Ring Presentation For ease and proper perspective, the Swedish Vallhund is examined on a firm, solid table, permitting an accurate evalua- tion of the dog’s structure, balance and out- line. Expression and temperament are best judged when the dog is on the ground. Th e Vallhund should be walked naturally into a four square stance with his attention focused on his handler. Th e dog should require a minimum of hand posing except when being stacked on the table for examination. Th e Vallhund is best gaited at a moderate trot on a loose lead, as “stringing up” inter- feres with freedom of movement. A taut lead or racing the dog may actually cause choppy movement. A Vallhund should be shown in a natural, untrimmed state, but clean and with short nails and tidied pad hair. Exces- sive grooming is to be discouraged.
“Watchful, energetic, fearless, alert, intelligent, friendly, eager to please, active and steady; never vicious or shy.”
Procedure for Judging the Swedish Vallhund
1. Assess the outline and balance of the dog from at least 15 feet away from the dogs—both standing and gaiting. 2. Always examine a Vallhund on a table. Wait until the dog is set up on the table before examining him. Stand away from the table to assess balance and outline. 3. Evaluate true Vallhund expression on the ground, not on the table. 4.Should a reexamination be necessary, it is preferable to put the dog back on the table. 5. A Vallhund examined on the ground should be approached from the front, not because of fear or injury to the examiner, but because this breed reacts quickly to unexpected movements overhead. He should recover promptly and resume his self-confident attitude. Th is avoidance is not to be interpreted as shyness. 6. Smooth, sound movement with free reach and drive should be highly regarded.
Color A sable pattern in colors of grey through red and combinations of these colors in various shades. All are equally acceptable. Lighter shades on chest, belly, buttocks, lower legs, feet and hocks, with darker hairs on back, neck and sides of body. Light harness markings are essen- tial. Although a dark muzzle is accept- able, a well-defined mask with lighter hair around eyes, on muzzle and under throat, giving a distinct contrast to the head color, is highly desirable. White is permitted as a narrow blaze, neck spot, slight necklace, and white markings on the legs and chest. White in excess of one third of the dog’s total color is a very seri- ous fault. Any color other than described above is a very serious fault. Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree. Th e following faults are to be so severe- ly penalized as to e ff ectively eliminate the dog from competition: Flu ff y coat, any color other than described above, nose not predominantly black, more than one- third white, any bite other than scissors.
• Hair is short on head and foreparts of legs, slightly longer on neck, chest and back parts of hind legs. • Dogs are to be shown in an untrimmed, natural state. Faults include wooly, curly or open coats. Flu ff y coats (longer hair on body and furnishings, with ear fringes) are a serious fault. Gait Sound with strong reach and drive. From the front, the legs do not move in exact parallel planes, but incline slightly inward to compensate for shortness of leg and width of chest. Th e forelegs should reach forward in a free stride without too much lift. Hind legs should drive well under the body and move on a line with the forelegs, with hocks turning neither in nor out. Feet should travel parallel to the line of motion with no tendency to swing out, cross over or interfere with each other. Short, choppy movement and overly close or wide movement is faulty. Temperament Watchful, energetic, fearless, alert, intelligent, friendly, eager to please, active and steady; never vicious or shy.
210 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ULY 2014
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