Breed Spotlight: Swedish Vallhund

Coat Type and Colors

Swedish vallhunds have a medium-long double coat that consists of a thick undercoat and a soft top coat. Their coats are thick and fluffy, especially around the neck and front legs, creating a halo-like effect. Most have white or cream underbellies that are peppered with color throughout their coats.³ You can find these lovely animals in three colors: sable, red, and gray.

Ears

Swedish vallhunds have small, pointed ears that are always alert. A Swedish vallhund’s ears should be cleaned weekly to avoid the buildup of dirt and bacteria. Without proper care, their delicate ears can become easily infected.

Shedding and Grooming

Like all members of the Spitz family, the Swedish vallhund sheds heavily, so these dogs are not a hypoallergenic option.⁴ Expect to comb and brush your dog daily to remove dead hair. Bathing should happen at least once a month or more to keep their coats healthy. Nails should be trimmed monthly to prevent overgrowth.

Drooling Level

Swedish vallhunds aren’t known to be heavy droolers. If your Swedish vallhund is drooling excessively, consult your veterinarian.

Behavior

A Swedish vallhund’s temperament can be described as loving, adaptable, and playful. After centuries of working alongside cattle farmers, today’s Swedish vallhunds are intelligent animals who are as cheerful in suburban backyards as they would be on a modern farm. Early socialization is key as some members of the breed are wary of new people.

Exercise Needs

As you can imagine, Swedish vallhunds need plenty of exercise. If you’re looking for a partner for your morning walk, this is your dog! Pet parents should expect to spend at least an hour walking these pups every day.⁴ Some vallhunds have less energy than others, so they may be OK with a few rounds of fetch with shorter walks. No matter what, keeping their body and mind engaged is key to keeping these pups healthy.

Are Swedish Vallhund Good with Other Pets?

Swedish vallhunds aren’t known for being aggressive toward other animals. They can, however, be aloof toward other dogs or cats. Take the time to socialize with your dog early on and be patient.

A common issue is Swedish vallhunds attempting to “herd” and chase other animals in your home.⁴ If you notice this behavior, take your vallhund for a walk or engage them in a puzzle or even a snuffle mat. Keeping them exercised and well trained will allow harmony into your home.

Trainability

Pet parents will find their Swedish vallhund easy to train compared to other breeds. These dogs want to work with you so they thrive when given a job to focus on. Use positive, reward-based training methods or clicker training to get the results you want.

After you’ve mastered the basics, consider entering your pup into dog sports competitions. Swedish vullhund’s agility skills are enviable in the sporting world. With diligent training, you might have a winner on your hands!

Are Swedish Vallhund Good with Kids?

Children will find a forever friend in a Swedish vallhund. They have a sense of humor and are eager to please their human companions. This combination makes them good family dogs that will fill your home with laughter.

Barking Level

Categorized by their unique vocalization, Swedish vallhunds are known to be noisy. Their barks sound like a “yelp,” very high-pitched and intense. They have keen senses from their days herding livestock, so this may be bad for folks living in apartments. Training your dog when to bark and why they should bark should correct this issue.

Swedish Vallhund: Facts

The Swedish vallhund is possibly the oldest member of the Spitz family, a group of dogs bred for harsh winters. Like their cousins the Akita and the Chow Chow, Swedish vallhunds are an ancient breed that likely spent their early days aboard Viking ships. Ancient Swedes valued these dogs for their loyalty, resilience, and intelligence on their farmland to protect livestock from bears and wolves.

In 1942, Bjorn von Rosen and K.G. Zettersten partnered to save this breed from extinction.³,⁵ Thanks to their efforts, the Swedish vallhund is now recognized in the United States, Britain, France, and many other countries. They created a healthy animal that has original canine behaviors such as easy births, a high tolerance for change, resistance to diseases, and high intelligence.⁵ You can count on a Swedish vallhund to be a versatile, reliable family companion.