breeders

Swedish Vallhunds fit in well with a variety of people and lifestyles as they are so versatile.  

Are you researching dog breeds, trying to discover the right dog for you?  

Features of this breed are their size, ranging in height between 30 - 35 cms at the shoulder.  Weights of adults range between 9 - 14 kilos typically.  To give you a mental contrast a little Jack Russel Terrier grows to 25 - 30 cms and weighs in at 4 - 7 kilos.  So despite the small height of a Swedish Vallhund they are still quite a substantial dog.  A slim line, light boned Swedish Vallhund is not an example of desirable breed type.  A Swedish Vallhund should have good 'bone' .  This is a solid stockiness and muscle that gives him the weight, but doesn't inhibit his agility, stride or flexiablity.  As a herding dog he also needs sufficent leg length to maintain his functionality.  He is not a grey Corgi, and very short legs are not desirable. Recognisable overall should be his nature; alert, happy and immediately likable.    

Temperament

His temperament is watchfull, intelligent, active, eager and very loyal.  A Swedish Vallhund is a thinking dog who is happiest being with his 'people'.  He likes a job or interesting things to do.  This is why dog sports such as agility and obedience are so good for them.  They make excellent trackers for they have a very good nose and the drive to stick to task.  They thrive working stock, or playing all day with children.  

Coat and Colour

They have an easy care coat.  Short and hard and not disimilar in feel to that of a Labrador Retriever.  Swedish Vallhunds though have a coat made up of a 'double layer'.  There is a softer woolly undercoat and a slight longer over layer of guard hairs.  Colours vary from several shades of sable through to reds.  Although the red colouring is more rare in New Zealand.  Most Swedish Vallhunds carry no white, or minimal white.  Others have a handsome  white chest (shirt front) or white facial blaze.  The breed standard allows for a 'light necklace' of white.  More than a third of a Swedish Vallhund being white is considered a breed fault. These examples should not be breed from and can not be shown.  However it is important to understand that this amount of white is simply a natural variation of coat colouring and dogs with significant areas of white coat make very acceptable pets.  

Swedish Vallhunds only need a brush once a week to remove loose hairs.  And daily brushing through their 3 - 4 week moult adjusting to their summer coat.  Particularly attractive is their wolf type facial markings and shoulder harness.  Swedish Vallhunds have low doggy-odor.  That isnt no-odor, but their significant lack of dog smell is something often commented on.  They do not need regular bathing as they are self care, dry dirt will fall from coats and the natural oils in their coat serve  them well.

Are Some Tail Docked?

The other most visually noticable aspect of the breed is that some have a tail, or stub of a tail and others have no tail at all.  There are no Swedish Vallhund breeders tail docking in New Zealand.  It is a quirk of the breed that 51% of them are born with out tails.  This genetic quirk is special aspect that has been kept and preserved by breeders.  The same genes that creates the no-tail example of Swedish Vallhund also creates the stub-tails (a little stump of a tail).  Infact occasionally a dog will be born with half a tail.  This is quite acceptable.  Tails come in a variety.  As they are a spitz breed, typically the tail is carried up over the back in a tight curl.  But also as a loose curl or sickle.  Some tails are bushy others less so.  All are expected  and acceptable normal variations.  

Sometimes people prefer the tail, or fixate specifically on having a tailed dog.  Interesting, overseas where tail docking is illegal, it is the bob-tailed examples that historically that have been the most popular and sought after.  More importantly it is good to understand that there is so much more to a Swedish Vallhund than whether or not he has a tail

There are no significant genetically inherited health issues known in the breed as a whole.  Although such things as hip dysplasia can occur in any dog of any breed (or cross breed).  Also, internationally the various guardians and kennel clubs of the breed are paying attention to the health of Swedish Vallhund's eyes.  To ensure that the breed remains able to enjoy the robust, hardy and healthy lives that they have for almost a millennium, many breeders are choosing to eye test and hip score the dogs that they breed from.  This means having the health of the back of the eye is assessed by a veterinary ophthalmologist.  Plus they are choosing to xray their dogs hip joints.  These xrays are then examined by a specialist vet, or panel of vets and given a rating score that reveals the health of the hip joint.  Talk to your breeder about what they are doing with regard health testing in their breeding programme.

The Negatives

The breed does not do well as an only dog home alone all day while his people work.  An under stimulated and bored Swedish Vallhund will quickly become a boredom barker.  Individual Swedish Valhunds will be prone to barking also, this is stoppable with correction and providing and interesting and stimulating life.  Also the other significant thing to watch for is heel nipping.  As their natural herding trait is bred into them, some puppies will find the running legs of little children irresistable to chase and will nip and  tug at trouser legs.  This is easily corrected but must be stopped.  Not all puppies will react this way,  but if they do you must correct a puppy.  Growl at them and let  them know instantly that this is a no-no.  Inhibit this behaviour early if you see it so that it never becomes a problem. .  As they are very inteligent and easily trained it is not a difficult problem to solve.  

Getting the Decision Right.

Do your research, contact breeders, ask questions.  If you have never met a Swedish Vallhund and have been attracted by the description or a photograph, make sure you get to meet an adult Swedish Vallhund before your commit to getting a puppy.  Ask to meet the Dam (mother) and Sire (Dad) if you can.  Sometimes it is not easy to meet both.  So ask if you can meet the adult dogs from previous litters.  A breeder should be comfortable refering you to owners of the pups they have bred earlier.  As the typical lifespan of a Swedish Vallhund is between 13 - 16 years it  is worth taking the time early on to do your homework. 

Socialisation is important as a puppy.  The more your puppy has done and met in terms of new experiences, the better they will be as adult family pets.  Ensure that before they are 16 weeks that they have been for a few car rides, met cats, the postee and other aspects of your regular life.  Ask the breeder what they will be doing to socialise the puppy for the first 8 weeks of life.  Sign up for puppy kindy classes, and basic obedience training.  A well trained dog is a happy dog.

If you are going to go ahead with getting a puppy, we hope you fall in love with the breed.  They are a special, rare and exciting little dog, full of character and courage.  Perhaps if you decide also to join the Swedish Vallhund Club we will get to meet you at one of our gatherings.  We certainly welcome you to our community.  Know that our club is an email or phone call away from support and advice.