Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview:
The Norwegian Buhund is an ancient Scandinavian breed whose origins are linked to the Vikings and the earliest Norwegian settlements. Archaeological findings indicate the presence of Buhund-type dogs in Iron Age burials, where they accompanied their owners as versatile helpers. The breed developed in harsh climatic conditions and within agricultural communities, which shaped its guarding, herding, and all-purpose working abilities. For centuries, the Buhund was used to guard farms, herd sheep, and accompany people. In the early 20th century, systematic breed development began, and in 1939 an official breed club was established, helping to preserve the type and spread the Buhund beyond Norway.
General Appearance:
The Norwegian Buhund is a harmoniously built, compact, agile spitz-type dog that combines a strong body with light, effortless movement. The format is slightly elongated, with well-developed musculature, pronounced dryness, and a firm, elastic body free from coarseness. The head is wedge-shaped, proportional to the body, with a distinct but not abrupt stop. The ears are erect, triangular, and highly mobile. The tail is set high and tightly curled over the back. The double coat is dense and protective, adapted for harsh climates. Overall, the Buhund gives the impression of an energetic, confident, and functional working dog with pronounced breed type.
Important Proportions:
The Norwegian Buhund has balanced, functional proportions reflecting its working purpose. The format is slightly elongated: the body length slightly exceeds the height at the withers, maintaining harmony and agility. Chest depth is approximately half the dog’s height, providing stability and proper respiratory function. The head is proportional to the body, with the muzzle slightly shorter than the skull. The back is straight and strong, the loin short and muscular. The tail is set high and curled into a ring, without affecting body balance. Limbs have correct angulation, are parallel, and ensure light, free, and energetic movement.
Behavior and Character:
The Norwegian Buhund has a balanced, confident, and lively temperament, combining alertness, friendliness, and strong working aptitude. It is attentive, quick to react, and easily trained, retaining stable behavior in various settings. The breed is naturally oriented toward humans, loyal to its family, and ready for work. It shows moderate vigilance toward strangers but without aggression. High energy, endurance, and willingness to cooperate make the Buhund an excellent herding, guarding, and companion dog. Proper upbringing ensures a stable psyche, reliability, and predictable behavior.
Head:
The Buhund’s head is wedge-shaped, dry, and proportional to the body. The skull is slightly rounded, moderately broad, and free from coarseness. The stop is distinct but not sharp. The muzzle tapers slightly toward the nose, is strong and of medium length. Lips are thin and tight. The nose is black. The jaws are strong with a complete scissor bite. Overall, the head is clear, expressive, and harmonious, typical of spitz-type dogs.
Facial Part:
The facial part is clean and well defined. The muzzle is straight, tapering slightly toward the nose without heaviness. The nasal bridge is level; the nose leather is black and well formed. Lips are dry, thin, and tight, without looseness. Cheeks are moderately developed, maintaining a clean head outline. The chin is firm but not coarse. The overall impression is a dry, functional, and neatly defined facial region.
Eyes:
The eyes are medium-sized, oval, and slightly slanted, giving an expression of attentiveness and liveliness. The color is dark and harmonizes with the coat. Eyelids are dry, tight, with dark pigmentation. The expression is confident, friendly, and slightly alert. The eyes emphasize the energetic and balanced nature of the breed.
Ears:
The ears are erect, triangular, moderately large, with a broad base and slightly rounded tips. They are set high, directed forward, and highly mobile, emphasizing the dog’s alertness and lively expression. The cartilage is firm, and the ears stand confidently without leaning outward. Overall, the ears provide the typical expressive and energetic spitz-type appearance.
Neck:
The neck is strong, dry, and well set, of medium length, blending smoothly into the withers. Musculature is developed but not coarse, emphasizing balance and agility. The upper line of the neck is slightly arched; there are no skin folds. Proper neck placement ensures free movement and contributes to the breed’s expressive silhouette.
Body:
The body is compact, strong, and harmoniously constructed. The topline is straight and stable. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows; the ribs are moderately arched. The back is strong, and the loin is short and muscular. The croup is slightly sloping, broad, but not heavy. The abdomen is moderately tucked. The overall silhouette reflects the working type and functionality of the breed.
Tail:
The tail is set high, thick, and well covered with hair. It is tightly curled into a ring or half-ring over the back, without deviation to the sides, as is characteristic of the breed. Tail length is proportional to the body, and its position emphasizes the energetic, spitz-type expression.
Forequarters:
The forequarters are straight, parallel, and well set. The shoulder blades are sloping, close-fitting, with developed musculature. The upper arms are of moderate length, forming correct angles with the shoulder. Forearms are strong, straight, with solid bone. Pasterns are slightly slanted and elastic. Feet are compact, round, with firm pads. This structure ensures a light, confident stride.
Hindquarters:
The hindquarters are strong, parallel, and well angulated. Thighs are broad and muscular; lower thighs are correctly formed and of medium length. The stifle joints are well defined, with balanced angulation. Hocks are strong and vertically aligned. Feet are compact, slightly oval, with firm pads. This structure provides drive, stability, and free movement.
Gait and Movement:
Movement is light, free, and stable, with good rear drive and confident forward reach. The gait is straight, without body sway. The rhythms are energetic and even, maintaining balance and clear cadence. In motion, the dog demonstrates liveliness, endurance, and functional working ability.
Coat:
The coat is double, dense, and protective. The outer coat is medium length, harsh, straight, and covers the body evenly. The undercoat is thick, soft, and very dense, providing insulation in harsh climates. The coat on the neck and chest is slightly longer, forming a mild ruff. The coat requires minimal care and reflects the working nature of the breed.
Acceptable Colors
Acceptable colors include solid and clear shades: wheat (from light to deep golden), black, and wolf gray. Small white markings are allowed on the chest, feet, and tail tip but must not disrupt the overall color. The coat should be even, without patches or blurred transitions.
Size:
The Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog with well-defined sexual dimorphism. Height at the withers for males is typically 43–47 cm, for females 41–45 cm. Males weigh 14–18 kg, females 12–16 kg. Proportions must remain harmonious and functional; the dog must not appear heavy or overly light.
Faults:
Faults include deviations affecting breed type, balance, or functionality. These include an overly heavy or overly fine head, weak jaws, coarse or too sharp a stop, light or round eyes, excessively large eyes, loss of typical alert expression, large or low-set ears, soft or tilted ears. A short, thick, or loose-skinned neck; overly long, narrow, or heavy body; weak topline; soft back. Incorrect limb angulation, toeing in/out, weak pasterns, loose feet. Poorly curled tail, low set tail, straight or improperly shaped tail. Sparse, soft coat, lack of undercoat. Uneven color or large white patches outside allowed areas. Any traits reducing working ability or breed type are considered faults.
Disqualification:
Disqualifying faults include severe deviations from breed type and traits incompatible with the ICCF standard. Aggression or pronounced fearfulness, lack of behavioral control. Serious bite faults: overshot, undershot, multiple missing teeth, jaw deformities. Blue or odd-colored eyes, significant eyelid defects, blindness. Non-standard ear placement: drooping ears, inability to hold ears erect, weak cartilage. A completely straight tail, uncurled tail, kinked tail, or tail docking without veterinary necessity. Alopecia, extremely sparse coat, absence of undercoat. Non-standard colors, patchiness, large white areas, or non-permitted combinations. Significant movement defects, paralysis, musculoskeletal disorders. Any congenital or acquired health conditions affecting functionality, type, or welfare lead to disqualification from shows and exclusion from breeding.
Important Notes:
As a working breed developed in harsh conditions, the Norwegian Buhund must be evaluated for functionality, endurance, and overall breed balance. Minor seasonal coat changes due to shedding are acceptable if undercoat density remains sufficient. Males must have two fully descended testicles. Evaluation should include movement, as gait reflects anatomical correctness and quality of angulation. Mild deviations that do not affect health or working ability may be considered minor, but consistent structural or behavioral faults require exclusion from breeding programs. Stable temperament, absence of aggression, and preservation of typical breed expression are essential.
Conclusion:
The Norwegian Buhund is a functional, balanced, and versatile working breed combining historical natural endurance with modern manageability. The breed maintains strong breed type, stable character, and high adaptability, making it suitable for active families and various forms of work. In the ICCF system, emphasis is placed on maintaining correct conformation, sound anatomy, and stable temperament. Participation in shows and breeding approval is allowed only for dogs with official ICCF documents confirming origin, health, and compliance with the standard. The dog must exhibit correct behavior, a stable temperament, and proper structure both standing and in motion. Strict adherence to the standard ensures preservation of the working and breed qualities of the Norwegian Buhund.
