Swedish vallhund

Overall description of the breed

Originating from Sweden, the Visigoth Spitz was the faithful companion of Vikings for many years, accompanying them on their long journeys and conquests. Considered a native Swedish breed, the identification of its ancestors sparked numerous discussions among enthusiasts and amateurs due to its evident connections with the English Welsh Corgi. Indeed, research is still ongoing to determine its true origins.

It was Count Björn von Rosen who discovered this breed in the region of Västergötland in Sweden. Despite his efforts, he couldn't precisely determine its origins. After many years of work and selection, he sought official recognition for this breed from the Swedish Kennel Club, which accepted it in 1943. A lover of this Spitz-type dog, this member of the bourgeoisie turned it into an excellent agile, obedient, and dynamic herding dog tasked with guarding and guiding herds throughout Sweden.

The International Canine Federation officially registered it on January 3, 1954, and its currently applicable standard was published on October 29, 2013.

The Swedish Vallhund is a small-sized dog with short and bony legs. It's a powerful domestic animal and a high-performing worker. Its body, slightly longer than tall, forms a rectangle. With short legs, this structure provides it a close-to-the-ground stance, making it agile and swift. Its eyes are of medium size and always dark-colored.

Its ears are pointed, straight, and stand upright on top of its skull. Its head is wide, its muzzle moderately long, and its tail can be long or naturally shortened. Its coat is short, rough to the touch, and remarkably thick, accompanied by an impermeable, dense, and well-provided undercoat. Its coat is usually longer around the neck and the rear of the hind legs.

The coat colors accepted by the breed's standard are gray and brown, sometimes with reddish nuances. A dark ridge along the back is common, generally darker than the rest of its body.

As an outstanding companion dog, it's valued throughout Northern Europe for its friendliness and serious work ethic. Its hunting instinct is very pronounced, which can lead it to wander if not regularly stimulated by tracking games or intense physical activities.

The Swedish Vallhund is highly intelligent and can exploit the authority gaps of its owners, especially if not properly channeled and trained from a young age. Bold, dynamic, and courageous, it also excels as a guard dog due to its developed protective instinct, typical of herding dogs.

Loyal and deeply attached to its family, it struggles with solitude. Nevertheless, positive training and strict habits from an early age will help it become calm and peaceful. In summary, it's a reliable, loyal, and trustworthy partner in work, as well as a remarkable life companion for the entire family.

Adult: The Swedish Vallhund will weigh around 9 to 14 kg (19.8 to 30.8 lb), with a height at the withers of 30 to 35 cm (11.8" to 13.7") for males and 29 to 33 cm (11.4" to 13") for females.