AKA: Norsk Buhund, Norwegian Sheepdog, Nordiske Sitz-hunde

Description: The Norwegian Buhund is a dog of the Spitz type and is short and lightly built. It has a compact body and has a short- to medium-length coat. It has erect and pointed ears and its jaws form a scissors bite. Its tail is always carried curled over the back.

Dynamics: The Norwegian Buhund a cheerful and active dog. It is very affectionate and even loves to snuggle with people. It is also an intelligent and attentive breed, eager to please and learning very quickly. It is vigilant and is a natural watch dog, courageous, brave, and vocal without being too aggressive. It is a great people lover, and it loves its family and can also get along very well with children.

The Norwegian Buhund needs to be trained with the owner as a leader. Otherwise, it will think it can get away with doing as it pleases and may become aggressive. It can be stubborn if you can’t get it to follow your orders. The Norwegian Buhund is also known to bite or snap when provoked.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: males 31-40 pounds (14-18 kg), females 26½-35½ pounds (12-16 kg)

Height: males 17-18½ inches (43-47 cm), females 16-17½ inches (41-45 cm)

Color: The coat of the Norwegian Buhund is usually wheaten or biscuit, from light to yellowish red. But there are also Norwegian Buhunds with a black and wolf-sable coat.

Country of Origin: The Norwegian Buhund originated in Norway. The breed lived since ancient times, discovered during the Gokstad excavation in Norway when skeletons from six dogs of various sizes were found.

Activities: The Norwegian Buhund is a very energetic dog and has to be exercised and taken out on a walk everyday. It also enjoys to play and romp around.

Grooming: The coat of the Norwegian Buhund only needs to be regularly brushed in order to prevent matting and tangles. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Norwegian Buhund has a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years. Eye and hip problems are common occurrences with the breed. The Norwegian Buhund is all right living in an apartment as long as it gets its daily walk and is sufficiently exercised.

Photo: Sannse

AKA: Bobtail, OES, Bob
Description: The Old English Sheepdog a big sized dog that is popular of their long and thick hair and their common color of black or grey and white. They are very attractive with their very fluffy long hair that covers their eyes and even their face. Smooth and soft to touch. Their eyes are flat. Their structure and looks can be compared to a panda. Big and fluffy haired dog. They walk like a bear rolling from rear. They are also strong, has well balanced body, compact and muscular. Its eyes are dark blue or pearl blue. Ears are medium in size and flat. With jaw that is regularly long square shaped and strong and nose is black and large. Teeth in scissors bite. And have small and rounded feet.

Temperament: This breed is adaptable, friendly and very loving huggable just like a teddy bear. Never been aggressive and nervous. They are also a genius dog, easy to train dog. They are also loyal and protective to their owner. They enjoy being with children and always been considered as member of the family. However, they have a strong herding instincts that tends to herd their owners or children so they must be trained not to herd people and let them understand the rules to follow.

Activity: They are a hard working dog, especially in herding therefore they needed to have daily exercise through running, a jog or walking but must be trained to heel beside their owner imposing a leadership that they should always obey their owner’s rules.

Health: A healthy breed but could also be prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, glaucoma deafness, thyroid problems, diabetes. Their life span is about 10-12 years.

Grooming: They have a very long hair that covers their eyes and face so they must b]e groomed well, be trimmed, comb and brush to prevent from being tangled and get those dead hair three times daily. To avoid skin diseases and infections. Always trim hair around their eyes for good grooming and to keep them away from eye infection. They shed heavily usually during spring season.

Breed Group: Herding, AKC Herding
Color: Grey, Black, White
Height: Dogs 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) Bitches 20-22 inches (51 cm)
Weight: Dogs from 65 pounds (29 kg) Bitches from 60 pounds (27 kg)
Country Of Origin: England

Dynamics: The Old English Sheepdog was first called the Shepherd’s Dog and exhibited in a show in England that made them popular. Also, they are known as Bobtail because of their docked tail. In year 1880’s they were then exported to the United States that was first shown by 5 of the top wealthiest families in US and by that they became more popular especially in dog shows.

Photo by Harald Urnes

AKA: New Zealand Sheepdog

Description: The New Zealand Huntaway does not have a standard look. It comes in various shapes, sizes, and coat colors. This is mainly due to the fact that the breeders weren’t really concerned about the appearance of the dog and focused instead on the dog’s abilities.

Dynamics: The New Zealand Huntaway is a sheep herding dog unique for using its voice in driving the sheep. It got its name from special events called “huntaways,” developed at sheep-herding trials for the breed. The New Zealand Huntaway is not a guard dog, and is not a good watch dog. But it has a bark that can alert its owners, and it can be trained when and when not to bark. It can be trained to keep quiet and save its voice for work.

The New Zealand Huntaway is an intelligent and friendly breed. It gets along well with children, and is friendly with strangers. It is also good with non canine pets. Its owner should be calm and confident, training the dog in clear and concise ways. The owner should also know how to discourage the New Zealand Huntaway from barking when he wants something as this is allowing the dog to be dominant.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: general 40-65 pounds (18-29.5 kg); the New Zealand Huntaway come in various shapes and sizes.

Height: 20-24 inches (51-61 cm)

Color: The New Zealand Huntaway comes in any color.

Country of Origin:The New Zealand Huntaway is the product of breeding barking sheep-herding dogs. There were many breeds involved in the program, including the Black Labrador, Hound, Border Collie, nd Germn Shepherd. The New Zealand Huntaway is the proof of the success of the breeding program, and is recognized in its land of origin, New Zealand, as the breed made for the intended purpose of sheep herding.

Activities: As sheep herding dogs go, the New Zealand Huntaway is an active and playful dog. It should be taken outside regularly for a walk and plenty of exercise. It should also be given a time to run around free in a safe and open area.

Grooming: Combing and brushing the coat of the New Zealand Huntaway is enough for grooming. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The New Zealand Huntaway has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. This breed is generally healthy and can do well living in an apartment as long as it has sufficient exercise.

Photo: Cgoodwin

AKA: (pl. Pulik) Puli, Hungarian Water Dog

Description: The Hungarian Puli is an memdium-sized sheepdog with a unique and distinctive corded coat. This heavily corded coat can reach up to the ground, making the dog look like a fluffy mop. The Hungarian Puli’s body is squarely proportional and muscular. The head is egg-shaped and the tail is curled tightly over the back. The almond-shaped eyes are dark brown and the ears are left hanging.

Dynamics: The Hungarian Puli is lively and cheerful. It is loyal to its family and is an excellent family companion. It is an intelligent breed that can adapt to most surroundings and conditions. It is not an aggressive kind, but is wary of strangers and annoyed by children that tease and are rough on them.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 25-35 pounds (11-16 kg), females 20-30 pounds (9-14 kg)

Height: males 16 to 17½ inches (41-46 cm), females 14½ to 16 inches (36-41 cm)

Color: The most common colors for the Hungarian Puli are black, any shade of gray, and apricot. White is rare in this breed.

Country of Origin: The Hungarian Puli came to Hungary with the Magyar tribe thousands of years ago and is one of the ancient breeds known to have settled in the country.

Activities: The Hungarian Puli has a lot of energy and should be given freedom to run around and play. It is also fond of water and swimming can be an exercise for them. The Hungarian Puli is used as a herder and flock guardian, and also as a family companion dog.

Grooming: The Mats formed when the coat starts to “cord” around should be separated manually and regularly. Clumps should be torn for the tip to the skin. Bathing the Hugarian Puli is easy but drying it takes some time. Without a dryer, it will take two days for the coat to dry. The eyes and ears should be cleaned and the nails trimmed.

Other Info: The Hungarian Puli has a life expectancy of 12 years or more. There no major health problems known within this breed, but it is still prone to hip dysplasia and eye and ear infections. The Hungarian Puli can adapt to any environment. It can live in the city, country, farm, etc. It is okay with any climate.

Photo by Sannse

AKA: Bhotia, Bhote kukur

Description: The Himalayan Sheepdog is a Nepali dog breed. It is now rare, and not much is known about it. What is known is that it is a large dog, with similarities in appearance to that of the Newfoundland dog and the Tibetan Mastiff. It has a long double coat, ranging from solid black to light brown. A white Himalayan Sheepdog is the rarest of them all. The Himalayan Sheepdog usually has a patch of white fur on the chest. It also has a long, round and hairy tail.

Dynamics: The Himalayan Sheepdog can be ferocious and strong-willed. This makes it great guard for livestock and farm houses. This breed is intelligent and at times can be very stubborn. Obedience training may be necessary. It is an excellent family dog. It is naturally reserved with strangers, though, because of its guarding instincts.

Breed Group: Flock Guardian

Weight: 62-84 lbs (28-38 kg)

Height: 26-32 inches (66-82 cm)

Color: The double coat of the Himalayan Sheepdog ranges from solid black to light brown. A white Himalayan Sheepdog is rare.

Country of Origin: Nepal

Grooming: The straight double coat of the Hokkaido Dog should be brushed and combed regularly.

Other Info: The Himalayan Sheepdog can live for some 10-13 years if they are bred properly.

Photo by Dogsindia.com