Vallhund History

Contemporary History and Revival

As a child, Count Björn von Rosen had spent summers on his grandfather's farm in Västergötland, in the south-west of Sweden. The Svensk Vallhund were a very familiar sight. They were oft observed eagerly running ahead of the horse teams, following the farmers to market and noted at stock sales. These jaunty dogs had been relatively common up until WWI. But as farming practices changed after WWI over the next decade or two, their numbers rapidly declined and they had all but disappeared.

And so von Rosen, a dog enthusiast and a terrier judge, began looking for the little Svensk Vallhund. Having already been involved in the saving of several other Swedish breeds, von Rosen set his sights on the farm dogs he remembered from his boyhood days. von Rosen placed an advertisement looking for the Svensk Vallhund.

Karl Gustav Zetterstén, a school teacher and well known Scottish Terrier breeder, had moved to Vara in the 1920's to take up a position at the local high school. Zetterstén had noticed and was interested in the attractive, usually bobtailed little Svensk Vallhund at horse sales and the surrounding farmland district. These dogs were the invaluable working farm dogs that rounded cattle and cleared the farmyard of vermin. Zetterstén's attention was caught one spring day in 1942 by von Björn's advert placed in the Skaraborg Newspaper.

So united by an advert, and a passion for dogs von Rosen and Zetterstén embarked upon a rescue. While the world was in the grips of WWII, a search for what surviving dogs remained began in earnest. They toured around the Vara plains, up and down country lanes on bicycle scouring for surviving dogs. 

Together, von Rosen and Zetterstén rode their bicycles from farm to farm in promising areas, looking for appropriate dogs. They found many crossbreeds and dogs with obvious Svensk Vallhund in their lineage. But the hope of finding unmixed dogs was waning.

Of historical interest, pertaining to the possible relationship with corgis, Count von Rosen noted that with their extensive search there were no known Pembroke Welsh Corgis in the Vara region.

Topsy was the first they happened upon and she was found on Andersson’s farm. Topsy was described as a perfect, grey, bobtailed female. Later they discovered a male called Mopsen. While healthy, Mopsen only had one testicle. Not an ideal situation. But without a lot of choices and considering cryptorchid was not a disqualifying aspect at the time, Mopsen was to become the first recognised stud of the breed. And so with two more bitches, Lessi, and Vivi, they started upon a breeding program.

Mopsen fathered a male, Jerry2650TT, from Lessi; a female, Tessan3999VV from Vivi; and Borgalls Mopsan7871VV whom may have been born to Topsy. Also adding to the uncertainty is the belief that Vivi may be a daughter or granddaughter of Topsy, as both Vivi and Topsy came from the same owner, farmer Herman Johansson.

Von Rosen and Zetterstén followed a strict criteria when they sourced the original dogs, who had to:

• Lead the herds

• Look exactly like von Rosen's grandfather's dog

• Guard the farm and prevent intrusions

By adhering to this criteria it ensured sourced dogs corresponded to a specific portrait and resulted in breeding the strongest, the most courageous and the most enduring dogs.

In von Rosen’s estimation, Topsy (who was born 1930) was by far the best Vallhund specimen of the lot. Her qualities were used as a blue print when he wrote the breed standard, which he sent, along with photos of all the dogs, to the Swedish Kennel Klub, who were also very keen to see the breed saved and recognised. Six of the dogs were entered in the Goteborg Dog Show to be assessed by three judges. Von Rosen was one of the three judges, along with Colonel Bertil Buren and Baron Carl Leuhusen. 

The judges were of one mind that Topsy was indeed the ideal specimen. She was regarded as having a beautiful body, a strong head and perfect quality of hair [fur] and the correct grey colour. All the initial dogs were grey, although Zetterstén managed to have the acceptable colours expanded to include brown, yellow and red-brown in the 1950’s. The judges were determined that in ongoing breeding the dogs should still “look like [von Rosen's] grandfathers' dog” and retain the ability to herd. The men also believed that a correct Swedish Vallhund’s coat was maintained as vital. The breed should always have a half-long coat with undercoat. It shouldn’t be soft or open. 

These dogs were exhibited at a show where they were determined to be of a distinct, individual breed, and so together these Vallhunds formed the foundation of von Rosen and Zetterstén's breed restoration program. After a year of exhibition shows the breed was officially recognized in Sweden in 1943. The first name given to the breed was Svensk Vallhund, which was changed in 1953 to Västgötaspets. Before 1943, the breed had no name, and were just called "hunn" ("dog" in the local dialect).

Karl Zetterstén had no intention of continuing to breed Vallhunds, instead returning to breeding terriers. But when the Swedish Kennel Club kept referring people to him for Vallhund puppies, he felt duty-bound to the cause of re-establishing the breed. He founded the Borghalla Kennel and continued bicycling the countryside in search of more dogs. He found Tyra, who sported a white chest and had a good length of leg. Her pedigree was known on her mother’s side three generations back, and her sire was known as Nicke. 

Tyra was mated with Pelle, a son of Tessan and Mopsen. One beautiful boy from the litter of five, Borghallas Ajo (also recorded as Borghallas Aje), became a “very notable stud” with his very straight forelegs, close-fitting, short & hard grey coat. Zettersten was responsible for breeding Borghallas Delial, who became the first Swedish Vallhund champion.

In 1964 the Swedish standard for the breed was revised and the dogs became known as Västgötaspets (meaning Spitz of the West Goths), after the province Västergötland, where the breed revival had taken place. In English-speaking countries, the name became Swedish Vallhunds, which translates to 'herding dog'. The Swedish breed club for Vallhunds is called Specialklubben for Västgötaspets, or SKV.

While the specific details of its ancient origins are debated, the breed's modern history has become legend among breed fanciers.

Information adapted from Alla Tiders Kennel and Peta Dowle.

History of Vallhunds in Australia

Sheila Haddon of the renowned Norsled Kennels emigrated to Australia in January 1981 and brought with them two male Swedish Vallhunds, Norsled Foxy and Norsled Balzac. Later two females followed to join them: Mildane Blue Wind and Norsled Maisy.

Mrs Haddon was respected as an absolute authority on the breed by those who knew her, having been a foundation breeder in the UK and responsible for the breed introduction into Australia. Sheila and Dennis bred some 15 litters in Australia over a decade and a half. They were mostly concentrated in Victoria. The breed successfully competed against traditional Australian farm dogs for recognition as stock workers, with most of Sheila’s pups being sold as working dogs.

In the late 1980s Margaret and Brian Stevens imported a bitch from Chatka Kennels owned by Peter Erlandsson in Sweden, Chatka Nora with her superb nature joined Norsled Disraeli, alongside two bitches and a dog that they bought from Mrs Haddon and the Bronwylfa Kennels was up and running.

The next imports to arrive in Australia were from the Valdemar Kennel. Ian and Lesley Grey owned the pioneering Swedish Vallhund Kennel in New Zealand.

Sheila Haddon in 1993 imported Kärradalens Bruno Björnbuse, and this was Australia's first red Swedish Vallhund. Bruno was noted for his strong dark red, a colour which he has passed down the lines. Alongside his stunning bold colouring Bruno, more importantly shared his brilliant temperament with his offspring.

The next significant event occurred in 1998 when Mandy Lees of Leesway Kennels in conjunction with the late Leonie Darling of Dlarah Kennels imported frozen semen into Australia to produce an AI litter. The semen was from another famous red sire, Canadian bred Vastgota Rudolf Valentino. From the frozen semen came a pup Leesway Man About Town - the first Swedish Vallhund to carry duel New Zealand and Australian Championship titles.

From the turn of the last century the rate of imported new bloodlines has picked up pace. Alan and Christine Robertson of Kloval Kennels imported Valkrista Kiwi Konnection. Sharon Donaldson of Ausled Kennels brought NZ CH Leesway Man About Town (AI) back to Australia and he sired litters while being campaigned to his Australian title. Also imported by Sharon was Valkrista Paddy's Envoy - both from Rose and Hans Madsen's Valkrista kennel. Envoy sired by Rose's import from the respected Castleavery kennel in Northern Ireland.

From New Zealand again came Barahwolfe Blackberry Jazz to join Ausled. Sharon Donaldson with Lisa Jönsson of Akka Kennels enriched the gene pool here further by bringing in two Swedish Dogs Sänningegårdens Elof Rönn and Boeråsens Eira. They followed this by bringing in frozen semen which to date has produced new stud boy Akka Absolut On Ice NT (AI). Additionally Vallarity Twist and Shout and Vallarity Harlem Shuffle from New Zealand have been imported into Australia. Dlarah Kennels imported Konnunkkodon Draco Malfoy from Finland followed by Bodeneis Foxy Folkmar also from Finland.

In 2010 Australia saw the arrival of a bitch pup from America Mill Creek's Chyna Design. 'Dezi' endured a lengthy stay in quarantine but arrived to take her rightful place in the Australian history in 2010. She is owned by the late Leonie Darling and Amanda Smith. In 2011 Candace Valkrista Voyager from England arrived in Australia welcomed by Sharon and Terry Donaldson of Ausled Kennel. Then in 2015 Barahwolfe Allied Forces (from frozen AI semen out of Finland) arrived in Australia, followed by Osuno Robin Hood, and Osuno Maid Marion (also of frozen AI semen out of Finland).

Latest imports from New Zealand into Australia included Maroki Highfield Arche (owned by Alexandra Proudfoot) Maroki Rapaure Misha, Maroki Forrest Quist Ausled (owned by Sharon Donaldson), Maroki St Clair Mira and Maroki Mt Riley Llvy.

Asger Swedish Vallhunds became involved when Ausled Xes Acacia LS was born in 2018, with Ausled Ellcrys Allanon joining the Asger pack soon after. Asger has worked hard with Ausled to campaign the breed. Both Asger and Ausled kennels work with specialists in Melbourne to better understand Swedish Vallhund Retinopathy (SVR) and its effects on this breed.

The interesting array of great dogs to Australia has assured the ongoing diversity of what would be a limited gene pool if not for the efforts of many people. All breeders are due acknowledgement for the establishment of Västgötaspets here in Australia. The Swedish Vallhund is now assured of a permanent and deserved place in the Australian dog scene with more breeders, exhibitors and companion owners filling the ranks of this truly versatile and remarkable breed.

Information adapted from Asger Swedish Vallhunds.