright, intelligent look to him.

The coat is essentially a wheaten color but it can be other shades such as a pale cream color to bright orange and sometimes even black. The coat is short to medium in length and he sheds moderately with some seasonal shedding as well.

Temperament:

Fun loving, friendly and social, the Norwegian Buhund is also an active dog who will always be pleading with you for a game or walkies. His pleading brown eyes will hopefully soften your heart towards him so that you give him a ball game or a run in the park. It is why this dog breed gets on well with children – he loves to be playing games with them.

They are such lovable dogs, wanting to spend time with their human family and always ready with a doggy kiss. They want to protect the ones they love and this makes them good watchdogs too, being wary around strangers. He is highly intelligent and will go through training and socialization with ease.

Two Varieties

basque shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Basque Shepherd is a strong, well proportioned dog with brown eyes and medium sized ears, which sometimes have folds. This medium-to-large dog has a beautiful fawn coat of medium-length hair that can be straight or slightly wavy. He has a long feathery tail that will wag readily when he sees his owner. You’ll find other colors for the Basque Shepherd shared between the two varieties - a yellow orange or copper coat with other shades being red, blue and black. His hair is shorter on the head and he doesn’t battle with hair over the eyes.

An Intelligent Breed

The Basque Shepherd is a highly intelligent dog and also very energetic. Of the two different kinds of Basque Shepherd, it is the Gorbeiakoa which is the more outgoing. The dogs will require a firm owner and they thrive on the discipline when it is combined with lots of with lots of exercise and activities.

The Basque Shepherd is generally friendly with people, if not a little reserved with strangers. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home, although socialization and training will be necessary to bring out their best.

Characteristics

The Norwegian Buhund is a cheerful, social and active breed.

norwegian buhund dog - characteristicsHe will need exercise on a daily basis. They are lovable dogs and are affectionate towards children in the home. They form strong bonds with their human family.

He is a strong willed dog, and will require training and socialization. As a working and herding dog, he wants to be busy, and is perhaps best suited to life in the suburbs or countryside as opposed to living in the city.

He makes an awesome companion dog and he wants to please his human family and be an active part of their lives.

basque shepherd dog - characteristicsThe dog is well suited to being a family pet, loving to spend time with family, being a people-oriented breed. He gets on well with children as well as other pets in the home, but can be reserved with strangers.

He doesn’t have an aggressive nature, and yet he does what it takes to protect his beloved human family.

He is full of energy, hardy and tough. He loves his human family and wants to be included in all their activities. He is energetic though and as a responsible dog owner, you want to make sure that your Basque Shepherd has enough space to run.

Health Problems

norwegian buhund puppies - health problemsProvide your Norwegian Buhund with the right care and he can get to 15 years of age. Hip dysplasia is always an issue with dogs and you should be very wary of it as it can cause lameness and pain.

Cataracts is another illness that you want to be aware of. Although not painful, this eye aliment can lead to blindness.

Look out for other common dog illnesses such as bloat, skin allergies and cancer.

basque shepherd puppies - health problemsBecause this is an ancient breed, the Basque Shepherd doesn’t have to contend with genetic health problems such as more modern breeds. Just like other dogs though, he could be prone to certain conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, ear infections and cancer. As a larger breed, he may also be prone to bloat.

Chronic Ear Infections

Breeds with floppy ears, such as the Basque Shepherd will be more prone to developing ear infections. To prevent infection, keep his ears clean and dry. If you’re unsure, the vet can guide you how- and what to do.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a disease which is common to other dog breeds too and not just the Basque Shepherd. This condition affects the hip joints and can result in chronic pain for the dog and also lameness. Checking your dog’s weight is important and the pain can be managed with medication.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

norwegian buhund dogs - caringYou’re going to need to provide this dog of yours with activities that stimulate him physically and mentally. The Norwegian Buhund isn’t a couch-potato type of dog and he doesn’t do well with just lying around. Take him on walks and hikes, throw balls or frisbees for him and buy him some toys that can entertain him. You want to avoid him barking and digging from sheer boredom.

Grooming:

Like all other spitz-breed dogs, the Norwegian Buhund has a thick double coat, and because he sheds moderately, you will need to brush him at least twice a week. Check simultaneously for ticks and fleas.

Check your pets eye and ears for infection and check his teeth. A rotting tooth at the back of his mouth can be the cause of a lot of pain and problems throughout the body. Keep his nails clipped as well so as to prevent them hooking onto things.

Provide your pet with a nice warm, dry, comfortable place to sleep. If he goes outside, make sure he has a place to lie in the shade or in the sun.

Take your pet to the vet when he appears to be lethargic and sick. Remember to keep his vaccines up to date.

Diet:

Feed your pet food which is known for its nutritional value. Home made food is a real treat for your pet, but high quality commercially manufactured food can be good and convenient too.

Dogs love simple, consistent diets which don’t upset their stomachs. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, and some vegetables such as sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots chopped up into his food from time to time can be superbly nutritious for your pet. Try and also include a little bit of raw meat occasionally. Always have a bowl of fresh, cool water available to your pet.

basque shepherd dogs - caringThis is a medium to large breed dog and he should therefore be fed a high quality food which has been formulated for medium to large breeds. Because he is a herding dog, you might want to also look at an active-dog or working-breed formula to supply him with that much needed energy.

Grooming

The Basque Shepherd’s coat is lush and long with either straight or wavy hair. Regular brush at least twice a week will maintain the coat, get rid of loose hair and prevent fleas.

Training

The Basque Shepherd is an intelligent breed that will respond well to socialization and training. He is a breed that loves sports too because of this very high energy levels. You need to be careful with the Basquae Shepherd around small children, not because he is aggressive in any way, but because he is highly active, and his exuberance and boisterous antics could see him unintentionally knocking over small children.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
Origin:
Norway
Spain
Height Male:
41 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
47 - 61 cm
18 - 25 inches
Height Female:
41 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
46 - 59 cm
18 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
17 - 29 kg
37 - 64 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
17 - 36 kg
37 - 80 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
6 - 9
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Norsk Buhund
Basque Herder, Basque Sheepdog
Colors Available:
bright orange, Wheaten, pale cream, black
fawn, yellow orange or copper coat with other shades being red, blue and black
Coat:
Short to medium length, dense
smooth and soft to rough and coarse
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Norwegian Buhund - Breed Comparison
  2. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Norwegian Buhund - Breed Comparison
  3. Queensland Heeler vs Norwegian Buhund - Breed Comparison
  4. Red Heeler vs Norwegian Buhund - Breed Comparison
  5. Norwegian Buhund vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  6. Norwegian Buhund vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  7. Norwegian Buhund vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Norwegian Buhund vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  9. Norwegian Buhund vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  10. Norwegian Buhund vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  11. Norwegian Buhund vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  12. Norwegian Buhund vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  13. Norwegian Buhund vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  14. Norwegian Buhund vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  15. Norwegian Buhund vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  16. Norwegian Buhund vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  17. Norwegian Buhund vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  18. Norwegian Buhund vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  19. Norwegian Buhund vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  20. Norwegian Buhund vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  21. Norwegian Buhund vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  22. Norwegian Buhund vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Norwegian Buhund vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  24. Norwegian Buhund vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  25. Norwegian Buhund vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  26. Border Collie vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Sakhalin Husky vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Alaskan Husky vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Catahoula Leopard vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. German Pinscher vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  31. Portuguese Water Dog vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Puli vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Borador vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. German Spaniel vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Canadian Eskimo Dog vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. McNab vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Porcelaine vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. Finnish Lapphund vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Berger Blanc Suisse vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Griffon Nivernais vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Hokkaido vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Pumi vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Basque Shepherd vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Basque Shepherd vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  48. Basque Shepherd vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  49. Istrian Sheepdog vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Jamthund vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds