Swedish Vallhund

Breed Type: Herding
Common nicknames: Swedish Shepherd, Little Viking Dog, Swedish Cattledog
Coat: Double
Hypoallergenic: No, they will likely trigger allergies.
Temperament: Energetic, friendly, gentle, intelligent
Life expectancy: 12-16 years
Color & patterns: Red sable
Hero image
Red sable
Red sable
The Swedish Vallhund, a breed that looks like a mix between a Corgi and a wolf, may be small in stature, but their spunk and determination are clear for all to see. Known for their agility and intelligence, these charming dogs were originally bred in Sweden for herding livestock. These friendly pups have boundless energy and loyalty; they’re always ready for a good romp or an adventure by your side. Their outgoing nature makes them a hit with both kids and adults, and their love for their families knows no limits. The Swedish Vallhund is the perfect pup for those seeking a pint-sized powerhouse of joy and adventure.

Swedish Vallhund characteristics

Learn about about Swedish Vallhund basics like their fur colors, shedding levels, how much grooming they need, and other Swedish Vallhund facts.

Average height

12-14 inches (30.5-35.6cm)

Average weight

20-36 pounds (9.1-16.3 kg)

Average lifespan

12-16 years

Exercise needs
Low-key activityHigh-energy workouts
Grooming needs
OccasionallyFrequently
Full-grown size
Teeny tinySuper size
Good with cats
Likely to chaseHey, new pal!
Good with kids
Needs lots of supervisionEager to play
Training aptitude
HeadstrongEager to please
Do Swedish Vallhunds shed?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds are moderate shedders. They require very little grooming, although regular grooming practices such as brushing and bathing can help reduce allergens on a dog’s coat and skin.

How big do Swedish Vallhunds get?

Swedish Vallhunds grow to be about 20 to 35 pounds and stand between 11.5 and 13.75 inches tall.

Do Swedish Vallhunds have tails?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds have traditionally been born with naturally short tails. The unnecessary and outdated practice of tail docking, removing a portion of the tail for cosmetic purposes, has been associated with the breed, but it is not a natural trait and is discouraged by many veterinarians and animal advocates.

How many types of Swedish Vallhunds are there?

Apart from color variation, there is just one type of Swedish Vallhund. These dogs are typically characterized by their sturdy build, pricked ears, and double coat.

How long do Swedish Vallhunds live?

Swedish Vallhunds typically live to be between 12 and 15 years old. Providing your dog with proper nutrition, exercise, vet care, and a loving environment can help them live a long and happy life.

When do Swedish Vallhunds stop growing?

Swedish Vallhunds typically reach full height by about nine to 12 months old, but they continue to fill out and gain muscle until they are about 18 months old. Different dogs may have different growth rates, however.

How do you pronounce Swedish Vallhunds?

Swedish Vallhunds is pronounced “SWEED-ish VAHL-hund.” The emphasis is typically on the first syllable of “Swedish” and the second syllable of “Vallhunds.”

Are Swedish Vallhunds rare?

Swedish Vallhunds are not as common as some other breeds, but they are not considered extremely rare. They are recognized by major Kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club, but their numbers are relatively low compared to more popular breeds. However, their popularity has been increasing, especially as more people learn about their charming personalities, versatility, and suitability as companion animals.

Swedish Vallhund history

Learn about where this Swedish Vallhund came from!

What were Swedish Vallhunds bred for?

Swedish Vallhunds were originally bred in Sweden to herd livestock.

Where are Swedish Vallhunds from?

Swedish Vallhunds are from Sweden (they’re actually the national dog breed of Sweden), and they date back to the eighth or ninth century. It is thought that Vikings brought back Pembroke Corgis from Pembrokeshire, and they intermixed them with indigenous spitz breeds to create the Swedish Vallhund.

Swedish Vallhund temperament

Learn about about the Swedish Vallhund temperament and how well they fit into your lifestyle, home environment, and family.

Are Swedish Vallhunds good with kids?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds are generally wonderful with kids. They are gentle with young kids and great playmates to older ones.

As with any breed, it is recommended that pet parents properly socialize and train their dog from a young age and that parents always supervise children when interacting with dogs. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is also crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child.

Do Swedish Vallhunds bark a lot?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds barks a lot. Like most herding dogs, this breed uses their high-pitched bark in work and play. As with any dog, they can be discouraged from barking as frequently with proper training and exercises.

Are Swedish Vallhunds good family dogs?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds make delightful, energetic family companions. They are friendly, have a great sense of humor, and form strong bonds with their family. They are happiest with a job to do or on a good, long walk, so be prepared to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated.

Are Swedish Vallhunds good with cats?

The Swedish Vallhund is a herding dog, so they may try to herd or chase your cat until they understand they are part of the family. Each dog and cat has their own preferences and temperament, of course, but early socialization and training can help smooth the way. Always remember to provide all your pets a comfortable environment so they feel safe.

Are Swedish Vallhunds good with other dogs?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds are typically good with other dogs, particularly if they are socialized with them from a young age. Like any breed, personalities can vary, so some may be more outgoing and social while others may be more reserved. Proper training and early exposure to various dogs in various situations can help your Swedish Vallhund develop good social skills.

Are Swedish Vallhunds smart?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds are quite smart dogs. They are quick learners and have a strong desire to please their pet parents, which makes them highly trainable.

Are Swedish Vallhunds cuddly?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds are affectionate and enjoy cuddling with their family members. While they have a history as working dogs, their loving and loyal nature helps them form strong bonds with their parents. Your Swedish Vallhund may seek out physical contact like cuddling, snuggling, and leaning against you. However, individual personalities can vary, and some Vallhunds may be more independent or reserved in their affection compared to others.

Are Swedish Vallhunds good for first-time pet parents?

Swedish Vallhunds are only recommended for first-time pet parents who are prepared to spend a good amount of quality time with their dog and meet their social and exercise needs. Early socialization is crucial for Swedish Vallhunds to develop good manners. Vallhunds are an active breed with high energy levels, and they require lots of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. They also thrive on companionship and may develop behavioral issues if left alone for long periods. Make sure you research the breed thoroughly before determining if a Swedish Vallhund is right for you.

Are Swedish Vallhunds good guard dogs?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds make decent watch dogs due to their alert and vocal nature. They are often quick to alert their parents to the presence of strangers or unusual sounds. However, they’re not considered guard dogs in the traditional sense because they’re just too friendly.

Are Swedish Vallhunds good apartment dogs?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds can adapt to apartment living if provided with generous daily exercise, but it may not be the best choice. While Swedish Vallhunds are medium-sized, they have high energy levels and may appreciate having more space to move around indoors or access to a larger outdoor area. Swedish Vallhunds are also known to be vocal, which may disrupt your apartment neighbors.

Are Swedish Vallhunds good therapy dogs?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds can be good therapy dogs, but ultimately, it depends on the individual dog’s temperament, training, and suitability. Vallhunds are generally friendly, outgoing, and affectionate and can be trained to be comfortable being handled by strangers and remaining calm in potentially stressful situations.

Are Swedish Vallhunds easy to train?

Yes, Swedish Vallhunds love to work, so you’ll find rewards-based training works well for this breed. However, training any dog takes substantial time and effort, regardless of breed.

Swedish Vallhund health

Learn about about the Swedish Vallhund health outlook and what diseases they may be prone to at various stages of their life.

Do Swedish Vallhunds have health problems?

Swedish Vallhunds are mostly healthy, robust dogs with a relatively long average lifespan, but they may experience some health issues, including: 

  • Joint issues: Though Swedish Vallhunds are not affected as much as other breeds, they may develop patellar luxation and/or hip dysplasia. Patellar luxation occurs when slight abnormalities cause the knee joint to slide in and out of place. This can lead to pain and occasional lameness. Surgical treatment is available for severe cases, although many dogs lead normal lives without treatment. Hip dysplasia is the most common skeletal disease seen in dogs. It occurs when the hip joint grows abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joint and socket from properly meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis.

  • Eye disorders: Swedish Vallhunds are prone to genetic progressive retinal atrophy, a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness. Around 35 percent of Swedish Vallhunds are affected by some type of blindness by the time they are 10.

Are Swedish Vallhunds hypoallergenic?

No, Swedish Vallhunds are not considered hypoallergenic. They have a double coat that sheds moderately year-round and more heavily during shedding seasons.

Popular Swedish Vallhund mixes

A common breed mixed with Swedish Vallhund is the Corgi.

  • Swedish Vallhund Corgi (Swedish Vallhund + Corgi)

Swedish Vallhund Mixes picture

Find Swedish Vallhund puppies near you

Adopting a Swedish Vallhund

We don't see any Swedish Vallhunds available for adoption in your exact location or cities near you, but here are some adorable similar breeds in Columbus, OH.

Photo of Penny

Penny

American Pit Bull Terrier Mutt

Female, adult

Westerville, OH

Color
Black - with White
Size
(when grown) Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Details
Good with kids
Not good with dogs
Not good with cats
House-trained
Spayed or Neutered
Shots are up-to-date
Story
Penny came to us from Franklin County rescue at 3 years of age. She’s an energetic and happy but also loves to relax when she’s at home and comfortable. She absolutely loves being outside and taking road trips. She does get agitated when meeting new dogs, especially those that are reactive but warms up relatively quickly. She lived with another dog for a year and they got along great. That said I would not recommend her for homes with cats or other small critters.
Photo of Reddy

Reddy

Chihuahua Papillon

Male, 9 yrs

Westerville, OH

Color
White - with Tan, Yellow or Fawn
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(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with kids
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Story
Meet Reddy. Reddy is an 8-year old chihuahua/Papillon boy. He weighs 11 lbs. He was found as a stray in Dayton, OH area and was rescued from the shelter. Reddy is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and heartworm tested. Reddy is good with dogs. We are not sure about kids and cats. He is almost house broken. Reddy is very food motivated and likes to still his canine brothers'/sisters' treats if they didn't pay attention. He likes to chase mower, vacuum machine, and mop. He is a sweet boy and likes to cuddle with his foster mom. Reddy's adoption fee is $250. Please submit the adoption application at https://charlieswishanimalrescue.org to schedule a meet and greet.
Photo of Mini

Mini

Miniature Pinscher

Female, 8 yrs

Westerville, OH

Color
Black - with Brown, Red, Golden, Orange or Chestnut
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids
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Good with cats
House-trained
Spayed or Neutered
Shots are up-to-date
Story
Meet Mini. Mini is a female 8-year old miniature pincher mix. She weighs 11 lbs. Mini is spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, and heartworm tested. Mini is almost house trained. We recused Mini from the shelter in Dayton, OH. Her owner passed away. Mini is a shy girl. She loves her food and treats but is gentle on getting her share. She is friendly with dogs, cats and kids. She is very smart. She figured out the dog door of her foster home quickly. Mini is also a quiet girl. She doesn't bark much. Mini's adoption fee is $250. Please submit an adoption application at https://charlieswishanimalrescue.org to schedule a meet and greet.
Photo of Barry

Barry

Shih Tzu Bichon Frise

Male, 5 yrs 10 mos

Westerville, OH

Color
White
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with kids
Not good with dogs
Not good with cats
Story
Meet Barry. He is a 5 years old Shih Tzu/Bichon mix. He doesn't shed. Barry is sweet and loves to kiss and cuddle. He stands up with his rear legs when wanting a treat. He is good with dogs. Barry is protective and doesn't like kids. Teenagers are ok. He is fully vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered. Barry is not house trained. Barry weighs 23 lbs. Barry's adoption fee is $250. Please submit an adoption application at https://charlieswishanimalrescue.org. We have to have your application to schedule a meet and greed.
Photo of Buddy

Buddy

Chihuahua

Male, 2 yrs

Westerville, OH

Color
Red/Golden/Orange/Chestnut
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with kids
Good with dogs
Not good with cats
Needs experienced adopter
House-trained
Spayed or Neutered
Shots are up-to-date
Story
Meet Buddy. Buddy is a 2-year old chihuahua mix. He weighs 15 lbs. Buddy is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and heartworm tested. He is almost house broken. We don't know about Buddy's history. He was found as a stray in Dayton, OH area. We rescued him from the shelter. Buddy is very skittish. He is timid to places where he is not familiar with and may show fear aggression. We are looking for a quiet home for him. The adopter needs to be patient with Buddy. Buddy is fine with everybody. He usually stays away from the crowd and very quiet. However he has food aggression. He always fears that someone would take away his food/treats. Hence a home with children is not suitable for him. Once he is comfortable with you, he would come to greet you and let you to pet him. Buddy's adoption fee is $250. Please submit the adoption application at https://charlieswishanimalrescue.org for scheduling a meet and greet.
Photo of Lily & Daizy

Lily & Daizy

Chihuahua

Female, 2 yrs

Westerville, OH

Color
Black - with White
Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Not good with kids
Good with dogs
Not good with cats
House-trained
Spayed or Neutered
Shots are up-to-date
Story
Meet Lily and Daizy. They both are female chihuahua mix. Both are 2-3 years old, weigh 10-11 lbs. They both are spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, and heartworm tested. Both are not completely house trained. They use pee pads inside the house. Lily and Daizy are a bonded pair. They need to be adopted together. Lily is the black/white girl. Daizy is merle in black and tan. Both are timid and skittish. Lily is the boss of the pair. She may show fear aggression to strangers. But once she warms up, she is a sweet girl. Daizy is a shy girl but warm up quicker than Lily. She LOVES to give kisses. Both like to sleep with their foster mom under the blanket. Because of Lily's temperament, we think it is better for them to go to a home without kids. Both are food motivated. Both are friendly with dogs. We are not sure how they think about cats. LIly and Daizy's adoption fee is $500 Please submit an adoption application at http://charlieswishanimalrescue.org to schedule a meet and greet.