One. Originated over 1200 years ago Brought by the Vikings from Sweden to Wales during Medieval times. May have influenced the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

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1 Slide 1 Part Logo One Welcome to the Swedish Vallhund Club of America Judges Education Presentation. I would like to thank you for attending and especially for your interest in learning more about the Swedish Vallhund. This program will be a Power Point discussion on the AKC Standard of the Swedish Vallhund, followed by a Hands On evaluation of a/some Swedish Vallhund(s) including a movement demonstration. Slide 2 The Swedish Vallhund Västgötaspetstaspets In Sweden and some other countries, the breed is still referred to as Västgötaspets which means Spitz of the West Goths. Here you have a very nice (male) representative of the breed. Slide 3 Little Viking Dog Originated over 1200 years ago Brought by the Vikings from Sweden to Wales during Medieval times. May have influenced the Pembroke Welsh Corgi For centuries in Sweden, the Swedish Vallhund had been kept as a farm dog and used for herding cattle. Some historians believe that during the eighth or ninth century the Vikings either brought the Swedish Vallhund to the coast of Wales or took the Pembroke Corgi back to Sweden and interbred them.

2 Slide 4 Slide 5 Brief History The Oldies All Purpose Farm Dog Used on Swedish farms for hundreds of years to herd cattle and other stock By 1942, the breed was nearly extinct with only a few still seen working on farms in the province of Västergötland, Sweden. Count Bjorn von Rosen, who had worked to save several old Swedish breeds from extinction, remembered the Vallhund from his boyhood and decided to try and save it. Working together with Mr K.G. Zettersten, they were able to find a few which they used to begin a breeding program. Top Left Photo is: Mopsen, born in 1938, is considered the grandfather of today s Swedish Vallhund. Bottom Left Photo is: Swedish & Danish Ch. Pelle. Top Right Photo is: Topsy, who was considered the model bitch, taken when 12 years old. Bottom Right Photo is: Vivi, a daughter of Topsy and the first known breeding female. Note: Photos 1, 3 & 4 were taken by Bjorn von Rosen. The Swedish Vallhund was used as an all purpose farm dog. They are a natural dog, and breeders have done little to change the breed over the years.

3 Slide 6 Herding Dog In order to accomplish the varied tasks the job requires, they need to be agile, energetic, and biddable (obedient). Vallhund means herding dog. Slide 7 Performance Dog Today s Swedish Vallhunds use their talents in a variety of other ways. They are formidable competitors in AKC companion and performance events Slide 8 Service Dog Swedish Vallhunds have worked as Therapy and Service dogs, including Search & Rescue.

4 Slide 9 Companion Dog The Swedish Vallhund s happy spirit makes him an excellent family dog and companion. Slide 10 Cattle Dog The Swedish Vallhund s job as a farm dog includes herding, alerting to intruders such as a fox near the hen house, vermin control, guarding the family, and any other task the farmer asks of him. Slide 11 Västgötaspetstaspets Swedish Breed standard formalized after WWII Recognized by Swedish Kennel Club in 1964 AKC FSS in January, 2000 AKC Miscellaneous in September, 2005 Full AKC Herding Group Recognition June 27, 2007 Since the introduction of Swedish Vallhunds to the United States in 1985, and through the efforts of breed enthusiasts throughout the country, Swedish Vallhunds have progressed to full AKC recognition as of June 27, 2007.

5 Slide 12 Imported to the U.S. in the 1980 s Pictured is a fine example of the breed and one of the first males imported from England. Slide 13 SV vs Measurement from Prosternum vs. Withers Shorter/Higher vs. Longer/Lower PWC Smaller & Pointed ears Wolf vs. Foxy expression While there are similarities to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and other Spitz breeds, the Swedish Vallhund is classified as an original Spitz breed of Sweden. The Swedish Vallhund has smaller, pointed ears and a wolf-like expression. He is shorter bodied and higher on leg than his Corgi cousin, and is always Sable vs. Varied colors with white trim. For a more detailed comparison between the Swedish Vallhund, and the two Corgi breeds, please refer to the handout in your packet. Slide 14 Slow Maturing Breed The Swedish Vallhund is slow to mature. 1-Year-Old 3-Year-Old They are long lived, often reaching their late teens and early twenties. An 8 to 10 year old can still enjoy showing and competing in the breed ring, and in performance and companion events.

6 Slide 15 Proportion, Size & Substance Height to Length ratio is 2:3 when measured from the prosternum to rear of the buttocks Proportion: Height to Length of body is 2:3 when measured from the prosternum to rear of the buttocks. Height: Males Females 1 shorter. Minor variations are acceptable. Most important is proper proportion. They are strong, well-boned, welldeveloped and muscular. There is no mention of weight in the standard. Slide 16 Head Long, Clean Wedge-shaped Skull broad, almost flat The Swedish Vallhund has a gentle and kindly expression. The head forms an even wedge when viewed from above and is well filled in under the eyes. The skull is broad and almost flat between the ears. Slide 17 Eyes Dark brown, oval, medium size, black rims The eyes should be dark brown, oval and medium size with black rims. A light eye hardens the expression.

7 Slide 18 Ears Pointed, pricked, set at outer edge of skull The ears are medium size, pointed, prick, smooth haired and mobile. The ear leather is firm. The line of the outer edge is perpendicular to the ground when alert. The dog should make good use of them. Slide 19 Muzzle slightly shorter than skull When viewed from the side, the muzzle should look rather square and should be slightly shorter than the length of the skull. Slide 20 Parallel planes & Well-defined stop The stop is well-defined but never steep. This bitch shows the parallel planes and appropriate definition of the stop.

8 Slide 21 Mouth - Teeth - Bite Tight lips Full dentition Scissors bite The lips are black and tight fitting with no noticeable flews. The teeth are strong and well developed with full dentition in a scissors bite. (The Swedish Vallhund s teeth are large in proportion to the dog s overall size.) Slide 22 Neck & Topline The neck is long, strongly muscled with good reach. The topline is level when standing and in motion. Slide 23 Chest The chest has good depth. The rib cage is long and fairly well sprung. Elliptical when viewed from the side. The prosternum is visible and not excessively pronounced.

9 Slide 24 Chest & Tuck-up up The deepest part of the chest is just behind the back of the forearm. In an adult, the chest should drop no more than 2/5 of the length of the forelegs. Here is example of a good tuck up and well muscled dog. Slide 25 Tuck-up, up, Back & Loin The underline is slightly tucked up. The back is well muscled and the loin short and strong. Male Female Slide 26 Croup Broad and slightly sloping The croup is broad and slightly sloping. Here we have a long tail and a natural stub. With or without a tail, the slope of the croup should be the same.

10 Slide 27 Tails All tail types are equally acceptable Tails may be docked or natural. A puppy can be born without any visible tail, or anywhere from a short stub to a full length tail. ALL tails are equally acceptable. Docked Tail Bobtail Here you can see a Docked tail and Bobtail. Slide 28 Tails All tail types are equally acceptable Here you can you see a Sickle and a Spitz tail. Again, ALL tails are equally acceptable. Sickle Tail Spitz Tail Tail carriage is not discussed in the standard, but how the tail is set in relation to the croup determines its carriage. Slide 29 Break