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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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The bottom line

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.”

Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound
Norfolk Terrier
17–20.5 in
Height
9–10 in
37–66 lb
Weight
11–12 lb
12–15 yr
Lifespan
12–16 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$2.0–4.5k
AKC popularity
#126

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound Norfolk Terrier
Overlay

Where they diverge

Good with Young Children
Norfolk Terrier is better with kids (2-point difference)
Norfolk
Good with Strangers
Norfolk Terrier is friendlier with strangers (2-point difference)
Norfolk
Barking Level
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound barks less (2-point difference)
Bavarian
Affectionate w/ Family
Norfolk Terrier is more affectionate (1-point difference)
Norfolk
Drooling Level
Norfolk Terrier drools less (1-point difference)
Norfolk
The verdict

Choose the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound if…

  • Active people
  • Hunters
  • Rural homes
  • You value drooling levelBavarian 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 childrenNorfolk Terrier scores higher here.
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Norfolk Terrier Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Norfolk Terrier home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

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