Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
- German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
- German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund
- The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund
- Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund
- Appearance (Colors) of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund
- Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund
- The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
- Health Problems of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund
- Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Norwegian Buhund
- How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Norwegian Buhunds?
- Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Do German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Norwegian Buhund
- Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer or the Norwegian Buhund.
German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund are similar in size. The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the German Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Norwegian Buhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs 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.
German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund
| Factor | German Shorthaired Pointer | Norwegian Buhund |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 70 pounds | 26 to 40 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1140 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1300 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 10 | 168 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Norwegian Buhund, we still believe that the German Shorthaired Pointer is a better pet than the Norwegian Buhund.
This is because German Shorthaired Pointers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the German Shorthaired Pointer will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the German Shorthaired Pointer :-). We are for the German Shorthaired Pointer. So get a German Shorthaired Pointer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund
Below is a list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund
The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:
Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund.
The German Shorthaired Pointer weighs 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The German Shorthaired Pointer is 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho 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.
Appearance (Colors) of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund
German Shorthaired Pointer Colors
The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- White / Cream
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
Norwegian Buhund Colors
The Norwegian Buhund comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
The Norwegian Buhund comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
Lifespan of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund
The lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 13.5 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 lives as long as the German Shorthaired Pointer.
The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 10 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer
Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
| Year | German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 13 | 166 |
| 2014 | 12 | 172 |
| 2015 | 11 | 165 |
| 2016 | 11 | 174 |
| 2017 | 10 | 170 |
| 2018 | 9 | 165 |
| 2019 | 9 | 169 |
| 2020 | 9 | 168 |
| 2021 | 9 | 170 |
Health Problems of German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shorthaired Pointer than for the Norwegian Buhund.
7 health tests are recommended for German Shorthaired Pointer while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and in Norwegian Buhunds.
German Shorthaired Pointer Health Problems
German Shorthaired Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointer Breed is Cone Degeneration problems.
This is because the German Shorthaired Pointer ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Cone Degeneration problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1475 German Shorthaired Pointers, 1 of them had Cone Degeneration problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Shorthaired Pointers, and how common these diseases are in German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund:
| Disease | German Shorthaired Pointer Rank | Norwegian Buhund Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Cone Degeneration problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 12 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 42 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 55 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 68 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 69 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 118 out of 182 dog breeds | 35 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 121 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 174 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: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund
German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
German Shorthaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Norwegian Buhund?
German Shorthaired Pointers are 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 German Shorthaired Pointer or the Norwegian Buhund?
German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Norwegian Buhund
German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Norwegian Buhunds?
German Shorthaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
German Shorthaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.
Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Norwegian Buhund
German Shorthaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?
German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Norwegian Buhund?
German Shorthaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the German Shorthaired Pointer compares to other breeds aside from the Norwegian Buhund. So, see below the links to the comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer to other breeds:
German Shorthaired Pointer versus Great Dane German Shorthaired Pointer versus Leonberger German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pomsky German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sheepadoodle German Shorthaired Pointer versus American Foxhound German Shorthaired Pointer versus Black and Tan Coonhound German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Setter German Shorthaired Pointer versus Irish Terrier German Shorthaired Pointer versus Alaskan Klee Kai German Shorthaired Pointer versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier German Shorthaired Pointer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle German Shorthaired Pointer versus Rottweiler German Shorthaired Pointer versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog German Shorthaired Pointer versus Belgian Tervuren German Shorthaired Pointer versus Karelian Bear Dog
Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.