Swedish Vallhund

The Swedish Vallhund is a small scandinavian Spitz-type breed. It is the most likely candidate of being the "little viking dog" which accompanied the Vikings on their long sea journeys. Although being an excellent herder, the breed also has many other talents including rat hunting and acting as a guard dog. The Vallhund also bears a striking similarity to modern day Corgis. Although the breed almost became extinct during the Second World War, in 1942 Count Bjorn von Rosen recruited a schoolteacher and his students to find examples of traditional Swedish breeds. Since then subsequent fanciers have kept the breed alive. Although this breed is quite rare, it is becoming more popular and was formally recognized by the AKC in 2009.