Swedish Vallhund



Known as the "little cattle dog of the Vikings", the Swedish Vallhund is a breed that distinguished itself from others many years ago. It is not only a great herder, but is also a great family companion. The Swedish Vallhund is a member of the Herding Group.

Breed History
It is believed that the Swedish Vallhund breed goes back more than 1,000 years to the days of the Vikings, which is why they are also known as the Viking Dog. Rumor has it that the Swedish Vallhund was brought to Wales, which is where the Corgi originated, and is why there are so many physical similarities between the breeds.

The Swedish Vallhund did not make its appearance in the United States until 1985, when two of the breed were imported to California. As one of the newest breeds to be AKC registered, the vallhund did was not approved to be a member of the Herding Group until 2007.

Temperament


In addition to being great herding dogs, the Swedish Vallhund is a great family dog. They love human attention and are referred to as a "clownish" dog that can be a bit of a show-off.

These dogs must be socialized to strangers at an early age to avoid behavioral problems. The vallhund's instinctive desire to herd can also lead to heel nipping if the behavior is not properly trained.

Appearance
The Swedish Vallhund is a small, muscular dog that comes in a variety of different colors. The coat ranges from gray, grayish brown, grayish yellow, or reddish brown. Lighter hair is typically found on the muzzle, throat, chest, belly, and feet of the dogs.

The average male stands at 12.9 inches tall, with no weight standard. Females stand about 12.2 inches tall. Despite their small stature, these dogs are very muscular and strong.