Tahltan Bear Dog vs Swedish Vallhund - Breed Comparison

Tahltan Bear Dog vs Swedish Vallhund - Breed ComparisonTahltan Bear Dog is originated from Canada but Swedish Vallhund is originated from Sweden. Tahltan Bear Dog may grow 9 cm / 4 inches higher than Swedish Vallhund. Both Tahltan Bear Dog and Swedish Vallhund are having almost same weight. Both Tahltan Bear Dog and Swedish Vallhund has almost same life span. Tahltan Bear Dog may have less litter size than Swedish Vallhund. Tahltan Bear Dog requires Low maintenance. But Swedish Vallhund requires Moderate maintenance

History

tahltan bear dog - historyThe primitive Tahltan Bear Dog comes from Canada. The dog was developed by the Tahltan people to hunt bears, so you can imagine he was a strong, brave dog.

They also had fox-like yaps that confused bears until the hunter could come and kill the bear. These dogs are descended from pariah-type dogs with their diet being birds and fish.

It was in 1988 that the Canadian Post Office honoured the Tahltan Bear Dog by having a picture of it appearing on a stamp.

Some people claim that after the 1960s there are no longer any living descendants while others say that breeding projects were established and that there are still a few of these dogs around today. There are records on the other hand that claim the dog became extinct in the 1970s.

These dogs have been recognized by the American Kennel Club.

swedish vallhund - historyKnown 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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Canada
Sweden
Height Male:
36 - 43 cm
14 - 17 inches
30 - 34 cm
11 - 14 inches
Height Female:
36 - 43 cm
14 - 17 inches
30 - 34 cm
11 - 14 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
4 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Chien d'ours de Tahlta
Västgötaspets, Swedish cow dog
Colors Available:
Brown, some white, black
Cream, grey, brown
Coat:
Short to medium length, thick
Medium length, thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

tahltan bear dog puppy - descriptionNot like a bear, but more foxy in appearance or even more like a husky, the Tahltan Bear dog is medium sized, standing at between 36 – 43cm in height and weighing between 6 – 9 kg.

It is believed that they were similar to spitz and pariah type dogs, and were athletic. The short to medium length coat of the dog was mainly black or brown with some white.

He had fairly large pointed, erect ears and also a fairly pointed muzzle. The tail was interesting and was short and furry and always carried erect.

Temperament:

The Tahltan Bear Dog is fearless, not being deterred when meeting large bear. It's why the dog has been valued by hunters – their bravery and fearlessness.

They’re great family dogs too and will get on well with children. He is intelligent and easy to train if you want to give him training and socialization.

swedish vallhund puppy - descriptionLooking 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.

Temperament:

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 is intelligent too and will respond well to training and socialization.

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.

Characteristics

tahltan bear dog dog - characteristicsBecause some claim that this dog is extinct, there are only a few accounts of what he is actually like.

Even though they were hunting dogs, they were devoted pets and companions of the people of the Yukon.

If these dogs are still to be found today, you will find them to be easy going, protective, loyal, intelligent, playful, alert, watchful and energetic. Just don’t allow them to get too hot as they prefer cooler climates.

swedish vallhund dog - characteristicsYour 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.

Health Problems

tahltan bear dog puppies - health problemsHealthy dogs are unlikely to pick up any of the many common dog illnesses there are. There are many – cancer, diabetes, bloat, hip dysplasia, ear infections, dental disease and many more.

Kennel Cough:

This is a contagious and infectious disease known as canine tracheobronchitis and which is transmitted through the air. Treatment is usually administered as a nasal spray, but your dog will need to get to the vet because of his dry, honking cough and lack of appetite.

Rabies:

This is a viral disease which in most instances is fatal. It is mostly transmitted when an animal that carries the disease bites the dog. Your dog develops behavior which is totally uncharacteristic of him. He'll also froth at the mouth and become aggressive. Death is nearly always guaranteed.

swedish vallhund puppies - health problemsCapable 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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

tahltan bear dog dogs - caringThis double coated hunting dog’s thick coarse coat will require brushing at least twice a week to free the dog of loose hair. He is regarded as a low mainenance dog.

During brushing, you would check inside his ears and make sure there are no signs of redness. Eyes of the dog should be bright, eager and free of discharge.Always keep the nails of the dog trimmed.

If you keep your pet outside for any lengths of time it is imperative that this dog has shade to lie down in as he doesn’t do well in too much heat.

Exercise:

Because he is a hunting dog, he is used to being outdoors and being active. He wont be content to lie around inactive for too long. He’ll want at least a walk every day and some ball games.

Diet:

A pet dog can’t choose his own food so they depend on us to make the right choices for them. It’s always convenient to have a packet of commercially manufactured dog food available, but who knows if this dog, which some claim is extinct, ever ate commercially manufactured food.

If he did, you would want to mix it every now and again with home made food - boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach. This food could be chopped up and added to the dog’s kibble.

Ensure that a constant supply of fresh, cool water is available to him.

swedish vallhund dogs - caringTry 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.

General Care:

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.

Open his mouth and check for rotting teeth which can be painful for him.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Swedish Vallhund vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  2. Swedish Vallhund vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Swedish Vallhund vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  4. Swedish Vallhund vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Swedish Vallhund vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  6. Swedish Vallhund vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  7. Swedish Vallhund vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Swedish Vallhund vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Swedish Vallhund vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  10. Swedish Vallhund vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Swedish Vallhund vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  12. Swedish Vallhund vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  13. Swedish Vallhund vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  14. Swedish Vallhund vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  15. Swedish Vallhund vs Pyrenean Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  16. Swedish Vallhund vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  17. Swedish Vallhund vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  18. Swedish Vallhund vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Swedish Vallhund vs Queensland Heeler - Breed Comparison
  20. Swedish Vallhund vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  21. Swedish Vallhund vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Swedish Vallhund vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  23. Swedish Vallhund vs Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  24. Swedish Vallhund vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  25. Swedish Vallhund vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  26. Tahltan Bear Dog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  28. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Sakhalin Husky - Breed Comparison
  29. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  30. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  31. Tahltan Bear Dog vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  32. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  34. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Puli - Breed Comparison
  35. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  36. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  37. Tahltan Bear Dog vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  38. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  39. Tahltan Bear Dog vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  40. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  41. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  42. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  43. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  44. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  45. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  46. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Pumi - Breed Comparison
  47. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  48. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  49. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds