What you think is a corgi might in reality be a Swedish vallhund , an thinking , energetic , and devoted herding dog . Though he has Viking ancestors , he ’s comparatively new to the U.S.
Swift and wise , the charismatic Swedish vallhund — also referred to as SV — has an ancient lineage that date stamp back to the meter of the Vikings . But if his name is n’t familiar , it ’s because he ’s only been in the U.S. for about 50 years andremains a rarified breed .
The vallhund , which is Swedish for shepherd dog , is a lively and confident fellow traveller . Withinan fighting kin , he ’ll fly high while learning tricks ; enter in legerity , flyball , and other dog sportsman ; and deciphering anypuzzle toyyou have on bridge player ( good stock up ! ) . When the day is done , he ’ll like nothing better than nest up next to his pet humans for plenty of pat and a treat or two .
Tara Gregg / EyeEm / Getty
Appearance
If you nictate tight , you might think you ’ve make out some type of corgi impersonator when a handsome SV strut by . A full - grown Swedish vallhund is low to the ground — about 11–13 inches tall — with perky , pointed pinna and a farsighted muzzle , and this kine - herdsman bears a strong resemblance to aPembroke Welsh corgior aCardigan Welsh Welsh corgi .
Noting the conflict between Swedish vallhunds and corgis requires more than a quick glance as these dog are distant cousins . concord to theSwedish Vallhund Club of America ( SVCA ) , in the 8th or ninth centuries a rather unelaborated family tree diagram suggests either the vallhund — whose ancestors are Scandinavian spitz bounder — call in Wales or the Welsh corgi took a trip to Sweden , where they intermingled .
This is why these herd breed share certain forcible characteristics . While their weights are exchangeable , with vallhunds averaging 28–33 pound sterling , they ’re not quite as stocky as corgi and have longer leg .
Somepeople covet a Welsh corgi cigaret , and SVs have a petty snazzy hindquarter action of their own ! Pam Abrath is theSwedish vallhund deliverance committee chairpersonfor the SVCA and former cobalt - breeder atFantasi Swedish Vallhundsin Wisconsin . She outline the various natural fundament options these pups have from birth — even within the same litter .
" They can have anything from no tail [ bob ] or stub tail to full tails with variations of duration , " she enjoin . " Full tails can be a tight - curled spitz tail or a saber tail . It ’s a singular feature of our breed . "
A Swedish vallhund ’s double coat , thick to withstand the elements , is inadequate and tri - colored , featuring various shades of black , spicy , gray , gold , or white , unremarkably in a sable formula . His dark brown ellipse eyes are rimmed with ignominious , enhancing a cheerful yet watchful expression .
Temperament
From the moment they can totter about on their wee legs , Swedish vallhund puppies are full of vigor ! Rambunctious , eager to operate and play , and inquisitive about the Earth around them , they ’re an excellent alternative for an active preferred parent who wants a lot of engagement with their furred ally .
" They ’re a versatile , athletic strain skillful at herding , agility , obedience , rally , nose work , barn hunt , and other merriment activities , " Abrath tell . " They need to be kept interfering or [ they ] can get into trouble doing things that they should not . " Any form ofpositive reinforcement trainingthat allows an SV to show off his abilities will result in endless tail - wagging .
If you ’re not in need of an main and trusty four - legged farmhand , keep in idea that a Swedish vallhund dog endure his good life if he ’s mentally and physically engaged day by day . This signify using puzzles , game , andinteractive toysto stimulate strategical thinking , plusvarious types of exerciseto use his knockabout vigour . They’regood hiking buddies , too , and might even savor adip in the waternow and then .
Marcel van den Bos / Shutterstock
A Swedish vallhund ’s overall temperament is favorable and sugared - natured with an implike sense of humor . Abrath say they ’re also well-chosen to wear thin the " Velcro dog " label , sticking near to their possessor and require to be involved in all they do .
As natural herders and historic guardians of their people and animal spate , they also keep a watchful eye on their environs . Puppy kindergartenandearly socializationhelp your Swedish vallhund pup keep an even keel as he mature .
Because they ’re so paying attention and loyal , Swedish vallhunds are oftentherapy dogs . In fact , an SV named Moose , who compete in the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club event , detected an oncoming throw in his possessor ’s female parent . Now there ’s a good frankfurter !
Vera Reva / Adobe Stock
Living Needs
Abrath says Swedish vallhundstend to be quite vocal . " Some care to talk , and when you say something to them they will answer you — but they do have a lot to say at other times as well ! "
So if you ’re view a cuddlyapartment dog , a vallhund might be comfortable in that surroundings as long as he respects " quiet " clew when necessary and has courteous open green spaces to scud around in each day .
Because SVs desire a peck of tone time with their proprietor , Abrath says , they can adapt to most surviving conditions and types of homes if they get enough usage and mental stimulation . But it ’s good if he ’s in afenced areawherever he ’s let off - leash , otherwise you might be surprised how tight — and far!—he can go off .
It ’s no surprisal if he tries to round up all the other pups at thedog parking area , too . Swedish vallhunds ' lifelike herding instinct to put creature in order might first be perceived as bossy , but when aim and socialized well , they ’re actually quite compatible with other dogs , subsist well with qat , and makegreat companions for children . Active seniors might also apprise how the SV entertain them with their sporting abilities , while still making time for lounge snuggles at the goal of a busy mean solar day .
trek with the Vikings in a long-wearing treble coat mean these tough pup can handle the great outdoors . Abrath say SVs do well in hot , warm , or moth-eaten clime but , again , expect to be with their human beings most of the time . So do n’t leave them in the doghouse too long by themselves — especially in extreme temperatures . If you ’re uncomfortable stick out of doors , they are too .
Care
Double - coated domestic dog including Swedish vallhunds profit from a goodbrushing down to the skinonce a week or so tokeep drop to a minimum . But batten down the hatches whencoat blowing time of year startsbecause that ’s when the fur will really fly ! Fortunately , this only materialise in the spring and fall .
You won’thave to bathe your vallhundtoo often , unless he rolls in something icky . But when he ’s blowing coat , a lukewarm bath with agentle pooch shampoo , follow by a lightsome blow - dry and brushing , might downplay what fluff lands on your dining table .
Otherwise , your hardy vallhund is rather low - sustainment . Keep his chompers spiffy withregular tooth brushing , pick his pinna , andtrim his nailswhen needed , and you ’ll both get a treat atthe next veterinary health check .
Health
A robust puppy with a life-time of 12–15 old age , Swedish vallhunds are , for the most part , ahealthy breed with few vexation .
" The most common health consequence in the strain isSV retinopathy / PRA[progressive retinal atrophy ] found in our breed only to date , " Abrath says . " sham dogsrarely have any sight lossuntil later in life sentence . "
allot toVCA Hospitals , retinopathy / PRA is a degenerative disease of the retina ’s photoreceptor cells . The condition is inheritable , so talk with a Swedish vallhund breeder first to get wind what type of ophthalmologist valuation they do and get an SV retinopathy DNA test . Because vallhunds are n’t as unwashed in the U.S. as they are in Europe , ensure you ’re select a reputable breeder .
Other Swedish vallhund health problems might includehip dysplasia , a frequent problem for spry herding breeds , define by theAmerican College of Veterinary Surgeonsas " begins in Canis familiaris as they grow and results in unstableness or a unaffixed fit ( laxity ) of the hip juncture . The hip joint laxity is responsible for for likely clinical sign ( symptom ) of hip pain and limb disfunction and progressive joint changes . "
Abrath says health conditions experienced by a small number of SVs might includeepilepsy , cardiac issues , autoimmune issues , and bothfood and environmental allergies .
History
The true stock of the Swedish vallhund are tangled up in Viking traditional knowledge — in fact , accord to the SVCA , they were once know asVikingarnas hunds , or " Viking dogs . " And of course , the aforementioned " who came first " family scuffle with the corgis confuses the patrimonial Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree even more .
But breed historians believe the former connection to the Vikings more than 1,000 old age ago point vallhunds preface corgis . Traveling across the Nordic seas and shepherding on vast tracts of dry land , these brave and spunky fellow traveller were always by their warrior ' sides and often forget with them .
Valued for their cattle herding ability , the SVCA states that in addition to being one of Sweden ’s home dog breed , the state declare the vallhund as aLantras : " a naming which includes the exhibition of qualities such as foresightful life , forbearance to rigour , and hardiness . "
So it ’s surprising that in the beginning of the twentieth hundred , their numbers dwindle away — to a gunpoint of near defunctness by the early forties .
Breeder Count Björn von Rosen , who dedicated considerable time and resources to quicken other prise Swedish strain , approached another breeder , K. G. Zettersten , to see if they could save theSvenska vallhund . Within 20 class , the SV was once again flourish in his aboriginal land and recognized by various breed baseball club in Europe .
In the mid-1980s , Marilyn Thell , who was of Swedish ancestry , protrude the first SV education program in the U.S. at Jonricker Kennel in Rhode Island . But only in 2007 was the strain recognized by the American Kennel Club .
