Swedish Vallhund vs Hygenhund - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Swedish Vallhund vs Hygenhund - Breed ComparisonHygenhund is originated from Norway but Swedish Vallhund is originated from Sweden. Hygenhund may grow 27 cm / 11 inches higher than Swedish Vallhund. Hygenhund may weigh 11 kg / 25 pounds more than Swedish Vallhund. Both Hygenhund and Swedish Vallhund has same life span. Both Hygenhund and Swedish Vallhund has almost same litter size. Both Hygenhund and Swedish Vallhund requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Herding dogs
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Norway
Sweden
Height Male:
48 - 61 cm
18 - 25 inches
30 - 34 cm
11 - 14 inches
Height Female:
45 - 58 cm
17 - 23 inches
30 - 34 cm
11 - 14 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 10
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Hygen Hound, Hygen Dog
Västgötaspets, Swedish cow dog
Colors Available:
sometimes combined with white markings. , chestnut (with or without black shading) and black with bright chestnut colors, yellow and red
Cream, grey, brown
Coat:
thick, shiny
Medium length, thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Protective
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

hygenhundThe Hygenhund is a hound from Norway that was developed in the early 1800’s by the Norwegian breeder Hygen. It was developed for hunting small game such as fox, rabbit, hare or racoon. It is known for its endurance and ability to survive travel across vast artic land without fatigue. It was developed by crossing several Norwegian hounds with ones from England and Germany. This includes basset hounds, holsteiner hounds, beagles, Bloodhounds, Scandinavian hounds and English Pointers. The resulting Hygehound is a scent hound whose popularity fell in the 20th century. Most of the remaining dogs today are located in Norway. The Norwegian Kennel Club and the UKC have both recognized the breed yet its numbers remain low. Even at that the breed today remains a great hunting dog but it is also a great companion or family dog.

swedish vallhundKnown 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.

Description

Description

hygenhund puppy - descriptionThe Hygenhund has a solid rectangular and compact body with muscular and compact legs and paws. Their heads are shaped like a triangle with dark eyes and a broad skull. The muzzle and neck are long and the topline is even. They carry their tail high, but they do not curl it over their back. They are a medium sized dog with short hair. They have an overabundance of energy and get bored easily. They can come in black with chestnut or white markings, yellow and red, chestnut without or with black markings.

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

hygenhund dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness – The Hygenhund is very friendly to children and love to play with them.

Special talents

Stamina, intelligence and ability to endure cold climates.

Adaptability

Very adaptable in some ways – enduring cold climates for instance. However, they need a large yard or area to run in. They are not as adaptable in an apartment.

Learning ability

The Hygenhund is very intelligent and a quick learner. They love learning new things.

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

The Hygenhund is prone to a variety of health problems including:

  • Kidney Stones/Chronic Kidney Infections
  • Food Allergies
  • Arthritis – can cause lameness
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated
  • Von Willebrands Disease
  • Anesthesia sensitivity
  • Hip Dysplasia – can result in lameness or arthritis

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

Feeding the puppy

hygenhund dogs - caringSince the Hygenhund is such a high energy working dog feed a high quality food. Feed 3-4 times a day for a total of 2.3 cups.

Feeding the adult

Again this is a high energy dog. Feed a high protein good quality dog food twice a day for a total of 3-4 cups.

Points for Good Health

Good speed and stamina. Good in cold climates.

Games and Exercises

The Hygenhund needs plenty of exercise to dissipate all its working energy. They will excel at field trials, lure coursing, fly ball, tracking, and agility.

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

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  29. Hygenhund vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Hygenhund vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Hygenhund vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Hygenhund vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Hygenhund vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Hygenhund vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Hygenhund vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Hygenhund vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Hygenhund vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Hygenhund vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Hygenhund vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Hygenhund vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Hygenhund vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Hygenhund vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Hygenhund vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Hygenhund vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Hygenhund vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Hygenhund vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Hygenhund vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Hygenhund vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Hygenhund vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Hygenhund vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison