Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. You may be surprised by who's on that list: Fierce-looking Boxers are considered good with children, as are American Staffordshire Terriers (which are considered Pit Bulls). Low-sensitivity dogs, also called "easygoing," "tolerant," "resilient," and even "thick-skinned," can better handle a noisy, chaotic household, a louder or more assertive owner, and an inconsistent or variable routine. The Vallhunds short legs belie his agility and speed. The first thing you may want to work on with him is helping him understand when it is okay to bark. So are breeds with short noses, like Bulldogs or Pugs, since they can't pant as well to cool themselves off. He corners like a race car and is an excellent agility competitor. They need a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, and they're more likely to spend time jumping, playing, and investigating any new sights and smells. They also shed their undercoats twice a year. You can find a great jacket for your dog here! Here in the U.S. were more familiar with his cousin, the Corgi. You may also want to ask if your shelter or rescue has informationabout the physical health of your potential pup's parents and other relatives. Breed isn't the only factor. He loves his people and wants to be with them as much as possible. This is a dog you exercise. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. What I mean by this is that he loves to play fetch or engage in sports anything that really makes his muscles work and tires him out at the end of the day. These breeds do best when a family member is home during the day or if you can take the dog to work. No matter what the breed or breed type, all dogs have strong jaws, sharp pointy teeth, and may bite in stressful circumstances. Their medium-length coat comes in many different colors and combinations. **All dogs are individuals. 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 and an OFA or Pennhip evaluation of the hips. Remember that even friendly dogs should stay on a good, strong leash like this onein public! However, there are more adult dogs waiting for love, and everyone passes them over in favor of the younger ones. Common in most breeds during puppyhood and in Retriever breeds at all ages, mouthiness means a tendency to nip, chew, and play-bite (a soft, fairly painless bite that doesn't puncture the skin). Even if he doesnt do that for a living anymore, he still needs daily exercise in the form of a long walk or hike or training for a dog sport such as agility. It causes degeneration of the retinal photoreceptor cells and may lead to complete vision loss. If you've got a laid-back attitude toward slobber, fine; but if you're a neatnik, you may want to choose a dog who rates low in the drool department. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Dogs who lived with their littermates and mother until at least six to eight weeks of age and who spent lots of time playing with other dogs during puppyhood, are more likely to have good canine social skills. Even if he doesnt do that for a living anymore, he still needs daily exercise in the form of a long walk or hike or training for a dog sport such as agility. Go with a low-sensitivity dog. Her mother lovedCollies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood including a blonde one who was half-blind! He is polite and welcoming while out on walks when you run into the neighbors and their dogs. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA website or the website of the Canine Health Information Center. No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author. Expect breeders to have up-to-date health clearances certifying that a puppys parents are free of eye disease and hip dysplasia. Make no mistake, the Vallhund needs his exercise. Originally bred to perform a canine job of some sort, such as retrieving game for hunters or herding livestock, they have the stamina to put in a full workday. Do you live in housing with noise restrictions? Known in their homeland as the Vastgotaspets, the dogs were first recognized as a breed by the Swedish Kennel Club in 1943. Easy-to-train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt (such as the word "sit"), an action (sitting), and a consequence (getting a treat) very quickly. Some believe he is also related to the Welsh Corgi and Lancashire Heeler we know today. The United Kennel Club began registering the breed in 1996, and the American Kennel Club recognized it in 2007. I cant say it enough: research before you buy! Hes smart and loves to learn, especially if you make it fun for him. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. Swedish Vallhund Dog Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts, monitoring_string = "c1299fe10ba49eb54f197dd4f735fcdc", at an early age. All rights reserved. Contact the national breed club or a local breed club and they can point you toward a Vallhund rescue organization. When buying a puppy, a good rule of thumb is that a high-quality breeder is more likely to lead to a high-quality puppy. make a great pet, provided you keep him busy. Stranger-friendly dogs will greet guests with wagging tails and nuzzles; others are shy, indifferent, or even aggressive. Begin training the Vallhund at an early age. Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos, A Complete Guide to Getting the Best French Bulldog Price, Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) Want to Own One? Its one thing if hes out and about, but if you encroach on his property, he will perceive you as a threat and guard his property accordingly. In other words, you must teach your Swedish Vallhund to respect you. To help keep your home a little cleaner, you can find a great de-shedding tool here! The Swedish Vallhund is an agile dog who loves anything that challenges his mind or body. is happy in any environment, from city condo to country estate. However, he can also When picking a breed, consider your own activity level and lifestyle, and think about whether you'll find a frisky, energetic dog invigorating or annoying. Keep your Vallhund in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. Else, the Vallhund is a genuinely nice dog who sees no problems with anyone he meets animal or otherwise. Videos? , he is bred to move flocks long distances. Some Vallhunds, purchased without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one or given up because their families can no longer keep them, are in need of adoption or fostering. A Vallhunds coat doesnt need any special trimming. For one thing, adult dogs are more than likely housebroken, so thats one less thing youll have to worry about. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. But there are countless senior dogs who you can just see in their faces truly appreciate having a home to call their own in their golden years. The dog could even be sick, or aggressive. Get all the way down to the skin to remove dead hair and stimulate the sebaceous glands, which produce an oily substance that lubricates and protects hair and skin. They can learn quickly, however, that this behavior is not permitted. is a herding breed, and its instinctive for him to nip at fast-moving objects. Some breeds do fine with a slow evening stroll around the block. Being quiet, low energy, fairly calm indoors, and polite with the other residents are all good qualities in an apartment dog. These breeds generally aren't a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small dogs. A vigorous dog may or may not have high energy, but everything they do, they do with vigor: they strain on the leash (until you train them not to), try to plow through obstacles, and even eats and drinks with great big gulps. Count on the Vallhund to keep you entertained. Vallhunds will create games to entertain themselves and their people, but its better if you channel their brains and activity level more formally, through training, dog sports and activities such as hiking or making therapy visits. He also likes to bark just to let you know hes in a good mood or to chat with you about your day. The Swedish Vallhund does well with the occasional brushing. He also loves to play fetch, and youll be amazed at how lithe he is as he runs around the yard. Some dogs will let a stern reprimand roll off their backs, while others take even a dirty look to heart. Low-energy dogs are the canine equivalent of a couch potato, content to doze the day away. Books? Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early. This versatile breed excels in performance events such as agility, flyball, herding, nose work, obedience, rally, and tracking. Some breeds are more free-spirited than others. You can tell a good Swedish Vallhund breeder by the certifications she carries. Otherwise, trying to suppress their "hardwired" working instincts, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult and is really not fair to the dog. The Vallhund is less of a barker than the Corgi. Home > Dog Breed Reviews > Swedish Vallhund, Swedish Vallhund temperament, personality, training, behavior, pros and cons, advice, and information, by Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books. Dont be surprised if he tests you to see if you really mean what you say. If youre in the market for a Swedish Cattle Dog, consider adopting the adult version. The Vallhund is not, in any way, shape, or form, the kind of dog you get if youre an inactive person. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. This is because the Vallhund is not the best dog for someone who has never owned a dog before. Show him what you want in a kind manner and be consistent to establish your leadership. Trainyour Vallhund for dog sports or give them a job to do around the house, and youll get along fine. If she has proof that she has had the dog checked and cleared for the conditions that tend to plague his breed, then she has done her homework. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don't all need the same amount of food. If his days include such moderate exercise, along with the loving companionship of his family, he is adaptable and easy to live with. Mouthy breeds tend to really enjoy a game of fetch, as well as a good chew on a toy that's been stuffed with kibble and treats. It is important you keep him to this average weight because obesity comes with its own set of problems problems you definitely dont need and can easily avoid, so why not do so?