Swedish Vallhund
About the Swedish Vallhund
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 12-14" |
| Weight | 20-35 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,300/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Swedish Vallhunds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Swedish Vallhund
The story behind the Swedish Vallhund
The Vallhund is a Swedish farm dog whose name means herding dog, used on smallholdings to drive and gather cattle, kill vermin around the buildings and act as a watchdog. Its resemblance to the Welsh corgis has prompted long-running debate about whether Scandinavian dogs travelled to Britain during the Viking period or British dogs travelled the other way; the relationship is generally acknowledged while the direction remains unproven. The breed nearly disappeared in the twentieth century, and Swedish enthusiasts are credited with locating surviving dogs on farms in the Vastergotland region during the 1940s and rebuilding the population, which is why the breed is also known as the Vastgotaspets. A standard was established and international recognition followed, with the breed reaching Britain and North America later in the century. Numbers stay modest, and most dogs today live as family pets and sport competitors.
Originally bred for: Cattle drover, farm watchdog, vermin catcher. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Swedish Vallhund
Lean is the goal. A weighed ration of balanced food, halved between morning and evening, spares a long back and short legs unnecessary load. Vallhunds beg persuasively, so anything extra has to come out of the same allowance.
Watch for: No breed-specific dietary intolerance is recognised. Standard advice applies: transition foods over several days and avoid frequent switching. If itching, ear trouble or loose stools persist, a vet should investigate rather than the owner cycling through elimination diets.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Swedish Vallhund
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.