At a glance the quick version
FCI ideal is 33 cm (plus or minus 2) for males and 31 cm (plus or minus 1) for females.
The Royal Kennel Club lists over 10 years; Wikipedia gives an average of about 15 years.
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium-short, hard, tight topcoat with soft, dense undercoat
A small, long-bodied and low-set herder with a wedge-shaped head and upright ears. Its harsh outer coat lies close over a soft undercoat, and tails range from a full length to a natural bob.12
Personality what they are like
A happy, bold little working dog that is alert and full of energy. It is friendly and clever, loves to be busy, and is known for a wide range of chatty vocal sounds.14
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate to high. The Royal Kennel Club suggests up to an hour of exercise a day; it also enjoys agility, obedience, herding, flyball and tracking.32
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short, weather-resistant coat needs brushing about once a week, a bit more during shedding.3
Home where they are happiest
Adaptable to many homes as long as it gets daily activity; a hardy dog that was bred for farm work.34
Company who they like around
A sociable dog that likes being involved with its people and having something to do.4
The story where it all began
Low-set cattle dogs have herded in Sweden since the Viking era. By the 1940s the type was nearly gone, until Count Björn von Rosen and K. G. Zettersten found dogs in Västergötland and bred them back up. The Swedish Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1943 under the name Västgötaspets.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard No. 14 (Västgötaspets), Group 5, Section 3 (Nordic Watchdogs and Herders); standard dated 29 Oct 20131
- Svenska Kennelklubben
- Recognised in 1943 (per Wikipedia)2
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Pastoral group3
- AKC
- Recognised as Swedish Vallhund4
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Swedish Vallhund. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI breed standard No. 14: Västgötaspets fci.beused for origin, recognition, height, coat, colours, temperament, use
- Wikipedia: Swedish Vallhund en.wikipedia.orgused for history, SKK recognition year, lifespan, tails, related breeds
- The Royal Kennel Club: Swedish Vallhund royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, lifespan, history
- AKC: Swedish Vallhund akc.orgused for recognition, temperament, Viking nickname
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.