8 Swedish Vallhund Facts: Fascinating Breed Information Revealed
Updated on
The Swedish Vallhund is a charming breed of spitz dog with a thick double coat that makes them ideal for colder environments. These puppies originate from Scandinavia and are thought to be as much as 1,000 years old. While still used for herding, the Vallhund is very family-oriented and will protect their family members no matter what.
Read more interesting facts about this breed below.
The 8 Swedish Vallhund Facts
1. The Swedish Vallhund Dog Is More Than 1,000 Years Old.
The Swedish Vallhund is a dog breed estimated to be incredibly old, dating back to the time of the Vikings.
2. The Word Vallhund Means “Herding Dog” in Swedish.
The Swedish Vallhund has always been used as a herding dog, herding cattle and guarding the farm. These dogs are amazing at herding because of their short build, allowing them to nip at cattle’s heels and encourage them in the right direction. That’s where the breed’s name “Vallhund” comes from.
3. The Swedish Vallhund Is a Natural Bobtail Breed.
This breed has four tail varieties, among which the bobtail is the most common. The Swedish Vallhund can also be born with a full-length spitz curled tail, long tail or a stub tail.
4. The Breed Has a Double Coat.
The Swedish Vallhund belongs to the spitz family of dog breeds and has several “wolf-like” features. This breed has a double coat and upright ears. They are long-lived, reaching up to 15 years old, and resilient to many diseases. Vallhunds do much better in colder climates and regions because of their double coat.
5. The Swedish Vallhund Almost Went Extinct in 1942.
Two breeders saved it when the breed almost became extinct in the 1940s. K. G. Zettersten and Count Björn von Rosen established a breeding program to revive this breed in Sweden. This allowed for official recognition by the Swedish Kennel Club in 1948.
6. The Vallhund is Likely Related to the Corgi.
The Corgi is a much more famous breed compared to the Vallhund, but the two breeds are likely related. These two breeds look very similar and have some identical features, such as shorter legs. Some breeders believe that during the 8th or 9th century, these two breeds shortly overlapped in Wales, resulting in interbreeding.
7. The Swedish Vallhund Is an Amazing Companion Dog.
These dogs are very family-oriented and are generally excellent around children. They are very affectionate, loving, and even-tempered. They are intelligent and easy to train. However, they need to be socialized as they have a habit of nipping people at times.
8. The AKC Recognized the Swedish Vallhund in 2007.
The Swedish Vallhund only became a recognized breed by the American Kennel Club in 2007, being the 156th breed in AKC. According to the AKC standards, the breed weighs 20 to 35 pounds, is between 11.5 and 13.75 inches tall, and can be gray, black, blue, red, yellow, and white.
Conclusion
The Swedish Vallhund is an adorable breed with many quirky features, such as short legs and a dense double coat. These dogs originate from Viking times over 1,000 years ago, when they were used as herding dogs. Today, people still use them for their unique herding skills, as they are very intelligent, diligent, and easy to train.
- See also: 10 Swedish Dog Breeds (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Marcel van den Bos, Shutterstock
