Norwegian Buhund

		Norwegian Buhund
		FCI standard Nº 237

Origin		Norway
Translation		Norsk Kennel Club
Group		Group 5 Spitz and primitive types
Section		Section 3 Nordic Watchdogs and Herders
Working		Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Monday 25 February 1963
Publication of the official valid standard		Wednesday 11 February 2026
Last update		Tuesday 24 March 2026
En français, cette race se dit		Buhund norvégien
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Norwegischer Buhund
En español, esta raza se dice		Buhund noruego
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Noorse Buhund
In his country of origin, his name is		Norsk Buhund

Usage

Watchdog, farmdog and herder of polyvalent use.

Brief historical summary

The Norwegian Buhund can be traced far back in Norwegian history. The breed type has probably existed since before the Viking Age, and is thus more than a thousand years old. Remnants have been found in Viking burial mounds giving evidence of a little spitz type dog living with humans. The word buhund means farmstead dog and is mentioned in The Norse King Sagas by Snorri Sturlason. One of the stories there is about when Olav Tryggvason was in Ireland and met a farmer and his very clever Buhund Vige. Olav was so impressed by the dog's herding abilities and wanted him. The farmer gave the dog to Olav, and in exchange he received a gold ring and Olav's friendship. The Buhund is a versatile all-round breed, but for the farmer it has been mostly used as a guard and herding dog. The first standard was approved by the Norwegian Kennel Club in 1926.

General appearance

A typical Spitz, a little under middle size, squarely built with an alert and frank expression. Erect, pointed ears. Tail carried firmly curled over the back.

Important proportions

Well balanced.
Depth of chest is equal to half the height at the withers.
Body length approximately equal to the height at the withers.
Length ofthe body is measured from the point of shoulder to the point of the buttock.

Behaviour / temperament

Courageous, energetic and friendly.

Head
Harmonious, not too heavy. Wedge shaped, clean. Gender characteristics must be clearly defined.
Cranial region
Skull		Almost flat, parallel with straight nasal bridge. Well filled out under the eyes.
Stop		Well defined, but not too pronounced.

Facial region
Nose		Black.
Muzzle		About the same length as skull. Neither too narrow nor too heavy.
Lips		Tightly closed, black.
Nasal bridge		Nasal bridge straight.
Jaws and teeth		Scissor bite. Complete dentition.
Eyes		Oval, colour as dark as possible. Black eyerims.
Ears		Medium size, pointed, carried strongly erect.

Neck

Medium long, clean, strong with proud carriage.

Body
Topline		Straight from the withers to the set on of tail.
Withers		Well developed and the highest point of the topline.
Back		Short, strong and straight.
Loin		Short, strong and straight.
Croup		As little sloping as possible.
Chest		Deep with good spring of ribs.

Tail

Set high, tightly curled, carried over the center of the back, not too much to the side.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		Lean with strong bone.
Shoulders		Slightly oblique.
Upper arm		Slightly oblique.
Elbows		Tight to the chest.
Forearm		Straight.
Pastern		Slightly oblique.
Forefeet		Oval in shape, compact.

Hindquarters
Generality		Moderate angulation.
Upper thigh		Powerful ; well muscled.
Stifle		Moderate angulation.
Lower thigh		Well muscled.
Hock		Moderate angulation.
Metatarsus		Powerful, strong.
Hind feet		Oval in shape, compact.

Gait and movement

Efficient, parallel with good drive. Firm topline.

Skin

Tight to the body without wrinkles.

Coat
Hair		Outer coat : Thick, rich and hard, but rather smooth-lying. On head and front of legs comparatively short, on neck, chest, back of thighs and tail longer. Soft and dense undercoat.
Colour		• Wheaten (biscuit): Ranging from rather light to yellowish red. With or without dark hair tips but should not influence the main colour. Mask permitted. Clean and clear colour preferred. As little white as possible. • Black: Preferably solid black (without too much bronzing). As little white as possible.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Males 43-47 cm, bitches 41-45 cm.
Weight		Male approximately 14-18 kg, bitches approximately 12-16 kg.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

General appearance too fine or too coarse, lack of elegance.

Dog standing lower at withers than loin.

Paddling or mincing in front.

Short, ineffective step.

Shyness.

Liver or pink coloured nose.

Pincer bite.

Light eyes; protruding eyes.

Poorly curled tail.

Hanging tail.

Feathering unwanted.

Overbuilt hindquarters.

Paddling in front.

Short, ineffective step.

Wavy or too long coat.

Nervous dog.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

Over-or undershot mouth.

Not erect ears.

Any colour but the ones mentioned above.

Dogs more than 1 cm under or 2 cm above the ideal height.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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Norwegian Buhund