Why you Should Get the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Instead of the Norwegian Buhund.

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2022

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Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Norwegian Buhund.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norwegian Buhund

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a small-sized dog while the Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are Herding Dogs. This means both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund 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.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund

FactorPembroke Welsh CorgiNorwegian Buhund
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 14 years12 to 15 years
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/52/5
Weight22 to 31 pounds26 to 40 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone3/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/52/5
Dog Friendly3/53/5
General Health3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/55/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Easy To Groom4/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Does NOT Shed1/53/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/52/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1700No Data
Price Range$1200 – $2000No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds16168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a better pet than the Norwegian Buhund. So, you should get a Pembroke Welsh Corgi!

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norwegian Buhund

    The Similarities Between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:

  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size Comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norwegian Buhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund.

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi weighs 22 to 31 pounds when fully grown. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 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.

    Size of Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Size of Norwegian Buhund

    Appearance (Colors) of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Colors

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • White / Cream
    • Merle (Red)
    • Bicolor

    The Pembroke Welsh Corgi comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

    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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 13.0 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 live longer than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norwegian Buhund
    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norwegian Buhund

    The Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is 16 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Pembroke Welsh Corgi Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 24 166
    2014 22 172
    2015 20 165
    2016 18 174
    2017 15 170
    2018 13 165
    2019 10 169
    2020 11 168
    2021 11 170

    Health Problems of Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Norwegian Buhund is prone to more genetic health problems than the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Norwegian Buhund than for the Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

    2 health tests are recommended for Pembroke Welsh Corgi while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis and in Norwegian Buhunds.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Problems

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgis for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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:

  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Buhunds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi Breed is Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    This is because the Pembroke Welsh Corgi ranks 2 out of 70 dog breeds for Degenerative Myelopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4428 Pembroke Welsh Corgis, 2360 of them had Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and how common these diseases are in Pembroke Welsh Corgis relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 2 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 5 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 41 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 79 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 85 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 109 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 35 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 131 out of 198 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Pembroke Welsh Corgi and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 2 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Von Willebrands problems 5 out of 15 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 41 out of 198 dog breeds 131 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 79 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 85 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 109 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common

    *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: Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Norwegian Buhund

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Norwegian Buhund

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgis Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Pembroke Welsh Corgis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very good for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Pembroke Welsh Corgi compares to other breeds aside from the Norwegian Buhund. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi to other breeds:

    Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Great Pyrenees     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Tibetan Mastiff     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Boykin Spaniel     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Papipoo     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Shihpoo     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Black Russian Terrier     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Briard     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Alaskan Malamute     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Standard Poodle     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Catahoula Bulldog     Pembroke Welsh Corgi versus Coton de Tulear     

    Conclusion: Pembroke Welsh Corgi 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.