GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 31-35cm (12”-13¾”).
Colour: Various shades of grey, brown and yellow mixed with darker hairs in designated areas. Up to one-third of the dog’s colour may be white.
Coat: Outercoat - harsh, close and of medium length. Undercoat - thick, soft and woolly.
Gait: Legs reach well out with strong hind propulsion.
Not unlike the Welsh Corgi, the Vallhund is a sturdily built working dog. From above, the head looks like a blunt wedge, with a skull that is flat with a defined stop and a slightly shorter muzzle. The oval eyes are very dark and the smooth haired ears are erect and pointed. The long strong neck flows into well laid back shoulders and the slightly shorter upper arm angles well back to the elbow. The forelegs, when viewed from the front, bend slightly inwards. The body, which is one-third longer than the height at the withers, has a long and deep chest. The broad loin slopes slightly to a shortish tail of up to 10cm (4”) in length. Well angulated hindquarters finish with well arched oval feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
As a member of the Arctic Spitz family, the Vallhund is energetic and forever on the watch. These little Swedish herders excel in the ability to keep flocks of sheep together. Active, affectionate and intelligent, they make worthy companions to their human families. Periodic grooming is required to remove any dead hair, and keep the skin and coat healthy.
HISTORY
While there is no definite evidence associating the Swedish Vallhund with the Welsh Corgi one must presume that there is some common ancestry involving either the Dachshund and some form of Spitz or both. With the advent of industrialisation, the breed all but became extinct in Scandinavia, but in the mid 20th century, a group of conscientious breeders resuscitated this attractive little breed.