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Norwegian Buhund
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Overview
These Spitz dogs are somewhat smaller in size. Males don't usually stand taller than 18 ½ inches, and their lean bodies generally weigh between 25 and 40 pounds. Norwegian Buhunds have been working hard in a variety of roles since the time of the Vikings. They are agile, confident and diligent dogs who love to be around people.
Norwegian Buhunds are devoted dogs — they are devoted to their work and to their family. They love spending time with their owners, whether to exercise or to relax, and they learn new things with surprising ease. Make sure to spend time actively playing with these athletic dogs each day.
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Personality
Unlike many other Spitz breeds, the Norwegian Buhund is highly trainable and eager to please. Because they were bred and multi-purpose working farm dogs, Buhunds retain that versatility and are adept at performing a wide variety of tasks. In fact, these hard-working dogs have a strong desire to be taught and to learn to do new things, so training can be quite rewarding. They are also independent dogs who will appreciate being trusted to explore and play on outdoors on their own. Because they are relatively obedient, they can often be trusted on their own. Norwegian Buhunds sometimes get along more easily with people than with other dogs and animals, so they will have to be socialized to begin to feel comfortable around new animals.
Norwegian Buhunds bond very closely to their owners and are affectionate around people, especially around people they trust. They love to feel involved in all family activities, so they do best in active homes where they can be included in exercise and participate in plenty of active play. Despite their natural independence, they do experience separation anxiety if they are left alone for long amounts of time, and they will resort to destructive habits, including barking, chewing and poking around for food.
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Coat Care
The Norwegian Buhund's double coat is either wheaten or black. The wheaten shade ranges from a light cream color to a deep orange, occasionally with a black mask. Black dogs can have white coloring around the top of their chest, tail or feet, but white coloring should not be excessive. Their soft, dense undercoat varies in length around the body. It is shorter on the head and the front of the legs and longer around the neck, back of the legs, and chest.
Brushing
Twice a year, the Norwegian Buhund sheds its coat. During shedding period, they should be brushed daily with a large slicker brush to remove dead hair. It will still benefit from brushing about once or twice a week. Consistent brushing will help the coat appear healthy.
Bathing
Hot baths can help remove the dead hair and control shedding. Throughout the rest of the year, the Buhund's coat tends to take care of itself, repelling dirt and water and rejecting dead hair.
Hair Clipping
Clipping or trimming your dog’s coat is far easier than you would ever imagine. With the right clipper, trimmer and scissors, it is simple to give your dog a haircut and save expensive trips to the groomer.
Dogs with double coats generally require regular trimming. It lessens the chances of matting, tangles and the infestation of fleas and other pests, thus reducing the risk of skin infections. There is no set timetable. Judgment should be made on an individual basis, depending on functionality and owner preference. There are a wide array of trimmers available that will make each snip a snap. It’s a good idea to take your dog for a short walk to calm him down before you groom him. Thoroughly brush the coat to remove tangles and mats. Use trimmers to trim excess fur off the dog's body, choosing the appropriate clip attachment to achieve desired length. Start with the shoulders and progress towards the tail. Trim around the tail, paws, sanitary areas and chest, if needed. Groom the head and face last, being watchful for sudden movement. Trim with the flow of the fur, away from the eyes and nose.
Nails
Many dog owners are apprehensive about trimming their dog’s nails because they are nervous about cutting into the quick. But with the right conditioning and careful cutting, nail clipping can be a simple, stress-free activity for you and your dog.
Provide your dog with plenty of positive reinforcement and even treats to help associate nail clipping with a positive experience. As you start to clip, gently press on your dog’s paws to help him become accustomed to the feeling of having his nails clipped. Then, work gradually, shaving down just a thin portion of the nail at first to make sure you don’t reach the quick. Clip one nail, reward your dog with a treat, and stop to give him some positive reinforcement before moving on. Gradually increase the number of nails you clip in one sitting to help your dog get used to the process. Never trim extremely long nails down to a short nail in one sitting, because this is an excellent way to accidently quick the dog’s nail. Instead, work gradually, shaving small portions of your dog’s nails off each time.
You can tell if you’re getting close to the quick by the texture of your dog’s nail. The nail is hard closer to the surface and becomes softer as you get closer to the quick. If your dog’s nail starts to feel softer, that’s a good indication that you’re getting close to the quick.
Eyes / Ears
Not all breeds and coat styles require routine trimming in and around the eyes and ears but all should undergo regular inspection and cleaning around these sensitive areas. Doing so will help prevent the development of infections that could seriously damage these amazing organs.
It is always important to routinely clean your dog's eyes and ears, and examine for potential infections. Corgis, Alaskan Malamutes, Akitas and Collies have sensitive ears that need to be checked weekly for infection and cleaned with a cotton ball. Gently wipe a cotton ball moistened with mineral oil, olive oil or witch hazel in your dog's ear, being careful to avoid the ear canal. Never use a Q-Tip, which could cause damage to the inner ear if your dog suddenly shakes or jerks his head. Bushy hair growth within the ear can be thinned with tweezers or blunt scissors. Use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around the eyes, ears and face. If your dog is prone to developing tear stains around the eyes, clean around their eyes with a cotton ball or soft cloth and use a small trimmer to trim excess hair around their eyes.
Teeth
Many owners do not realize how important it is to brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis. Some dogs are prone to dental problems and sensitive teeth, especially small dogs with tiny teeth and dogs with special diets. These problems can be easily combatted with frequent brushing.
Cavities are rare with dogs but gum disease caused by tartar buildup is not, which is why they require regular brushing with toothpaste and a toothbrush formulated specifically for dogs. While daily brushing is ideal, doing so on a weekly basis will be a big help in avoiding the need to bring your dog to a veterinarian for a cleaning, which usually has to be done under sedation.