MyDogBreedsSwedish Vallhund is originated from Sweden but Australian Cattle Dog is originated from Australia. Swedish Vallhund may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than Australian Cattle Dog. Both Swedish Vallhund and Australian Cattle Dog are having almost same weight. Both Swedish Vallhund and Australian Cattle Dog has same life span. Swedish Vallhund may have more litter size than Australian Cattle Dog. Swedish Vallhund requires Moderate maintenance. But Australian Cattle Dog requires Low maintenance
Known also as the Västgötaspets or Swedish cow dog, the Valhund hails from Sweden. It’s a herding dog, and was always a farm dog in that country.
It was in 1943 that the dog was first recognized as a breed by the Swedish Kennel Club. Only later, in 1996, did the American Kennel Club start registering the breed.
During the 19th century, in the New South Wales, lived a cattle farmer Thomas Hall. He wanted to have a perfect cattle dog so he mixed two breeds: dogs used by stockman with the dingo. The new breed was given an interesting name - Halls Heelers. Heelers was a part of the dog breed because this new breed of the dog inherited the nipping instinct. As time passed, one breed was developing in two breeds: the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog.
The Australian Cattle dog can be found in two available colours: red and blue. This is how they got their nicknames: Red Heeler and Blue Heeler.
Looking much like a cross between a Corgi and the German Shepherd, the Swedish Valhund is a medium sized dog that stands between 30 and 34cm in height and weighs between 9 and 14kg.
His medium length weather-resistant coat is available in wolf like shades – cream, grey, brown etc. The tail can be long or bobbed and the medium sized ears are held erect.
Intelligent, confident, independent, alert, playful and active, your Swedish Valhund promises to make a good family pet.
You'll need to be an active, outdoor type of family though, as he isn’t a couch potato type of dog, snoozing in front of the TV.
He wants to be up and about going on long walks or playing ball games that give him a good run. If he gets his fair share of exercise he can adapt to life in the city or the countryside.
He just loves his human family and wants to be constantly with them. He won’t do well if you just keep him locked outside away from everyone. He is social, alert innovative and entertaining as well as being a good guard dog.
The Australian Cattle Dog originally mixed with Australian herding dog that was kept near the cattle to guide them. Medium-sized, with the short coat, this dog is generally easy to groom and maintain. It does require more brushing during the shedding period, but it is still not an everyday need. He is easy to train because he likes challenging games and activities which are. It gets very attached to its owner, and he is always protective of them and their possessions. The most common health problems happen with their ears and eyes, but they are usually very healthy and they have a long life – up to 15 years.
Your Swedish Valhund is such a confident, independent dog and he promises to be a loving, faithful pet. He's also alert and will let you know if strangers are approaching his property.
He is a calm, easy going pet and is capable of adapting to quiet or noisy homes. He may be quite a strange looking dog, but he's got a whole lot of loving to give.
Children and Australian Cattle Dogs can grow up together in harmony. They will have a loyal and protective companion. After you properly train your dog and teach your child how to play with the dog, you will bring the friendship on the safe side. Some of them will have the instinct to nip at heels, so you should pay attention to this while training your pet.
Special talents: cattle dog, service dog, therapy dog, police dogs, drug detection dogs.
Australian Cattle Dogs can survive cool, hot and temperate conditions. They can live in a shelter outdoors, and they do well living indoors. But, be aware – without enough physical activity, this dog will end up being frustrated and unhappy.
They will absorb every new trick so quick that you will be amazed. They love to learn, and if you start with some good trick you will raise a great friend and maybe a great competitor in fetch, swim, bring-a-stick, or run-the-show dog sports.
Capable of living a long, healthy life, the Swedish Valhund isn’t likely to fall victim to some of the many dog illnesses there are, and yet it is wise to be alert to some of them that he could get.
One of these is an hereditary eye disease known as retinopathy. Its where there is degeneration of the retinal photoreceptor cells. This eye disease can lead to blindness.
You need to be careful with this pet of yours, because with his long back and short legs he can so easily hurt his back if he leaps off a bed or high chair.
Whenever you pick this dog up, always support his legs and back. Don’t pick them up without supporting both the front legs and the rear end.
Health Problems: are mostly inherited. You can avoid this by searching for a good breeder that can clear out the hereditary diseases.
The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the breeds that can be born with progressive retinal atrophy. Progressive rod-cone degeneration is a disease that causes the rods and cones in the retina of the eye to degenerate. It might lead to blindness.
The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the rare breeds with recessive piebald alleles. This gene is the reason why they have white colour on their coat. But, unfortunately, this gene can be the reason why congenital hereditary deafness develops.
Try and feed your Swedish Valhund two meals a day instead of just one, so that he doesn’t gobble down his food too quickly.
Your dog can be prone to obesity, so you have to be careful with the way you feed him. Overfeeding a dog packs on extra weight and this puts strain on the joints.
Apart from the dry kibble that you feed him, try to include some tasty, nutritious homemade food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach.
This can all be chopped up and added to his dry kibble. Some raw meat added to the diet can only be to his benefit. Remember to always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water is available.
Give his thick coat a brush twice a week to remove dead hair. Brushing also stimulates the sebaceous glands that produces oil which gives the coat is sheen.
Trim his nails because left long, they can hook onto things and rip the skin open.
Check inside the ears too for redness which could mean an ear infection.You get dog wipes that you can wipe the ear out with. There are always professional dog groomers who can do these chores for you if you don't want to.
See that his vaccines are up to date and that if he shows signs of illness, you get him to the vet.
Herding dog have a history of the joint diseases. That’s why some of the pet suggest feeding a herding dog with meat like chicken, turkey, beef, lamb and fish. Dry dog food, even premium quality, may not be enough for this energetic dogs and their bone structure. But it depends on the dog. The best advice is to always take an advice from your breeder or your wet.
You won’t be very busy with grooming your Australian cattle dog. You don’t have to take everyday care of it. Occasional brushing will be more than enough. Bath the dog only when you notice odour problem.
The Australian Cattle Dog needs a high level of activity. Like many other herding dog breeds, they love walks, spending time with people, running or doing any athletic sports with them, teaching them tricks since they have above average intelligence. Fetching will be super fun for everyone, agility, competitions or any other challenging activity. They love water and they swim very well so you can take the dog with you to the nearest pool and have a great time.