Norwegian Buhund vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Norwegian Buhund vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonGreater Swiss Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland but Norwegian Buhund is originated from Norway. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may grow 25 cm / 10 inches higher than Norwegian Buhund. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may weigh 52 kg / 115 pounds more than Norwegian Buhund. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may live 3 years less than Norwegian Buhund. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog may have more litter size than Norwegian Buhund. Both Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and Norwegian Buhund requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
undefined
Switzerland
Norway
Height Male:
65 - 72 cm
25 - 29 inches
41 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
Height Female:
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
41 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
60 - 70 kg
132 - 155 pounds
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
55 - 70 kg
121 - 155 pounds
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
3 - 5
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
GSMD, Swissy, Sennenhund
Norsk Buhund
Colors Available:
Black, white and rust
bright orange, Wheaten, pale cream, black
Coat:
Short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy
Short to medium length, dense
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

greater swiss mountain dogHailing from Switzerland, and one of its oldest dog breeds, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a dubious history in that there are a number of theories as to its origin. He is closely related to the Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard and Rottweiler.

Of all the theories, the one that says he is descended from large, mastiff-like dogs is a popular one. He used to be a herding- and guard dog, but also was used to pull carts of farm produce.

It was in the 1900s that the dog’s numbers started dwindling. In 1908, canine researcher, Albert Heim recognized the dogs as being large members of the Sennenhund type, a family of four breeds that includes the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

He wanted to see the dogs recognized as a separate breed and the Swiss Kennel Club listed the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog in 1909.

In 1968 they were brought to the United States and a club for them was formed. The dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995 with the dog being recognized as a member of the Working group.

norwegian buhundThe 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.

Description

greater swiss mountain dog puppy - descriptionSwissies, as they are often referred to as, are large, robust dogs, standing at 65–72cm and weighing anything between 50 – 70kg, with the females being slightly smaller and weighing a little less.

He has big, rounded paws, medium length floppy ears, a broad chest and a long tail. This is a heavy-boned dog, strong while still being agile.

His dense, double coat is black, white and tan or rust, with black on top of the dog's back, ears, tail and legs. There are two rust dots above each eye. The coat can be short and straight to medium length, coarse and wavy. The dog sheds throughout the year with a major shedding a couple of times a year.

Temperament:

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a sociable canine, thriving on being part of a loving human family. While he used to be a working farm dog, today he is essentially a family pet, though he loves to still be busy.

He is generally friendly with strangers, but just like with all other dog breeds, he will need to be trained and socialized to turn him into an even-tempered, obedient dog, capable of getting on well with children and pets in the the home.

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.

Characteristics

greater swiss mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Swissy is an easy going dog and adapts easily into his human family’s lifestyle. He is big, but agile dog known for his gentle temperament.

While he loves the outdoors, he is a social dog and loves nothing more than coming indoors and being close to his human family.

He loves his family and won’t do well if left outside for days without human companionship. Treat him well and you’ll be rewarded with a loyal, loving 4-legged family member.

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.

Health Problems

greater swiss mountain dog puppies - health problemsThe GSMD or Sennenhund, as his name is shortened to, is a fairly healthy dog breed, with very few health issues.

He has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, and although not likely, he can suffer from minor problems such as gastric torsion as well as female urinary incontinence. If your female dog is dribbling urine in her sleep, there are a number of reasons that can be causing it - bladder infections, a medical condition or a weakened bladder with spayed female dogs.

It is certainly time to get your pet to the vet who will recommend a urinalysis.

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.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

greater swiss mountain dog dogs - caringThe Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a robust dog and thrives on a diet of kibble to raw meat to some cooked home-made food such as chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

A serious issue with the GSMD is overfeeding, resulting in uncomfortable digestive problems and of course, obesity.

Exercise:

Your GSMD isn’t a dog that is going to require a lot of exercise like some of the other dog breeds there are, but still his working career of the past requires that he still be taken on daily walks, enjoys ball- and rope games and to go swimming.

Grooming:

Brush your dogs coat at least twice a week to remove loose hears. Other grooming aspects include cleaning the ears to avoid infection, clipping his nails and brushing his teeth at least twice a week.

If you’re not sure how to do all these things, there are useful accessories for dogs that allow you to do all this grooming on your own. Your vet can also show you how as these are all things that will require ongoing attention.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Norwegian Buhund vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Norwegian Buhund vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Norwegian Buhund vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Norwegian Buhund vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Norwegian Buhund vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Norwegian Buhund vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Norwegian Buhund vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Norwegian Buhund vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Norwegian Buhund vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Norwegian Buhund vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Norwegian Buhund vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Norwegian Buhund vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Norwegian Buhund vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Norwegian Buhund vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Norwegian Buhund vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Norwegian Buhund vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Norwegian Buhund vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Norwegian Buhund vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Norwegian Buhund vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Norwegian Buhund vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Norwegian Buhund vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Norwegian Buhund vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Norwegian Buhund vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Norwegian Buhund vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Norwegian Buhund vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison