Swedish Vallhund

These playful cow dogs love to spend their time running through fields, basking in the sunshine, and keeping the herd together.

Vallhunds and similar types of herding dogs have existed in Europe since the Viking era. The modern Swedish Vallhund breed was revived in the 1940s by a pair of breeders named K. G. Zettersten and Bjorn von Rosen. One of the unique marking features of this breed is the chance that a Swedish Vallhund could be born with a partial or even completely missing tail.

Overall, Swedish Vallhunds are intelligent working dogs that have adapted well to domestic life. These dogs do best when raised by a skilled trainer and are a good choice for experienced dog owners.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Swedish Vallhund

History Of The Breed

The Swedish Vallhund is an ancient breed of dog that dates back more than 1000 years and was once referred to as a Viking dog or the Vikingamas Hund. While this breed originates in Sweden, it dates back to the 8th century, to the time when the Vikings conquered areas of Britain, and is similar to the Welsh corgi, which is why it is also referred to as the “wolf corgi”. The Vallhund was intended to be a farm dog, to herd cattle, and it almost went extinct in the 1940s.

Size And Weight

These are small herding dogs with short legs, pointed ears, and a thick coat of medium-length fur. Males and females are usually about the same size; they can grow to be 12-14 inches tall at the shoulder, and they tend to weigh between 20 and 30 pounds when they are fully grown.

Common Health Issues

This dog is a healthy breed with plenty of active bloodlines spread across Europe. This means that your Swedish Vallhund won’t be at risk for any more health issues than the average dog. However, you should still be on the lookout for common ailments and diseases such as parvo, Lyme disease, and Von Willebrand disease. These dogs have particularly sensitive ears and eyes, which means that they may need extra care to prevent infections in these areas.

Temperament

These are sweet and engaging dogs that love to be a part of your family. The Swedish Vallhund was originally bred to be a cow dog, so expect your pet to be alert, interactive, and great with group interactions. They may have a hard time getting along with particularly small animals due to their slightly raised prey drive.

Many people see these dogs as guard dogs. Vallhunds have excellent senses and are constantly on the alert, so they’re great as watchdogs; however, because they’re so small, they can’t be asked to offer real physical protection. Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs and get along well with kids.

How To Take Care Of A Swedish Vallhund

These dogs need plenty of exercise and attention to stay happy and healthy. Vallhunds do not get bored easily and love to tag along with their owners, so one of the best ways to keep them happy is to make them a part of your working lifestyle.

The Best Dog Food For Swedish Vallhunds

Like other dogs, Swedish Vallhunds need to eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein and healthy fats. Vallhunds are naturally energetic, and the amount of food that they need to consume will be directly related to how much energy they burn throughout the day. Vallhunds that are expected to be apartment dogs will be more comfortable if they are not overfed, but Vallhunds that work as cow dogs will want extra portions to help them manage entire herds.

Maintenance And Grooming

Swedish Vallhunds are double-coated. They have a softer undercoat that keeps them warm and a coarse overcoat that keeps them dry. This is incredibly convenient for colder climates, but it also means that Vallhunds tend to shed a lot more than other dogs.

Plan to brush your Vallhund frequently to maintain the condition of their coat. Make sure not to get a brush that snags on their fur; instead, look for something that pulls through smoothly, especially at the thickest parts of the coat.

If you live in a moderate or warm climate, make sure that your Vallhund goes to the groomer in the summertime to get their undercoat trimmed. You should also make sure to regularly trim your Vallhund’s nails and check on the condition of their eyes, ears, and nose.

Training

Swedish Vallhunds are incredibly intelligent and have great training potential. They have no problems learning tricks and simple tasks. They also have a strong herding potential that only needs to be lightly reinforced.

Vallhunds have the potential to be jumpy and wary of strangers, so they do better when they are socialized correctly as puppies. Expect your Vallhund to want to greet and interact with guests, and teach them healthy ways to express their general excitement and engagement.

Exercise

Swedish Vallhunds are high-energy dogs and need as much exercise as they can get. Expect to take your Vallhund on at least two walks a day. Vallhunds like to play, and they’re happiest in houses with room for moving around. A Swedish Vallhund can easily be an apartment dog if they are taken outside regularly and given plenty of attention by their owners.

Vallhunds are herding dogs, so they thrive under an incredibly active lifestyle if they are given the opportunity. These dogs are particularly popular on farms and in other environments where they can safely be brought with their owners.

Puppies

Swedish Vallhund puppies are eager to get moving in life. Be aware that most Vallhund puppies go through a nipping phase, meaning they will need guidance as they learn to socialize with other dogs and people. In addition to nipping, you can also expect to see chewing and other immature but interactive behaviors.

Otherwise, Swedish Vallhund puppies are easy to raise and adapt well to most environments. Make sure to feed them a balanced diet with plenty of protein to encourage their long-term health.

Swedish Vallhunds And Children

These are friendly dogs that do well in group environments. Well-trained Vallhunds get along well with children and do well as members of domestic families. However, it’s not a good idea to let a child train a Vallhund puppy on their own, especially if they’ve never had a dog before.

Dogs Similar To Swedish Vallhunds

Swedish Vallhunds are great dogs, but they can be hard to find in some areas. If you’re looking for another playful and interactive herding dog, you should consider adopting a Finnish Lapphund, a Welsh Corgi, or an English Shepherd.

• Finnish Laphunds: Laphunds are a sensitive and playful breed. They have slightly more domestic personalities than Vallhunds and may be a better choice for a family environment.
• Welsh Corgis: The corgi is an iconic cattle dog that Swedish Vallhunds are often mistaken for. Corgis are sweet, friendly, and easy to train.
• English Shepherds: The English shepherd is a talented and friendly herding dog. These dogs are a great choice for a working companion, but remember that they are slightly bigger than Swedish Vallhunds.