Although the Buhund has a medium to short easy-care coat that does not mat or tangle when it sheds; although it is an ideal size for a house dog and a great people lover, especially of children; although it is an excellent watch dog plus a trainable, healthy breed, it is: very active, demands and gives lots of love and affection, barks to communicate, needs obedience training to establish reliable manners, and wants lots of playtime with its owner.

It is unfair to expect a dog of such high intelligence who worked for farmers and Vikings for centuries to be happy isolated and untrained by its beloved family. Herding dogs like to move in circles and round up anything and everything that moves about. They enjoy frisbies, balls, sticks, and some even like to catch spray from a hose for fun! They like to be at the center of family activities and bond very strongly to members. They love life and are lively. Can you handle this fun-loving pal?

It is important to comprehend the responsibility involved in breeding so our pups never appear in small pet shop cages. That is a sure sign quality is lacking when mass production occurs. It's as important to protect your male as your female. Street wanderers are now subject to Brucellosis and other problems due to over-population.

It is not responsible to allow our breed to populate the neighborhood and create more mixed breeds to be put to sleep, shot, stolen by bunchers and sold to labs, or used as practice bait for dog fights. Sub-standard specimens should be neutered, not bred. Good temperament as well as soundness is very important.

It is no longer believed that a female has to produce a litter before being spayed. Spaying or neutering is now done as early as 4 months of age. Many owners neuter their Buhunds to make a calmer pet if they do not intend to show or breed them. They can still compete in obedience and other activities, even if neutered.

Are you prepared to buy the best dog food, advertise in the best magazines, and keep the pups long enough to pick and choose proper homes, keep up on shots and wormings and pay all the vet bills? If the answer to any of the above is a negative, think twice about breeding your dog or bitch. The fate of our very clever and clean breed is in your hands. RESPONSIBILITY IS THE KEY WORD. We rely on your cooperation and knowledge to support our goals.

AKC has granted permission to Kennel Clubs to invite Rare Breeds to their AKC Fun Matches. Check with local all-breed clubs to see if they are going along with AKC and will let you show your Buhund for fun, not for AKC points, in order to make our breed more visible to the general public. For information about other dog clubs that invite Rare Breeds, contact this club.