Official Standard of the Norwegian Buhund

General Appearance: The Norwegian Buhund is a herding dog. It is a typical northern breed, a little under medium size and squarely built, with a tightly curled tail carried over the back. The head is wedge-shaped and not too heavy, with prick ears. As it is extremely intelligent by nature, consistent training is needed from early puppyhood. The Buhund has a lot of energy, strength and stamina. This self-appointed watchdog is also content lying at your feet at the end of the day. Broken teeth, broken whiskers and honorable scars incurred in the line of herding/working duty are acceptable. The breed is to be shown in a natural state. Any shaving or trimming of the coat or shaving of whiskers, is to be severely penalized.

Size, Proportion, Substance: Size - Height at the highest point of the shoulder blade in dogs, 17 to 18 1/2 inches; in bitches, 16 to 17 1/2 inches. Disqualifying faults - more than a 1/2 under, or 1 inch over the height at the highest point of the shoulder blade. Weight - For dogs 31 to 40 pounds; for bitches, 26 to 35 pounds. Proportion - Square in profile. The height, measured vertically from the ground to the highest point of the shoulder blade, equals the length, measured horizontally from the prosternum to the rear projection of the upper thigh. Substance - Substance and bone is in proportion to the overall dog. 

Head: The size of the head should be in proportion to the body and not too heavy. The skull is wedge-shaped, almost flat, and parallel with the bridge of the nose. The muzzle is about the same length as the skull, with a stop that is well defined but not too pronounced. The nasal bridge is straight and well filled out under the eyes. The lips should be black and tightly closed. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite, with complete dentition. Disqualifying fault - overshot or undershot mouth. Whiskers serve a function, purpose. Removal of facial whiskers is to be severely penalized. Eyes - Oval shaped, color as dark as possible, black eye rims. Ears - Medium sized, prick ears with pointed tips, carried strongly erect yet very mobile. When relaxed or showing affection the ears go back, and the dog should not be penalized for doing this during the judge's examination. Nose - Black. 

Neck, Topline, Body: Neck - Of medium length, is well set on, with no loose skin on the throat. Topline - The back is level; croup with as little slope as possible. Body - Chest deep, ribs well-sprung; tail set high, tightly curled and carried over the center line of the back. 

Forequarters: Shoulders moderately sloping, elbows well set, turned neither in nor out; legs substantial but not coarse in bone, legs seen from the front appear straight and parallel; pastern seen from the side moderately sloping; feet oval in shape with tightly closed toes, feet turned neither in nor out. 

Hindquarters: Moderate angulation at stifle and hock, upper thigh powerful, well muscled; lower thigh well muscled, seen from behind legs are straight and strong, feet same as above. Dewclaws are optional. If present they may be double or single

Coat: Outer coat is thick and hard, but rather smooth lying. The under coat is soft and dense. The coat on the head and front of the legs is comparatively short. The coat on the neck, chest and back of thighs is longer. The coat should not be trimmed except for the trimming of feet. Shaving, sculpting, removal of outer coat, should be so severely penalized as to eliminate from competition.

Color: Wheaten - Any shade from pale cream to bright orange, with or without dark tipped hairs; as little white as possible; black mask acceptable. Black - Preferably without too much bronzing; with as little white as possible. Areas where white is permissible: a narrow white ring around the neck, a narrow blaze on the face, a small patch of white hairs on the chest, white feet and tip of the tail. 

Gait: The action is free and effortless. The topline remains level while moving. Sound movement is essential for working ability. 

Temperament: Self-confident, alert, lively, and very affectionate with people. 

Faults: The foregoing description is that of the ideal Norwegian Buhund. Any deviation from the above described dog is to be penalized to the extent of the deviation. 

Disqualifying Faults: More than ½ inch under or 1 inch over the height at the highest point of the shoulder blade. Over shot or under shot mouth.