Janice Willton - Swedish Vallhund

Physical Characteristics of the Swedish Vallhund

(from The Kennel Club breed standard )

Head and Skull: Rather long and a clean-cut, blunt wedge with almost flat skull and well-defined stop. Although a dark mask is acceptable, a well-defined mask is highly desirable with lighter hair around eyes, on muzzle and under the throat, giving a distinct contrast to the upper mask.

Eyes: Medium size, oval, very dark brown.

Nose: Black.

Mouth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite.

Muzzle: Viewed from side, looks rather square, slightly shorter than skull. Tightly closed lips.

Forequarters: Shoulder blades long and well laid. Upper arm slightly shorter than shoulder blade and set at a distinct angle. Legs well boned.

Color: Steel gray, grayish brown, grayish yellow, reddish yellow, reddish brown with darker guard hairs on back, neck, and sides of body.

Ears: Medium size, pointed, pricked, leather hard from base to tip, but fine, smooth-haired and mobile.

Neck: Long, strongly muscled with good reach.

Body: Back level, well muscled, with short, strong loin. Chest long with good depth. Well sprung ribs. Sternum visible but not excessively pointed. Croup broad and slightly sloping. Belly slightly tucked up. Harness markings should be clearly defined.

Tail: Any type of tail, length or carriage. To include a natural stump, a naturally tailless and legally docked tail is acceptable.

Hindquarters: Well-angulated, well-bent stifles and low hocks, thighs strongly muscled. Legs well boned.

Coat: Medium length, harsh, close and tight topcoat, undercoat abundant, soft, woolly.

Size: Height at withers: Dogs: 3335 cm (1313.75 in). Bitches: 3133 cm (1213 in). Weight: 11.516 kg (2535 lb).

Feet: Medium, short, oval, pointing straight forward with strong pads. Well knuckled up.

Contents

Meet the ancient Viking breed known as the Vastgotaspets in its native Sweden, where it has been a prized cattle herder and farm dog for years. Although considered a rare breed worldwide, the Vallhund has earned a dedicated following in the UK, the US and beyond. Meet the people and dogs who played important roles in the breeds importation into and establishment in other countries.

Alert, eager, intelligent, versatile, confident, athletic, able and more...theres quite a lot of dog in that small package known as the Swedish Vallhund. Personality, temperament, owner suitability and stories of the breeds diverse abilities are among the topics discussed.

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Swedish Vallhund by studying the description of the breed as set forth in Fdration Cynologique Internationales breed standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Be advised about choosing a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, typical puppy. Understand the responsibilities of ownership, including home preparation, acclimatization, the vet and prevention of common puppy problems.

Enter into a sensible discussion of dietary and feeding considerations, exercise, grooming, traveling and identification of your dog. This chapter discusses Swedish Vallhund care for all stages of development.

By Charlotte Schwartz

Be informed about the importance of training your Swedish Vallhund from the basics of house-training and understanding the development of a young dog to executing obedience commands (sit, stay, down, etc.).

Discover how to select a proper veterinarian and care for your dog at all stages of life. Topics include vaccination scheduling, skin problems, dealing with external and internal parasites and common medical and behavioral conditions.

Consider the care of your senior Swedish Vallhund, including the proper diet for a senior. Recognize the signs of an aging dog, both behavioral and medical; implement a senior-care program with your veterinarian and become comfortable with making the final decisions and arrangements for your senior Swedish Vallhund.

Experience the dog show world, including the basics of conformation showing and handling. Go beyond the conformation ring to working trials, agility trials, obedience trials and herding trials. Learn about the FCI, the worlds international kennel club.

Learn to recognize and handle common behavioral problems in your Swedish Vallhund, including barking, separation anxiety, chewing, digging, aggression, begging, etc.

K ENNEL C LUB B OOKS S WEDISH V ALLHUND

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-326-6

eISBN 13: 978-1-62187-039-5

Copyright 2004 Kennel Club Books An Imprint of I-5 Press A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Photography by Lisa Croft-Elliott

with additional photographs by

Norvia Behling, T. J. Calhoun, Doskocil, Isabelle Franais, RBP, Carol Ann Johnson, Bill Jonas and Mikki Pet Products.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

The publisher wishes to thank all of the owners whose dogs are featured in this book, including Mary Bennet, Lisa Croft-Elliott, Marjut Rautavuori and Gail Smyka.

Meet the Vastgotaspets, an ancient Viking breed that likely predates the better known Corgi breeds and comes to us today with energy, feist and no small amount of self-importance.