About The Breed

It is believed that the Swedish Vallhund distinguished itself during the age of Vikings, more than 1,000 years ago. Known as the "Viking dog", the Vallhund were bred to herd cattle, and guard the home. The Vallhund were also referred to as "the little cattle dog of the Vikings".

Description
The Swedish vallhund is a small, sturdily-built, Spitz-type dog, with a wedge shaped head, prick ears, and close-fitting, hard coat of short-to-medium length. The correct double coat with the characteristic “harness markings” is essential features of this breed.

The Vallhund takes his name from the Swedish "att valla" meaning "to herd", and that is exactly what he was bred to do. The Swedish Vallhund is the type of herder known as a "heeler" - he nips at the heels of the animals he is driving.

Height for these little dogs ranges from 33 - 35 cm (13 – 13.75 inches) at withers for males and 31 - 33 cm (12 -`13 inches) at withers for females. The relationship of height to length of body, as measured from the prosternum to the rearmost portion of the buttocks, should be 2:3. They are strong for their size and have a muscular body. He has a medium length double coat with a dense undercoat. His coat is "aguouti" or " wolf-coloured" and comes in shades of grey, brown, or red, with white markings on the paws or chest and/or a narrow blaze on the face. The Vallhund may be born with no tail, a stub, or a long tail.

This is a short-legged, long-bodied dog with sturdy bone structure. Since he's at risk from flying hooves, his size and shape have evolved to protect him. The Vallhund is capable of moving at lightning speed and is able to drop flat instantly to avoid kicking cattle and he can do this while moving forwards or backwards! As you might expect from a dog with this kind of job to do, his attitude and posture are alert and active. He has a "big dog personality in a small dog body". He is intelligent, brave, and agile, and excels in obedience and agility training.

A very loving, people-oriented breed, the Swedish Vallhund is good with children, other animals, and family pets. He is a strong, healthy dog who will live a long and happy life as long as he gets the physical and mental stimulation he needs. As with all breeds of dog, he should have early training and socialization to ensure he develops into a well mannered adult dog. Today's Swedish Vallhund is a companion, a watch dog, works on patrol, in Search and Rescue, and in tracking. This breed matures slowly and individual dogs may not reach their prime until as late as four years of age.

Group: 5 - Working
Size: Medium
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Exercise: Medium
Grooming: Low
Trainability: High
Watchdog ability: Very high
Protection ability: High
Area of Origin: Sweden
Date of Origin: Ancient times
Other Names: Vasgotaspets, Vallhund, Swedish Cattle Dog , Viking Dog
Original Function: Herding

History
In 1942, the breed was almost extinct. In this year, Bjorn von Rosen, who had worked to save several old Swedish breeds from extinction, remembered the Swedish Vallhund from his boyhood and became involved. He placed an advertisement in the paper regarding these beloved dogs from his childhood and luckily got a response from K. G. Zettersten. They worked together to save the breed. The men found a few of the old Swedish Vallhund's and began a breeding program to revive this old breed which had been common prior to World War I. In 1943, after a year of exhibition showing, the Swedish Kennel Club recognized the breed. The Swedish Vallhund was known as Svensk Vallhund, Swedish Vallhund, where "Vallhund" meant "herding dog." In 1964, with the Swedish standard revised, the breed became known as Vastgotaspet after the Swedish province Vastergotland in which the revived breeding program originated.

For us here in Australia a big thank you to Sheila and Dennis Haddon of Norsled kennel fame for migrating to Western Australia in January 1981, and bringing this wonderful breed with them. They then moved to South Australia and then onto Victoria. The first Swedish Vallhund litter born in Australia was on the 10th of April 1983.