The Swedish Vallhund is a hardworking dog that was originally bred to herd animals. These short dogs are incredibly adorable, but they’re also very devoted companions. Read on to find out more amazing Swedish Vallhund facts and information!
The Swedish Vallhund Is (Kind Of) Related to Corgis
The Swedish Vallhund is related to the incredibly popular Corgi, but not too closely. In fact, a lot of people assume that this short dog, with its fox-like ears and curled tail, is a Corgi itself! Although the Swedish Vallhund is related to Corgis, the relation is quite distant. Actually, Swedish Vallhunds are more closely related to the Finnish Spitz and Alaskan Malamute!
They Almost Went Extinct
Some breeds become vulnerable when they are outshone by more popular dog breeds. Unfortunately, this happened to the Swedish Vallhund in the 1940s, when they nearly went extinct! Two dedicated breeders, however, knew that the Swedish Vallhund was worth saving, and put in a great effort to bring the dog back. They acquired four different Swedish Vallhund puppies, which they used to help rebuild the breed.
The Swedish Vallhund Is Very Vocal
A fun fact about Swedish Vallhunds is that they’re one of the more vocal dog breeds. Not only will they howl or bark if they sense danger nearby, but they love to “chat” meaninglessly to their owners. The Swedish Vallhund certainly isn’t afraid to say what’s on its mind, meaning they do best with owners who don’t mind their penchant for talking!
Its Short Legs Serve An Important Purpose
Believe it or not, the Swedish Vallhund’s short legs aren’t there just to make the dog look adorable! They were bred to herd cattle, and their short legs put them at the perfect height to nip at cows’ ankles. Furthermore, being short makes it easier for them to avoid getting kicked by the animals they’re herding.
They’ll Herd Just About Anything!
Swedish Vallhunds have a high drive for herding cattle. However, they’re becoming increasingly popular in homes that don’t have any animals to herd. This means that the Swedish Vallhund will sometimes herd other animals, and even people! While they do well with children, they might also steer young kids around the room, as if they were livestock!
The Swedish Vallhund Might Be Traced Back To The Vikings
The Swedish Vallhund, of course, originated in Sweden, where it was used to herd cattle. However, one of the most interesting facts about Swedish Vallhund dogs is that some records suggest that it dates back as far as 1,000 years, during the same time that Vikings existed. In fact, at one point in time, the Swedish Vallhund had even earned itself the nickname “Viking Dog!”
They Always Need A Job To Do
Like many other herding dogs, Swedish Vallhunds tend to be workaholics. Their ancestors worked so hard that today, their desire to be helpful is extremely strong. If your Swedish Vallhund doesn’t live on a farm where there’s always plenty of work to do, then you’ll have to get creative to teach your dog other tasks.
Fetching important items or obedience training are both excellent ways you can give your Swedish Vallhund a satisfying job!
The Swedish Vallhund Is A Great Family Dog
The Swedish Vallhund is incredibly affectionate towards all family members, including children (although they often have a tendency to “herd” children into certain locations). Not only that, but they’re also very friendly toward other dogs. However, their friendliness towards strangers means that they don’t usually make the best watchdogs.
They Make Popular Dogs In Competition
The Swedish Vallhund is incredibly athletic and agile. On top of that, they are intelligent and eager to please. This means that the Swedish Vallhund is a popular choice in agility and obedience competitions, where they can easily outshine many other dog breeds. Training your dog for competitions is also a wonderful form of enrichment, particularly for the workaholic Swedish Vallhund.
Their Tails Come In All Sorts of Sizes
Another Swedish Vallhund fact is that they are born with different tail lengths. Their tails can be long or bobbed, and in some cases, a few Swedish Vallhunds are even born without tails entirely! No matter what type of tail your Swedish Vallhund has, though, it’s sure to be adorable.
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