## Quick Facts

- **Origin:** Great Britain, with roots in the Scottish Highlands and western islands
- **Breed group:** Terrier, small terrier section
- **Height at the withers:** approximately 28–31 centimetres
- **Weight:** ideally 6–7.5 kilograms in proportion to height
- **Coat:** harsh outer coat over a short, soft undercoat
- **Colours:** cream, wheaten, red, grey or nearly black, with or without brindling
- **Typical traits:** active, brave, inquisitive and independent
- **Best suited to:** someone who wants to give a small working terrier both purposeful activities and clear everyday boundaries

The Cairn Terrier is a small but robust British terrier, developed for practical work among cairns and on farms. Its size makes it easy to take along, but says little about its activity level: this breed needs to use both body and mind. It is a better choice for someone who appreciates a terrier's initiative than for someone seeking a dog that automatically waits for instructions.

## Appearance & Coat

The Cairn Terrier should look natural, agile and fit for work. The breed standard gives a height of about 28–31 centimetres at the withers and an ideal weight of 6–7.5 kilograms, in proportion to height. The body is compact, with a level back, strong jaws, small pointed ears and dark hazel eyes. The front feet may be slightly larger than the hind feet, a feature associated with the breed's original work over rough ground.

The coat is double and weather-resistant. The abundant outer coat should be harsh without being coarse, while the undercoat is short, soft and close. A slight wave is permitted. Cream, wheaten, red, grey and nearly black all occur, as does brindling in these colours. Darker ears and muzzle are common. Solid black or white, or black and tan, are not accepted under the breed standard.

Appropriate grooming preserves both the texture and the protection provided by the double coat. Old outer coat is removed by hand stripping. The Swedish Kennel Club suggests two to four sessions a year as a guide, but the need depends on coat quality and how the dog is kept. Comb through the coat a couple of times a week, and accustom the dog to having its paws, ears and body handled from an early age. Clipping is not recommended because it can reduce the coat's water resistance.

A properly groomed Cairn Terrier often sheds relatively little, but low shedding does not make the breed allergy-safe. Allergic reactions can be triggered by several substances from a dog and differ from person to person. Anyone with an allergy should therefore spend time with adult dogs of the breed and discuss their own situation with a healthcare professional before deciding.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed ideal is an active, brave, hardy and cheerful dog that is self-confident without being aggressive. Inquisitiveness and independence are part of the Cairn Terrier character. In daily life, this often appears as quick problem-solving, a desire to investigate and an ability to make its own decisions when something catches its interest.

The breed ideal does not guarantee the temperament of every individual. Swedish breed-club summaries describe variation in areas including sensitivity to noise, barking, hunting behaviour and social confidence. The Swedish Behaviour and Personality Assessment, BPH, can provide information about dogs that have actually taken part, but a breed average cannot reliably predict a puppy. Ask the breeder how the parents and close relatives respond to unexpected sounds, visitors, encounters with other dogs and handling.

The breed's background as a farm and hunting dog may show in its interest in movement, scents, digging and smaller animals. These tendencies are not equally strong in every Cairn Terrier, but it is sensible to plan for them from the outset. The breed can be sociable with people and dogs when given good experiences, although allowing respectful distance is often better than requiring the dog to greet everyone it meets.

## Training & Exercise

The Cairn Terrier needs daily exercise and mental stimulation, but a fixed number of minutes will not suit every dog. A sound routine combines walks in varied surroundings with scent work, short training sessions, play and calm recovery. Adjust the amount to the dog's age, health and response after activity. A dog that becomes increasingly wound up does not necessarily need more excitement; it may need simpler tasks and help settling.

Training works best when it is clear, reward-based and divided into short steps. Cairn Terriers learn quickly, including things their owners did not intend to teach, so reward the everyday behaviour you want from the beginning. Vary the rewards and finish while the dog is still engaged. Harsh methods risk creating conflict without making the dog more willing to cooperate.

Recall deserves particular care in a dog that may choose a trail or animal over its handler. Begin in a low-distraction setting, reward the response consistently and use a long line where the surroundings are not securely enclosed. Treat a well-trained recall as a way to reduce risk, not as a guarantee against hunting behaviour. Providing a designated place to dig can be helpful. For sounds in a stairwell or outside a window, teach a calm alternative task; this gives the dog a clearer answer than repeated reprimands.

## Health

The Cairn Terrier is regarded as a generally healthy breed, but a responsible puppy purchase still requires questions about family health. The breed club's current breeding strategy focuses particularly on steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis, SRMA, and the historically documented developmental kidney disorder renal dysplasia, RD. A long list of conditions that can affect dogs in general tells a buyer less about a particular family than open information about parents, full siblings and previous offspring.

SRMA is an inflammatory disease that the breed club is monitoring in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The club's recommendations include excluding an affected dog from breeding and taking close family history into account when planning matings. For a puppy buyer, the practical checkpoint is to ask about SRMA in the parents, their offspring, full siblings and parents — and to receive a specific answer, rather than simply being told that the breeding dogs appear healthy.

RD was confirmed in 28 Swedish Cairn Terriers between 1980 and 2003, while the breed club's current strategy records no subsequently confirmed cases. The club continues to recommend that an affected dog, its full siblings from the same mating and its parents be excluded from breeding. It is therefore a historically important risk for which family information remains relevant, even though no more recent confirmed Swedish cases have been reported.

The Swedish Kennel Club's 2026 registration rules do not impose a Cairn Terrier-specific requirement for a particular health test result in breeding dogs. This does not mean that health assessment is unimportant. Ask the breeder to explain which examinations have been carried out, why they were chosen and how the mating follows the breed club's recommendations on disease history and genetic diversity. Seek veterinary advice if a dog develops symptoms; breed information cannot diagnose an individual dog.

## History & Origins

The Cairn Terrier was developed in the Scottish Highlands and on islands including Skye, Mull and Harris. Small, rough-coated terriers were kept on farms to control vermin and were used when hunting animals that took shelter among rocks. The word *cairn* means a mound of stones and refers to the terrain in which the dogs worked.

When the breed began to appear at dog shows, an attempt was made in 1908 to register it as the Short-haired Skye Terrier. The name was opposed, and Cairn Terrier was recognised as a breed name in 1910. The first Cairn Terrier was registered in Sweden in 1924. The modern breed standard still expresses a clear working ideal: the dog should be alert, natural in appearance, free-moving and protected by a weather-resistant coat.

This history helps to explain several present-day traits without determining the behaviour of every dog. Independence was useful when a terrier worked away from people, while a compact body enabled it to negotiate difficult ground. For today's owner, this heritage mainly means that the breed benefits from opportunities to solve problems; it does not mean the dog must be used for hunting.

## Living with the Breed

A Cairn Terrier can live in either a flat or a house if it receives enough activity, rest and training. A garden is convenient but does not replace walks and shared activities. Check fencing with an inquisitive, digging terrier in mind. In a block of flats, begin training around sounds in the stairwell and outside the door early, because an alert dog can otherwise turn watching the entrance into a habit.

Time alone must be introduced gradually once the dog feels secure at home. Begin with very short absences and increase them only when the dog can settle. A camera can help reveal stress that is not apparent when the owner returns. If the dog paces, pants, howls, barks persistently or damages things, the step is too difficult and the training needs to be scaled back.

Life with children works best when adults take responsibility for both the dog's rest and the child's behaviour. Children should not disturb a dog while it is eating or sleeping, and young children should never be left alone with a dog. Living with other dogs and cats depends on the individual, early experiences and the introduction. Keep first meetings calm and controlled, give each animal its own retreat and do not assume that friendliness towards the family cat will automatically extend to unfamiliar cats. Small companion animals require particular care because of the breed's hunting background.

Before buying a puppy, look beyond size and appearance. If possible, meet adult relatives; ask about noise, barking, hunting interest, handling and the ability to settle; and request clear answers about SRMA and RD in the family. Make sure that knowledgeable hand stripping is available to you as well. A Cairn Terrier is best suited to a home that channels its independence constructively through everyday training, scent work and consistent but kind boundaries.

Cairn Terrier

The Kennel Club (UK)

Svenska Kennelklubben (Swedish Kennel Club)

Société Centrale Canine (France)

Cairn Terrier Club of Germany

Norwegian Kennel Club

Small, sturdy Scottish terrier bred to hunt among rocky cairns. Around 28–31 cm tall with a harsh, weatherproof double coat needing regular stripping and brushing. Bold, curious, affectionate, and vocal; enjoys daily walks, mental stimulation, and active family life. Generally hardy and long-lived.

Kennel Capraibexs är en uppfödare av rasen Cairnterrier med bas i Älvsjö i Sverige.

Kennel Capraibexs

## Quick Facts

The German Shepherd Dog is a medium-sized, powerful German working, herding and service breed for an owner who wants to train actively and systematically. The breed is cooperative and versatile, but the considerable variation within the breed makes the choice of breeder, parents and litter particularly important.

- **Origin:** Germany
- **Breed group:** FCI Group 1, Sheepdogs and Cattledogs
- **Height at the withers:** males 60–65 cm, females 55–60 cm
- **Weight:** males 30–40 kg, females 22–32 kg
- **Coat:** stock coat or long stock coat, both double coats with an undercoat
- **Activity level:** high; the breed needs physical activity, scent work, problem-solving and cooperation
- **Important before buying:** check the health, temperament, working traits and movement of the parents and close relatives, not only what the breeder calls the line or which show merits the dogs have

A German Shepherd Dog can be a highly capable family and training companion when daily life matches the individual dog's drive to work. It is rarely a good choice, however, for someone who mainly wants an uncomplicated companion dog. A first-time owner needs to be prepared to attend classes, train regularly and seek help early if the dog develops fear, stress, a strong urge to chase moving things or difficulty settling.

## Appearance & Coat

The German Shepherd Dog should be powerful and well muscled without exaggeration in either construction or movement. The body is slightly longer than it is tall. According to the breed standard, males should stand 60–65 cm and weigh 30–40 kg; females should stand 55–60 cm and weigh 22–32 kg.

The back and the croup are not the same thing. The breed standard describes a straight back continuing into a slightly sloping croup. A markedly arched or falling loin and an over-angulated, cow-hocked or unstable hindquarter are not the breed ideal. The Swedish Kennel Club's breed-specific instructions identify the topline and hindquarters as areas of risk and state that movement should be assessed at both walk and trot.

For a puppy buyer, natural movement is more informative than an extreme show pose. Ask to see the parents walk and trot on a level surface. The hind legs should work steadily and remain parallel when viewed from behind, without the hocks collapsing inward or looking unstable. Look at adult relatives as well; a puppy does not yet show how its mature body will function.

The breed has two accepted coat varieties. The stock-coated German Shepherd Dog has a dense, harsh and close-lying double coat. The long-coated variety has longer, softer outer hair that does not lie as close to the body. Both must have an undercoat and both shed. Brush and comb as needed, more often during shedding periods, and pay particular attention to longer hair behind the ears and on the legs and tail. Bathe the dog when dirty rather than according to a fixed schedule.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed standard calls for a well-balanced, steady-nerved, self-assured, attentive and biddable German Shepherd Dog. This is a breeding goal, not a guarantee for every individual. Temperament, working drive, sociability, fearfulness and the ability to settle can differ considerably between dogs and family lines within the breed.

German Shepherd Dogs are often described as intelligent, loyal or naturally protective, but such labels say too little about daily life. A dog with strong working drive may be focused and responsive in suitable work but demanding without clear tasks. Awareness of the surroundings can support good teamwork with the handler, but it can also result in barking or strong reactions if the dog is insecure, stressed or poorly trained. The breed should not be chosen on the assumption that every individual will automatically be a reliable guard dog or an easy family dog.

In some parts of the breed, breeding has focused primarily on working trials and service work; in others, showing has carried more weight. Labels such as “working” and “show” still cannot predict activity level or suitability for family life. Ask the breeder how the parents behave around strangers, dogs, noises, quiet downtime and new environments. Request results and descriptions of everyday behaviour for littermates, half-siblings and previous offspring as well.

During the Swedish Mental Description Dog, MH, the dog's reactions are documented in situations involving contact, play, chasing, inactivity, surprises, threats and gunshots. MH is a description, not a test that the dog passes or fails. Read the full record and compare several close relatives instead of being satisfied that a dog merely has “known mental status”.

## Training & Exercise

The German Shepherd Dog needs to use both body and mind every day, but there is no single number of hours that is right for every individual. Needs are affected by age, health, recovery, fitness and what the activity actually involves. A young dog requires different levels of strain from a fully grown, well-conditioned adult.

A workable routine combines walks and free movement in safe areas with scent work, problem-solving and cooperative exercises. Tracking, search work, obedience, working trials and other tasks that allow the dog to concentrate suit the breed's background. Vary surfaces and environments, but increase duration, difficulty and physical strain gradually. The aim is not to exhaust the dog every day, but to build fitness, body control, self-control and the ability to recover.

Reward-based, individually adapted training makes the desired behaviour clear without building cooperation on fear or discomfort. Start early with recall, engagement, handling, loose-lead walking, working at a manageable distance from distractions and releasing objects. Also train the less spectacular skill of lying quietly when nothing is happening. A German Shepherd Dog given only high-intensity activities may become very good at becoming aroused but struggle to settle again.

Puppies should not be exercised like adult dogs. Short periods of exploration, play at their own pace, rest and positive exposure to new environments are more important than long distances, jumping or sharp turns. Increase the physical load gradually as the dog grows. If the dog becomes lame or stiff, is reluctant to move or shows a changed gait, adjust the exercise and contact a veterinarian.

## Health

Hip dysplasia, HD, and elbow dysplasia, ED, are the central documented health checks when buying a German Shepherd Dog registered in Sweden. Both areas are prioritised by the Swedish Kennel Club and the breed club's breeding strategy. Skin problems and disorders of the musculoskeletal system also occur, while the Swedish breeding strategy notes that consolidated documentation is lacking for some widely discussed back and itching problems. Long disease lists without information about relatives therefore tell a puppy buyer less than verified results and the health of close relatives.

Under the Swedish Kennel Club's registration rules in force in 2026, both parents must have official HD status before mating. Because the breed has an HD index, the average index of the parents at the time of mating is recommended to be above 100, and dogs graded HD D or E must not be used for breeding. The German Shepherd Dog also requires official ED status; for parents born on or after 1 January 2006, the result must be ED 0. An average ED index above 100 is a recommendation. Rules can change, so always check the current version with the Swedish Kennel Club.

When buying a puppy, check more than whether both parents meet the minimum requirements:

- compare the parents' HD and ED results and current indices
- find out how many dogs in previous litters and among close relatives have been screened
- ask about skin problems, recurring itching, movement problems and other diagnoses in the family
- read MH or MT results for parents, siblings and previous offspring
- watch adult dogs move naturally at walk and trot, and ask how they function in work and daily life

One good individual result does not eliminate risk. Results from the whole litter and close family give a better picture before purchase.

## History & Origins

The German Shepherd Dog was developed in Germany as a versatile herding and working dog. After the German breed association was founded in 1899, planned breeding began using herding dogs from central and southern Germany. The aim was to combine functional construction with temperament and working ability.

The first breed standard was written in 1899 following proposals by A. Meyer and Max von Stephanitz. The breed's working ability soon led to uses beyond herding. The German Shepherd Dog has since gained a prominent role as a working, competition and service dog in many fields.

This history explains why cooperation, endurance, scent work and a functional body remain central to the breed. It also explains why the breed should not be judged only by silhouette or colour. A sound German Shepherd Dog should be able to work and move efficiently; appearance should support function.

## Living with the Breed

The German Shepherd Dog can live well in a family and even in an apartment, but only if the owner can provide training, recovery, space and safe day-to-day management. A garden does not replace activity, and the type of home does not replace planning. In a building with poor sound insulation, owners also need to prevent and train barking and reactions to sounds in the stairwell or outside windows.

An adult must be present around children, especially because the breed is large and strong. Children should not be responsible for walks or intervene in highly aroused situations. The dog needs an undisturbed resting place, and children and dogs should not be left alone together. Suitability for family life depends on the individual dog's temperament, experiences and training, not on the breed name.

The same caution applies to other animals. A German Shepherd Dog can live with another dog or a cat, but this cannot be promised on the basis of breed. Let dogs meet calmly, preferably on neutral ground. When introducing a cat, provide dog-free escape routes for the cat; use a barrier and a lead, and prevent chasing from the first meeting. Proceed only when both animals are relaxed and supervise them until their interaction is stable.

Time alone must be trained gradually. A young puppy should not be left alone, and a secure adult that has been trained to stay alone can normally manage a few hours rather than a full working day. Increase the time in small steps and arrange a dog sitter or another solution if daily life requires more time alone than the individual dog can handle calmly.

The best home for a German Shepherd Dog does not have a particular address. It has adults who want to train, can read the dog's signals, follow up its health and provide both meaningful activity and genuine rest throughout the dog's life.

German Shepherd Dog

Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) e.V. (Germany)

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Den Danske Kennel Klub (Danish Kennel Club)

The German Shepherd Dog is a medium‑large, athletic working breed, highly intelligent and trainable. Loyal and naturally protective, it needs extensive daily mental and physical exercise. It has a double coat with notable shedding and is widely used in police, military, and search and rescue roles.

En liten familjekennel som satsar på hög kvalitet på sina avelsdjur. 
Har ett underbart team av duktiga valpköpare med härlig sammanhållning. 
Vi anordnar träningar, läger och annan hjälp som kan tänkas behövas.

Bizmarks Hof

Rocco Pawz

Vi är en ideell förening som agerar förmedlare mellan volontärer i Ryssland och Lettland och köpare i Sverige. Vi förmedlar alltid kontakt med volontärer som tar bra hand om hundarna så att köparna ska kunna få den bästa uppfattningen om hurdan hunden är.  Vi vill genom noggrant genomförda placering

Take Me Home - Rescue Dogs

## Quick Facts

- The West Highland White Terrier, often called a Westie, is a small but sturdy terrier from the Scottish Highlands.
- The breed stands about 28 centimetres at the withers and should combine strength, agility and considerable confidence in a small frame.
- The white double coat should be hand-stripped, not clipped. Allow for professional grooming about five or six times a year and a thorough comb-through every week.
- A Westie is typically alert, cheerful, courageous and friendly, although the terrier's independence and hunting background are often evident in daily life.
- Skin disease and itching are the breed's main documented health concern. Ask about skin and ear health in the family rather than relying on a generic panel of tests.
- Many Westies live for 12–15 years, but lifespan varies with the individual, health and living conditions.

## Appearance & Coat

The West Highland White Terrier is small, compact and much sturdier than its neat white outline might suggest. The breed standard describes a strongly built dog with a deep chest, level back, muscular legs and free movement. It stands about 28 centimetres at the withers. Dark eyes, small upright ears and a straight, jaunty tail create the characteristically alert expression.

The coat has two distinct layers. The outer coat should be straight, harsh and about five centimetres long, while the undercoat should be short, soft and close. The colour is white. This texture is not merely a matter of appearance: a correctly maintained harsh coat repels a good deal of dirt and sheds relatively little hair around the home.

To retain that harsh texture, a Westie's mature outer coat should be removed by hand-stripping. The Swedish Kennel Club advises against clipping because it changes the coat quality. A knowledgeable groomer is normally needed five or six times a year. Between visits, comb the coat thoroughly once a week, paying particular attention beneath the abdomen and in the armpits and groin, where tangles form readily. Check the skin, ears, teeth, paws and nails at the same time. A well-maintained harsh coat does not need frequent bathing; when a bath is necessary, rinse a mild dog shampoo out thoroughly.

Low shedding does not make the breed allergy-safe. Dog allergens are present in skin cells, sebum, saliva and urine, among other sources, and levels can differ greatly between two dogs of the same breed. Anyone with a dog allergy should therefore not choose a Westie on the strength of claims about a “hypoallergenic” coat.

## Temperament & Personality

A typical Westie is alert, outgoing, friendly and self-assured. It is a sociable little dog, but not one that automatically waits for instructions in every situation. Its background as a working terrier favoured initiative, stamina and courage. In a modern home, this may appear as intense curiosity, barking when something is heard or an immediate interest in movement.

A West Highland White Terrier can live happily in a family with children when the adults take responsibility for every interaction. A small child and a dog should always have an adult present, and the dog needs a private resting place where it will not be disturbed. A sturdy build does not mean the dog should tolerate being carried, restrained or disturbed while eating or sleeping.

How a Westie gets on with other dogs and cats depends more on the individual, experience and introductions than on a simple rule about the breed. Arrange calm meetings, give both animals plenty of space and stop before play becomes too intense. Small pets require greater caution. The breed was developed to pursue small quarry, so a cage or a history of peaceful contact is no guarantee once predatory behaviour is aroused.

Treat the breed description as an ideal, not a promise about every puppy. Ask the breeder how the parents respond to visitors, dog encounters, handling and unfamiliar environments, and whether they settle indoors. Those answers are more useful than labels such as “stubborn”, “good with children” or “easy-going”.

## Training & Exercise

The West Highland White Terrier needs physical activity, scent work and interaction every day, but no fixed time allowance suits every dog. A healthy adult can have a fulfilling routine built around varied walks, time to investigate smells, search games, play and short training sessions. Adjust the amount to age, fitness, health and weather. An appropriately active dog maintains a healthy body condition, moves without stiffness and can settle at home.

Reward-based training works for both everyday skills and challenges such as barking or unreliable recall. Make the right choice easy: create distance from a distraction, reward engagement and teach a specific alternative such as going to a bed or turning back towards you. Harsh corrections do not address the reason for a behaviour and can damage both welfare and cooperation.

Recall should be developed progressively, moving from simple settings to more difficult ones. Use a long line wherever wildlife, traffic or other powerful distractions would make failure dangerous. The aim is not to prove that the dog can be off lead, but to provide freedom without gambling with safety. Scent searches, everyday obedience, rally and suitably adapted agility can give a terrier clear tasks without demanding long, repetitive sessions.

Puppies should not be exercised like adult dogs. Extend walks, surfaces and unfamiliar environments gradually, with ample time for recovery.

## Health

Skin disease and itching are the clearest documented health concern in the West Highland White Terrier. In the WestieAlliansen breed club's voluntary 2019 health survey, skin problems were reported in 92 of 535 dogs, or about 17 per cent. The survey was not statistically standardised, so the figure should not be treated as an exact prevalence for the whole breed. It does, however, explain why recurring itching, redness, paw licking and ear trouble deserve attention.

Seek veterinary help when itching recurs or does not resolve. Parasites, infection, allergy and other causes can produce similar signs but need different treatment. In the same survey, 59 of 535 dogs had ear trouble more than once a year, and skin and ear problems sometimes occurred together. Changing food, shampooing frequently or giving supplements without a diagnosis can delay appropriate care.

Craniomandibular osteopathy (CMO) and Legg–Perthes disease are documented but were reported infrequently in the survey: two and five dogs respectively. CMO can cause sudden pain and swelling in a puppy's jaw. A DNA test can assist breeding decisions, but the breed club's RAS document stresses that it indicates a level of risk rather than giving a definitive healthy-or-affected result.

The Swedish Kennel Club has not established a health programme for the breed. There is therefore no official breed requirement for a generic package of knee, hip and eye examinations, for example. Instead, ask the breeder to describe skin disease, itching and recurring ear or digestive problems in both parents, their siblings and previous offspring. Ask how older relatives are faring and whether litters are followed up at about one and three years of age. If CMO occurs in the family, the breeder should be able to explain how that information and any test results influenced the choice of parents.

A responsible breeder distinguishes clearly between Swedish Kennel Club rules, breed-club recommendations and voluntary checks of their own. Ask to see registered results and veterinary certificates where they exist, but also value specific answers about close relatives. The absence of a central programme does not mean the absence of inherited risks.

## History & Origins

The West Highland White Terrier comes from the western Scottish Highlands and was shaped as a small, agile working terrier. Rough-coated terriers went to ground after quarry including foxes and badgers and controlled rats and other small animals. The work called for courage, speed, strong jaws and the ability to make independent decisions in difficult terrain.

White dogs were easier to distinguish from quarry against the Scottish moorland. During the 1860s, Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch began to favour white terriers, an important step in the development of the modern breed. The name West Highland White Terrier was established in 1905. Crosses with Cairn Terriers were still permitted until 1924, showing how closely related the Scottish terrier types remained while the breed was being formed.

Today the breed is kept mainly as a companion, but its historic working style can still be seen in an interest in scents, holes, movement and independent action. It also explains why obedience, agility and other activities are often a better fit than a life made up solely of brief toilet walks.

## Living with the Breed

A West Highland White Terrier can live in a flat or a house; the content of daily life matters more than the size of the home. In a block of flats, the owner needs to teach the dog to remain calm around sounds and movement near doors, communal areas and windows. A garden is useful, but it does not replace walks, new scents and training together.

Time alone should be taught gradually, using periods short enough for the dog to remain comfortable. Take a step back if the dog shows anxiety or distress. The Swedish Board of Agriculture's advice to take a dog outside at least every six hours during the day concerns exercise and toileting; it is not a promise that every Westie will cope well with six hours alone. Puppies, older dogs and anxious individuals need closer supervision and more frequent outings.

For a first-time owner, the breed can be a good choice if they want to train, are prepared to use a lead or long line and accept the continuing coat care. It is a poorer fit for someone seeking a dog that will always be off lead, rarely make itself heard and cope with full working days alone. Include regular hand-stripping in both the calendar and the budget before deciding.

Before choosing the breed, you should be able to answer yes to four questions:

- Is there time for daily activity, training and undisturbed rest?
- Is there a safe plan for time alone and outdoor breaks during the working day?
- Can the dog be kept on a lead or long line where its hunting interest makes this necessary?
- Is there both time and budget for recurring professional hand-stripping?

If the answer is yes and you appreciate a small dog with plenty of initiative, a Westie can be an entertaining and close companion for many years.

West Highland White Terrier

West Highland White Terrier Club of England

VCA Animal Hospitals

Die Terrierhunde (Germany)

Svenska Terrierklubben (Sweden)

The West Highland White Terrier is a small, sturdy Scottish terrier with a harsh white coat that sheds lightly. Confident, vocal and independent yet affectionate, it suits city or country homes. Needs daily walks, mental stimulation, regular grooming and consistent, reward‑based training.

Scottish Terrier

Scottish Terrier Club of Great Britain

Dansk Kennel Klub (Denmark)

Scottish Terriers are small, sturdy, low‑slung dogs originally bred in Scotland to hunt vermin. Recognizable by their long head, prick ears, and wiry double coat, they are loyal, independent, and reserved with strangers. They need regular grooming, moderate exercise, and patient, positive training.

Sealyham Terrier

Sealyham Terrier Club of Great Britain

Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Dansk Terrier Klub (Denmark)

Compact Welsh terrier bred for hunting but affectionate and calm at home. Sturdy, low body with a distinctive white double coat, beard and eyebrows needing regular grooming. Intelligent, independent and moderate in exercise needs, it suits engaged families; the breed is now relatively rare.

Vi är en liten seriös kennel som föder upp raserna 
Sealyham Terrier, West Highland White Terrier och Skotsk Terrier.
Vi finns i Sollentuna som ligger i norra Stockholm.
Hundarna här lever som familjehundar med oss.
Jag trimmar även alla tre raserna.

HighCastle´s Kennel

Vi som har kenneln heter Mats & Jessica. Vi startade vår uppfödning 1996, då vår första valpkull föddes. Vi höll på aktivt med vår avel i ca 10 år. Vi föder upp Tysk Schäferhund.

Kennel Bizmarks Hof

## Quick Facts

The Chihuahua is a Mexican companion dog and the smallest recognized dog breed in the world. It is small enough to accompany its owner almost anywhere, but it still needs training, exercise, and opportunities to use its nose and mind like other dogs.

- **Origin:** Mexico
- **Purpose:** companion dog in FCI Group 9
- **Weight according to the breed standard:** 1–3 kg, with 1.5–2.5 kg as the ideal weight
- **Height at the withers:** the breed standard gives no height range; the Chihuahua is judged by weight
- **Coat:** smooth or long
- **Breed-typical temperament:** quick, alert, lively, and very courageous
- **Important health checks:** knees, teeth, bite, eyes, and the fontanelle of the skull

“Teacup”, “mini”, and similar terms are not recognized sizes or separate varieties of Chihuahua. There is only one weight standard and two coat varieties. Under the breed standard, a weight below 1 kg or above 3 kg is a disqualifying fault. An unusually small dog still belongs to the same breed, and low weight is not in itself proof of quality or good health.

## Appearance & Coat

The Chihuahua should be compact and slightly longer than tall, with an apple-shaped head, large upright ears, and a high-carried tail. The expression should be alert, but the eyes should not protrude and the muzzle must not be excessively short.

The smooth-coated variety has a short, soft, glossy coat that lies close to the body. The long-coated variety has a fine, silky coat that is flat or slightly wavy, with longer hair on areas including the ears, neck, legs, and tail. A long coat should therefore not be heavy or excessively flowing; an overly abundant coat is not typical of the breed.

Coat care is generally straightforward. Bathe the dog when dirty and comb the long-coated variety about once a week, paying particular attention behind the ears and to the longer feathering. The smooth coat can be brushed as needed. Use the same routine to accustom the dog to having its nails, teeth, ears, and eyes checked.

All colours and colour combinations are allowed except merle. Merle is therefore not a rare accepted Chihuahua colour but is expressly excluded by the international breed standard.

## Temperament & Personality

A breed-typical Chihuahua is quick to react, alert, lively, and courageous. It may readily signal when something happens around the home, but fear, aggression, or continuous barking should not be described as inevitable breed traits. The current breed standard accepts neither aggression nor extreme shyness.

Many individuals form close bonds with their family and are attentive to unfamiliar people, sounds, and dogs. How this is expressed is influenced by heredity, early experiences, health, and what the dog has learned. A Chihuahua that is always carried away gets fewer opportunities to practise calm encounters and move through different environments. At the same time, such a small dog should not be forced to greet others or endure intrusive play in an attempt to “socialize” it. Good socialization means brief, safe experiences in which the dog can keep its distance and recover.

The breed can suit a first-time owner who wants to teach everyday skills and takes its small size seriously. It is less suitable for someone seeking an accessory or assuming that a small body automatically means little responsibility.

## Training & Exercise

The Chihuahua needs daily movement and mental activity, but no single number of minutes suits every dog. Age, fitness, surface, weather, and recovery are better guides than a generic walking schedule. A healthy adult Chihuahua can enjoy walks, scent work, tricks, everyday obedience, and suitably adapted dog sports.

Train progressively with reward-based methods. Prioritize recall, lead manners, calm handling, and teaching the dog to stop barking and settle. Short sessions can be practical, but finish according to the dog's concentration rather than after a fixed number of minutes. The same kind, consistent rules should apply to a small dog as to a large one.

A Chihuahua should normally be allowed to walk rather than be carried, so that it gets the exercise and experience of different environments it needs. Carrying the dog is sensible in crowds, where there is a risk of injury, or when it genuinely needs help, but it should not replace exercise. Puppies need more breaks and a gradual increase in physical demands; an adult dog that suddenly refuses to walk or becomes lame should be examined rather than simply carried onward.

## Health

The most useful health checks for a Chihuahua concern the knees, mouth and teeth, and a head shape without exaggeration. A long list of possible diagnoses is less helpful than knowing what to check in the parents, puppy, and adult dog.

- **Patellar luxation:** The kneecap can slip out of its normal position, and lameness or an abnormal gait may be signs. For a litter to be registered with the Swedish Kennel Club, both parents must have an official patella result from an examination performed at the age of at least one year and before mating. Ask to see the results in the Swedish Kennel Club register and always check which rules apply at the time of purchase.
- **Teeth:** A British study of veterinary records found periodontal disease and retained deciduous teeth among the most commonly recorded problems in Chihuahuas. Accustom the puppy to daily toothbrushing and watch closely as the adult teeth come in. If a deciduous tooth remains when the permanent tooth erupts beside it, the mouth should be assessed by a veterinarian.
- **Head and eyes:** The Swedish Kennel Club's breed-specific instructions for judges highlight risks associated with excessive dwarfism, an overly short muzzle, incorrect bite or jaw, and overly prominent eyes. Do not ask only about an “apple head”; look for a functional bite, a muzzle without exaggeration, and eyes that do not bulge.
- **Fontanelle:** An open fontanelle, sometimes called a molera, is not a desirable feature. It is a disqualifying fault under the current breed standard. A small depression after the fontanelle has closed is different and is not disqualifying. A puppy or adult dog with a suspected opening should be assessed by a veterinarian.

Also monitor body condition and movement. Sudden lameness, eye pain, or difficulty eating should be taken seriously.

## History & Origins

Mexico is the Chihuahua's official country of origin, and the breed takes its name from the Mexican state of Chihuahua. This is well established, but the exact path to the modern dog is less well documented.

The official breed standard recounts a tradition that small dogs may have lived in the region during the time of the Toltecs. Depictions of dogs called Techichi at Tula resemble the modern Chihuahua. The standard presents this as an assumption, not as proof of an unbroken lineage. Stories about a specific ancient ancestor or a particular cross should therefore be described as theories rather than established history.

## Living with the Breed

The Chihuahua can thrive in an apartment, a family with children, or a home with other animals when daily life is arranged appropriately. The size of the home matters less than regular time outdoors, training, rest, and avoiding situations in which its small body is at risk of injury.

An adult should always be present around young children. Children need to learn to leave the dog undisturbed in its resting place and not to lift, carry, or chase it. This does not mean that the breed “dislikes children”; it is a practical safety rule for a dog weighing only a few kilograms.

Compatibility with dogs and cats depends on the individuals, not just the breed name. Let two dogs meet calmly in neutral territory and interrupt play that becomes too physical. When introducing a cat, a gate, separate resting places, and protected feeding areas are useful. The difference in size matters: even friendly play with a much larger dog can injure a Chihuahua, so interactions need supervision.

Alone-time should be introduced gradually once the dog feels secure in the home. A young puppy cannot be left alone, and adult dogs vary in what they tolerate. Use the dog's behaviour as your guide instead of assuming that every Chihuahua develops separation anxiety or can cope for the same length of time.

In cold, windy, or wet weather, an individual may need a well-fitting dog coat, but there is no meaningful temperature threshold that applies to every dog. Adapt to coat variety, age, health, activity, and the dog's own signs of discomfort. The best daily life therefore combines care for a very small body with the expectation that the Chihuahua should be allowed to live as a dog.

Chihuahua

The British Chihuahua Club

Dansk Kennel Klub (Danish Kennel Club)

The Chihuahua is a tiny yet sturdy companion dog, usually 1.5–3 kg with an apple-shaped head and large eyes. Found in smooth or long coats in many colors, it is devoted, alert, and bold. It needs daily walks, training, close companionship, and good health and dental care to thrive.

My Pink Bubbles är en uppfödare av rasen Chihuahua med bas i Lidingö i Sverige.

My Pink Bubbles

Luna

Keilafell

Griffweiler's kennel

## Quick Facts

The Papillon is a small, lively and quick-learning companion dog that often suits someone who wants to combine closeness with walks, training and everyday enrichment. The breed belongs to the Épagneul Nain Continental, or Continental Toy Spaniel. The Papillon has erect ears, while the Phalène variety has drop ears. In Sweden they are registered according to ear carriage, and a dog can be re-registered if its ears develop differently from the initial assessment.

- **Origin:** France and Belgium
- **Purpose:** companion dog in FCI Group 9
- **Height at the withers:** about 28 cm according to the breed standard
- **Weight:** the standard has two weight classes. The larger ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 kg for males and up to 5 kg for females. The other covers dogs under 2.5 kg, with 1.5 kg as the minimum weight.
- **Coat:** long, silky and without an undercoat
- **Activity level:** small in stature but often lively, willing to work and keen to learn
- **Longevity:** many reach an advanced age; according to the Swedish Kennel Club, 15 years is not unusual

Measurements in a breed standard describe an ideal, not a promise that every adult dog will be exactly that size. For a prospective owner, the parents’ size, the dog’s body condition and sound construction are therefore more useful than pursuing a particular figure or an extremely small individual.

## Appearance & Coat

The Papillon should be a harmoniously built toy dog that is graceful yet robust. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers, and movement should be free, light and elegant. Its small size calls for care around falls and play with much larger dogs, but the breed standard does not describe the Papillon as a fragile dog.

The large ears are the breed’s most distinctive feature. In the Papillon they stand erect and are carried obliquely outwards, resembling a butterfly’s wings. The Phalène instead has mobile drop ears. The difference is therefore ear carriage; both are varieties of the same Continental Toy Spaniel and can be born in the same litter.

The coat is single, without an undercoat, and should be abundant, glossy and slightly wavy rather than curly. It is short on the head and fronts of the legs but longer over the body, ears, chest, thighs and tail. White is the ground colour and must predominate on the body and legs. Coloured patches may be of different colours, while the lips, eye rims and nose should be well pigmented under the standard.

Coat care is usually manageable if tangles are prevented. Check the coat regularly and comb especially behind the ears and on the inner thighs, where the Swedish Kennel Club says tangles may readily form. Bathe the dog when it is dirty; no fixed calendar suits every individual. Check the nails, paws, ears and skin at the same time. Base care on the dog’s actual coat and daily life rather than a fixed bathing or clipping routine.

## Temperament & Personality

The Papillon is typically alert, lively and quick to learn, with a marked interest in people and activities. Its small body often contains more willingness to work than the label “lapdog” suggests. A Papillon may enjoy both close company and tasks involving concentration, problem-solving or body awareness.

Breed descriptions should not, however, be read as a guarantee of a particular personality. The Swedish Kennel Club’s BPH behavioural analysis shows considerable variation among participating Papillons, including how intensely they greet strangers, how readily they play and how curious they are. The results apply to the dogs assessed and primarily show why the individual, family lines, early experiences and continuing training all matter.

Alertness may show in how quickly the dog notices sounds, visitors and movement outside the home. This need not become a major barking problem, but it is sensible to reward calm behaviour from the start, give the dog an alternative task at the door and avoid allowing every signal to lead to excitement. Ask the breeder how the parents function in daily life, not only how they behave at shows or during training.

## Training & Exercise

The Papillon needs physical movement and mental enrichment every day, but no single number of minutes suits every dog. A healthy, fit adult can often join surprisingly substantial walks, while a puppy, older dog or individual with a health problem needs a different load. Adjust activity to age, fitness, weather and recovery rather than treating body size as a measure of need.

The breed often learns quickly, including things you did not intend to teach. Reward-based training with clear criteria works well. Vary everyday obedience, scent work, balance exercises and small problem-solving tasks, and finish while the dog can still concentrate. Agility, obedience and other dog sports can be a good fit when training is developed gradually and the surface, obstacles and load are adapted to the dog’s size and maturity.

A small dog needs the same care with recall and exposure to different environments as a large one. Practise engagement and returning in safe places before allowing freedom where traffic, wildlife or larger dogs could present a risk. Also teach the dog to settle between activities. A Papillon given only high-energy tasks may become very good at getting excited but less skilled at relaxing again.

## Health

The Swedish Kennel Club describes the Papillon as a generally sound and often long-lived breed, but responsible health screening remains important. For Swedish litters, pap-PRA1 is the clearest formal checkpoint. Pap-PRA1 is an inherited form of progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, which damages the retina. It is autosomal recessive: a carrier has one copy of the variant and does not develop that particular form, while a genetically affected dog has inherited the variant from both parents.

The Swedish Kennel Club’s registration rules require both parents to have an official DNA result for pap-PRA1 or to be recorded as hereditarily clear. Two carriers may not be mated, and an affected dog may not be used for breeding. A pap-PRA1 DNA test does not, however, rule out every other genetic cause of PRA or other eye diseases. An eye examination therefore serves a different purpose. The Swedish breed club, Papillon-Ringen, recommends an eye examination after three years of age to monitor other eye changes.

Patellar luxation, in which the kneecap can move out of its normal position, occurs in the breed. The breed club wants breeding dogs to have a known normal patella result before mating. This is an important recommendation, but the current Swedish Kennel Club rules do not list patella status as a specific registration requirement for the Papillon. Ask to see the result rather than assuming registration itself covers it.

In other countries, recommended programmes may include additional tests. For example, the UK’s Royal Kennel Club lists an NAD test among the additional checks for the Papillon. This does not make NAD a Swedish registration requirement. Ask the breeder to distinguish between mandatory Swedish results, breed-club recommendations and optional additional tests.

Oral health also deserves attention. Small dog breeds are more often affected by periodontal disease, and daily tooth brushing is a simple way to reduce the risk of severe tartar and painful periodontitis. Bad breath, bleeding gums or reluctance to chew should be assessed by a vet.

## History & Origins

The Papillon originates from France and Belgium and is the erect-eared variety of the Continental Toy Spaniel. The type has been documented since the 16th century and appeared as a companion dog at European courts. The name Papillon means butterfly in French and refers to the large, obliquely carried ears with long fringes. Phalène means moth and is the name used for the drop-eared variety.

The FCI recognises the breed as number 77 in the companion and toy dog group. The modern standard retains both the Papillon and the Phalène. Its history explains the breed’s role as a companion, but the modern Papillon is not merely decorative: its liveliness and readiness to learn are evident in many present-day dog activities.

## Living with the Breed

The Papillon can live well in either a flat or a house when given daily activity, closeness and help learning to settle. The size of the home matters less than the shape of everyday life. A home where many sounds carry requires extra work on calm behaviour around the door, hallway and windows, as an alert individual may otherwise begin to comment on every change.

The breed can live well with children, but this depends on the dog’s temperament, the child’s behaviour and adult supervision. Teach children to leave the dog undisturbed while it sleeps or eats, not to pick it up or grab it, and to play at floor level under supervision. This protects both dog and child and is more accurate than a general “child-friendly” label.

The same individual assessment is needed with other animals. A Papillon can live with dogs or cats, but introductions should be calm and gradual. Give the animals separate resources and places to retreat, and supervise play where there is a large difference in size. A friendly large dog can injure a very small dog accidentally.

Being left alone is a skill, not something that can be assumed from breed. Accustom the dog gradually to short periods alone and increase them only while it remains relaxed. Barking, whining, restless pacing, destructive behaviour or refusing a normally valued reward can indicate that the step was too large.

Before buying a puppy, check more than its appearance. Ask to see the parents’ registered pap-PRA1 results, patella status and any eye results, and ask why that particular mating was chosen. Meet the dam and notice how the dogs recover after new sounds and visitors. For a puppy registered with the Swedish Kennel Club, you should receive the registration certificate, the Swedish Kennel Club contract and a veterinary inspection certificate no more than seven days old on the day of handover. Screening reduces risk but can never guarantee a particular state of health or personality; open documentation and realistic expectations therefore matter more than promises.

Papillon

Papillon Breed Club UK

Danish Kennel Club (Dansk Kennel Klub)

The Papillon is a small, elegant toy dog with large butterfly-like ears, a fine, silky parti-coloured coat and a plumed tail. Lively, intelligent and highly trainable, it enjoys activity and mental stimulation, makes an alert watchdog, needs regular brushing, and often lives into the mid–late teens.

Sweet Desires Kennel är en uppfödare av rasen Papillon med bas i Spånga i Sverige. Verksamheten beskrivs som en liten hemmakennel.

Sweet Desires Kennel

Hovawart

Hovawart Club of Great Britain

Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH) - Hovawart

Svenska Hovawartklubben

Hovawart Club e.V. (Germany)

Hovawart Club de France

Large, powerful German farm guardian with medium‑long weatherproof coat in black, black and tan or blond. Deeply loyal, calm and family‑focused, but reserved with strangers and strongly territorial. Intelligent, independent and late‑maturing, needing consistent training, mental work and ample exercise.

Swedehof är en uppfödare av rasen Hovawart med bas i åkers styckebruk i Sverige. Uppfödningen förekom i aktiviteter inom bruks, lydnad och viltspår under 2019 och 2020.

Swedehof

Sweettofie

Oak Island Gundogs

## Quick Facts

The Irish Setter is a medium-sized, energetic pointing dog from Ireland with a strong hunting drive and a breed ideal that emphasises an affectionate nature. On Get a Pet, the breed is called **Irish Setter**. In the Swedish Kennel Club's breed standard, it is called the **Irish Red Setter**; this is the solid-red breed, not the Irish Red and White Setter, which is a separate breed.

- **Breed group:** Group 7, pointing dogs
- **Origin:** Ireland
- **Original purpose:** To search for gamebirds, point them, flush the bird on command and retrieve after the shot
- **Height at the withers:** 58–67 cm for males and 55–62 cm for females
- **Weight:** Not specified in the breed standard
- **Activity level:** High; the breed needs both physical activity and tasks that engage its nose and ability to work with a handler every day
- **Best suited to:** An active home that wants to train regularly and can manage hunting drive, recall and a substantial need for movement

This is not primarily a companion dog with a fixed exercise schedule. The breed was developed to work across large areas, and that background is evident in its speed, stamina, independence and interest in bird scent.

## Appearance & Coat

The Irish Setter should be athletic, balanced and built for fast, sustained movement—not heavy or excessively coated. According to the standard, males should stand 58–67 cm at the withers and females 55–62 cm. The standard does not specify a weight, so an appropriate body condition must be assessed on the individual dog.

The colour is a rich chestnut red with no black. Small white markings may be permitted under the standard, but an Irish Setter should not be confused with the separately recognised Irish Red and White Setter.

The coat is short and fine on the head, the fronts of the legs and the tips of the ears. On the rest of the body, it is moderately long and should lie as flat and free from curl or wave as possible. There is longer, silky feathering on the ears and legs, among other areas. The coat should enhance a functional dog, not obscure the body's outline or impede movement.

Coat care should be based on the dog's actual needs, not a fixed weekly schedule. Check the feathering, the coat around the ears and neck, and the hair around the feet after outings in rough ground. Gently work out developing tangles before they tighten, and remove seeds, twigs and dirt. This is not a traditionally clipped breed, but stray or tangle-prone hair around the ears, neck and feet can be tidied carefully. Excessive shaping does not belong to the breed's functional appearance.

## Temperament & Personality

The Irish Setter's breed ideal is intense, intelligent, energetic, affectionate and loyal, but friendliness does not automatically make the breed easy. Its strong hunting drive and ability to work at a distance mean that a young or untrained dog can be fast, easily distracted and difficult to reach when the surroundings become more interesting than the handler.

When its needs are met, the breed can be calm and pleasant indoors and highly intense outside. This is a useful description of the breed's two modes, but it is not a guarantee for every individual. Inheritance, upbringing, recovery, training and the everyday environment all influence how a dog behaves at home.

An Irish Setter can suit a committed first-time owner, but not someone looking for a dog that is satisfied with ordinary lead walks and a little weekend activity. The owner needs to enjoy training even when progress comes gradually and be able to prevent hunting drive from becoming a safety problem.

Labels such as “hunting line” and “show line” are not enough to predict everyday behaviour. Instead, ask how the parents and adult close relatives behave at home, how they work outside, how readily they settle and what hunting or other working achievements they actually have. Variation can occur both between and within litters.

## Training & Exercise

The Irish Setter needs substantial daily activity, but no single number of hours is right for every adult dog. Age, health, fitness, the individual and the content of the activity determine the load. A slow walk and a search exercise in open ground may take the same amount of time while placing very different demands on the dog.

The breed's original way of working explains what often motivates it: the dog searches quickly and systematically for gamebirds, points when it locates the game, flushes on the handler's command and retrieves after the shot. A companion dog does not need to take part in practical hunting, but everyday life should provide outlets for the same core traits through activities such as movement over varied terrain, scent work, search exercises, retrieving and tasks that require contact with the handler.

Build recall early in a quiet environment and increase distractions gradually. With this breed's hunting drive, a securely enclosed area or a long line is a safer intermediate step than taking a chance off lead. A long line should be attached to a harness and used well away from traffic. Off-lead freedom should come only when the dog can disengage and return even when scent, birds or movement compete for its attention.

For a puppy, short walks, play, environmental learning and simple cooperative exercises are better building blocks than an adult dog's workload. Increase the load gradually and allow plenty of sleep and recovery. The often-repeated “five-minute rule”—five minutes of exercise per month of age—has no scientific support as a universal model and should not replace an assessment of the puppy's size, development and response to the activity.

## Health

For the Irish Setter, it is important to distinguish between conditions that may occur, formal Swedish breeding requirements and test results that are centrally recorded and displayed. A long list of diagnoses tells a puppy buyer less than documented results for the parents and an open account of health among close relatives.

- **Hip dysplasia (HD):** Parent dogs must have an official hip status before mating for the offspring to be eligible for registration under Swedish Kennel Club rules. The breed also has an HD index. The Swedish Kennel Club recommends that the parents' average index be above 100 at the time of mating, and the breed-specific rule states that dogs graded D or E should not be used for breeding.
- **CLAD:** Canine leukocyte adhesion deficiency is a serious defect of the white blood cells and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. The previous requirement for a DNA test or hereditarily clear status for litter registration was removed in 2014, but results can still be recorded centrally. The breed club continues to recommend testing foreign and imported breeding dogs whose status is unknown.
- **rcd4-PRA:** This is a specific, recessively inherited form of the retinal disease PRA. Following a decision in 2025, the Swedish Kennel Club records and publishes DNA results for Irish Setters in Hunddata and Avelsdata. The test shows the dog's status for the specific rcd4 mutation; it does not rule out other forms of PRA.

Ask the breeder to show the parents' registered hip results and explain the mating's HD index. Also request documented CLAD and rcd4 status and an explanation of how the results informed the mating. Check the information in the Swedish Kennel Club's Hunddata or Avelsdata rather than relying on verbal assurances. In addition, ask about recurring disease, mobility problems, eye problems and longevity in parents, siblings and older close relatives. This gives a more relevant picture than assuming that every individual will develop everything ever reported in the breed.

## History & Origins

The Irish Red Setter was developed in Ireland as a working hunting dog, and the modern breed's history is closely tied to gamebird hunting. According to the breed standard, it descends from the Irish Red and White Setter combined with an unknown solid-red dog. A recognisable type existed in Ireland during the 1700s.

The Irish Red Setter Club was founded in 1882 and published a breed standard in 1886. This helped define the identity and characteristics of the solid-red breed. The first imported dogs arrived in Sweden in the 1890s, and the Swedish Irish Setter Club was founded in 1910.

At the core of the breed standard is a functional dog with speed, strength, stamina and a friendly expression. The history is therefore more than background: it explains why hunting drive, a need for movement and work with a handler remain central to life with the breed today.

## Living with the Breed

The Irish Setter is best suited to an active home that can provide daily movement, training and recovery, whether the home is a house or a flat. A garden does not replace activity, and a flat is not automatically unsuitable. In a flat, quick access to suitable exercise areas, practical daily routines, noise levels and the dog's ability to settle become particularly important.

The breed can become a warm and close family member, but “good with children” should not be taken to mean risk-free. A large, fast and playful dog can knock over a small child without meaning to. Dogs and young children should always have an adult present, and the dog needs an undisturbed place to rest. Adults must remain responsible for walks, exercise and training.

Living with other dogs or cats depends on the individuals and how introductions are managed. Early exposure is no guarantee, especially with a dog bred to react to bird scent and movement. When introducing a cat, the animals should first have separate safe areas, the cat should have clear escape routes, and early meetings should be calm and use a barrier or lead. Do not leave them unsupervised until their relationship is well understood.

Time alone must be trained gradually. A young puppy cannot be left alone, and adult dogs also vary greatly in how easily they learn. Start with very short, uneventful periods when the dog feels secure and increase the duration only when it can relax. A home in which the dog will regularly be left alone for a full working day without help is a poor match.

Before buying, you should be able to answer yes to three questions: Does daily life have room for meaningful activity even on dark, rainy working days? Can you train recall and manage the dog safely before it is reliable off lead? Can the breeder show health records and describe the parents as individuals, rather than only by a line label? If any answer is no, it is sensible to choose a less demanding breed or wait.

Irish Setter

The Irish Setter Club of Germany

The Irish Setter Breeders Club (UK)

Graceful Irish gundog with a mahogany red, feathered coat needing regular grooming. Medium‑large, athletic and high‑energy, it thrives on daily vigorous exercise and mental work. Affectionate, people‑oriented and playful, it’s good with families but needs consistent, positive training.

Hot Sensation är en uppfödare av rasen Irländsk setter med bas i Bro i Sverige.

Hot Sensation

## Quick Facts

The Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized, work-oriented dog for someone who wants to do more with their dog than take short walks. The breed comes from Portugal, belongs to FCI Group 8 and once worked alongside fishermen. Today it is primarily an active companion dog.

- **Size:** males stand 50–57 cm at the withers and weigh 19–25 kg; females stand 43–52 cm and weigh 16–22 kg.
- **Coat:** a profuse coat with no undercoat, either long and wavy or shorter and curly.
- **Colour:** black, various shades of brown or solid white. Black and brown dogs may have white markings on certain parts of the body.
- **Temperament:** often sociable, playful, curious and quick to learn, although individuals differ noticeably.
- **Activity:** needs a thoughtful mix of walks, scent work, training, play and rest.
- **Grooming:** needs regular, thorough combing and clipping, especially while the coat is changing.
- **Life expectancy:** the median was 13.0 years in a large 2024 UK study, but the breed-specific sample was limited.

The breed is best suited to a home where the dog can take part in family life and use both body and mind. It is a poorer choice for someone who wants an easy-care coat or a dog content with the same gentle walk every day.

## Appearance & Coat

The Portuguese Water Dog is compact, strong and almost square without being heavy. There is pronounced webbing between the toes, and the breed standard also describes the tail as an aid when swimming and diving.

There are two accepted coat types. The wavy coat is longer, slightly glossy and woolly, while the curly coat is shorter and denser, forming compact curls. Neither has an undercoat. This does not make the coat maintenance-free, nor does it mean that the dog never loses hair. Loose hairs can remain in the coat and form mats instead of falling on the floor.

Grooming has to suit the coat type, length and stage of life. Work through the entire coat down to the skin, paying particular attention behind the ears, in the armpits, on the legs and beneath a harness or collar. An adult coat can often be combed through about once a week, but a longer coat or one that is changing may need more frequent attention. The dog also needs clipping, either at home or by a professional groomer.

In the traditional clip, the hair is shortened on the muzzle, hindquarters and most of the tail, leaving a plume at the tip. The breed standard describes its appearance, but does not substantiate stories that the clip protected particular organs or joints. Those explanations are not established historical facts.

Gradually teach a puppy to accept a comb, scissors or clippers, as well as having its paws, ears and mouth handled. Short sessions paired with rewards make it easier to groom an adult dog without a struggle.

The Portuguese Water Dog is not allergy-free. Dog allergens occur in saliva and material shed from the skin, and the amount varies between individuals, even within a single litter. A coat without an undercoat is therefore no guarantee. Anyone with a dog allergy should seek medical advice about their own situation rather than buy a puppy because of the breed's reputation.

## Temperament & Personality

The Portuguese Water Dog is often people-oriented, playful and enterprising, and usually enjoys working with a person when the task feels worthwhile. The breed standard describes an intelligent, strong-willed dog with considerable stamina. In daily life, that combination can produce a responsive training partner, but also a dog that quickly learns unwanted habits when boundaries are unclear.

The Swedish Kennel Club's analysis of just over 200 Portuguese Water Dogs assessed through BPH found a relatively sociable, playful, fairly confident and curious group. Greetings, curiosity and interest in a new toy nevertheless varied clearly. Only a small proportion of the Swedish population at the time had taken part. The results therefore show tendencies in the group studied, not what every puppy will become.

Meet at least the dam and ask how close relatives respond to unfamiliar people, noises, handling and the need to settle after excitement. A completed BPH or MH can provide useful information, but it should be considered alongside everyday behaviour and behaviour seen in the wider family.

The breed can live happily with children and other animals, but the outcome depends on the individual, previous experience and introductions. A dog and a young child always need adult supervision, and the dog needs a quiet resting place where it will not be disturbed. Do not let a lively adolescent get into the habit of chasing the cat or crowding an older dog. Calm meetings, space and active supervision are more useful than a blanket promise that the breed “gets on with everyone”.

## Training & Exercise

The Portuguese Water Dog needs daily activity, but there is no single time quota that suits every dog. Age, health, fitness and personality determine the right level. Combine walks in different environments and safe opportunities to move freely with scent work, co-operative exercises and quiet rest.

The breed often takes readily to tasks that involve carrying, retrieving, searching and problem-solving. Retrieving, search work, tracking, obedience, agility and water work are options, not requirements. Choose activities that both dog and owner enjoy, and keep training sessions short and clear.

Reward-based training suits a quick and inventive dog. Reinforce what you want to see more often: attention, four paws on the floor, a calm passage through a doorway and the ability to wait. Teach the dog that activity has a beginning and an end as well. A dog that is only offered more excitement may become adept at getting worked up without learning how to settle.

The breed's history supports an interest in water, but not every individual enjoys swimming. Start in shallow water, allow the dog to choose whether to enter and use play or retrieving without force. Swimming is one activity option, not a test of whether the dog is a “real” Portuguese Water Dog. Always take the temperature, water conditions and the dog's ability into account.

Puppies and adolescent dogs primarily need varied movement, body awareness, experience of different environments and sufficient rest. Long, repetitive or high-impact sessions are not a shortcut to a fit adult. Increase difficulty and endurance gradually.

## Health

The Portuguese Water Dog is described as a relatively healthy breed, but a puppy buyer should check hips, eyes, relevant DNA results and family health. Ask for registration numbers and inspect official results rather than accepting the phrase “health-tested parents”.

Under the 2026 rules for puppies registered with the Swedish Kennel Club, both parents must have official hip status before mating. They must therefore have had their hips X-rayed, but the rules do not restrict this breed to grades A or B only. The parents also need an official eye examination no more than one year old, and a dog with PRA must not itself be bred from.

The breed club's published conditions for puppy referrals go further. They include hip grade A or B and require at least one parent to have a normal prcd-PRA DNA result. The test is a valuable breeding tool, but it is not listed as a compulsory DNA requirement for the breed in the Swedish Kennel Club's 2026 registration rules.

prcd-PRA is an inherited retinal disease that gradually impairs sight. An eye examination can reveal the disease, while the DNA test distinguishes genetically clear, carrier and affected dogs. A carrier is not ill; what matters is combining the parents' results so that affected puppies are not born.

The breed club also describes JDCM, a recessively inherited heart disease affecting young dogs, and recommends testing to avoid affected puppies. The result is not required for registration under the Swedish Kennel Club's rules. Ask the breeder which tests have been carried out, what the results mean for this particular mating and why the mating was chosen.

Addison's disease and hypothyroidism have been reported in the breed, but older Swedish material could not give reliable frequencies. Ask about diagnosed disease and unusually early deaths among parents, siblings and previous offspring without assuming that every dog will be affected.

A UK study of more than half a million dogs estimated the breed's median life expectancy at 13.0 years. The Portuguese Water Dog sample included 179 individuals, of which 36 had died, and the uncertainty was considerable. Treat the figure as a guide, not a promise that an individual dog will reach a particular age.

## History & Origins

The Portuguese Water Dog comes from Portugal and historically worked along the country's coast. As fishing methods changed, the breed became concentrated in the Algarve, which the breed standard regards as its original home region.

The FCI breed standard records specific duties: the dog helped the fisherman retrieve escaped fish, dived after broken nets and loose lines, acted as a link between boat and shore, and guarded the boat and property. The work called for swimming ability, endurance, attentiveness and initiative.

That background helps to explain why many individuals enjoy retrieving, search tasks and close co-operation. It does not mean that every dog loves water or has the same drive to work. Breeding, upbringing and the dog's own experiences matter too.

Today the breed is primarily an active companion. Its recorded jobs explain its tendency to co-operate, carry, search and work in water without any need for uncertain tales about lifesaving at sea or the purpose of its traditional clip.

## Living with the Breed

Life with a Portuguese Water Dog works best when there is time every day for company, grooming and varied activity. A large garden does not replace shared walks and training. A flat can work if the dog's needs are met and calm behaviour is taught when someone rings the bell or moves through the communal hallway. Some guarding instinct occurs, but how vocal a dog is varies between individuals.

Plan how to teach the dog to spend time alone from the beginning, without rushing it. Once the puppy feels secure at home, practise very short periods behind a gate or door. Increase the time only when the puppy can remain calm. The breed name cannot tell you how long a particular dog can cope alone without stress. If daily life involves long working days, arrange suitable care.

Make a realistic weekly plan before buying. It needs to allow for:

- walks and meaningful activity, including in poor weather,
- thorough coat care and regular clipping,
- brief everyday training and help with settling,
- gradual alone-time training and a back-up care arrangement,
- safe routines with children, visitors and other animals,
- the cost of insurance, veterinary care, equipment and, if required, a professional groomer.

The breeder should give clear answers about the parents' temperament, official hip and eye results, how prcd-PRA and JDCM have been managed, and which diseases occur in the family. A good match depends as much on the breeding line and individual dog as on breed. In the right home, the Portuguese Water Dog is an enthusiastic and versatile companion; in a home that cannot meet its needs, the same energy, inventiveness and coat quickly become a substantial responsibility.

Portuguese Water Dog

Svenska Kennelklubben (Sweden)

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Belgium, Europe)

The Portuguese Water Dog is a sturdy, medium‑sized, low‑shedding water lover with a curly or wavy coat. Intelligent, people‑oriented and energetic, it needs regular grooming, daily training, and plenty of exercise and swimming, thriving as an active, closely involved family companion.

Vildingarnas Kennel är en uppfödare av rasen Portugisisk vattenhund med bas i Bålsta i Sverige.

Vildingarnas Kennel

Magic Wave Kennel

Aina

## Quick Facts

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a British, compact terrier with great strength for its size. It is a distinct recognised breed, not the same breed as the American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier or American Bully. With the right owner, it can be a close and active companion, but the decision should be based on the individual dog’s temperament, behaviour around dogs and the family’s ability to manage a strong, quick dog—not on nicknames or stereotypes.

- **Origin:** Great Britain, with roots in the Midlands and Staffordshire
- **Breed group:** FCI Group 3, Terriers
- **Height at the withers:** 35.5–40.5 cm for both males and females
- **Weight:** 12.7–17 kg for males and 11–15.4 kg for females
- **Coat:** short, smooth and close
- **Best suited to:** an owner who wants to use reward-based training, can read canine body language and has a considered plan for encounters with dogs, exercise and recovery

The breed standard describes an intelligent, affectionate, courageous and reliable dog. This is a breeding ideal, not a guarantee for every individual. Early environment, health, experience and inherited traits all affect daily life. A first-time owner can do well if prepared to train everyday control and prevent difficult situations.

## Appearance & Coat

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier should combine muscular power with balance, agility and free movement. The chest is broad, the body compact and the head short and deep with a broad skull. More weight does not mean better breed type. Height and weight should be in proportion, and a dog that becomes too heavy loses the mobility expected of the breed.

The standard gives a height of 35.5–40.5 cm at the withers. Males should weigh 12.7–17 kg and females 11–15.4 kg. The upper end of the weight range is not a goal in itself; body condition, muscle, sex and build must be considered together.

The coat is short, smooth and close. Remove loose hair and bathe according to the dog’s needs rather than a fixed schedule. Itching, repeated redness or paw licking should not be dismissed as an ordinary coat issue.

Accepted colours are red, fawn, white, black or blue, with or without white, and any shade of brindle with or without white. Liver and black and tan are absolutely undesirable under the standard. Blue is an accepted colour, but colour should never take priority over health, temperament and a carefully planned mating.

The breed has a relatively short head, but breathing should be free and quiet. Repeated snuffling, obvious breathing noise during moderate activity or heavy snoring during sleep should not be explained away as normal for the breed. Function determines whether the head and airways work well.

## Temperament & Personality

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is expected to be affectionate with people, courageous and mentally stable, but Swedish behavioural assessments show wide individual variation. A dog may be open and energetic, more reserved or easily overwhelmed. Everyday examples from parents and close relatives are therefore more useful than claims about how the breed “always” behaves.

An intense, prolonged greeting does not prove secure sociability; it may also reflect high arousal or social stress. The dog needs to be able to settle again and opt out of contact. Aggression towards people and extreme shyness are not part of the breed ideal and should be taken seriously.

A dog’s attitude towards people does not show how it will behave with other dogs. The breed’s history and the variation described by the Swedish breed club make it sensible to choose playmates carefully and not assume that an adult dog will enjoy an unfamiliar group or dog park. Not every Staffordshire Bull Terrier is aggressive towards dogs; actual play style, ability to disengage, level of tension and experience should guide decisions—not rules based on sex or a breed label.

BPH, MH and the Swedish mental index can provide useful information about parents and relatives, but they do not predict a puppy’s entire personality. Ask how the dogs react to surprises, people, handling, gunshot sounds and encounters with dogs, and how quickly they recover.

The nickname “nanny dog” is not a safety assessment. Even a very people-oriented dog can become stressed, be in pain or react quickly. Interactions between children and dogs must therefore always be supervised by an attentive adult who can read the situation and intervene in time.

## Training & Exercise

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier needs regular movement, mental activity and recovery, but there is no single exercise duration that suits every dog. A good week may include walks in different environments, free movement in a safe area, scent work, short training sessions and quiet days. The amount should reflect age, fitness, health, temperature, intensity and recovery.

Reward-based training suits the breed’s energy and willingness to cooperate. Prioritise skills that make daily life safe: walking with a loose lead, recall or use of a long line, passing other dogs, leaving an activity, greeting calmly, waiting, accepting handling and settling. The aim is not blind obedience but a dog that can make good choices even when excited.

Social training does not mean that the dog must play with everyone. A few carefully chosen canine relationships, clear breaks and controlled encounters often provide better conditions than a chaotic dog park. Stop if bodies become stiff, play becomes one-sided, intensity only increases or one dog tries to get away. Practise calm presence at a distance instead of always approaching.

Puppies should be allowed to explore, play and develop body awareness without long, repetitive or forced exercise. For adult dogs, activities such as nose work, obedience, rally obedience and adapted agility can provide both mental work and cooperation. Increase physical load gradually.

In hot weather or during strenuous activity, let the dog’s breathing and recovery guide you. Seek veterinary care if breathing becomes clearly laboured or noisy, the dog becomes unsteady or cannot return to normal breathing. Such signs should not be accepted as part of the breed’s appearance.

## Health

Allergies and atopic skin disease are among the most important current health priorities for Staffordshire Bull Terriers in Sweden. Do not only ask whether a parent has a test result; ask about itching, ear trouble, paw problems and other skin issues in parents, siblings and previous offspring. Recurrent skin symptoms can affect welfare and daily life for a long time.

The Swedish breed club’s current work also highlights joints and movement—particularly hips, elbows and knees—as well as eyes, teeth, bite and breathing. Corneal injuries and misdirected eyelashes occur, and incorrectly positioned canine teeth can damage tissue in the mouth. Ask to see how the parents move and breathe during ordinary activity, not only when posed.

Health requirements and recommendations are not the same. The Swedish Kennel Club’s registration rules for 2026 contain no Staffordshire Bull Terrier-specific requirement for a particular parental health-test result. The breed club’s current breeding strategy nevertheless recommends that both parents have results for hips, elbows, eyes, L2Hga and HC, as well as known mental status through BPH or MH. Buyers should request the actual results even when they are not a condition of registration.

L2Hga and HC are two separate recessively inherited diseases with DNA tests. The Swedish Kennel Club records L2Hga results centrally at health programme level 1. A carrier is not affected by the relevant recessive variant, but may only be mated to a clear dog. A dog that has inherited the disease variant from both parents should not be used for breeding. Check the dog’s identity, test date and results for the proposed mating. A DNA test says nothing about allergies, joints, breathing or general health.

In its current breeding strategy, the breed club advises against blue-to-blue and white-to-white matings. This is advice about breeding combinations, not proof that every blue or white dog is ill. Never choose a puppy primarily for an unusual colour or accept poorer documentation to obtain a particular appearance.

## History & Origins

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier developed in the English Midlands and the Staffordshire area from older bull-and-terrier-type dogs. Its background includes the era’s bloody animal baiting and dog fighting. When baiting tethered animals was prohibited in 1835, dog fighting continued illegally, while the dogs also lived closely with their owners. This history should be described openly, but it does not make every modern dog aggressive and should not be used to romanticise risky behaviour.

Work towards a consistent breed gathered pace during the 20th century. The British Kennel Club recognised the Staffordshire Bull Terrier on 25 May 1935. This laid the foundation for a written standard and more organised breeding focused on a strong, agile and stable terrier. The first known import to Sweden arrived in 1962.

Today’s breed should be judged by present-day function, health and temperament. Its history explains why power, stamina and encounters with dogs deserve particular attention, but it never replaces assessment of the individual dog.

## Living with the Breed

Staffordshire Bull Terriers can live with children, but no dog is a babysitter. An adult should manage contact, the dog must be left undisturbed when sleeping and eating, and both child and dog need to be able to leave the situation. Children should not climb on, restrain or take things from the dog.

Living with another dog, a cat or smaller animals must be assessed individually. A history of peaceful coexistence is useful information but not a future guarantee. Introduce animals gradually, use physical separation when nobody can supervise, give a cat high or separate escape routes, and interrupt chasing, fixation or escalating arousal early.

Apartment living can work if the dog’s needs for activity, toilet breaks and recovery are met and the owner can manage noise and encounters in stairwells and entrances. Build up alone time gradually and observe the dog’s behaviour, ideally with a camera. There is no single duration that suits the whole breed. In Sweden, a closed crate must not be used for routine confinement or as an ordinary solution to problems with being left alone.

Before buying, ask for more than a list of test names:

- Check the dog’s registered breed and pedigree so that it is not confused with other bull-and-terrier breeds.
- Ask to see the hip, elbow, eye, L2Hga and HC results and have the proposed mating explained.
- Ask about skin, ears, paws, teeth, bite, breathing and movement in parents, siblings and previous offspring.
- Review BPH, MH or the mental index alongside concrete examples from daily life and encounters with dogs.
- Find out why the breeder chose these two dogs and which weaknesses the mating is intended to improve.

The most important question is not whether the breed is “nice” or “tough”, but whether the dog’s traits suit your home and whether you can provide safe training, appropriate activity, rest and suitable company.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Great Britain

American Kennel Club (AKC) - Though not EU, it is a well-established source

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a compact, muscular English terrier with a strong build and short, easy-care coat. Known for deep affection for people, especially children, it is lively, sensitive, needs daily exercise, positive training, sturdy chew toys, and close family companionship.

Zeloqi's är en uppfödare av rasen Staffordshire bullterrier med bas i Tullinge i Sverige.

Zeloqi's

## Quick Facts

- The Shetland Sheepdog, often called a Sheltie, is a small British companion and herding dog with a background as a farm dog on the Shetland Islands.
- The breed standard describes an active, alert, friendly and intelligent dog that is attentive to its owner. Reserve towards strangers is acceptable, but nervousness is not.
- The ideal height at the withers is 37 cm for males and 35.5 cm for females. The breed standard specifies no ideal weight.
- The long double coat needs to be groomed through to the skin, especially behind the ears and during shedding, but should not require routine full-body clipping.
- The breed is best suited to someone who wants to combine everyday exercise with training, scent work or other mental activity and who can work calmly on sounds, environments and time alone.
- When choosing a puppy, documented eye results, the temperament of close relatives and knowledge of MDR1 and merle matter more than general promises that the breed is always healthy or easy to live with.

## Appearance & Coat

The Shetland Sheepdog is a small, light and agile dog that should be slightly longer than tall. The breed standard's ideals are 37 cm at the withers for males and 35.5 cm for females; a deviation of more than 2.5 cm in either direction is highly undesirable under the standard. These are ideals for breed assessment, not a guarantee for every individual. The standard gives no ideal weight, so body condition and build are better guides than a single figure on the scales.

The head should form a long, blunt wedge. The skull and muzzle should be equal in length, with the midpoint at the inner corner of the eye. The eyes are almond-shaped and usually dark brown; in blue merles they may be wholly or partly blue. The small ears are carried back at rest and brought forward with folded tips when the dog is alert.

The coat is double: the outer coat is long, straight and somewhat harsh, while the undercoat is short, soft and dense. A thorough grooming about once a week suits many dogs, with more frequent care during shedding. Comb all the way to the skin and pay particular attention behind the ears. Hair around the feet and on the hocks can be tidied when needed. After a bath, the coat needs to dry right through to the skin.

Accepted colours are sable, tricolour, blue merle, black and white, and black and tan, although the last is not seen in modern times. Blue merle should have an overall silver-blue appearance with black marbling. White markings may appear on areas including the blaze, collar, chest, frill, legs and tip of the tail; white body patches, however, are highly undesirable under the standard. The colour standard and the genetic rules for merle are separate issues.

## Temperament & Personality

A typical Shetland Sheepdog is alert, friendly, intelligent and closely focused on its owner, but individuals differ clearly in sociability, sensitivity to sound and confidence. A dog may be cool towards strangers and choose not to greet them, but fear should not be dismissed as normal reserve.

The Swedish Kennel Club's BPH behavioural analysis shows why an average is not enough when choosing a dog. The Shelties described showed little fear in several test situations, but there was marked variation in situations including greetings and surprises. The analysis applies to the participants and cannot predict an individual puppy. Ask how the parents and close relatives react to strangers, sounds and new environments, and how quickly they recover.

The breed historically had to stay watchful and raise the alarm. This can make barking an important everyday consideration, but it does not mean that every Sheltie is very vocal. The fact that few dogs barked or whined where noise was not expected during BPH does not mean that the breed is always quiet at home when someone walks through the stairwell. Assess the individual dog and rearing environment you are actually choosing.

Shelties are described as dogs that can typically mix with other dogs without conflict, but this guarantees neither every encounter nor life with cats and small pets. Early experiences, the individual dog's behaviour and controlled introductions all matter greatly.

## Training & Exercise

The Shetland Sheepdog needs physical activity and mental tasks every day, but there is no serious minute-by-minute quota that suits every individual. A good routine alternates walks with opportunities to sniff, short training sessions, play and rest. Agility, rally obedience, obedience, nose work and trick training can suit the breed's speed and willingness to cooperate, but dog sport is not essential if everyday life already provides varied movement and problem-solving.

Use reward-based, progressive training that takes the dog's sensitivity into account. Harsh voices can increase uncertainty; make the situation easier instead and reward the behaviour you want. For a dog that reacts to sounds at the door, movement outside a window or visitors, you can:

- increase the distance or block the trigger so the dog can still think;
- reward the dog for turning back to you and settling calmly in a designated place;
- practise with quiet, predictable sounds before increasing the difficulty;
- give the dog a break if it cannot take a reward or settle.

The aim is not to stop all communication, but to help the dog disengage, recover and settle. If your particular dog starts chasing, circling or nipping at running children, bicycles or other fast movement, treat it as a specific safety and training problem rather than excusing it as breed background. Use a lead or distance while teaching a safe alternative.

Puppies need short, positive experiences and plenty of recovery. Increase demands and difficulty in line with the dog's age, fitness and confidence. In an adult dog, the ability to rest between activities matters just as much as the distance it can walk.

## Health

The Shetland Sheepdog has several well-documented health concerns, particularly involving the eyes, and a sound puppy choice starts with verifiable results rather than the phrase “healthy lines”. Ask the breeder to show registered examinations and explain why the particular parent combination was chosen.

CEA, collie eye anomaly, is a congenital change in the development of the eye. The milder change, CRD, is not normally considered to affect vision, while coloboma can. Some CEA changes are easiest to see when a young puppy receives an eye examination and may later be hidden by pigment. PRA, by contrast, is a progressive retinal disease that can lead to blindness. A DNA test shows whether the dog has a particular tested genetic variant; it does not reveal every eye change. The breed has more than one form of PRA as well as other retinal diseases, so DNA testing and a clinical eye examination answer different questions.

The former Swedish health programme that required an eye certificate no more than one year old before breeding ended in 2017. The breed club's breed-specific breeding strategy, RAS, recommends eye examinations for puppies, an examination after one year of age before breeding and follow-up of older breeding dogs. Recommendations are not the same as registration requirements. Check the Swedish Kennel Club's latest rules and registered results before buying or breeding.

MDR1, also called ABCB1, affects a transport protein that helps protect the brain from certain substances. The mutation has been found in Shetland Sheepdogs and can increase the risk of serious adverse reactions to some medicines. Only an individual DNA test establishes a particular dog's status. Keep the result and show it to the veterinarian; never change a dose or treatment based on a list found online.

Injuries to the hock and other joint problems are also documented in the breed's Swedish breeding strategy. Ask about lameness, hock problems and joint results in the parents and older relatives, but do not treat a single radiograph result as a complete guarantee.

Blue merle is an accepted colour, but two dogs carrying merle must not be mated. Doubling the variant creates a risk of serious defects, including defects of sight and hearing. The Swedish Kennel Club prohibits registration of offspring from two merle Shelties and has specific rules for hidden merle in sable offspring.

## History & Origins

The Shetland Sheepdog comes from the Shetland Islands and developed from small farm dogs. Crosses with Collies are documented, while much else about the early ancestry rests on assumptions.

On the islands, the dogs were used, among other things, to keep sheep away from crops and to raise the alarm on the farm. They are therefore not described primarily as specialised herding dogs of the modern kind. Their small size and weather-resistant coat suited a harsh, windy and damp climate where resources were limited.

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the breed was shaped towards a more consistent type. The British Kennel Club recognised the Shetland Sheepdog in 1914, and the first individual arrived in Sweden in 1930. The Sheltie is a distinct FCI-recognised breed with its own standard, size and development.

## Living with the Breed

The Shetland Sheepdog can live successfully with children, other animals and in a flat, but only when the individual dog's temperament and the household routine are a good match. Its size is convenient, while awareness of sound, need for cooperation and variation in confidence may matter more than the home's floor area.

An adult should always supervise interactions in a family with children. Children need to let the dog eat, sleep and withdraw undisturbed. Do not choose the breed solely because it is said to be “good with children”; ask about the dog's own experiences and the parents' temperaments.

Introductions to a cat or another dog should be controlled, with room for distance and separate resting places. Reward calm behaviour and prevent chasing or crowding while the relationship develops. Small pets require physical protection even if the dog appears friendly.

Flat living can work if the dog receives daily activity and can rest despite stairwells, lifts and neighbours. Assess the sound environment and ask which puppies recover easily after new experiences. A garden does not replace walks, training or company.

Time alone must be built up gradually, once the puppy feels secure in the home. Start with very short, uneventful periods and increase them only while the dog remains calm. An adult dog that has learned to be alone may manage a few hours, but individual differences are substantial and a young puppy should not be left alone. If the dog barks, paces, pants or cannot settle, take the training back a step and arrange daily life so the dog is not left beyond its ability.

The breed is a strong choice for someone who appreciates an attentive, trainable dog and is prepared for coat care, sound training and mental activity. It is less suitable for someone seeking a completely independent dog, a guaranteed quiet home or a dog that must be left alone for long working days.

Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog Club of the UK

The Shetland Sheepdog is a small to medium, agile herding breed with a dense double coat and striking colors. Bright, sensitive, and very people focused, it bonds closely with family, is reserved with strangers, excels in dog sports, and needs regular grooming, daily walks, and mental exercise.

Copperville är en uppfödare av rasen Shetland sheepdog med bas i Täby i Sverige.

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