Norwegian Buhund vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Norwegian Buhund vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed ComparisonNorwegian Buhund is originated from Norway but Irish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland. Norwegian Buhund may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than Irish Water Spaniel. Norwegian Buhund may weigh 12 kg / 26 pounds lesser than Irish Water Spaniel. Norwegian Buhund may live 3 years more than Irish Water Spaniel. Norwegian Buhund may have less litter size than Irish Water Spaniel. Both Norwegian Buhund and Irish Water Spaniel 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.

irish water spaniel - historyThe Irish Water Spaniel is one of the larger spaniel types and also one of the oldest.

He is sometimes referred to as the Southern Irish Water Spaniel. Hailing from Ireland, the precise origins of the dog aren't altogether sure. It is believed that the dog came from other dogs from Persia and there are references to these water dogs from as early as 1600.

The modern breed was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. The breed's purpose is that of a hunter of waterfowl and he swims strongly.

The Irish Water Spaniel was recognized by the AKC in 1884. In 1890 the Irish Water Spaniel Club was formed.

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.

irish water spaniel puppy - descriptionA peculiar feature of this dog is its hairless tail which is partly covered in curls which the rest is all but hairless, giving him the nickname of Rat Tail or Whip Tail.

Looking much like a Poodle with his tight oily curls, the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium to large sized purebred dog, a robust, compact built dog with a skull which is shaped like a dome.

The muzzle is longish, the eyes dark brown and intelligent looking and the ears are long and floppy.

His hair is thick and curly and it sheds very little so that the dog is regarded as being hypoallergenic. The medium length coat is a dark brown, liver color with fairly tight curls that may even tend to cover the eyes.

It is interesting to note that he has webbed feet, which is useful for when the dog swims.He stands at roughly 51cm to 61cm and weighs between 25 to 30kg.

Temperament:

Temperament in any dog is affected by socialization and the way the human owner raises the dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is a water loving dog, being active and energetic.

He is an intelligent dog and easy to train and socialize. When trained he becomes such an obedient dog. He has also got a light-hearted side to him and is actually known to be quite amusing and clownish, providing plenty of laughs for you.

They make good family dogs, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. They're also able to make good guard dogs, taking the protective roles seriously. He isn't an aggressive dog but he has a warning bark that can be a good warning to intruders.

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.

irish water spaniel dog - characteristicsYour active Irish Water Spaniel just loves water so you can count him in whenever you go swimming. That is one characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel – he just loves to be involved in all the action you're busy with.

He makes an ideal family pet for an active family, and he will be a loyal and devoted pet who will provide a lot of fun to your family with his mischievous side.

He is confident, independent and strong willed so first time dog owners should bear this in mind. He is essentially just a fun loving, busy dog and if you make sure to exercise him well and make sure he is a participating member of your family, he'll be your most loving and devoted friend.

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.

irish water spaniel puppies - health problemsA generally healthy breed, the Irish Water Spaniel, just like with most other dogs, can fall prey to some of the more common dog ailments of which hip dysplasia is one.

Bone and joint problems like this can lead to lameness even in young dogs.

Eye diseases are also a problem, and cataracts can form in the eye, particularly when the dog is older and create a cloudy look to the eye. It's not painful for the dog.

Hypothyroidism, a treatable hormonal disorder is another disease worth being aware of.

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.

Grooming:

irish water spaniel dogs - caringYour Irish Water Spaniel requires quite a bit of grooming that will involve his coat, his nails, his teeth and his ears. The double coat doesn't shed much so it can be easily maintained by brushing the coat twice a week.

It can help your water spaniel to look good by sending him in to a doggy grooming parlor to have his curls neatened. This is a dog that loves water and swimming, and you will need to check the inside of his ears for dampness, wax build-up and debris. This can all combine to cause nasty ear infections.

Exercise:

The dog is energetic and will need to be exercised. Take him for walks, play ball games with him and allow him to go on hikes with you or to go swimming. He loves being involved in all your activities as he is a social, active dog.

Diet:

Highly energetic, it will be important to feed your Irish Water Spaniel with food that enhances his energy levels. There are some good quality commercially manufactured dog foods on the market. Choose one that caters for active, athletic dogs such as the Irish Water Spaniel.

Dry kibble is more recommended to prevent canine tooth decay. Mix in some home cooked foods from time to time such as cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables and try to include some raw meat every now and then as well. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Gun dog
Origin:
Norway
Ireland
Height Male:
41 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
Height Female:
41 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
4 - 12
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Norsk Buhund
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Colors Available:
bright orange, Wheaten, pale cream, black
Dark Brown, Liver
Coat:
Short to medium length, dense
Longish hair - thick and very curly
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
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, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
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. Pudelpointer vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  27. Picardy Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  29. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  30. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  31. Irish Water Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  32. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Setter - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Water Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Water Spaniel vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Water Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Water Spaniel vs Ariege Pointer - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Water Spaniel vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Water Spaniel vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Water Spaniel vs Deutsch Drahthaar - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Water Spaniel vs Clumber Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Water Spaniel vs Cesky Fousek - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Water Spaniel vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison
  46. Stabyhoun vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. Vizsla vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  49. Large Munsterlander vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  50. Tyrolean Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds