The Swedish Vallhund Club (Inc)
New Zealand

Welcome 

Swedish Vallhunds have been in New Zealand some 35 years or so and are still relatively unknown to the general population.  A National breed of Sweden, 'Västgötaspets', are a 

plucky, intelligent small to medium sized dog known for their robust, healthy state as a breed.  Rescued from almost certain extinction in 1942 we are fortunate to have them with us today.  Swedish Vallhund are a herding breed, and have been used historically to round cattle.  Welcome to the website of the Swedish Vallhund Club (Inc).  We aim to be the one-stop-shop for people researching, owning, showing, competing, loving and  breeding Swedish Vallhunds.  Please use the tabs above the banner to navigate round the site.


Today we are priviledged to have Mr Ian Gray of Valdemar kennel as our Patron.  Mr Gray is well known and respected in nationally, being keenly involved in trialing, obedience and agility.  He and his late wife Lesley were the second people to bring Swedish Vallhunds into New Zealand.  

The our organisation is recognised by the New Zealand Kennel Club.  Breeder members of the Swedish Vallhund Club (Inc) are required to abide by the NZKC rules and ethics as well as our rules and regulations.  



From the Valkrista Files: pictured above,
NZ Ch. Valkrista Miss Milenium (4 years) and Murivall Sante Fe (14 weeks). Taken at Muriwai Valley Farm Vallhund Gathering 29/04/2001 


First patron of the Swedish Vallhund Club (Inc) the late Mrs Rose Madsen gifted to the club approx 5 kg of her Swedish Vallhund Photos.  Rather than just place them into photo albums for safe-keeping we plan to bring images to the club site for he enjoyment of all.  Valkrista Kennel, imported many dogs from Europe and Australia, established the breed here in New Zealand and was affectionately referred to as Mrs Swedish 

Vallhund.From the Valkrista Files: 

NZ and AUS Ch. Leesway Man About Town. 

Pictured here (left) aged 5 years. The first dual New Zealand and Australian dual titled show Champion.  Being the first was not as important as the quality he brought to New Zealand.  Wallaby is well retired now, but still lives in Mangawhai. He is due to turn 13 years of age this September.    

 

 Vallhund News 


  • We have a new Facebook Group set up for Swedish Vallhund Enthusiasts.
     
  • The committee wish to advise that there is no longer a pre-requisite to own, or previously own a purebred Swedish Vallhund to apply for membership to the Swedish Vallhund Club (NZ).  

  • We welcome to committee a new President, but long time club member Mr Murray Smith of Auckland.  Murray is co-owned by two Vallhunds; 'Meg and Rune' - (& their progeny). Murray has been involved with the the Swedish Vallhund breed along with his wife Louise - owner of Thurston Kennels - since 2003.

     
  • Murray Smith with pup 'Meg' (2011)

  • We also welcome Jane Faulkner to the role of Vice President.  Jane is a qualified animal welfare officer, vet nurse and has had a long time interest in dogs.  She brings a wealth of knowledge to the team.  Jane is also job sharing the role of webmaster for the club.

  • Welcome to the new club members.  We hope you find this site and the organisation an interest and support to you.   For people researching the breed, please feel welcome to contact us off the committee tab in the header menu bar

 Interesting Stuff


  • Swedish Vallhunds in NZ are not docked, some are born with tails and some are naturally born with no tail, or a stub tail.  All are acceptable for the breed.  

  • Swedish Vallhunds are 'low-odor' and have a double layer coat.  The undercoat is woolly, with harder 'guard hairs' giving a harsh feel.  Dirt does not stick long to the coat, as it dries it falls away.  Dogs have a harness and mask markings reminiscent of wolf colouring.  They come in a range of colours most typically greys and reddish brown.

  • Swedish Vallhund are a herding breed.  While most now are bred for family pets, they often carry their original breed traits and can make excellent farm dogs.  Swedish Vallhunds are smart and highly trainable.  They are 'heelers', herding by rounding and  nipping at hocks.

     




     

  

  

  

  

  

 

Nominations

Nominations are being called for out of the wider Swedish Vallhund community and also the club membership for potential recipients of the Lesley Gray Plaque.  This plaque has been hand made by club patron Mr Ian Gray, from timber he felled on his property some years ago.  Each nomination needs to be accompanied by a citation and have a seconder.  Only purebred Swedish Vallhunds are eligible for recognition in any endevour (particularly in the service to people), but may not include Dog Showing.  Nominations close August 1st 2012.  Should there be no nominations we will carry over until next year and if there is more than one nomination we will take the matter to ballot.  Write to:

                    

INTERNATIONAL WAVE HELLO - May 2012


                  

 

Boom d Coeurs d'Alène is 6 years old.  Her mother is Ch Region's Alike Aim "Vallda" imported from Finland and her father is Ch Ratt o slatt Noak Nettenberg imported from Sweden. She was born in the first litter of the Coeurs d'Alènes kennel. We are practising agility together and she is the first (and for the moment the only) SV who has been selected for the french agility championship!  She learns very quickly and has a huge desire to please and be on the go.  We are also practising obedience, but we are still in the class 1.  The big difficulty for her is not to bark !!!   She is a very pleasant companion. I often say that she is my right hand dog. 

She has educated the dogs that came at home after her : Démon (SV) 3 years ago and Gioia (australian shepherd) last year. I had nothing to teach them; she did all the work as if she was their mother. At home, she is always with me,  if she can't come in the same room, she stands near the door. 

She is a great mouse hunter ! She hunts mouses or moles as soon as she can