The
Västgötaspets,
or as they say in English speaking countries, the Swedish Vallhund,
is a sturdy, shortlegged and healthy farmdog. He is watchful,
alert
and energetic
and still
posesses the original working capacities. In his homeland Sweden he was, and still is, used as an allround
farmdog: herding cows, taking care of rats and keeping an eye on
everything around the house and farm.
It is an
old breed,
said to be from the time of the Vikings, although this has never
been proved. Round 1940 the breed was almost extinct, But thanks
to baron Björn von Rosen and Karl-Gustav Zetterstén it still
exists. They managed to breed back a healthy and sound breed with
only a few dogs to start with.
What the
Vallhund is...
And likes...
alert, attentive and energetic,
still owns the original working
capacities,
follows his owners all around the place, a big dog in a small body looks like a little wolf, about 30-35 cm high, can be born with or without tail, faster than lightning, smarter than a professor, and has an irrisistable charm.
to eat,
and bark,
and play,
and eat more,
to potter around the house
to go on long walks, or go to an agility course,
or play football with the kids,
to go to a herding course,
to
stay at home and warm his owners
feet.
He also:
The Swedish Vallhund does not like:
is very sensitive,
has a sense of humour,
wants to be part of the family,
is easily trainable (with the
right method)
to be left alone all day,
to train the same thing over and
over again,
to be treated harsh or be scolded.
And:
however much I tell you about this
breed;
it's never enough to describe the
essentials of this great dog in a small body,
that get's into you life, heart and
soul the minute it passes your doorstep.
