Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Swedish Vallhund?

The approximate price of a pedigree puppy from Odindisa is from $3500. Prices do not vary across a litter for puppies that are prospective for show, sport or companions, as all puppies are invested in equally.

As they are a rare breed you may need to go on a waitlist for your Vallhund puppy.

Can I meet the parents?

You may meet the mother or siblings if you live locally in Perth, Western Australia.

The father of Odindisa's October 2024 litter was located in Adelaide, South Australia.

How do Vallhunds cope with Australian summers?

Vallhunds are perfectly adapted for Perth summers as much as bitter Swedish winters. 

Their double coat acts as a natural insulator, which means they are warm in winter and cool in summer. 

Is the Swedish Vallhund the Right Dog for Me?

These dogs rarely meet people who don’t immediately fall in love with their endearing quirks and personalities, and they are more than happy to love them back. 

If you lead an active lifestyle, the Vallhund is an ideal fit. Similarly, if you have children and want them to have a devoted four-legged friend, the Vallhund will happily sign up for the job.

They can be vocal, and their intelligence may have a stubborn edge, so they are not suitable for everyone who is not up for the challenge. They are a dog best left to people with experience owning energetic pets and are not ideal as someone's first dog. 

You can also check out the page on our website: Are they right for me? 

What Is a Vallhund’s Temperament?

Vallhunds are some of the most likable dogs people will ever meet. More than just looks, the breed is delightful, often funny, and wildly clever. 

They are also quite a handful with vast amounts of energy, a need for companionship, and can have a passion for barking.

Most of their negative traits come from lack of attention, stimulation, or poor habits. Unlike some mild-mannered breeds, the Vallhund takes a lot of dedication and is not meant for first-time owners or people with limited free time.

What Is a Swedish Vallhund’s Coat Type and Length?

The Vallhund has a brilliant, beautiful coat that sits short and straight on the skin, though it is surprisingly thick and well-insulated for colder climates. The exterior portion of their fur is more rugged and tough, with the interior of their coat being soft to the touch. 

They are double-coated, and while it may not look like they have a lot of fur to lose, they can surprise owners with how often they shed. They can then blow their coat twice a year as the seasons change, resulting in a lot of fur lost.

Are Vallhunds Aggressive?

From their herding background, they can have a tendency to nip at an ankle when someone jogs past. However, this playful nip is never malicious and is a response that has come from years of telling livestock where to go. 

Outside of their nips, the breed is not known to be mean or aggressive with people or dogs.

Do Vallhunds Bark?

They can get a bit noisy, particularly if they have a lot of energy or opinions, though less so than other breeds of similar size. 

If you are in an apartment or cannot deal with incessant barking, they are certainly not a lost cause. Training them to get used to familiar noises and rewarding desired quiet behavior can go towards curbing unwanted vocals from your Vallhund.

Are Vallhunds Affectionate?

The Vallhund is an absolute cuddle muffin who will melt the heart of anyone in their proximity. People looking for a dog that will spend the afternoon hanging out with them will be head over heels for the Vallhund. They are a blast to be around and can be genuinely entertaining and playful.

They will try to sit with or on you while watching television, going to bed, getting your shoes on, and everywhere else. They are not for people who don’t enjoy the constant comfort of their dog, as they very much enjoy human interaction and may grow restless without it.

The females are generally a bit more independent and may choose to sit near you, rather than on you. The males can come into your personal space more often for cuddles. Regardless, they are always looking to 'help' with whatever you're doing.

Are Vallhunds Intelligent?

The Vallhund is a bright-burning bulb that can easily keep up with commands and vocal cues. They have much to offer, and plenty of training will provide them with tasks to stimulate their keen minds.

Are Vallhunds Energetic?

They are excellent for people with active lifestyles, however some time in the backyard or at the park is generally enough to expend the energy of the dog. They can live in most environments, from apartments to palatial estates, though they will need generous daily physical and mental exercise if they live in these environments.

Vallhunds benefit most from mental stimulation. Training obedience cues and encouraging scent work will give them the stimulation they need, and satisfy their eagerness to please.

Are Vallhunds Good Watchdogs?

The breed has a history of guarding homesteads during the Viking Age, which has paid dividends in their ability to inform owners. They have a loud enough bark that can wake you up and well-developed senses to hone in on any sound or smell.

They are minimal in size and are not aggressive, making them unfit to actually protect homes. That doesn’t mean they can’t keep a watchful eye on things around your yard.

Do Vallhunds Make Good Service Dogs?

Vallhunds are very talented in scent work. In addition, they are very empathetic and in tune to their owners and others. This means they can be great Emotional Support Animals. There are some that perform duties as therarpy and medical alert dogs, with one in the USA who alerts to migraines and Reynaud’s.

How Do I Care for a Vallhund?

They are robust dogs that require a good amount of exercise from their caretaker, however minimal fuss otherwise. 

They will need daily exercise or mental training to keep their minds and bodies fulfilled. They tend to become mischievous if not given adequate one-on-one time or physical activities.

Otherwise, the Vallhund is happy with weekly brushing and they require infrequent baths. They do enjoy personal attention. 

They may need more frequent brushing when they drop coat, which can happen twice a year with the change of seasons.

Do Vallhunds Shed?

Vallhunds may shed a large amount, considering their coat which is dense from the colder climate the dog originated from. The shedding can be reduced by brushing. 

Uffi, the foundation bitch, has low shedding genes, so she does not drop coat at the change of seasons, or when going in heat. Depending on who the father is, her offspring may inherit the low shedding coat.

It should be noted that Vallhunds are not hypoallergenic.

How long do Vallhunds live?

They can live for around 12 to 15 years provided proper care, exercise and diet. 

Life expectancy will also depend on their individual genetics and medical history.

What should a Vallhund eat?

Like all dogs, they will have a varying diet as they mature, which will change as they do. As puppies, their diet should be similar to what the breeder was feeding them. 

The puppies at Odindisa are fed a puppy mince mix and yoghurt, and used to adult kibble by the time they go home with you.

As a full-grown Vallhund, they should stick to good-quality food meant for active dogs. A mixture of raw fed and kibble supplement provides a balanced diet that covers all micro- and macro-nutrient requirements.

Portion sizes may vary depending on your pup’s size and daily exercise.

Do you assist the buyer with re-homing an animal that was purchased from you if they are unable to keep it?

Should you become unable to care for your puppy then please consult with Odindisa about rehoming, or return the puppy to Odindisa.

Do you health test? 

Yes. Odindisa's Vallhunds are DNA health tested prior to breeding to minimise the occurrence of issues such as:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Swedish Vallhund Type - SVR)

• Curly coat

• Long coat

• Dilute pigment (white)

Uffi is not a carrier for any of these health issues and therefore her puppies are clear of these concerns by parentage. 

Vallhunds do not require hip, elbow or back scoring. 

Further information is detailed in the page on Vallhund health.

Are you a current member of any dog clubs?

I am an exhibitor in conformation showing, and currently serve on the following Committees:

• Ladies Kennel Club

• Spitz Club of WA

 I have previously served on the Committee for WA Earthdog and Bale Hunt, and was a member of the Working Party for Bale Hunt WA, and Chief Steward for Earthdog events.

Transportation Options

Odindisa sends puppies worldwide to their new families.

The cost of transport is not included in the puppy price. Freight, further vaccination and quarantine costs are additional fees borne by the purchaser.

Puppies can get a 'fit to fly' certificate from the vet at an additional cost (as charged by the vet) to permit them to fly interstate at 9 weeks. Otherwise, puppies leaving via flights cannot travel until they are 12 weeks old. Alternatively, puppies can travel by road to other states in Australia. 

Puppies who remain at Odindisa until they can travel do not incur additional boarding fees, and will continue on their socialisation program.