Swedish Vallhund | Dog Breed

Last updated May 29, 2024

Size

Varies

Popularity

One of the Most Popular

Typical Lifespan

About 12 years

Exercise

Swedish Vallhunds thrive with daily brisk walks and engaging play sessions.

Grooming Needs

Swedish Vallhunds require weekly brushing to manage their double coat and minimize shedding, with more frequent grooming during seasonal shedding periods. Regular ear checks and nail trimming are also essential.

Country of Origin

Sweden

Adaptability

The Swedish Vallhund is highly adaptable, thriving in both rural and urban environments, provided they receive ample exercise and mental stimulation.

Shedding Level

Swedish Vallhunds shed a moderate amount year-round, with increased shedding during seasonal changes.

Energiness

Swedish Vallhunds are very energetic and need plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

Vocality

Swedish Vallhunds are known for being quite vocal, often barking to alert their owners and communicate excitement or curiosity.

Trainability

Swedish Vallhunds are intelligent and eager to learn, responding well to consistent, positive training methods.

Dietary Needs

Swedish Vallhunds need a balanced diet rich in protein to support their active lifestyle and maintain lean muscle. Ensure they also receive essential vitamins and minerals for overall health.

Weight Range

20-35 pounds

Child Friendliness

Child-Friendly

Social Needs

For Whom?

The Swedish Lapphund, a small but spirited companion, is an excellent fit for a home that values an active lifestyle and shared adventures. This breed is not one to lounge around; it loves to move and be involved in everything. Therefore, the ideal home for this breed would have ample space for running and exploring, whether that's a large yard in the countryside or safe jogging paths in an urban setting.

The Swedish Lapphund particularly enjoys it if its owner has an interest in dog sports, such as agility or obedience training. It is intelligent and trainable, and loves to please its owner by performing various tasks. Keeping the dog's mind active is just as important as maintaining its physical activity.

Since the Swedish Lapphund is also very social, it thrives best in a family where it receives a lot of attention and companionship. It forms deep bonds with its people and wants to be part of the family's everyday life. For this reason, the Swedish Lapphund is not suitable for a home where it would have to spend most of the day alone. It fits well in a family where someone is usually at home, or where it can join in on daily chores and outings.

Ultimately, the Swedish Lapphund is a great choice for an active, adventurous person or family who is enthusiastic about dog training and understands and appreciates the breed's energy and versatility. It brings joy, energy, and loyalty to life, and deserves a home where its needs are understood and it is provided with a loving and stimulating environment.

Character

Energetic

Intelligent

Loyal

Alert

The Swedish Vallhund, also known as the Swedish Lapland Dog, is a brave and lively herding dog originating from Sweden. Despite its small size, it has the heart and personality of a large dog. It's a perky and lively companion, always ready for adventure and an active life. Despite its small size, the Swedish Vallhund is confident and can stand on its own paws, being a loyal and reliable friend.

This breed is intelligent and eager to learn, enjoying learning new things and completing tasks. Its agile mind and body make it an excellent dog for various activities, such as agility or obedience training. The Swedish Vallhund's strong desire to please its owner, combined with its herding instinct, makes it an excellent working dog and a versatile hobby companion.

Although the Swedish Vallhund is active and energetic, it also knows how to calm down and enjoy relaxing moments with the family. It is very social and deeply attaches to its people, wanting to be part of everyday family life and special moments. This breed is also excellent with children, as it is patient and playful, but also knows how to set its boundaries respectfully.

The Swedish Vallhund is alert and will gladly announce arrivals, making it a good watchdog. However, its friendly and open nature makes it quickly make friends with strangers, as long as it feels safe and accepted. It has a balanced and adaptable nature, so it thrives in various environments, as long as it gets enough exercise and mental stimulation.

In summary, the Swedish Vallhund is a joyful and versatile breed that suits an active family where it can be involved in various activities. It is a loyal companion and a cheerful friend, bringing more energy and movement to its family's life. With a Swedish Vallhund, life is never dull, and it has a breed-specific way of making every day an adventure.

History

The history of the Swedish Vallhund, also known as the Swedish Lapland Dog, stretches back over a thousand years to the Viking Age in Scandinavia. The breed is also known by names such as Västgötaspets and Swedish Vallhund, which refer to its historical use as a herding dog. These small but brave and energetic dogs helped farmers herd cows and other livestock on the plains of Sweden, especially in the province of Västergötland.

It is believed that the Swedish Vallhund is related to ancient spitz-type dogs that lived in Northern Europe. Its exact origin is unknown, but it is thought to be one of the oldest dog breeds that appeared in the Nordic countries. During the Vikings' travels, the ancestors of the dog may have also spread to Britain, where they could have influenced the development of other herding breeds, such as the Corgis.

After World War II, however, the breed was in danger of disappearing entirely, but thanks to the efforts of a few enthusiasts, the breed was saved. Their work has made the Swedish Vallhund a well-known and respected dog breed around the world today.

Although the appearance of the Swedish Vallhund has changed over the centuries, its fundamental nature and purpose have remained the same. It is still a highly capable herding dog, quick, agile, and strong-willed. Its small size makes it ideal for working closely with livestock without scaring or harming the animals.

Today, the Swedish Vallhund is valued not only as a herding dog but also as a family dog. Its loyal, cheerful, and playful nature makes it a great companion. Additionally, its intelligence and desire to please its owner are qualities that make training smooth and rewarding.

The story of the Swedish Vallhund is one of survival and adaptation. Although its original herding tasks have given way to the modern world, it has found a new role alongside humans, while still retaining its unique heritage and historical significance.