Content
- Origin of the spitz of the Visigoths
- Visigoth spitz characteristics
- Visigoth spitz personality
- Visigoths spitz care
- Visigoth spitz education
- Visigoths spitz health
- Where to adopt a spitz from the Visigoths
The Visigoth spitz, also called the Swedish vallhund, is a small-sized dog that originated many centuries ago in Sweden. Intended for the grazing, protection and hunting of small animals.
He has a good personality, intelligence, docility and loyalty, being a good companion dog and tolerating children, although at first he is suspicious of strangers. Keep reading to know the origin, personality, characteristics, care, education and healthof the spitz of the visigoths.
Source- Europe
- Sweden
- Group V
- Rustic
- Extended
- short paws
- short ears
- toy
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- Giant
- 15-35
- 35-45
- 45-55
- 55-70
- 70-80
- more than 80
- 1-3
- 3-10
- 10-25
- 25-45
- 45-100
- 8-10
- 10-12
- 12-14
- 15-20
- Low
- Average
- High
- Sociable
- Active
- Hunting
- Shepherd
- Surveillance
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Medium
- Smooth
- Hard
- thick
Origin of the spitz of the Visigoths
The Visigoths' spitz dog, Swedish vallhund or Swedish shepherd, is a small breed that originated some time ago. over 1000 years in Sweden and was used by the Vikings for safety, protection and herding.
The origin is not clear, but there are currents that guarantee its connection with the Welsh Corgi Pembroke, dogs originating in England with constitution and appearance very similar to the spitz of the Visigoths. These dogs came close to extinction in 1942, but Björn von Rosen and Karl-Gustaf Zetterste managed to avoid them.
In 1943, the breed was recognized by the Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) under the name Svensk Vallhund, but only 10 years after its official name was given. Until today, it's a race unknown outside Sweden. In 2008, he participated for the first time in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Visigoth spitz characteristics
The spitz of the Visigoths is a dog of small size, the males do not surpass the 35cm and the females the 33cm. Its weight varies between 9 kg and 14 kg. They are compact and elongated dogs with medium sized, oval and dark brown eyes. Ears are medium, triangular, medium set, pointed and covered with soft fur. The nose is black and the lips are tight and smooth. In reference to the legs, they are strong and the tail can be long or short naturally upwards or downwards.
As for the coat, it has a double medium layer, the inner one is dense and thick and the outer one is glued and hard fur. In addition, it has the longest hair on its belly, tail and legs.
The coat of the Visigoths spitz puppies can be different Colors:
- Grey
- grayish yellow
- Reddish
- Brown
Visigoth spitz personality
Puppies of the spitz breed of the Visigoths or Swedish Vallhund are dedicated, pleasant, intelligent, affectionate, cheerful, calm, alert and confident. They are very loyal, but tend to be suspicious of strangers.
They love spending time with their caregivers and are especially tolerant of children as they are very lively and playful. They are also independent dogs, so they suffer less than other breeds with the absence of a caregiver at home, but there should be no excuse to leave them alone for longer than necessary.
Visigoths spitz care
The spitz of the Visigoths need mental stimulation and several Exercises, like tracking tests, to keep your mind and body active. also need hygiene habits cleaning your teeth to prevent dental diseases or infections and cleaning your ears to prevent painful and unpleasant ear infections.
As for the fur of these dogs, they must be brushed with a certain frequency, especially during the fall season to eliminate dead fur that can predispose to certain diseases. For puppies to maintain a good quality of life, preventive medicine must be applied with periodic examinations at the veterinary center and with routine deworming and vaccination, in order to prevent parasitic and infectious diseases, respectively.
Visigoth spitz education
The Visigoths' spitz breed dogs aresmart and intuitive who easily assimilate the commands and teachings of their caregiver.
education must begin since early and teach them, during the socialization period of their first weeks of life, contact with other animals, people and various stimuli. As well as teaching them not to attack strangers or jump on their heels.
Visigoths spitz health
The life expectancy of the spitz of the Visigoths or Swedish Vallhund can reach the 12 or 14 years old, as long as they do not develop a sudden, devastating or early-onset disease without an early diagnosis. It is a healthy breed with no congenital or hereditary pathologies.
The diseases that they can suffer from with some frequency are:
- hip dysplasia: Degenerative disease in which there is a lack of congruence or adaptation between the articular surfaces of the bones involved in the hip joint (the acetabulum and femur). This bad joint union leads to joint laxity, which allows the mobilization of bones, which causes arthrosis, instability, weakness, damage and pain that lead to muscle atrophy and lameness.
- Backache: back pain in the lumbosacral region, usually of muscle origin that produces an inflammatory process with increased tension and muscle tone in the area, which activates the nerve pathways that transmit painful stimuli and develops a muscle contracture. At other times, the nerve may even be pinched by compressing its root, causing a very painful process or resulting in a herniated disc.
Where to adopt a spitz from the Visigoths
Adopting a spitz from the Visigoths is very difficult, especially if we don't live in Sweden or nearby countries. However, you can always ask in Swedish dog guards, shelters or rescue associations online.