Norwegian Buhund vs Kromfohrlander - Breed Comparison

Many troops of World War 1 and World War II would have some or other mascot that they would keep close to them as a reminder of home. The mascot would also inspire them, giving them hope to endure.

A Kromfohrlander dog, ‘Original Peter’ was one such mascot – a scruffy Terrier-type dog that army troops from the USA found in France.

This particular dog was accidentally mated with a Fox Terrier, with the breed essentially developing from the military dog from the 1940s. After 10 years of development, the Federation Cynologique Internationale accepted the breed in August, 1955.

It is still a rare breed, being found mainly in Germany.

The 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.

Fondly referred to as the Kromi or the Lander, the purebred Kromfohrlander, known as a companion dog, is medium sized.

Both males and females stand at roughly 38 – 46cm in height and they weigh about 9 – 16kg.

They have two different coat types – the smooth haired one and the rough haired one, both coming with a soft undercoat. The dog is a moderate shedder. If you really want to be smart then the smooth coat is referred to as Glatthaar and the wire-haired Rauhaar. The color of the coat is white with brown, orange tan markings with the ears and part of the face mostly covered in the brown/tan markings.

The head of the dog is fairly round shaped and he has half-erect, half floppy ears. His legs are straight and firm and the medium length isn’t docked.

Temperament:

The Kromfohrlander is known for being a loving family pet that loves nothing more than staying within reach of one of his human family members. This closeness with his people means that he can adapt to life in the city or the countryside, so long as he is with his humans.

Wherever he lives though, because he is such an active dog he will require a good dose of mental- and physical stimulation. He is a docile dog, but not timid and not aggressive either, being friendly and amicable by nature. He makes a great playmate for children and is willing to get along with other pets in the home too.

The 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.

The Kromfohrländer is one of those dogs that has been bred specifically to be man’s best friend.

When you delve into his history you see that he has never had any particular role as a working- or hunting dog but that he has been bred to be a companion animal.

He can’t be left alone for too many hours as his very nature makes it that he longs to be around his human family constantly. He is therefore not a dependant dog, relying totally on his human family for his sense of well-being.

Low maintenance, easy-going, loving, devoted, lively and social, when you bring the medium-sized Kromfohrlander into your home, it won’t be long before he will have crept into your heart as well.

The Norwegian Buhund is a cheerful, social and active breed.

He 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.

Feisty, energetic, full of life, entertaining and comical, your Kromfohrlander is intelligent too and with good care, exercise and lots of love your dog will maintain all these good characteristics and reach anything from 12 to 16 years of age.

However, there are some dog illnesses that could affect your dog such as hip dysplasia, ear- and eye infections such as lens luxation which can actually cause loss of vision, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, bloat and others.

Dogs that are ignored in terms of getting enough exercise are prone to weight gain and this in itself can lead to joint disease and other illnesses.

Provide 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.

Grooming:

Your Kromfohrlander has two coat types - wirehaired or smooth. Don’t be overwhelmed by the brush and comb selections there are to keep his coat shiny ad healthy.

The idea is to simply choose a brush such as a bristle brush that can be used on all coat types. A brush like this will allow you to gently brush your pet’s coat to remove grass, dust and burrs and to make it a pleasant experience for your pet.

You want your Kromfohrlander to look forward to his brushing session. You can check him over for lumps, fleas and ticks at the same time.

Other grooming routines that your Kromfohrlander will need is nail clipping, checking inside and outside the ears for fleas and ticks as well as wax- and dirt build-up as well as teeth brushing. If teeth brushing for dogs is new to you there are pet groomers and even your vet who will offer this important service for you.

Exercise:

You’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.