The Norwegian Buhund is a good, friendly family dog, and is usually good-natured and loyal. It is very active and needs exercise and stimulation. It is a very loving breed and is never happier than when it is on your knee being cuddled. A brave, dynamic, noisy dog, with very developed senses (hearing, smell, seeing), it is watchful and attentive. Devoted and affectionate with the family, it accepts the children. It gets along good with other dogs and other animals from the household. The strangers are just announced.

Buhunds are intelligent and love to learn, many work as hearing dogs for the deaf and as dogs for the disabled so if you are looking for a couch potato do not look here. He’s a happy-go-lucky breed that plays vigorously, yet is also light on his feet and very agile. More than some other spitz breeds, he likes to be at the center of his family, demanding (and offering) a great deal of companionship. Most Norwegian Buhunds are friendly (or at least polite) with strangers, yet with their keen senses and watchful attitude, they make dependable alarm dogs. Buhunds are usually fine with other family pets if raised with them.

The Norwegian Buhund is less headstrong and more willing to work with you than other spitzes, but he is still independent and may use his intelligence in clever ways that suit his own purposes. Yet owners who know how to lead will find him eminently trainable.

Like most herding breeds, the Norwegian Buhund is uncomfortable when his flock (family members and other pets) is scattered every which way. He may try to gather everyone together by circling, poking, and nipping. He barks a lot in a rapid, high-pitched voice. Because of their independent minds, they are not pushovers to raise and train. They are often manipulative, and some are willful and obstinate. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.