Contents
- 1 Overview of Swedish Vallhunds
- 2 Barking
- 3 Breed
- 4 Coat
- 5 Energy
- 6 Grooming
- 7 Health
- 8 Obesity
- 9 Personality
- 10 Social
- 11 Temperament
- 12 Training
- 13 Food & Diet Requirements ??
- 14 Health Conditions ??
- 15 What’s the Price of Swedish Vallhund Puppies?
- 16 Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
- 17 Need help finding the right product?
- 18 Does This Article Deserve Your Thumbs Up?
- 19 How active is the Swedish Vallhund?
- 20 Are These Dogs Good for Families? ??
- 21 Are Swedish Vallhunds Good With Kids?
- 22 Are Swedish Vallhunds Hypoallergenic?
- 23 What’s your primary interest in dogs?
- 24 Do Swedish Vallhunds Like Cats?
- 25 Thinking about getting a puppy?
- 26 Have any questions about health in your breed?
- 27 Exercise ??
- 28 What kind of dogs are part of your family?
- 29 What’s the Real Reason Dogs Sniff Each Other’s Behinds?
- 30 Do Swedish Vallhunds Make Good Family Dogs?
- 31 Grooming ??
- 32 How is the Swedish Vallhund with children and other animals?
- 33 Where Does the Swedish Vallhund Come From?
- 34 Is a Swedish Vallhund Right for Me?
- 35 Should You Adopt a Swedish Vallhund?
- 36 What Makes a Swedish Vallhund Unique?
- 37 What will training look like?
- 38 Training ??
- 39 What Are They Like to Groom?
- 40 History of Swedish Vallhunds
Overview of Swedish Vallhunds
(Swedish for herding or pasturing dog, pronounced val-HUND)
Size: 9-14 kg
Adult height: 30-33cm
Coat: short to medium length
The Swedish Vallhund is a small, powerful, fearless breed of dog that has been kept for centuries, originally in Sweden, as a farm dog for
herding cattle and sheep.
self-confident and loyal. If you think a courageous, enthusiastic friend who can also
double as a great work dog is for you, start looking early.
Barking
Swedish Vallhund has a bold personality, they usually are known to be barkers which makes them excellent watchdogs, but their excessive barking tendencies might sometimes create problems for city life.
Breed
If you have been deciding to adopt a Swedish Vallhund puppy, you are unlikely to find it for less than $500 and can expect to pay an average of $1000 or may be more than this depending on puppy’s breeding.The Swedish Vallhund dogs give birth up to four to eight puppies at a time.
Coat
The best type of brush for a Swedish Vallhund is a combination of a slicker or pin brush for the outer coat, and deshedding tool or metal comb for the undercoat.
Energy
If you don’t have sheep for your Swedish Vallhund to herd, it would be good to enroll them in some sort of dog sport to keep their agile minds occupied and keep their energy levels down.Swedish Vallhunds are extremely athletic dogs.They are an ideal choice of pet for a family that lives on a farm but prefers to keep a smaller dog in the house.They can make good apartment dogs if given enough exercise, but are really better suited to the suburbs or the countryside.They do well with children and other dogs, and can be trained to accept cats and other pets (though they may try and herd them!).They excel at dog sports such as agility, fly ball, and herding, and definitely are a breed that needs a “job” to do.They thrive with proper training and a ton of exercise, and will then be happy to curl up at your side at the end of the day.They will quickly get bored if not given something to do, which will only exacerbate their hyperactivity and will make them harder to live with.
Grooming
When it comes to grooming, Swedish Vallhunds are wash and wear.A good brush-out once a week and the occasional bath will keep the coat looking, smelling, and feeling great.During the bi-annual heavy shed, brush and bathe more frequently to help remove the shedding undercoat.Swedish Vallhunds shed moderately most of the time, with a twice-annual heavier shed of the undercoat (called "blowing the coat").Trim the nails every other week, inspect the ears and clean as needed, brush their teeth daily, and your Swedish Vallhund will sparkle.
Health
Andaras Komarom, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology in the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, undertook research and data collection on eye health issues of Swedish Vallhunds.Dr.Eye problems are the dominant health concern and in particular, Cataracts and Retinopathy, either of which can cause blindness.Persistent Papillary Membranes (PPM) was the most commonly occurring hereditary eye condition in the Vallhund study.
Obesity
Control how much they eat and when to help them develop a more balanced digestive system.Do not free-feed them.Instead, separate their meals into two dishes a day, such as a meal in the morning and one during the evening.Swedish Vallhunds can struggle with weight gain and obesity if they are fed too many fillers or do not get enough exercise.
Personality
The Swedish Vallhund may be one of the lesser-known purebred dogs, but what it lacks in renown it makes up for in personality and versatility.
Social
Like any other dog breeds, Swedish Vallhunds must be socialized at an early age.This will help them become more well-rounded, and they’ll be able to manage their feelings better.
Temperament
The Swedish Vallhund is an adorable European herding dog with short legs and an attentive temperament.
Training
As like other herding dogs, the Swedish Vallhund is also an independent thinker and can act little bossy, so training a Swedish Vallhunds can be a little challenging.But there’s nothing to worry, positive reinforce can help you a lot for in taking their good response.
Food & Diet Requirements ??
The Swedish Vallhund is a medium-sized dog that likes to get plenty of daily activity.They need between 2-3 cups of food each day to keep them going.Their food should be high-quality, filled with a high percentage of crude fat and protein.
Health Conditions ??
Overall, the Swedish Vallhund is a healthy, robust breed.They have many years of work put into their lineage to remain strong.Even still, keep going to the vet for their annual checkups to catch any health problems as quickly as possible.
What’s the Price of Swedish Vallhund Puppies?
Swedish Vallhunds are difficult to find in America because they have not yet become popular.Their price reflects this, and you will often be put on a waiting list if you express an interest in adopting one of these dogs.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The Swedish Vallhund is generally a good choice if you want a dog with multiple other animals.They love to play around and have a good time and are not typically possessive of their space or their people.
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How active is the Swedish Vallhund?
As mentioned the Swedish Vallhund is a very active dog and needs owners who are committed and active themselves.It will be happy to join you for a hike, a couple of moderate walks a day, run time somewhere safe off leash like a dog park and so on.It also likes to chase balls and play with you and is very enthusiastic about it.It is hard working and it likes to have tasks to do and enjoys the challenge of doing new things.Remember it is active but it is a short dog so it doesn’t want miles of running, just different opportunities to let off steam and have fun.If it gets bored and has too much energy it can be destructive and restless and vocal.A good way to keep their minds engaged is to enter them in more advanced training classes, obedience, agility or herding for example.It can live in an apartment if well exercised but does bark a lot.A yard is a good bonus though where it can play and explore.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? ??
These dogs are well-suited to family life, no matter how old your kids are.They love to play and appreciate the lively spirits of children, becoming their new best friend in a flash.These dogs are robust and sturdy with a fair amount of patience, meaning they are a good fit for young children.Their size keeps them from being too big to accidentally hurt them.
Are Swedish Vallhunds Good With Kids?
As long as your dog has been raised with children, he should have no problem coexisting in the same house.However, with that being said, the Swedish Vallhund breed are herders by instinct and may try to nip at your child’s feet if not properly trained.
Are Swedish Vallhunds Hypoallergenic?
No, Swedish Vallhunds are not hypoallergenic.In fact, they are on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to non-allergenic breeds.
What’s your primary interest in dogs?
Help us get you the most relevant information.
Do Swedish Vallhunds Like Cats?
Thinking to adopt a Swedish Vallhund and want to know if Swedish Vallhund Dogs like cats or how do you introduce a Swedish Vallhund to a cat in the house?
For your reference, Swedish Vallhund Dogs score out of 5 in the scale of dog breeds that likes cats.
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Have any questions about health in your breed?
If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed.They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.
Exercise ??
These pups are a medium-energy dog, needing a bit more exercise than average to stay in tip-top shape, but not by much.They need about 45 minutes of consistent activity a day.Since they have plenty of stamina and love to adventure, taking them out on runs, hikes, or cycle rides is a good way to get you both active.
What kind of dogs are part of your family?
Help us get you the most relevant information.
What’s the Real Reason Dogs Sniff Each Other’s Behinds?
They immediately know if they are friend or foe.
Do Swedish Vallhunds Make Good Family Dogs?
These can be excellent family dogs, with their sweet, fun temperaments and high trainability.
Grooming ??
Swedish Vallhunds have thick double coats of medium-length fur.They need to get brushed daily to reduce the amount of hair that they shed around the home.A bath every other month keeps the Vallhund smelling fresh and looking their best.
How is the Swedish Vallhund with children and other animals?
Around children if it has been well socialized and grown up with them it can learn to accept them and even be affectionate, but it is best in a home that has older children.It is easy to injure low set dogs and small children are not careful enough.The Vallhund will try to nip at their heels so supervision is needed and teach it to stop when you say so.Teach children how to approach, stroke and play in a kind and acceptable way.It tends to get on well with other animals in general, it comes from being a farm dog so it gets on fine with horses and livestock and such.This means it can accept other pets and even other dogs in the home.However it is not accepting of other strange animals, cats, dogs or whatever, that come into its territory or too close to it.It was bred in part to drive away other dogs that might come to nip at its cattle, and it will try to drive them away still even with no cattle to herd.
Where Does the Swedish Vallhund Come From?
This breed’s history dates back well over 1,000 years, when it served as a herding dog for the Vikings.
Is a Swedish Vallhund Right for Me?
This would be a challenging choice for a first-time owner because of its high energy and the need for early and consistent training.
Should You Adopt a Swedish Vallhund?
Swedish Vallhunds (AKA Swedish Cow Dogs) were originally bred to herd cattle and other livestock in Sweden.They might be small, but they’re a working dog at heart and are very good at this.So much so that this is how they got their name, the “Vallhund” in their name literally means “herding dog.
What Makes a Swedish Vallhund Unique?
The Swedish Vallhund is a member of the AKC's 'Herding Group' with a temperament that is often described as friendly, energetic and watchful.The Swedish Vallhund has a demeanor best described as 'Friendly'.When it comes to grooming needs, the Swedish Vallhund requires only an occasional bath and brushing and sheds seasonally.In regards to training, you can expect the Swedish Vallhund to be wanting to learn with very a decent level of excitement or energy.The Swedish Vallhund can be expected to live 12 to 15 years if they receive proper excercise and a Swedish Vallhund dog food diet that keeps their weight between 20-35 pounds.The Swedish Vallhund is generally considered small with a height of between 12 inches and 13.75 inches for males and 11 inches and 12.75 inches for females.
What will training look like?
This is an easy dog to train as it is intelligent and eager to please.It is usually able to listen to its owner and obey.Being attentive and responsive means it is likely that there will be less repetition needed than for many other dogs and so things could go quicker.However it can be independent minded so it is important that you be a strong leader, firm and consistent, clear about the rules and stick to them.It can also try to manipulate you if you do not stay strong.Always mean what you say, be positive and encourage and motivate them.Treats work well and be patient when you have to be! If it does not know its place it can develop small dog syndrome which makes it hard to live with, destructive and even snappy.Train it to stop barking on command and not to nip.Early socialization is important to make sure it is not suspicious of strangers.A well socialized dog is happier and more confident when an adult.Socialization involves exposing it to different animals, people, places and sounds and such.
Training ??
A Swedish Vallhund is a highly trainable dog.They do have an independent streak, but typically, their desire to please you outweighs this.Use consistency during your training sessions, and try to make them fun to get the most from your dog.They are heavily motivated by food but remember that treats should only make up a maximum of 10% of a dog’s diet.
What Are They Like to Groom?
Thankfully, the Swedish Vallhund coat is easy to maintain, a brush once or twice per week is all they really need.They’re a tough dog that was said to have been the companions of Vikings, so they don’t need any special treatment.