Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound vs Norfolk Terrier
Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.
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Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound vs Norfolk Terrier
You’re not going to see a Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound and a Norfolk Terrier in the same dog park often, but people compare them when they’re digging deep into breeds that are tough, driven, and not just cute decor. Both are hunters with big personalities in different-sized packages, and both cost a pretty penny. $1500 to $4000. but that’s where the similarities mostly end. The Bavarian is a lean, 60-pound tracking machine built for alpine terrain and serious outdoor work. It’s loyal and affectionate with its family, but reserved around strangers and not ideal for city life. You need space, time, and a job for this dog. It thrives when it has trails to follow and tasks to solve. Without that, it gets bored and quietly destructive. Good with kids? Sort of. But not the best for chaotic households with young children. The Norfolk Terrier, on the other hand, is barely 12 pounds of scrappy charm. Fearless doesn’t mean aggressive. it means this dog will bark at a squirrel like it’s a grizzly, and you’ll love him for it. He’s adaptable, fits in apartments, and bonds fiercely with kids and adults alike. But don’t be fooled by the size. He’s independent, hard to train consistently, and won’t come when called if he’s on a scent. That terrier stubbornness runs deep. Here’s the real talk: if you want a dog that works with you in the wild, go Bavarian. If you want a dog that livens up your life in the suburbs and doesn’t need acres to be happy, pick the Norfolk. But here’s what no chart tells you. both breeds suffer from hip issues, so budget for joint supplements and genetic testing. And neither should be off-leash in open areas. One’s built to track deer into the woods. The other will chase a mouse into traffic. Both need fences. And love. And someone who respects that a hunting dog is never really “off duty.”
Trait-by-trait
Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.Where they diverge
Choose the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound if…
- Active people
- Hunters
- Rural homes
- You value drooling level — Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound scores noticeably higher.
Choose the Norfolk Terrier if…
- Active families
- Apartment or small home living
- Families with older children
- You value good with young children — Norfolk Terrier scores higher here.

