Swedish Vallhund

Patellar Luxation

Legg-Perthes Disease

Hip Dysplasia

Heart murmurs

Generally, these dogs are not big eaters when you consider the amount of exercise they require, and so most Vallhunds are easy to feed. They can easily grow overweight, even if they get a lot of exercise. Because of their hefty body and short legs, obesity may put more stress on their joints. One meal of 1-1.5 cup of dog food a day is enough for your Vallhunds.

Swedish Vallhunds are heavy shedders. They shed all year round but will lose more of their thick double undercoats twice a year, typically during spring and fall. And so they will need to be brushed daily to control loose moults flying around your home and a bath when they get dirty.

Swedish Vallhunds has a double coat with medium-length hair, thick undercoats and a weather-resistant outer coat, which are surprisingly easy to groom. Regular brushing using a firm bristle brush and bathing them once a month is required as regular bathing removes the natural oils in the weather-resistant coat and dry out the skin. During shedding seasons, a warm bath with good massages when shampooing, followed by drying them using a dryer and a thorough brushing should be enough,

Brush your Vallhund's teeth at least twice or thrice a week to remove any tartar buildup and the bacteria that may lurk inside them. And to prevent painful tears and other problems, trim his nails once or twice a month if your dog doesn't wear them down naturally.

Swedish Vallhunds are naturally active little dogs, so their Exercise and Activity Levels are quite high. They may need to be taken on a daily walk or run to keep them healthy and in shape. Give them at least an hour of activities a day to keep them from being bored; otherwise, they tend to bark a lot and possibly some destructive behaviours. They can do well during the warm and cold climates but will need shade if it is too hot outside.

Swedish Vallhunds are generally a healthy breed, but they may be prone to certain genetic disorders like other dogs. Hip Dysplasia and Swedish Vallhund retinopathy (a degenerative eye disease that results in vision loss and even blindness) may be issues Vallhunds may have. They may not get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to look out for them. To avoid these, it's best for them at least once a year vet check-ups to monitor their overall health.

Swedish Vallhunds are playful and loving pets. They do best in a house where they can move around and gets plenty of attention. If they receive enough time and training, your Swedish Vallhund will be a loyal companion for their entire life.

They generally love children, but their herding instincts can motivate them to nip at a youngster?s feet or ankles. Like with other breeds, you should always teach your children how to approach dogs properly, and you should always supervise their interactions to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how friendly they may be, should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

Swedish Vallhunds are an intelligent breed that is eager to learn; however, they tend to get bored very quickly, so it is recommended to keep their training sessions short and fun and do it frequently. They're excellent competitors in agility trials and flyball competitions. Most Vallhunds want to work with their humans. Most do exceptionally well with clicker training, and most are very obedient. They also do best with positive, reward-based training, such as with treats and praises. Keep in mind that they are a cattle-herding breed, and they can be strong-willed, and the goal with training is that you should be to get them to work happily with you.

Most Swedish Vallhunds are friendly with almost everyone and make sensible watchdogs. They are fine with other animals and excellent with livestock, including horses, due to their herder history. They are also usually friendly towards other pets, including cats, as long as they have been socialized from an early age. They also enjoy having other dogs as part of the family, including their own kind.