Annika

 "You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us."
- Robert Louis Stevenson

Nika - March 2016  (Born May 17, 2012)

A new dog for us!  We'd looked at different breeds for several years. We'd seen photos of Buhunds - they were a smaller dog & beautiful too - resembling an Artic Fox.

2/18/2016 In the Woods~

With Butch's Norwegian heritage - the Norwegian Buhund breed was associated with the Vikings.  Rare - only eight breeders in the United States, so it was difficult to find puppies.   The Norwegian Buhund Club of America had a Facebook page - I posted a few questions there.  Everything we read, sounded like the kind of dog we might be interested in.  Used as herding dogs, farm dogs & guard dogs - loyal to their family, but wary of strangers.

Timing is sometimes everything - it was strange how ours worked out.  On my way home from a trip to Colorado in July, 2012 - I received a message from the one breeder in WA state who had a litter of puppies born in May.  We scheduled a weekend visit & made the drive - returning home with a new puppy!   

Nika - June 2017

 Super smart, quick, fast, high energy & independent - she was challenging to train.  A good guard dog & yes, wary of strangers.  The bark can get incessant - we had to resort to a bark collar, but now it's seldom needed.

Nika has adapted well to our move from Washington to Iowa & enjoys more time in the house, even if I don't enjoy all the vacuuming!  :-)  She loves her new big yard & lets even the birds know that she's in charge!  :-)