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Featured photo courtesy by the American Kennel Club. Judging the Swedish Vallhund General Appearance Small, powerful, fearless, sturdily built Spitz herding dog Height to length of body is 2:3 Wedge-shaped head, prick ears Close-fitting, hard double coat with characteristic “harness” markings Tail may be natural (long, stub, or bob) or docked Balance, outline, temperament, […]
Cheryl Rolfe
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Featured photo courtesy by the American Kennel Club.
Sound with strong reach and drive. From the front, the legs do not move in exact parallel planes, but incline slightly inward to compensate for shortness of leg and width of chest. The forelegs should reach forward in a free stride without too much lift. Hind legs should drive well under the body and move on a line with the forelegs, with hocks turning neither in nor out. Feet should travel parallel to the line of motion with no tendency to swing out, cross over, or interfere with each other. Short, choppy movement and overly close or wide movement is faulty.
The Swedish Vallhund is watchful, energetic, fearless, alert, intelligent, friendly, eager to please, active and steady; never vicious or shy.
A sable pattern in colors of grey through red and combinations of these colors in various shades. All are equally acceptable. Lighter shades on chest, belly, buttocks, lower legs, feet, and hocks, with darker hairs on back, neck, and sides of body. Light harness markings are essential. Although a dark muzzle is acceptable, a well-defined mask with lighter hair around eyes, on muzzle, and under throat, giving a distinct contrast to the head color, is highly desirable.
White is permitted as a narrow blaze, neck spot, slight necklace, and white markings on the legs and chest. White in excess of one third of the dog’s total color is a very serious fault. Any color other than described above is a very serious fault.
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.
The following faults are to be so severely penalized as to effectively eliminate the dog from competition:
For ease and proper perspective, the Swedish Vallhund is examined on a firm, solid table, permitting an accurate evaluation of the dog’s structure, balance, and outline. Expression and temperament are best judged when the dog is on the ground.
The Swedish Vallhund should be walked naturally into a four square stance with his attention focused on his handler. The dog should require a minimum of hand posing except when being stacked on the table for examination.
The Vallhund is best gaited at a moderate trot on a loose lead, as “stringing up” interferes with freedom of movement. A taut lead or racing the dog may actually cause choppy movement. A Vallhund should be shown in a natural, untrimmed state, but clean and with short nails and tidied pad hair. Excessive grooming is to be discouraged.
Assess the outline and balance of the dog from at least 15 feet away from the dogs—both standing and gaiting.
Always examine a Vallhund on a table. Wait until the dog is set up on the table before examining him. Stand away from the table to assess balance and outline.
Evaluate true Vallhund expression on the ground, not on the table.
Should a reexamination be necessary, it is preferable to put the dog back on the table.
A Vallhund examined on the ground should be approached from the front, not because of fear or injury to the examiner, but because this breed reacts quickly to unexpected movements overhead. He should recover promptly and resume his self-confident attitude. This avoidance is not to be interpreted as shyness.
Smooth, sound movement with free reach and drive should be highly regarded.
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Read and learn more about the energetic Swedish Vallhund dog breed with articles and information in our Swedish Vallhund Dog Breed Magazine.
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