PuppyBase

Bedlington Terrier vs Norwegian Buhund

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Bedlington Terrier vs Norwegian Buhund

You don’t see people lining up to compare a Bedlington Terrier and a Norwegian Buhund every day. But if you’re here, you’re probably charmed by the Bedlington’s lamb-like fluff and poetic grace, or drawn to the Buhund’s spitz energy and Viking resilience. Both are rare, both are energetic, and both look like they stepped out of a fairy tale. but that’s where the similarities end. The Bedlington is a terrier through and through. He’s lean, wiry, and built for chasing. He’ll charm you with his quiet loyalty and soft eyes, but don’t be fooled. he was bred to dig after badgers in coal mines. That means he’s game for adventure, but he’s not always listening. Training takes patience, and if you’ve got a cat or a hamster, he might see them as prey. Grooming? Non-negotiable. His coat grows like wool and needs clipping every six weeks. Allergy sufferers love him. he sheds next to nothing. The Buhund, on the other hand, is a cheerful whirlwind. He’s bigger, louder, and built for cold climates with his thick double coat and fox-like tail curled over his back. He’ll herd your kids, bark at the mailman, and still sleep at your feet. He’s eager to please but needs jobs. agility, obedience, anything that keeps his brain busy. If you live in Texas and don’t have AC, skip him. And if silence is golden, this isn’t your dog. he barks like it’s his job. The real difference? Temperament under stress. The Bedlington can be sensitive, even sulky if pushed too hard. The Buhund? He’ll bounce back with a wag and a grin. If you want a velvety shadow who’s part sculpture, part terrier, go Bedlington. If you want a rugged, joyful partner in chaos and activity, the Buhund will steal your heart. and your voice will be hoarse from all the commands.

Bedlington Terrier
Norwegian Buhund
15–17.5 in
Height
16–18.5 in
17–23 lb
Weight
26–40 lb
11–16 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.8–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#141
AKC popularity
#165

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.
Bedlington Terrier Norwegian Buhund
Overlay

Where they diverge

Affectionate w/ Family
Norwegian Buhund is more affectionate (2-point difference)
Norwegian
Shedding Level
Bedlington Terrier sheds less (2-point difference)
Bedlington
Coat Grooming
Norwegian Buhund needs less grooming (1-point difference)
Norwegian
Adaptability
Norwegian Buhund is more adaptable (1-point difference)
Norwegian
Barking Level
Bedlington Terrier barks less (1-point difference)
Bedlington
The verdict

Choose the Bedlington Terrier if…

  • Apartments
  • Active people
  • Allergy sufferers
  • You value coat groomingBedlington Terrier scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Norwegian Buhund if…

  • Active families
  • Cold climate dwellers
  • Dog sport enthusiasts
  • You value affectionate w/ familyNorwegian Buhund scores higher here.
Bedlington Terrier Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Bedlington 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
Norwegian Buhund Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Norwegian Buhund 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

Other comparisons people run