The Norwegian Buhund

Breed Standard

Characteristics
Well balanced, medium size, free from exaggeration, and capable of arduous work.

General Appearance 
Lightly built, short compact body, fairly smooth-lying coat, erect pointed ears, curled tail carried over back.

Temperament 
Fearless, brave and energetic.

Head and Skull 
Head - Lean, light, rather broad between the ears, wedge shaped, narrowing towards point of nose. Skull and back of head almost flat; marked but not sharp stop; Muzzle medium length, tapering evenly from above and side, straight bridge, lips tightly closed. Nose black.

Eyes 
Not protruding, dark brown, lively with fearless expression.

Ears
Placed high, erect, height greater than base; sharply pointed, very mobile.

Mouth 
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite.

Neck 
Medium length, lean without loose skin, moderately arched.

Forequarters 
Legs lean, straight and strong, elbows tightly placed.

Body
Strong, short but light, chest deep with good ribs; straight line of back, firm loins short couplings slightly drawn up.

Hindquarters
Legs strong and only a little angulated, straight when viewed from behind.

Feet
Rather small, oval in shape, toes tightly closed.

Tail
Set on high, short, thick and hair longer on the underside, tightly curled and carried over back.

Gait / Movement
Without exaggeration, straight coming and going. . From side, light, active with good stride.

Coat 
Outer coat close, harsh, but smooth; undercoat soft and woolly. . On head and front legs, short, close and smooth; longer on chest, neck and shoulders, back of legs and underside of tail.

Colour 
Wheaten, black, red, (red not too dark), wolf-sable. . Self-coloured but small symmetrical markings e.g. white on chest and legs, blaze on head and narrow ring on neck, black mask and ears and black tips to tail permissible.

Size 
Ideal height: dogs: 45 cms (17¾ ins); bitches somewhat less. . Weight in proportion to size.