Swedish Vallhund Dog Breed

Breed Overview

The Swedish Vallhund is a friendly, active, and loyal dog breed. This dog originated in Sweden over 1,000 years ago, and were traditionally used for herding and keeping their farms safe from predators. Today, they still have their herding and protective instinct, but they can also make an excellent companion dog. They are easy to train and generally good with children. These dogs have a distinct, fox-like appearance and a thick coat of shaggy fur.

Care and Grooming

The Swedish Vallhund has a thick coat of medium-length fur which requires regular brushing and combing in order to stay healthy and free of mats and tangles. These dogs should be cleaned up with a damp cloth and have their eyes and ears checked for any signs of infection or irritations. They need minimal bathing, but do need their nails trimmed every few weeks.

Training and Socialization

The Swedish Vallhund is intelligent and easy to train. Start training and socializing your dog early in order to ensure it is a well-rounded and obedient pet. Use positive reinforcement methods such as treats, toys, verbal praise, and play to motivate and reward your dog in order to achieve the best training results.

Health and Wellness

The Swedish Vallhund is a generally healthy breed and is known to have fewer health problems than some other breeds. In order to keep your dog healthy, keep up with regular veterinary check-ups and give them heartworm prevention. Common health problems in this breed include eye problems, hip dysplasia, and a few forms of heart disease.

Living Environment

The Swedish Vallhund can adapt to many different living environments. As this breed was originally bred for herding, they do need daily physical exercise and playtime. A few walks each day, along with providing plenty of toys, will keep them mentally and physically active. Their coats do better with a cooler climate, so these dogs should not overheat.

Temperament and Personality

The Swedish Vallhund is an extremely friendly and loving breed. They are very loving and loyal towards their family and are always ready to please their owners. They may be somewhat of an independent thinker, so you will want to make sure you are giving consistent and positive reinforcement in order to keep them obedient. These dogs are known to get along well with other animals, but they do need to be watched around goats or small animals as they may still have herding instincts that come out from time to time.

Common Challenges

The Swedish Vallhund can be prone to barking when excited or feeling threatened. By giving your dog the proper amount of exercise and socialization, you can prevent them from having to bark too much. Another challenge of this breed is their tendency to chase small animals when they are not given enough physical and mental stimulation. To prevent this from occurring, make sure to provide plenty of playtime and exercise for your Swedish Vallhund.