The 1st day of January 1996 the Swedish Vallhund became an official dog breed of the United Kennel Club. Eight years later the American Kennel Club recognizes the breed and has finalized its breed standards by 2005. By 2008, this very same dog breed takes its spot at the Westminster Kennel Club. For a dog breed used well over a 1000 years by Vikings it is a long and complicated journey validating its claim to existence (history doesn't offer any assurance of dog breed authenticity).

The Swedish Vallhund or cattle dog or Vasgotaspets is a muscle packed breed that comes in a compact body. According to standard breeding, which is best quoted from AKC as “The relationship of height to length of body, as measured from the prosternum to the rearmost portion of the buttocks, should be 2:3.”  The ratio of its length to its height is specific and precise just as its light harness-like markings and light colored mask along the eyes.

What I find fascinating about this breed is the varying tail configurations which is allowed by the UKC. The tails are Spitz-like, Long (over 4 in. of any shape), Stub (max. of 4 in. long), Naturally bobbed (no tail at all) and the Kup (docked tailed). The long list of conformation for this dog breed has been passed down from the Dark Ages when Vikings lorded over Europe.

These dogs were very much like the Afghan Hounds, treated more as a worker more than as part of the family. Which in those days was honorable, being one of the boys. The Vosgotaspets never are inferior dogs, they are known to single handedly guard and protect their master's territory no matter how small they are for the area.

Swedish Vallhunds of today are just like other dog breeds are good as family pets and hunting companions. They are also full of energy and would place well in agility competitions and lure courses. Just like most skilled and talented dog breeds, the turn out of technology has put their assets in the back burner.