The Swedish
Vallhund (SV) is a very old Spitz-type breed known since the time of the Vikings. For centuries the Swedish Vallhund has been kept as a farm dog and used for herding cattle. The Swedish
Vallhund is a small, powerful, fearless, sturdily built Spitz herding dog. The correct relationship of height to length of body is 2:3. The Swedish Vallhund has a wedge-shaped head, prick ears, and a close-fitting hard coat of medium length and sable coloring. The double coat and the characteristic "harness markings" are essential features of this breed. Tail may be natural (long, stub, or bob) or docked. The appearance of the Swedish
Vallhund conveys intelligence, alertness and energy. Balance, outline, temperament and movement are of overriding importance. The Swedish Vallhund is a thoroughly sound animal, versatile in its desire to do traditional herding or with proper training compete in companion events such as obedience, tracking and agility, and/or serve as a family companion.
Swedish Vallhund History
Count Björn von Rosen and Karl-Gustave Zetterstén the two Swedish gentlemen responsible for saving the ancient Swedish Vallhund breed, were united by a newspaper advert seeking surviving examples of what Björn called stub tailed Svensk Vallhund. Between the first world war and the beginning of the second, the numbers of the little dogs Björn recalled from his boyhood visits near Vara had mostly disappeared. Karl, Swedish Vallhund breeder and school teacher residing in Vara, responded to the advert as he had noticed the breed’s decline also. Björn a dog breeder and judge, along with Karl spent the summer of 1942 making many bicycle tours of the surrounding farmlands.
Following at first leads supplied by Karl’s adult students they happened upon a bitch of excellent type at the farm of Gunborg and Anders Andersson. Björn was later to describe the ‘shock of joy’ he felt in his chest to see Topsy standing with her master along side a water well. Later they discovered, a male called Mopsen. While healthy, Mopsen only had one testicle. This was not an ideal situation. But without a lot of choice and considering cryptorchid was not a disqualifying aspect at the time, Mopsen was to become the first recognised stud of the . Swedish Vallhund breed So with two more bitches, Lessi, and Vivi, the men started upon a breeding programme.
Björn recognised early that Topsy was the best specimen of them all, and although she was too old to breed from he began to write the first breed standard based on her qualities. Photos of the dogs were sent to the Swedish Kennel club. Credit must be paid to the Swedish Kennel Club, they too were very keen to see the breed saved and they commissioned Björn to write the first standard. The gentlemen were of one mind that Topsy was indeed the ideal specimen. She was regarded as having a beautiful body, a strong head, the perfect quality of hair [fur] and the correct grey colour. All the initial dogs were grey. Although Zetterstén managed to have the acceptable colours include brown, yellow and red-brown in the 1950’s. There was much determination to ensure that in ongoing breeding the Swedish Vallhunds should still “look like grandfathers dog” essentially a reference to type.
The men also believed that a correct Swedish Vallhund’s coat should be maintained as a harsh half-long coat with undercoat. It shouldn’t be soft or open. The breed was always to retain his cattle herding trait. The search on foot continued and by the autumn a total of six initial Swedish Vallhunds, along with their owners, travelled to a Göteborg dog show where the dogs were assessed by three judges. The first being Count Björn von Rosen, also Colonel Bertil Burén, and Baron Carl Leuhusen. The Swedish Vallhunds were a sensation, and the public qued for hours to see the dogs on display. After a year of exhibition shows the kennel club recognised the breed in 1943. The name Västgötaspets was officially adopted in 1952 acknowledging the region of Västergötland were the rescue was initiated. Translated Västgötaspets means, ‘Spitz of the West Goths’ Twenty three years on and the first stud dog to come to New Zealand arrived from England in 1975.
Ryslip Fabian (Puffin) was imported by Miss Maree Cooper of Tauranga. In his life he sired just the one litter with a bitch Maiden of Duncliffe (Margot), that Maree also brought out from Britain in 1976. These bloodlines were to not advance however with all progeny becoming pets not bred. Puffin had the opportunity to stay with an Ian and Lesley Grey of Pokeno who were at the time searching for something fulfilling and interesting to do upon Ian’s impending retirement. Ian and Lesley were enamoured with the breed and in 1984 imported from Britain a bitch Rosern Vancy and a stud dog Santa of Rosern. They showed their Swedish Vallhunds to title and established their Valdemar Kennel. After a trip to England Ian and Lesley were introduced to the Swedish Vallhund sport of agility.
Back in New Zealand Ian was to lobby for rule changes that allowed the floundering Swedish Vallhund dog sport to flourish in New Zealand. Valdemar Kennel produced three Swedish Vallhund litters. The dogs the Grey’s owned, NZCH Rosern Vancy (IMP-UK), NZCH Santa of Rosern (IMP-UK) ADX.CDX.UDX.WDX.TDX, WT.CH Valdemar Aster ADX.CDX.UDX. WDX.TDX. and NZCH Valdemar Alpha ADX.CDX.UDX. are fondly remembered by all who met them and the dogs are considered legends by New Zealanders in the breed for all their accomplishments.
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