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NORWEGIAN BUHUND |
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The Buhund is one of the earliest known Nordic herding types, although it was not officially recognized until the 20th century. As humans from the North began to live in permanent settlements in the Scandinavian countries, they brought with them the hauling and reindeer-herding dogs used for centuries. This stock was used to create a herding dog for cattle, sheep and horses that doubles as an all-purpose farm dog. Bu in Norwegian means homestead or mountain hut and Buhund is the name given to their sheepdog. The Buhund was already widespread in the Middle Ages and has maintained a similar appearance ever since that time. John Saeland fostered the breed to recognition and formed a club in 1936. Modern breeders
state that the breed can be adapted not only for sheep and goat herding,
but also for turkeys, ducks and domestic pheasant. The Buhund is now seen
in several countries outside of Norway, and is a lively, courageous and
energetic companion. He has become fairly numerous in Great Britain and
is gaining a following in Australia as well. Quite adaptable to a variety
of tasks, including child's companion, obedience dog, or hearing dog,
he is a security guard that is never off-duty.
These dogs are
in tune with owners, communicating with various noises and body language.
They are highly trainable, great farm dogs and stay within call. The Buhund
is a creature of habit and, as one owner said, knows the household routine
and is usually one jump ahead.
An English owner
tells of walking home from town after dark with her Buhund and another
dog. She was attacked from behind and, while the other dog ran off, the
Buhund sank its teeth into the aggressor's leg and doggedly held on, allowing
her master to escape. In fact, even after the woman was safe, it took
several calls for the dog to back off the attack and join her!
Another report
tells of a bitch left alone in a home with her newborn pups. When fire
broke out in the house, the bitch could have escaped, but chose to stay
and protect her pups. Fortunately, she was discovered and saved by her
14-year-old owner.
Their herding
and protective instincts come to the fore even when untrained and, occasionally,
when unwanted. A town bitch was seen correctly and proudly herding sheep
when she was a guest at a farm. Another "aided" her owner
in a climb in Wales by tugging at her coat.
Like most
of the Nordic dogs, Buhunds are clean, intelligent and fun. They also
have the northern traits of great energy, the desire for human companionship,
and the need for a firm, consistent master to overcome their strong
will.
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