Swedish Vallhund

FCI 14 - Nordic Watchdogs and Herders.

Content

The Swedish Vallhund (Västgötaspets), conocido como también como «Perro vikingo», was bred to herd cattle, capturing vermin (as the rats, for example), and as a watchdog.

The origin of the Vallhund is believed to date from ago 800 or 900 years, during the time of the vikings, and although there are theories that affirm it, race historians dismiss that there is a connection between the breed we know today as Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Despite its resemblance.

During World War II, the race was on the verge of extinction, but with time and great care it was recovered...

Then, in 1964, the Swedish breed standard was revised and the name Västgötaspet (in Swedish) was officially adopted in recognition of the region the dogs come from Västgötaland.

In 2008, the Swedish Vallhund, the dog of Basset, the Tibetan Mastiff, and the Beauceron They competed for the first time, in the sample Westminster Kennel Club International.

In the news, the Swedish Vallhund still known as Sweden's cattle keeper, par excellence, although it is still very rare around the world.

The height at the withers expected according to the standard of the Swedish Vallhund, is of 33 cm in males and 31 cm in females. A variation of 1,5 cm above or below these measures, is allowed. With regard to the weight, round between 9 to 14 kg.

The Swedish Vallhund, It is a breed endowed with good muscles (something very important in dogs with short legs). Their fur, It should be of medium length (pulling short), and hard. The outer layer is thin and firm and the inner layer is dense and soft. The hair is short on the head and in the earlier parts of the legs, While a little longer in the neck, the chest and back of the hind legs.

The desired colors are grey, grey-brown, reddish brown or greyish yellow with darker spots on the hairs in the back, the neck and sides of the body. The color white is allowed on a small proportion, as a narrow shining, (neckstop) or a light collar. White markings are allowed in the anterior and posterior limbs and chest. White patches that exceed more than the 30% on the colorful coat is generally considered a lack.

The Swedish Vallhund, It was created as a working dog in to the farm, but it also has a history as companion pets. This leads to it fit perfectly, in rural areas as well as life in cities.

The Swedish Vallhund it is a great companion as a pet, but - also- It can be used for grazing. They love human attention and are very devoted to their owners.

It's a funny dog, happy and having fun with any group game. He is a friendly dog ​​with most people., but they can be wary with strangers and should be, correctly, socialized and trained from pups, Since, going to try to protect your home, as it is, without being aware of its small size.

The Swedish Vallhund, You can compete in agility, obedience, show, flyball, follow-up, and breeding events. As well, can be measured in non-competitive grazing trials.

Small but mighty. This original worker is by no means a spoiled lap dog. Is persevering, courageous and energetic and can be kept well as a farm dog with a close family relationship. Children should be slightly older and used to respectful contact with dogs. Because if you disturb the Swedish Vallhund, tends to be aggressive. According to your original task, cattle grazing, loves to exercise in the fresh air and only after a corresponding load of work does he appreciate a cozy afternoon on the couch. To a balanced Swedish Vallhund likes to snuggle and play and is loyal to his two-legged pack.

Like many northern dogs, this breed also tends to bark extensively, which should already be directed in a controlled manner in the puppy stage. But, will not be a particularly calm pet, even after successful training, so don't set your expectations too high. How a dog for a city walk may have a tendency to collide with other dogs, it is particularly sensible to attend puppy play classes and basic obedience courses with him at dog school. This strengthens their social skills and can also lay the foundation for friendships with other animals..

The Vallhund it is a small but powerful breed of dog, brave, alert, strong, Intelligent, friendly and healthy. They have few known health problems (genetically inherited), and are considered robust dogs, healthy and with a life expectancy around the 14 years.

In some cases, they may face problems in the column, due to its short legs (weight distribution...).

A species-appropriate dog food with a high proportion of meat is the best foundation for the life of a healthy dog. So choose a dry or wet food that contains meat as the main ingredient., you can tell by the fact that meat tops the ingredient list. Avoid dog food that contains cereal as cheap fillers. If you choose dry food, You should also make sure that your Vallhund drink enough. In any case, fresh water must always be available to him at all times and everywhere.

If you want to give your four-legged friend a special treatment, you can choose healthy treats such as jerky snacks especially for dogs or dental care snacks. Avoid anything that contains sugar. You can give your little companion an appetizing chew treat with dry chew items like cow ears or special dog bones for medium-sized dogs.. Avoid being overweight: If your four-legged friend gains weight, exercise more or reduce daily servings – you usually don't need a diet food.

The Swedish Vallhund you are comfortable with active people who give you a task. These may include, can live as a yard dog with close contact to its two-legged pack. Here he will do an excellent job as a watchdog., but you will also need an extra workload in the form of some common activities – unless you really have the task of herding other animals.

If you are thinking of moving in with a Swedish Vallhund, you should already have experience with dogs. Can make close friends with older children, provided they give you a place to retreat and introduce you to respectful handling of dogs. With younger children up to elementary school age and sometimes beyond, misunderstandings may arise. The former rat catcher should not live together with smaller pets and should only consider socialization with cats if the breeder's household has already socialized him with them before or if he ensures that a Swedish Vallhund adult have a lot of experience with calm cats.

In any case, before moving, make sure all family members are on board with the new family member and that no one is allergic to animal hair. Also consider how to organize care during your vacation – the Swedish Vallhund you are welcome to be taken on a walking holiday, but remember it's still a dog that likes to bark. You should also keep this in mind with regard to your neighborhood. In any case, despite its practical size, the Swedish Vallhund still a four-legged friend who doesn't fit in well in a city apartment, but rather in a house in the country, where is it better to have a fenced garden.

Before moving, consider the costs of the dog itself and the basic equipment, as well as the regular expenses of the appropriate food for the dog, veterinary costs, dog tax and liability insurance. Of course, unforeseen amounts may be added in relation to veterinary expenses: Inform yourself about dog health insurance in advance and consider whether such insurance is possible for your four-legged friend.

¿Dónde puedo encontrar mi «Vallhund Sueco»?

Outside of Scandinavia there are very few examples of this breed of dog. Please, inform yourself in advance about the particularities of the puppy's entry and the necessary vaccinations. The best thing to do is search the internet for breeders who should definitely belong to a club. – Only then can you be sure that you really have a Swedish Vallhund. It also, friends of the breed should always support serious and ambitious breeding and, therefore, health maintenance, the type and character of the breed. It makes sense to contact Nordic dog clubs – they can help you contact breeders of the breed.

These clubs are also a good place to contact if you want to offer a Swedish Vallhund adult a new home. But, depending on the region you live in, you should also watch out for adult crossings or look for alternatives, since outside of Scandinavia fortunately there are not many Swedish Vallhund that lose their homes among the already very few Walldogs. If you have an older dog, find out more about its history, because it is not uncommon for dog owners who have to shed their Swedish Vallhund underestimate him for his size and do not allow him to be trained properly. Here knowledge of dogs may be necessary to correct educational errors, but the Swedish Vallhund smart learners quickly in the right hands.

Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a dog of the breed "Swedish Vallhund" you know certain factors. Not all breeds of dogs are apt to live in an apartment, you must take into account his character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, their care and if you have small children, their level of tolerance towards them.

Training ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	Suitability of the apartment ? 2,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	Can be alone all day ? 2,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)
Suitable as a first dog ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	Weight gain ? 4,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	Health ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)
Intelligence ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	Kindness with child ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	Tendency to bite ? 4,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)
Tendency to bark ? 5,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	Tendency to flee ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	hair loss strength ? 4,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)
Suitable as a guard dog ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	Joy ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)	Cat friendliness ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)
Power level ? 3,0 of 5 stars (based on 1 review)

Photos:

1 – «Vallhund Sueco» by https://flic.kr/p/a4mJMv
2 – «Vallhund Sueco» by WestportWiki / CC BY-SA
3 – Kiki, a Swedish Vallhund by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kiki,_a_Swedish_Vallhund.jpg
4 – A Swedish Vallhund doing agility by Ron Armstrong from Helena, MT, USA / CC BY
5 – «Vallhund Sueco» by Matt Lemmon / CC BY-SA
6 – «Vallhund Sueco» by WestportWiki / CC BY-SA

• FCI CLASSIFICATION: 14
• Group 5: Spitz and primitive types
• Section 3: Nordic Watchdogs and Herders.. Without working trial..

Federations:

• – FCI – Group 5 – Section 3 Nordic Watchdogs and Herders.. ⓘ
• – AKC – Nordic Watchdogs and Herders. ⓘ
• – CKC – Nordic Watchdogs and Herders. ⓘ
• – ​KC – Nordic Watchdogs and Herders. ⓘ
• – NZKC – Nordic Watchdogs and Herders. ⓘ
• – UKC – Nordic Watchdogs and Herders. ⓘ

Sweden

29.10.2013

Use:

Herding dog

General appearance:

Petit, resistant, with short limbs. His expression denote a guard dog, alert and energetic.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The ratio of the height at the withers to the length of the body is 2:3. The height from the lowest point of the chest to the ground should never be less than 1/3 the height at the withers.

Guardian, energetic, brave and alert.

Head:

Clean cut and quite long. Skull and nasal bridge parallel.

View from the top, as much as from the sides, moderately wide and tapering evenly towards the nose.

• Skull: almost flat.
• Stop: Well defined

facial region:

• Truffle: black.
• Snout: Viewed from the sides, it is short rather blunt and only slightly shorter than the skull..
• Lips:Well adjusted and closed.
• Jaws / Teeth: Mandíbula inferior fuerte con un corte más bien romo pero no prominente. Perfect and regular scissor bite with a full denture, well-developed, even teeth.

Eyes: Medium-sized, oval and dark brown in color.

Ears: Medium-sized, pointy, upright. Cartílago duro desde la base a la punta, movable, soft fur covered. The length of the ears should not exceed the width of the base.

Neck:

Long, with strong muscles and good reach.

Body:

• top line: Level back with good muscles.
• Pork loin: Short, wide and strong.Rump: Wide and slightly sloping.
• Breast : Long with good depth. Well arched ribs. Seen from the front the chest is oval, sideways, elíptico. Alcanza dos quintos del largo de las extremidades anteriores y visto de lado, the lowest point of the chest is immediately behind the back of the elbow. Sternum visible but not overly pronounced.
• Bottom line and belly: Abdomen levemente retraído.

Tail:

There are two types of tail, long and all length variations in a naturally short tail. In both cases, all variations in size are allowed since there is no standard for this..

Tips

Strong bones.

PREVIOUS MEMBERS:

• Shoulder: Largos y colocados en un ángulo de 45° respecto al plano horizontal.
• Arm: Slightly shorter than the scapulae and positioned at a visible angle. Glued to the ribs but very mobile.
• Forearm: Seen from the front slightly tilted, enough to allow free movement against the lower chest.
• Metacarpus: Elastic

Previous feet: Medium size, short, oval forward facing with strong pads, knuckled up.

LATER MEMBERS: Parallels seen from behind.

• Thighs: Anchos y bien musculados.
• Knee: Well angled.Leg:Only slightly longer than hock to ground distance.
• The Hock joint: Well angled
• Metatarsus: High moderate.
• Hind feet: Medium size, short, oval forward facing with strong pads, knuckled up.

Movement:

Correct with good reach and thrust.

Mantle

Fur: Outer hair of moderate length, thick, tight and close to the body. Soft and very dense undercoat. The hair is short on the head and front of the limbs, can be longer on the neck, throat, chest and back of hind legs.

Color: Gris, grey-brown, grayish yellow, reddish yellow or reddish brown. Lighter hairs in the same color shades as those mentioned above can be seen on the muzzle, throat, chest, abdomen, thigh, feet and hocks. Darker protective hairs can be seen on the back, neck and lateral parts of the body. Clearer markings on shoulders, las así llamadas marcas de arnés y marcas más claras en las mejillas son altamente deseables. White is allowed in small expanses such as a small star, spot on the neck or a slight collar. White markings are allowed on the chest, forelimbs and hindquarters.

Size and weight:

Height to the cross:

• Males: 33 cm. (ideal height)
• females: 31 cm. (ideal height)

A tolerance of more than 2 cm over the 1 cm below these heights.

Fouls:

Any deviation from the aforementioned criteria is considered as a fault and the severity of this is considered to the degree of the deviation to the standard and its consequences on the health and well-being of the dog.and the dog's ability to perform its traditional task.

• Too close to the ground.
• Stop not well defined.
• Pointed snout.
• Absence of two P1 or one P2.
• Light eyes giving a wrong expression.
• Ear insertion too low.
• Chest too deep or too narrow.
• Forehead too wide.
• Steep shoulders.
• Forearm too short.
• Posterior over angled.
• Absence of harness markings or cheek markings.

SERIOUS FAULTS:

• Short or rounded skull.
• Short snout.
• Mandíbula inferior huidiza, narrow or weak.
• Bite in clamp.
• Absence of molars (M3 is not taken into account)
• Encarpado back.
• Soft hair and hair separated from the body.
• Hair too short or too long.
• Absence of inner hair.
• White markings that exceed 30% base color.
• Height severely divergent from ideal height.

FALTAS DESCALIFICANTES:

• Aggressiveness or extreme shyness.
• Any dog ​​showing clear signs of physical or behavioral abnormalities must be disqualified..
• Prognatic or enognathic bite.
• Blue eyes, one or both.
• Hanging or semi-erect ears.
• Long curly hair.
• Black hair color, white, marrón hígado o azul.

• Males should have two normal-appearing testicles fully descended into the scrotum..
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with the typical conformation of the breed, should be used for parenting.

The latest changes are in bold.

Source: F.C.I - International Cynological Federation

1. Swedish Cattle Dog, Swedish Shepherd, Vallhund, Västgötaspets (English).
2. Spitz des Wisigoths (French).
3. Westgotenspitz, Schwedischer Schäferspitz, Swedish Cattle Dog, Schwedischer Vallhund (German).
4. (Portuguese).
5. Vallhund, spitz de los visigodos, Perro de los visigodos (español).