by Victoria Tiegert

Created on: November 05, 2009

The Swedish Valhund, also known as the Vastgotaspets, the Vaesgoetaspets, the Vallhund, and the Swedish Cattle Dog, is a breed that began with the Vikings who brought them to Europe. They quite probably have their roots in the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, two breeds that share a very similar body composition to the Vallhund. They were originally bred for use in herding, as the word "vallhund" means, but are also used as ratters, watchdogs, and driving cattle.

This breed was accepted for registry in the American Kennel Club in 2007. They are also recognized in many of the other breeding clubs, such as the KCGB, the NZKC, the APRI, the ACR, and the DRA. They are classified in the category of "herding dogs". Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.

The Swedish Valhund is a rather small dog with short legs, but strong and sturdy. According to breed standards, they should be between 12 and 16 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. Their weight can vary a bit, but they should be between 25 and 35 pounds, with males often being slightly larger than females of the breed. The ears are rather large and are held in the upright position. The eyes are dark and oval-shaped, holding an expression of intelligence and sweetness. The head is long and the muzzle rather square. The lips are pigmented black and the teeth meet in a scissor bite. The neck is thick and muscular. The tail can be either long, bobbed, stubby, or even docked, though it is not often so.

The fur of the Swedish Valhund is rather harsh and medium in length. The breed is double-coated, having a softer undercoat which is very dense. The accepted colors for the breed are gray, reddish-yellow, reddish-brown, or gray-brown. Many have white markings, which are also acceptable. They may also have a mask on the face. Their grooming is easy, but it should be maintained regularly. They do need to be brushed thoroughly on a weekly basis with a stiff brush to ensure that nothing is stuck in the fur. This will also help to remove some of the loose hair and keep the dog clean. These dogs are light to average shedders.

They are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, especially when there is good human to canine communication between the two. Training should be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. If you are firm, consistent, and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly. They have a strong desire to please the owner that they love and respect. One of their behaviors that are instinctive, but considered negative for the household pet and should be quelled with proper training, is their tendency to want to herd the people in the home by nipping at their heels.

They are very loyal little dogs and will let you know when there is a stranger approaching, so they can make good watchdogs, but can be prone to excessive barking if you do not let them know that this is not good behavior. They are typically good with children and other pets, as long as they are well-socialized. They need to have at least a daily walk to keep them exercised and to exert some of their energy. They are fun-loving and will be happy to entertain you with their antics. With an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years, you will have a lot of time to love and be loved by this wonderful dog.

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