Swedish Vallhund

The Swedish Vallhund is very energetic; you should always be prepared because they need constant physical activity. It has versatile qualities, so it has no problem guarding the house, herding herds, playing with children, and sports. Dogs are good at participating in various competitions and often win prizes.

Breed Photos

Origin History

It is not known exactly how the Swedish Wahlund appeared. Some believe that the dogs appeared in Great Britain’s territory with the Vikings, while others think that the dogs are descended from the Pembroke. The dogs’ home is the Vestgoth valley, which is located between Lake Wettern and Lake Wettern. Hence the other name of the dogs is the Visigoth Barker or the Visigoth Spitz.

During World War II, the number of Swedish Vallhunds decreased significantly, and the breed was on the verge of extinction. But thanks to the lovers of this breed, it was possible to restore the dogs and make them famous.

Count Bjorn von Rosen actively helped restore the breed and wrote articles for the city’s famous newspapers, thus increasing its popularity. The International Canine Federation officially approved the breed in 1954. Nowadays, dogs are not often seen in the world; most often, they live in Sweden.

Appearance

The Swedish Vallhund is of medium size, the males’ height is about 33 cm, the females – 31 cm, a variation of 3 cm is allowed. The weight of the dogs is usually from 9 to 14 kg. The physique is healthy, muscular, and strong. The head is wedge-shaped, the eyes are deep-set and often dark brown. The ears are large, triangular, with pointed ends.

The tail can be long or short. The size of the tail does not depend on anything; it is a natural trait. Even puppies can be born without tails. It is not considered a disadvantage.

The coat of the Swedish Vallhund is short, tough to the touch. The hair is short on the head and slightly longer on the neck, chest, and hind legs. There is a thick undercoat, which is tight-fitting. The color can be any shade of wolf color. On the back, neck, and sides, the coat is usually darker than on the body.

Character

The Swedish Vallhund is very energetic; you should always be prepared because they need constant physical activity. It has versatile qualities, so it has no problem guarding the house, herding herds, playing with children, and sports. Dogs are good at participating in various competitions and often win prizes.

The Swedish Vallhund is very sensitive and has good hearing and sense of smell, making it an excellent watchdog. Can catch mice, help in the household. Very quickly becomes attached to the family and is always ready to protect it. It is very energetic, so it is not suitable for those who lead a passive lifestyle.

With other animals in the same area, behave calmly, balanced. Often perceive them as part of their herd, which must also be protected. Despite their small paws, Swedish Vallhunds run well and will gladly keep their owner company during a run.

Care

If you regularly give your dog plenty of exercise, he can live in an urban apartment without any problems. The main thing is to walk it in time, buy a lot of toys, and not let the dog get bored.

Swedish Vallhund is the soul of the company. They will take part in all the fun with great pleasure, so you should never fence him off from it. They do not tolerate loneliness well; they have a great need to be near people all the time. If you are often at work or on the road, you can get yourself two Swedish Vallhunds. It will be more fun for them.

The dog’s hair is self-cleaning, so you should not bathe him more than twice a year. They should be brushed once a week or as needed.

Due to the thick coat, they can live in the yard or an aviary without problems and easily withstand bad weather conditions. One must remember to check their ears, eyes, and teeth regularly. Clean them with cotton swabs if necessary.

Training

The Swedish Vallhund has a good memory, learns quickly, and constantly strives to please its owner. Therefore, there should be no problems with training.

It would help if you socialized the puppy early – constantly walk with him in public places and introduce him to other dogs. They may have a bad habit of biting other animals in the house on their back paws. It should be weaned from the beginning.

It is important to create a warm, good-natured atmosphere during training since the dog understands the owner’s mood well. You shouldn’t yell at the Wahlund, but you must be persistent.

Common Diseases

Representatives of the breed have excellent health. They tolerate all conditions well; they have no hereditary diseases. But it is still necessary to have regular check-ups with the doctor and treat the coat against parasites.

Nutrition

The unpretentious Swedish Vallhunds can eat anything you give them. But it is important to remember that they are carnivorous dogs; the basis of their diet should be meat. It can be lamb, horse meat, rabbit meat. It is best if the meat is raw.

Several times a week, you can give sea fish, but it is desirable to clean it from the bones. It is useful to give dairy products, and after three months of age, milk is not recommended.