Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
- Collie versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
- Collie versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Norwegian Buhund
- Lifespan of Collie versus Norwegian Buhund
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Norwegian Buhund
- Do Collies shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Norwegian Buhund
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Norwegian Buhunds?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Norwegian Buhund
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Collie and for the Norwegian Buhund. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Collie or the Norwegian Buhund.
Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
See this article that compares the Border Collie to the Norwegian Buhund.
Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Collie versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are similar in size. The Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are Herding Dogs. This means both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Collie versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie to the Norwegian Buhund based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund
| Factor | Collie | Norwegian Buhund |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 26 to 40 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 168 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Norwegian Buhund. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Norwegian Buhund. So, you should get a Collie!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund
The Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Norwegian Buhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund.
The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Norwegian Buhund weighs 26 to 40 pounds when fully grown. The Norwegian Buhund is 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Collie versus Norwegian Buhund
The lifespan of the Collie is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Collie is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of the Norwegian Buhund is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Norwegian Buhund is 13.5 years.
The Norwegian Buhund live longer than the Collie.
The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 166 |
| 2014 | 36 | 172 |
| 2015 | 36 | 165 |
| 2016 | 37 | 174 |
| 2017 | 40 | 170 |
| 2018 | 38 | 165 |
| 2019 | 38 | 169 |
| 2020 | 40 | 168 |
| 2021 | 38 | 170 |
Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Norwegian Buhund.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Norwegian Buhunds.
Collie Health Problems
Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies here.
Norwegian Buhund Health Problems
Norwegian Buhunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Norwegian Buhund puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Norwegian Buhund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Norwegian Buhund breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Norwegian Buhunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Buhunds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Collies and Norwegian Buhunds
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Collie Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
This is because the Collie ranks 1 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 114 Collies, 16 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Collies, and how common these diseases are in Collies relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Norwegian Buhund Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Norwegian Buhund ranks 35 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 244 Norwegian Buhunds, 7 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Norwegian Buhunds, and how common these diseases are in Norwegian Buhunds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Collie and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund:
| Disease | Collie Rank | Norwegian Buhund Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 35 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 13 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 16 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 65 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 182 out of 198 dog breeds | 131 out of 198 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Norwegian Buhund
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Collies shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Norwegian Buhund?
Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Norwegian Buhund?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
Collies are very easy to train.
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Norwegian Buhund
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Norwegian Buhunds?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
Collies have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Norwegian Buhunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Norwegian Buhund
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Norwegian Buhund?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Norwegian Buhund. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Kishu Ken Collie versus Goldador Collie versus Catahoula Bulldog Collie versus Komondor Collie versus Bedlington Terrier Collie versus Curly-Coated Retriever Collie versus Kooikerhondje Collie versus Shichon Collie versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Collie versus Tibetan Spaniel Collie versus Golden Cocker Retriever Collie versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Collie versus Berger Picard Collie versus Dogue de Bordeaux Collie versus Leonberger Collie versus Affenpinscher Collie versus Westiepoo Collie versus Alaskan Klee Kai Collie versus Bulldog Collie versus Irish Water Spaniel Collie versus Saint BernardConclusion: Collie versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.