Blue Swedish Vallhund Dog Facts and Care

The Blue Swedish Vallhund is an ancient breed with a rich history. They originated in Sweden over 1,000 years ago as a working dog.

Their original purpose was to herd cattle and horses, and they excelled at this task due to their intelligence, agility, and strong herding instinct.

The Blue Swedish Vallhund is a relatively small dog, weighing between 25-40 pounds.

The Swedish Vallhund is a compact and muscular breed, making them perfect for active families or individuals who want a dog that can keep up with their lifestyle. They stand 11.5 to 13.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh 22 to 35 pounds.

Their muscular build is due to their heavy bones and well-developed muscles, which give them agility and balance despite their small size. This is not a lap dog, but a working dog that was bred to herd and work, not sit around all day.

They have a long body in proportion to their height, which allows them to move quickly and easily. This is a result of their skeletal structure, which resembles that of the Norwegian Elkhound.

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Their short build also allows them to accelerate and turn quickly, making them well-suited for herding and other physically demanding tasks. This is a desirable trait for a breed that was originally bred to work on farms and ranches.

Despite their small size, Swedish Vallhunds are generally healthy and long-lived, with a lifespan of many years. However, they may be prone to some genetic eye disorders and hip dysplasia, so regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential.

The Swedish Vallhund is a confident and lively breed, known for its independent streak but also its loyalty to family. They're natural watchdogs, ready to alert their loved ones to potential dangers.

These dogs are highly energetic and intelligent, requiring regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy. A daily walk or hike is a good start, but they also enjoy more active pursuits like agility and herding.

As a herding breed, Vallhunds have an innate tendency to nip at moving objects, which can be a problem if not addressed early on. They're also prone to barking, which can be both a blessing and a curse – they love to chat with their owners, but they need to be taught when it's okay to bark and when it's not.

Socialization is key for any Vallhund, especially those that can be shy or anxious. Early exposure to new people, sights, and sounds helps them grow into confident, well-rounded dogs.

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The Swedish Vallhund is a lively and curious dog with an independent streak. He's loyal to his family and courageous in alerting them to potential dangers.

This breed is known for being calm and adaptable, making them suitable for many different home environments. As long as they get plenty of daily exercise, that is. They love their people and want to be with them as much as possible.

The Vallhund is a clever problem-solver and has a sense of humor, which makes them entertaining to be around. They're also intelligent and love to learn, especially if you make it fun for them.

Teaching your Vallhund to limit their barking is essential, especially if you live in a neighborhood with noise restrictions. They bark to alert their family to potential dangers, but they also bark just to chat with you about your day.

Early socialization is crucial for this breed, ideally before they're four months old. This helps them become well-rounded dogs, unafraid of strangers, children, other animals, or being left alone when necessary.

Some Vallhunds can be shy or anxious, so extra attention is needed to help them become good family dogs. With patience and proper training, they can thrive in a loving home.

If you're considering bringing a Swedish Vallhund into your life, be prepared for a very vocal companion. They're some of the noisiest canines in the world, using a range of barks, howls, and yips to communicate.

Their vocal nature can be endearing to some, but overwhelming or unsuitable for others. Some people may find it a bit much, especially if they live in apartments or have noise restrictions.

You can train this out of them to some extent, but they'll always be keen and watchful. That means they'll notice and bark at things that may not bother other canines.

The blue Swedish Vallhund is a generally healthy breed, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health issues. Expect breeders to have up-to-date health clearances certifying that a puppy's parents are free of eye disease and hip dysplasia.

You'll want to confirm health clearances by checking the OFA website or the website of the Canine Health Information Center. Retinopathy is a hereditary eye disease that affects the Swedish Vallhund, causing degeneration of the retinal photoreceptor cells and may lead to complete vision loss.

Consider reading: Swedish Vallhund Health Issues

Here are some common health issues to be aware of:

The Swedish Vallhund has a long lifespan of 12 to 15 years, remaining healthy during much of their lives with few serious health problems noted.

Swedish Vallhunds are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health conditions. Expect breeders to have up-to-date health clearances for eye disease and hip dysplasia.

These health clearances should be in the form of an eye exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist with the results registered with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA website or the website of the Canine Health Information Center.

Retinopathy is a hereditary eye disease that affects the Swedish Vallhund, causing degeneration of the retinal photoreceptor cells and may lead to complete vision loss.

Hip dysplasia is an orthopedic problem that causes the hip joint to grow and develop abnormally, leading to symptoms like lameness, muscle loss in the rear limbs, hip pain, and exercise intolerance.

The Swedish Vallhund is also prone to Swedish vallhund retinopathy, a form of progressive retinal atrophy that affects the photoreceptor cells of the retina, causing vision loss over time and potentially leading to blindness.

Cataracts are another eye problem that can affect the breed, causing the lens of the eye to become cloudy and reducing vision.

Swedish Vallhunds typically live a long lifespan of 12 to 15 years, remaining healthy during much of their lives with few serious health problems noted.

Here are some common health issues that affect the breed:

Swedish Vallhunds require daily exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Plan to spend at least a few hours a day engaging your dog in physical and mental activities.

They generally take well to training, which should begin at a young age. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to successful training.

Their thick, coarse coat is relatively easy to maintain, but it does shed excessively year-round. Regular brushing will help control this, but be prepared for a lot of loose fur.

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A weekly brushing session should suffice to remove loose fur and prevent tangles and mats. Daily brushing during shedding periods will help keep the fur under control.

Bathe your dog roughly every month, or as needed, to remove dirt from the outer coat. Be aware that the undercoat may take a long time to dry after a bath.

Check your dog's nails monthly and trim them if necessary. Daily tooth-brushing is also a must, as with all breeds.

Their short legs can make them prone to back injuries if mishandled. Be gentle when handling puppies, and avoid letting them jump on and off furniture.

With proper care and attention, Swedish Vallhunds can thrive in any environment, from city condo to country estate. They are highly people-oriented and require regular interaction with their owners.

When it comes to feeding your Blue Swedish Vallhund, it's essential to provide high-quality food that's nutritionally balanced.

Always make sure your dog has access to fresh water.

Feed your Blue Swedish Vallhund 1 to 1.5 cups of food daily, divided into two meals.

They can become overweight easily due to overfeeding, so monitor their weight regularly.

Discuss the type of food and the amount with your vet to ensure you're making the best choice for your dog.

The quality of dog food you buy makes a significant difference - the better the food, the less you'll need to feed your dog.

Measure your dog's food and feed them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time.

This will help keep them in good shape and prevent overeating.

If you're unsure whether your dog is overweight, look for a visible waist and check their ribs by placing your hands on their back.

The Blue Swedish Vallhund is a high-energy breed that requires plenty of exercise to stay happy and well-behaved.

Aim for at least one to two hours of exercise per day to keep your Blue Swedish Vallhund active and engaged.

Some good activities for Blue Swedish Vallhunds include walking, jogging, hiking, and dog sports like agility, herding, and flyball.

Be sure to keep your Blue Swedish Vallhund on a leash or in a securely fenced area when outside, as their herding instinct can cause them to chase moving objects.

Here are some specific exercise activities that are suitable for Blue Swedish Vallhunds:

Remember, providing enough daily exercise and mental stimulation is key to keeping your Blue Swedish Vallhund happy and well-behaved.

They're highly trainable due to their intelligence and desire to please their human companions. You can use toys and treats to motivate them and keep them interested during training sessions.

Swedish Vallhunds are generally easy to train, especially with an early start on obedience and socialization. They respond well to positive reinforcement and consistent, firm commands.

House-training is usually a breeze, and they have good recall. This means they'll likely pick up on what you're asking fairly quickly.

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Because of their herding instincts, they might nip at heels, so you'll need to spend extra time training them to behave appropriately. This is an area where consistency and patience are key.

They're moderately open to meeting strangers and other dogs, but having positive experiences from a young age can help boost their comfort and confidence.