Swedish Vallhund: Your Complete Guide

The bite-sized Vikings of the dog kingdom, the Swedish vallhund, is a brilliant dog with a handsome face and a charming personality. Those looking for an active dog who can quickly acquire new tricks and commands will fall in love with this adorable breed.

For those who cannot handle the excessive exercise requirements these miniature marathoners will need, they will become destructive and chaotic very quickly.

Before people jump into a casual fifteen-year relationship with the breed – which is easy to do, they’re unbelievably cute – they should know what owning a Swedish vallhund entails. This guide will give you a comprehensive look at everything that goes into raising a vallhund of your own.

Quick Look at the Swedish Vallhund

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of its physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Swedish Vallhunds?

The breed has a decent bit of folklore surrounding their origins, with some folks saying they sat on the same ships that raided England in the early days of the Vikings. This is a gripping story we want to believe, though it is more tale than truth, as written records back then did not speak of the breed or any similar ancestral pooch.

Their origin is far more humble; just don’t tell them that.

They likely came about somewhere in the 8th century as herding animals that could also keep an eye out for would-be predators or intruders. They came from a county called Västergötland on the southwest border of Sweden, and many believe it is one of the breeds that created the beloved Corgi.

History was poorly documented at this time, and there is almost nothing surrounding breeding, so it is also possible that the corgi made the Swedish vallhund. It’s an ongoing discussion.

The breed was quickly adopted by several Swedish households who fell in love with its endless energy and multifaceted skillset. The vallhund could reign in flocks, remove unwanted pests, and had a loud bark to alert people to potential threats.

They were accepted as a breed in 1946 by the Swedish Kennel Club, in ‘96 by the United Kennel Club, and in ‘07 by the American Kennel Club.

What Do Swedish Vallhunds Look Like?

They are stout, long-bodied dogs with a small-to-medium frame that closely resembles a corgi’s body. The difference is they have a very wolflike appearance with similar coats, colors, and facial features. Their tail is fluffier than the rest of their body, and it arcs upward into a semi-circle, though they can also sport a short, stubby tail.

They come in several colors, typically sporting various patterns of differing hues. They can be silver, black, red, blue, and white. Following breed guidelines, a Swedish vallhund can only have about one-fourth of its coat as full white.

What Size Is a Swedish Vallhund?

The modest breed will rarely be medium-sized and usually sit on the larger end of smaller dogs. That said, the heftier of the bunch can barely squeak into the larger class, though they will never be a big dog.

The vallhund stands between eleven and fourteen inches on all fours and will weigh twenty to thirty-five pounds on average.

What Is a Swedish Vallhund’s Coat Type and Length?

The Nordic pooch has a brilliant, beautiful coat that sits short and straight on the skin, though it is surprisingly thick and well-insulated for colder climates. They are double-coated, and while it may not look like they have a lot of fur to lose, they can surprise owners with how often they shed.

The exterior portion of their fur is more rugged and tough, with the interior of their coat being soft to the touch. The breed may struggle in hotter regions as they are not suited to the temperature.

What Is a Swedish Vallhund’s Temperament?

The chunky charmers are some of the most likable animals people will ever meet, and it can cause inexperienced owners to get in over their heads. More than just looks, the breed is delightful, often funny, and wildly bright. Unfortunately, they are also quite a handful with vast amounts of energy, a need for companionship, and a passion for barking.

Most of their negative traits come from lack of attention, stimulation, or poor habits. Unlike some mild-mannered breeds, the Swedish vallhund takes a lot of work to come to heel and is not meant for first-time owners or people with limited free time.

Are Swedish Vallhunds Good With Kids?

The dogs rarely meet people who don’t immediately fall in love with their endearing quirks and personalities, and they are more than happy to love them back. Vallhunds are great with kids as long as proper steps are taken to introduce the two and ensure both respect the other’s boundaries.

Kids should prepare and understand the rules of owning and handling a dog. Similarly, the vallhund should ensure it doesn’t get too excited that it injures a toddler playing too hard. However, these precautions must be taken with all dogs, and the Swedish pup is a good choice for a house with kids.

Are Swedish Vallhunds Good With Other Animals?

They are not the worst with other animals, though work will likely need to be done to get them to become cordial with cats and other dogs. They can often be shy or nervous around unfamiliar people, both bipedal and on four legs. Because of this, the owners must get their dogs out into the world and interact with other people and pets at an early age.

Smaller pets may have to deal with a canine with a hardwired prey response, so unless the dog meets the other animal early, keep an eye on both of them.

Are Swedish Vallhunds Aggressive?

From their herding background, they can have a tendency to grip an ankle when someone jogs past. However, this playful nip is never malicious and is a response that has come from years of telling livestock where to go. Outside of their often unwanted nibbles, the breed is not known to be mean or violent with people.

They can be standoffish and shy, making them seem meaner than they are, though this can be fixed with social interaction.

Do Swedish Vallhunds Bark?

They can get a bit boisterous, particularly if they have a lot of energy or are nervous, though less so than other breeds of similar size. If you are in an apartment or cannot deal with incessant barking, they are certainly not a lost cause. Training them to get used to familiar noises and rewarding good behavior should cure unwanted vocals from your vallhund.

Are Swedish Vallhunds Affectionate?

The Swedish vallhund is an absolute cuddle hound who will melt the heart of anyone in their proximity. People looking for a dog that will spend the afternoon hanging out with them will be head over heels for the herding hound. They are a blast to be around and can be genuinely entertaining and playful.

They will try to sit with or on you while watching television, going to bed, getting your shoes on, and everywhere else. They are not for people who don’t enjoy the constant comfort of their dog, as they very much need human interaction and may grow restless or destructive without it.

Are Swedish Vallhunds Intelligent?

They have an intelligent visage that is more than just a good pair of eyes; the vallhund is a bright-burning bulb that can easily keep up with commands and vocal cues. They are great for training and have much to offer, though their sharp senses also mean owners must regularly entertain the breed and give them tasks to stimulate their keen minds.

Are Swedish Vallhunds Energetic?

They have a generator that doesn’t seem to power off, and unprepared owners will be caught off guard by how quick, agile, and long-lasting they are. On appearance, most people consider the breed a tongue-wagging lap dog that is happy to lounge about. Unfortunately, for those interested in a passive pooch, these dogs will require excessive exercise and playtime.

They are excellent for people with active lifestyles, however, and some time in the backyard or at a dog park will help contain the ample energy of the dog. They can live in most environments, from apartments to palatial estates, though they will need generous daily exercise wherever they end up.

Are Swedish Vallhunds Easy to Train?

They are exceptionally bright, quick to catch on, and love interacting with their owners. Tasks delight them, and they have enough energy to complete any agility training or advanced trick an owner could want. They can sometimes have enough energy to make listening a tricky proposition, but they are outstanding students who can swiftly learn anything they need to.

Ironically enough, the biggest hurdle outside of their excitability is their intelligence. Something about bright dogs (and people) is that they tend to believe they know best, making reasoning difficult. They don’t always think sitting and shaking is a sound idea, whether you need them to or not.

Are Swedish Vallhund’s Good Watchdogs?

The breed has had a history of looking out for livestock and keeping an eye out for any passing predators, which has paid dividends in their ability to inform owners. They have a loud enough bark that can wake you up and well-developed senses to hone in on any sound or smell.

They are minimal in size and are not aggressive canines, making them unfit to protect homes. That doesn’t mean they can’t keep a watchful eye on the things around your yard, whether you want them to or not.

Are Swedish Vallhunds Good Service Dogs?

They have all the intelligence one could want from a service dog and the obedience to help out quite a few needy folks. Unfortunately, they are very energetic, often mischievous, and can be a poor choice for a service position. They are also quite a handful and may not make the most reliable assistant.

They can make decent emotional support dogs, depending on their individual temperament. If you are suffering from an anxiety attack and your dog is desperate to go running in the backyard, it can be harmful rather than helpful in the long run, however.

How to Care for a Swedish Vallhund?

They are fantastic dogs that require a good amount of work from their caretaker. They will need ample daily exercise, somewhat frequent brushing, and a lot of personal attention. They tend to become mischievous if not given adequate one-on-one time or physical activities and shedding can sometimes become a real issue.

Do You Need to Groom a Swedish Vallhund?

You will need to look after the dog’s coat, claws, and ears often to ensure that they are well-kept. The coat can really get away from people, and while the dog may look borderline harmless for shedding, we can assure you that is not the case. Brushing should be done two times a week, more if you want to minimize excess fur.

Nails may need to be looked after more due to their exercise needs, which can cause cracking and clips along the edges of the claw. Similarly, their ears should be examined after getting their energy out to avoid any excess residue or dirt building up.

Do Swedish Vallhunds Shed?

They shed a deceptively large amount, considering their coat. While it may be short and straight, it is dense from the colder climate the dog originated from. They are not hypoallergenic, and people who want to put their best appearance into the world will struggle to find hair-free outfits.

This can be minimized by brushing and confining them to certain parts of the house, though excess fur has a way of exploring every nook and cranny of an apartment. There are certainly worse shedders among canines, but the Swedish vallhund will cover a couch or two.

What Health Problems Do Swedish Vallhunds Have?

The Swedish Vallhund is usually a reasonably healthy dog with a long lifespan. They can suffer from common afflictions found more often in the Nordic breed than others, which prospective owners should consider.

The common health problems are:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia (less common)
• Patellar luxation
• Retinopathy
• Cataracts

Swedish vallhund retinopathy is a problem that occurs uniquely in the breed. This causes damage to the dog’s retina and can eventually progress to blindness in the eye.

How Long Do Swedish Vallhunds Live?

They can live for around twelve to fifteen years if they have proper care, daily exercise, and a worthwhile diet. Life expectancy will also come down to their individual genetics and medical history, which can be better determined by speaking with a breeder before jumping into a decision.

What Should a Swedish Vallhund Eat?

Like all dogs, they will have a varying diet as they mature, which will change as they do. As puppies, their diet should be similar to what the breeder was feeding them, and as a full-grown vallhund, they should stick to good-quality food meant for active small dogs. A cup to a cup and a half of food portioned out twice a day should suffice.

Portions may vary depending on your pup’s size and daily exercise, and a local veterinarian can give better-informed advice for individual dogs.

Is a Swedish Vallhund the Right Dog for Me?

The breed has an endearing personality that is hard not to immediately fall for, though they will be a dog best left for people with experience owning energetic pets. They are also hard to get in the States, so purchasing one may quickly become very expensive.

If you lead an active lifestyle or seek a dog that will make you their number one priority, the vallhund is a fantastic pooch. Similarly, if you have kids and want them to have a devoted four-legged friend, the Swedish dog will happily sign up for the job.

They can bark a fair bit, and their intelligence has a stubborn edge, so they will be a dog that is not suitable for everyone. Similarly, they can be difficult with certain pets, and cat owners may want to avoid the breed due to their heightened prey response.