Appearance
What does a Swedish Vallhund look like?
The Swedish Vallhund is a stocky dog with a muscular body. His sturdy and compact physique stems from being a high energy level breed.
He has a wide, wedge-shaped head and a square muzzle. His nose is adjacent to the line of the muzzle. He has pointy ears which makes him look alert and on the go at all times.
The Swedish Vallhund has dark brown eyes that are medium-sized and oval-shaped. He has black lips with strong teeth in a scissors bite. His legs are short and well-muscled and his paws are densely boned and muscular as well. As for the breed’s tail, it comes in three types which are the long full tail, natural bobtail, and stub tail.
The weather-resistant double coat of a Vallhund is medium in length. The coat consists of two hair types: a soft undercoat and a coarse topcoat. He has shorter hair on his head and the lower legs.
Meanwhile, the fur on his chest, neck, and back of the thighs are slightly longer. The Vallhund’s coat colour comes in a sable pattern of grey to red or a mix of various shades. He has light-coloured “harness markings” on his back which distinguishes him from other dog breeds.
How big do Swedish Vallhunds get?
Adult Male Vallhunds are slightly larger than their female counterparts. They measure between 33 and 35 cm whilst females measure 31 to 33 cm. They weigh anywhere from 11.5 to 16.0 kg. Being a medium-sized dog, it would take approximately 12 months for Vallhunds to reach maturity.
Grooming
Do Swedish Vallhunds shed a lot?
The Swedish Vallhund is a heavy shedder due to his thick double coat. To prevent getting fur everywhere in your home, brush him at least once or twice a week. This will get rid of any loose or dead hair. Consider trimming the hair on his footpads as they easily catch debris and dirt.
How to care for a Swedish Vallhund?
Vallhunds do not need to be bathed regularly; wash him when he starts getting stinky or too dirty. Too much bathing can dry out his skin and coat which can lead to skin problems. Daily toothbrushing is advised to prevent teeth and gum disease, but two or three times a week will suffice.
Clean his ears at least once a week. Use a clean, soft cloth or cotton ball moistened with gentle ear cleaner for dogs. Make sure to inspect his ears for signs of infection including bad odour, redness or inflammation.
Dogs naturally wear out their nails every time they walk and run around. However, if you hear clicking on the floor when he walks, it signals a need for nail trimming.