I have a lovely 16 month old Norwegian Buhund, but rarely see any others!

Does any one else have one? If so tell me about yours, and pictures are always great.

[IMG]http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m601/pollymason92/Kestral_14.jpg[/IMG]

Have friends with them, they are a lovely breed very much like my own but not so self willed or as strong.

Oh I think some would disagree with you Nova. 

One person with close ties to both breeds says that at least an Elkhound when choosing to disregard a command will throw a look over it's shoulder to acknowledge where the Bu's won't bother LOL.

I am sure it is pretty much a matter of individuals.  I think they are obviously a bit more herdy than ours.

Suppose I was thinking that they are a more manageable size and weight and in general calmer, sure they suffer from most the spitz traits but then who would own a stitz if they were not extremely patient.

> and in general calmer

Again perhaps individuals, but to me the ones I have met seem more active than the Elks.

Would make sense as they are a herding breed where in my experience once adult ours tend to not bother wasting their energy, unless there is a point.

in my expereince once adult ours tend to nto bother wasting their energy,

LOL Barbara remind me to introduce you to Solli Sod!

> but rarely see any others!
>
>

With such low registration figures Norwegian Buhund (Last 10 years 43, 34, 42, 36, 15, 20, 28, 22, 22, 29 in 2010) you will see them even more rarely than ours.

Only 10 registered so far this year to end of September.

Anyway whichpets you will have to Pal up with us Elkhound and Swedish Vallhund owners on the board, as I don't think there are any other Buhund folk here????. :)

Thanks for all the replies!

My buhund is lively outdoors and has a strong prey drive which can be tricky at times to cope with in forests etc, but other than that she is quite receptive to training and enjoys learning new tricks and commands.
Registration numbers are very low, what are elkhound numbers like?
The only buhund I have ever met was her brother, I'm always hoping to spot another out and about!

> what are elkhound numbers like?
>

Norwegian Elkhound registrations for last 10 years: 96, 149, 122, 118, 116, 84, 98, 55, 98, 33, and only 40 to end of September this year.

The one I used to handle  was a treat in the ring , then I had a worried phone call , the dog had swum across from Exmouth beach to Dawlish , despite the lifeboat trying to pick him up . The owner exasperated went home , to return to Dawlish next day as there were sightings of him round a pub , dustbin hunting. All ended well. He barked a bit at home ...leaves dropping off trees ! He was a great character.

Elkhound numbers are going down then.. I have never seen an elkhound round here either, although have seen some other spitz breeds like the shiba inu and lapphund.

My dog loves to swim too :) Although considering they are a vocal breed she is fairly good at restraining the use of her voice!

Hi Whichpets. I've had Buhunds since 1978!
Congratulations on your new addition and don't be fooled by his/her (?) charm! Buhunds need firm handling from day one, plenty of physical and mental exercise and not half as much food as they will tell you they need! They can be quite good at obedience (up to a point!) and some compete in agility which they usually like.
Depending on what part of the country you live in, you are unlikely to find many in your area. The best way to see a number of Bu's together is to go to one of the breed club shows - I think they still hold 3 a year and the next one probably won't be until April.
Any questions on the breed you can always pm me.

Hi Anwen, not seen your posts for a while, how coudl I foget you, slapped wrists,  Lovely to see you posting again.

Hi Brainless, no slapped wrists from me. Not much time for posting these days - but I do pop in for a quick lurk every now & then!

Oo how lovely, any pics of your lot?

Yes I think its definitely a breed to be consistent with but things are going really well. She's very obedient, and loves learning new tricks. You are correct about them wanting to eat a lot, but I'm mean and don't give in!

She gets at least an hour a day exercise as well as training each day too. We attend a weekly training class and am looking in to restarting agility too.. Sadly she has a bit of a nervous temperament around new people among other things, despite me socialising her as a puppy - so this has meant a lot of on-going training. Things are slowly but surely improving in that respect though. Have you met many nervous buhunds, as I have recently read that some can be a bit nervous?

Also do you know of any books on the breed?! I am unable to find any in publish in the UK.

I live in SW London/Surrey, and rarely see any.. although I've heard there is a breeder somewhere not too far away?
Are there any breed shows in the south during the year?

If you click on Anwen's name you will see a link to her website in her profile.

In my experience Buhunds are not as Bold with people as their Elkhound cousins, showing more reserve.  Quite typical of a lot of herding breeds.

Keep up the socialisation but make sure she comes to them (for treats pets) best achieved by the person not looking at or forcing themselves on her but waiting until she feels happy to come forward (natural curiosity and greed, LOL).

Don't allow people to overface her by crowding her.  If it's anything like when I walk my lot everyone wants to say hello, and people can be overbearing from the dogs point of view, something mine seem to adore as youngsters, but I find sometimes some of the older ones can act snooty like that sort of behaviour is beneath their dignity.

Your girl for a Spitz breed is far from adult and still yet to develop her full confidence.

If you haven't already done so join  the breed club, you will receive club newsletters and details of shows and events, as well as access to a source of advice and information and become pert of the breed community.

Ah thanks for the info about the link.

Yes I was aware some herding breeds can be slightly aloof but she is more nervous than most within the breed I think.
I've been taking things very slowly, she's not really at the point where she wants to meet any strangers so I don't push it. Being a vocal breed, she will bark at people if uncomfortable, although within recent months we can now pass people without a reaction. I have a similar meeting tactic, where they don't look at her or touch her, then throw some food on the ground. And yes her natural greed does make her end up jumping up at them or giving them her paw for food :) I think these things are always slow going, but I have a load of patience and will continue to work within her comfort zone.

That's interesting that Elkounds are normally bolder. She has definatley buit confidence over the last few months and I've seen lots of improvements. I was under the impression they were generally mature by around 18 months, is it later than that?

I am not a member of the breed club as I wasn't sure if it was very active, or whether there was much going on round here but perhaps I will look in to it :)
Your elkhounds are lovely btw :)

> whether there was much going on round here but perhaps I will look in to it :-)
>

Numerically small breeds due to this fact tend to have their events where the most people can reach them, usually in the Midlands.

With breeds like ours you can't think 'local', for us local is anything up to 150 miles away ;)

We try to arrange social activities, but it can still mean attending a group walk or fund raising e vent over 100 miles away.

I wouldn't consider an elkhound mentally out of puppyhood until two years old or fully physically mature until 4 years of age, so don't think buhunds are that much different.

With Elkhounds having to face formidable prey on their own their character is required to be Bold and Energetic.  Standard say: Characteristics - A hardy hunting Spitz with a bold energetic disposition.  Temperament - Friendly, intelligent and independent without any sign of nervousness.

Buhunds are farm dogs required to be watch dogs and herders so a certain amount of reticence/suspicion is appropriate.  The breed standard though says;
Temperament - Fearless, brave and energetic.

Hi Whichpets nice to see you here :) You will know me from the other forum! I'm glad you are making progress with her confidence :)

Thanks to Brainless, didn't think I could advertise my website - apologies, it hasn't been updated for ages!
When Buhunds first came into the UK, nervousness was a problem but to a large extent was eliminated over the years. Unfortunately, it's something that seems to be creeping back in. Not blaming imports entirely, but it does seem to be something that has been reintroduced. None of my previous Buhunds have ever been nervous around people but the 2 I have now are a pain around strange dogs (which is why I no longer show or breed as, in my opinion, it's very untypical behaviour)
Your girl (who is very pretty) is still young so keep socialising her, take her everywhere you can where she can meet people aand hopefully she'll come round.
There are a few Buhunds round the London area, mostly in Middlesex & Kent though. I think your nearest breeder (very occasional) lives in Ashford. If you join the Buhund club, you'll see most of the owners in there.
There are no books on the Buhund, only a few handbooks and year books published by the club. The first one, written in the 60s by Kitty Heffer is way out of print and costs £50 + if you can find a copy!
Most of the Club shows tend to be round Sheffield area (sadly!) although they have been held somewhere I can't remember the name of - near the bottom of the M6 toll road & easy to get from most directions. I think the breed still has classes at Windsor Ch. show and, possibly, Southern Counties which is held near you - but not until next summer!
Your girl sounds as if she has a great Buhund home - good luck with her!

Thanks Brainless :)
Yes, watch dogs are naturally suspicious but my little one is scared of pumpkins and lamps and all sorts!

Hi Cali2 :) Yes there have definitely been improvements which is great. Hope you and the basenjis are well.

Thanks Anwen thats really interesting. It is such a shame for there to be nervous dogs within the breed as they are such great dogs otherwise. Fortunately mine is fine with other dogs, and is getting there with people, hopefully time and training will continue to build her confidence. She's such a great dog otherwise though!!
Wow the book is expensive, I have the breed club handbook - perhaps as they grow in interest in the USA they might bring a book out on the breed.

I did attend Windsor this year but not on the pastoral day so will have to go back next year to see the buhunds - although I did also meet some at Discover Dogs and Crufts too.

Thanks all for the replies, its nice to hear from other people who know the breed.