Akita vs Norwegian Buhund

An Akita
Photo: E L from Western-Finland
A Norwegian Buhund
Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden

Side by side

Akita
Norwegian Buhund
Adult weight
Males 45–59 kg (100–130 lb); females 32–45 kg (70–100 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 14–18 kg (31–40 lb); females 12–16 kg (26–35 lb)2
Height
Males 66–71.1 cm; females 61–66 cm (breed club figure)1
Males 43–47 cm; females 41–45 cm2
Lifespan
Median 11.4 years3
No sourced figure
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes4
11 months, both sexes4
Group
Spitz & primitive5
Spitz & primitive2
Coat
Double coat5
Double coat2
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Class
Watchdog
Sport

Which suits you

Size
The Akita is far larger: about 45 kg (100 lb) as an adult, against 15 kg (33 lb) for the Norwegian Buhund.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Akita: quiet; Norwegian Buhund: very vocal) and on affection (Akita: likes its own space; Norwegian Buhund: affectionate on its own terms).
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Akita
Spitz & primitive · Large

In temperament the Akita is dignified, quiet and reserved with strangers, and closely attached to its own household.

Norwegian Buhund
Spitz & primitive · Medium

Buhunds are alert, energetic and quick to learn, with a strong urge to work and a ready voice. They are generally friendly and form close bonds with their household.

The Akita page →The Norwegian Buhund page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Akita
Norwegian Buhund
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Needs steady training
With people
Akita
Norwegian Buhund
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Akita
Norwegian Buhund
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Differs
Quiet
Very vocal
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour6. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home7,8.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Akita grows to the heavier adult, about 45 kg against the Norwegian Buhund's 15 kg.
Akita
Norwegian Buhund
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More comparisons

Compare the Akita with
Akita vs Shiba InuIcelandic Sheepdog vs Norwegian BuhundNorwegian Buhund vs Shiba InuAkita vs Karelian Bear DogFinnish Spitz vs Norwegian BuhundAkita vs Norwegian ElkhoundAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·