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The Swedish vallhund is a small-medium herding dog breed from Sweden that has a short but thick double coat, which comes in a grayish to reddish color. These dogs have a long, low body much like a corgi. Their head is wedge-shaped with upright, triangular ears and oval eyes. They can have any tail length, from no tail to a long one. 

Overall, this dog is athletic and active, as well as a cheerful and loving companion. They are extremely friendly and very vocal, often barking, whining, and groaning to communicate with their humans.

Learn more about the Swedish vallhund, including their temperament, care needs, and history.

Characteristics of the Swedish Vallhund

Swedish vallhunds generally have a sociable and sweet temperament. A high energy level also helps to shape their personality, as they prefer to be busy and love to play.

History of the Swedish Vallhund

The exact origin of the Swedish vallhund breed is unknown, but its history goes back at least 1,000 years to the time of the Vikings. This is a sturdy spitz-type dog that people used for both herding and guarding property, as well as for companionship. 

It’s thought that when Vikings raided areas of Britain, they either brought their vallhunds with them or brought early versions of the Welsh corgi back to Sweden, which accounts for the similarities between the modern breeds. The vallhund is also related to larger Scandinavian spitz-type dogs, including the Norwegian elkhound. 

The Swedish vallhund is still a rare breed around the world. It wasn’t until 1986 that the first vallhund litter was born in the United States. And the American Kennel Club didn’t recognize the breed until 2007.

Swedish Vallhund Care

Plan to spend some time each day providing exercise and mental stimulation for your dog. Fortunately, grooming is fairly straightforward for Swedish vallhunds. They generally take well to training, which should begin at a young age.

Exercise

Like most herding breeds, the Swedish vallhund has a ton of energy. Providing enough daily exercise and mental stimulation is key to keeping a vallhund happy and well-behaved.

Aim for at least one to two hours of exercise per day. Some good activities for Swedish vallhunds include:

• Walks
• Jogging
• Hiking
• Fetch
• Dog sports
• Agility
• Herding
• Flyball
• Barn hunts

Be sure to keep your Swedish vallhund on a leash or in a securely fenced area when outside. Their herding instinct can cause them to want to chase moving objects, including cars, which can be dangerous.

Grooming

The Swedish vallhund’s coat stays relatively clean. Plan to thoroughly brush them once a week to remove loose fur and prevent tangles and mats. Expect periods of higher shedding twice a year, often in the spring and fall. During this time, there will be a lot of loose fur coming out of that thick coat as the dog sheds the undercoat. A daily brushing will help to keep the fur under control.

Bathe your dog roughly every month, and check their nails monthly to see whether they need a trim. Also, look in their ears weekly for any abnormalities. Aim to brush their teeth daily.

Training

Swedish vallhunds are extremely intelligent and generally want to please their human companions, so they are highly trainable. You can use toys and treats to motivate your dog and keep them interested during training sessions.

They are extremely intelligent and highly trainable. It’s best to start training and socialization when they are young to prevent bad habits from forming. Always use positive reinforcement methods, be clear and consistent, and your dog should pick up on what you’re asking fairly quickly.

Moreover, Swedish vallhunds are moderately open to meeting strangers and other dogs. Having positive experiences with people and dogs from a young age can help to boost their comfort and confidence. 

Potty training might be a bit of a challenge, as these dogs may have to pee frequently. Also, because of their herding instincts, Swedish vallhunds might nip at heels, so this is another area where you may need to spend extra time training them to behave appropriately. And because they can bark a lot, you may need to train them to stop barking excessively.

Common Health Problems

The Swedish vallhund is generally a healthy breed. But it is prone to some hereditary health issues, including: 

• Hip dysplasia: This orthopedic problem causes the hip joint to grow and develop abnormally. Its symptoms include lameness, muscle loss in the rear limbs, hip pain, and exercise intolerance.
• Swedish vallhund retinopathy: This is a form of progressive retinal atrophy, which affects the photoreceptor cells of the retina. It causes vision loss over time and can lead to blindness.
• Cataracts: This eye problem causes the lens of the eye to become cloudy, reducing vision.

Diet and Nutrition

Always make sure your dog has access to fresh water. And feed a quality canine diet that’s nutritionally balanced.

Swedish vallhunds eat 1 to 1.5 cups of food daily. It’s typical to feed two measured meals per day to ensure your dog is eating the right amount. Swedish vallhunds can become overweight easily due to overfeeding. Discuss the type of food and the amount with your vet, and regularly monitor your dog’s weight.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Swedish Vallhund

If you're looking for a Swedish vallhund puppy from a reputable breeder, expect to pay around $800 to $2,200. The Swedish vallhund is a relatively rare breed—the first U.S. litter was bred in 1986, and it wasn’t until 2007 that the breed was recognized by AKC—so it might be hard to find one. Check local animal shelters and rescue groups, and see whether they have a breed wait list you can get your name on.

For further information to help you find a Swedish vallhund, check out:

• Swedish Vallhund Club of America
• Swedish Vallhund Rescue
  

Swedish Vallhund Overview

There are a lot of reasons to love the Swedish vallhund. This cute dog has a fantastic personality, is smart, and is highly trainable. They tend to be talkative, though, and they need a family that will keep up with their high energy level.

Pros of Swedish Vallhunds

• Intelligent and generally easy to train
• Typically affectionate and sociable
• Good for active people
  

Cons of Swedish Vallhunds

• Can shed a lot, especially seasonally
• Needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation
• Herding instincts can cause chasing and nipping
  

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Before bringing home a Swedish vallhund, make sure the breed is right for your lifestyle. Do thorough research by reaching out to Swedish vallhund pet parents, rescue groups, reputable breeders, and veterinary professionals. Try to spend some time around these dogs if possible.

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Pembroke Welsh Corgi
• Cardigan Welsh Corgi
• Shetland Sheepdog

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!