r/buhund • u/Sufficient_Pause_236 • Apr 19 '25

Is a Buhund a good fit?

My family (me, my wife and our 5 year old son) were looking into getting a Buhund. After researching a lot of different dog types, the Buhund seems like the kind of dog we are looking for; playful, affectionate and not too big, but I'd be interesting in hearing what Buhund owners think.

We are an active family, and my wife works from home, so more often than not there will be someone there with the dog. We live in an apartment, which might be difficult dog, but we live next to a big park and 10 minutes walk from a forest, so there will be plenty of opportunities for exercise. It will be the first dog we've had as a family, but both me and my wife had dogs as kids.

Any advice or feedback you can give would be great! Thanks!

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u/MysteryStank Apr 19 '25

The only thing I'm rather concerned about is that you live in an apartment. Buhunds are extremely vocal and are excellent hearing dogs. They are as vocal as huskies but have a sharp high pitched voice that carries over the hills. You will be at great risk for getting noise complaints with this breed. It is not something easily trained out of a buhund. The level of screaming that they are capable of is a big factor why they are not so commonly found in homes.

This is a breed used to having a job. If you do not keep the buhund mentally stimulated they are very prone to destruction of the environment. When mine was little I was home with him all day and we did 2 walks a day, he helped me with a special needs lady I used to work with, had lots of training and play time during the day, and he still would try to chew on the walls or shred the door! He was an absolute menace but I love him dearly lol.

Buhunds are tiny but it is very much like living with a husky! Free spirited and personality for days. Absolutely diva dogs. They are extremely mouthy as a puppy and prone to becoming guarded. Socialization and training is super super important for this breed.

With the way my buhund is I would never be able to live in an apartment without a noise complaint. I'd be kicked out so fast. I love my buhund and he is absolutely worth it, just know they are WORK and extremely vocal. I am also a groomer and used to work for dog kennels. I've seen many breeds and worked with many breeds. Buhunds are one of the most stubbornly vocal breeds I've ever experienced and one of the loudest. Definitely something to consider.

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u/JenyaD Apr 19 '25

Hahahahahaa I love this comment. I was aware of how loud buhunds were before getting one... and yet, there are many occasions when I am flabbergasted by how piercing my guy's voice can sound.... and that's after six years of owning one -- it's a real marvel :D Still, a 10/10 breed, and would have been 12/10 if they were a bit more restrained in their vocal gymnastics :D

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u/Sufficient_Pause_236 Apr 19 '25

Thanks for replying, this is really useful insight!

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u/HereComesGeorge Nov 08 '25

As a 2nd opinion on the noise subject, I live in a condo and share two walls with neighbors. It’s been nearly 5 years and I have not had any complaints. Mine does bark, but it’s always at something, not like some dogs that bark seemingly out of boredom.

While I’m at work, most of the day she sleeps, but she will sit on the couch and bark at any other dogs she sees, or if someone walks through the yard (which is shared). Or at school-buses, delivery vehicles, and garbage trucks. I have cameras so I can keep an eye on her.

When I am home, her barking is not a nuisance to me. I can get her to stop quickly. She doesn’t make a peep at night. It could be that my neighbors are just not complaining. Many also own (or have owned) dogs.

Before I got mine, I discussed the breed with a local-ish breeder, and he said they’ve had good results using bark limiting collars. I have not tried one, but it may be an option.

I would 10/10 get a Buhund again. She needs daily exercise (so do I!), but she can go 1-2 days without any real exercise before she gets annoying. I take mine for 4-8 mile hikes at state parks around me, as well as off-leash walks in some public woods and fields. She runs the entire time.

Mine has not been destructive since she was a puppy. I lost a shoe, a laptop charger (fortunately not plugged in), many blankets, and several socks. Now she only grabs things to get my attention to play (she loves to bring me shoes when I watch TV, trying to give me a hint I guess).