Learn More About Västgötaspets

Summary

The Västgötaspets, often referred to as the Swedish Vallhund, is a small but robust dog with an attractive and captivating appearance. Its body is slightly elongated and has strong legs, which gives it good agility and mobility. The head is quite large in proportion to the body, with a prominent muzzle, alert eyes and erect ears, giving it an alert appearance. The Västgötaspets is part of FCI Group 5, which includes the Spitz and Urtype dogs. Within this group it falls under Section 3, the Nordic guard and herding dogs. There is no distinct distinction between performance and show lines at Västgötaspets, as the breed standard encourages the breeding of dogs that perform well in both exhibition and work.

Character

The Västgötaspets is an intelligent and alert dog that likes to keep busy and have something to do. Due to its history as a herding dog, it has a natural inclination towards herding and can continue to be used in this role in modern times. He is a great all-rounder and can excel both as a family dog ​​and as a working dog in various areas, such as agility or obedience. His temperament is balanced; he is active but not hyperactive. He likes to be active and enjoys long walks, but he is also content when he is relaxing and spending time with his family. The Västgötaspets is a very people-oriented dog. He is loving and friendly towards the people he is close to and can bond closely with his family. As an intelligent dog, the Västgötaspets learns quickly and can be trained well, including staying alone when necessary. However, he should not spend an excessively long time without company as he values ​​being close to his family. The Västgötaspets shows a certain level of alertness and is often wary of strangers, making him a good watchdog. He doesn't tend to be aggressive, but he will warn his family if he notices anything unusual. It is also important to note that the Västgötaspets may exhibit some hunting and prey-catching behavior due to its herding past. This should be taken into account when walking and interacting with smaller animals. Training should be aimed at controlling these instincts and ensuring that the dog is well socialized and comfortable in different environments. All in all, the Västgötaspets is a versatile and lovable breed that is well suited to active families who are willing to invest time and energy into training and keeping their dog occupied. His friendly nature, intelligence and ability to work closely with his family make him a wonderful companion for those looking for an active and engaging dog.

What to Expect

Swedish Vallhunds are lively, alert dogs. They can exhibit territorial behavior and are prone to barking. They need consistent education and employment with lots of variety.

Care

The Västgötaspets is an adaptable dog that can be kept well in both the city and the country. He needs regular exercise and mental stimulation, but he is also happy in a comfortable home. He usually gets along well with children and can be a great family dog. In relation to other pets, including cats, it depends on the dog's socialization, but generally the Västgötaspets is tolerable.

Training & Education

The Västgötaspets is intelligent and eager to learn, which makes training easier. He needs something to do, but you should be careful not to overwhelm him. He's not a ball junkie, but he enjoys mental challenges and physical activity. It is important to teach frustration tolerance and impulse control to promote balanced behavior. His herding dog roots make him well suited to dog sports such as agility or obedience. His natural herding talent can also be promoted through Treibball or herding dog training.

Nutrition & Grooming

A balanced diet is important for the health of the Västgötaspet. High-quality dry or wet food, supplemented with fresh vegetables and occasionally meat, is ideal. Be careful not to overfeed, as this breed can be prone to becoming overweight. In terms of grooming, the Västgötaspets has a dense coat with an undercoat that requires regular brushing to prevent matting and remove dead hair. He sheds moderately, but regular brushing can reduce shedding. In Germany it copes well with the climate as its fur protects it from both cold and moderate heat.