Ocicat

GCCF - Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (UK)

FIFe - Fédération Internationale Féline (Germany)

SVERAK - Swedish Cat Association

Landsorganisationen Katteklubben - Danish National Cat Club

Fédération Française Féline (France)

The Ocicat is a medium-large, muscular cat with a short, spotted coat that resembles a wild ocelot but is fully domestic. Social, confident, and intelligent, it enjoys tricks, leash walks, and fetch. Active and people oriented, it thrives on company, play, and simple weekly grooming.

SE Hot Thundereans är en uppfödare av rasen Ocicat med bas i Kumla i Sverige.

SE*Hot Thundereans

Siberian Forest

The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)

The Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe)

The International Cat Association (TICA)

Sverak - The Swedish Cat Club

Felis Britannica

The Siberian Forest cat is a strong, medium‑large Russian breed with a thick triple coat and many colours. Loyal and people‑focused, it is playful, athletic, intelligent and enjoys training and vertical space. Generally robust, it may face HCM or PKD and needs regular grooming and interaction.

SE Trollius New Moon är en uppfödare av rasen Sibirisk katt med bas i Glanshammar i Sverige.

SE*Trollius New Moon

## Quick Facts

The American Cocker Spaniel is a compact American bird dog and companion with considerable working drive behind its elegant appearance. It is a distinct breed, not a smaller version of the English Cocker Spaniel. The breeds share an origin but have different standards and breeding histories. Even so, you cannot assume that every American Cocker is calmer or has less hunting drive than every English Cocker.

- **Origin:** United States.
- **Classification:** FCI number 167 in Group 8, Retrievers, Flushing Dogs and Water Dogs.
- **Original function:** flushing and retrieving bird dog; the breed standard also lists companion dog.
- **Ideal height at the withers:** about 38 cm for males and 35.5 cm for females. The breed standard does not specify an ideal weight.
- **Temperament ideal:** even, confident and cheerful, without shyness.
- **Activity:** needs substantial daily exercise and tasks that engage its nose and cooperation with the handler.
- **Coat care:** demanding, especially when the coat is kept long. A shorter sport trim makes daily care easier but does not remove the need to check the ears, feet and skin.

The breed is best suited to someone who wants to combine companionship with training and accepts regular coat and ear care. It can suit a first-time owner who seeks help when needed, but it is not automatically an easy choice simply because it is relatively small.

## Appearance & Coat

The American Cocker Spaniel should be a strong, balanced and mobile dog in a compact format. The body is slightly longer than tall but should look neither long nor low. The clearly defined head should be in proportion to the body. The eyes should be dark and must not protrude; the expression should be alert and gentle. Movement should be free and efficient, without the abundant coat obscuring the dog's outline.

The standard divides the colours into black, solid colours other than black, and parti-colours. The body coat is medium in length with a protective undercoat. The ears, chest, abdomen and legs carry more feathering. Correct coat is silky and straight or slightly wavy. Excessive coat, a cottony texture or curl is not the goal: the American Cocker Spaniel should still function as a sporting dog.

How often the coat needs combing and clipping depends on its amount, length and texture, as well as the dog's activity and the weather. Part the coat down to the skin and check that a comb passes through without resistance. Tangles readily form around the ears, armpits, groin and feet and under a harness or collar. After walks in woodland, rain or swimming, the coat needs an extra check and thorough drying.

A full show coat requires considerably more work than a shorter sport trim. Ask the breeder to demonstrate the care routine before the puppy comes home. Gradually accustom the puppy to a comb, dryer, clippers, foot handling and standing still for short periods. Grooming then becomes an everyday skill rather than a struggle after the coat has already matted.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed ideal is an even, bold and cheerful dog that enjoys working with its person. Many American Cockers seek contact, are playful and learn quickly, but the standard describes a breeding goal—it does not promise the temperament of an individual dog. Genetics, early experiences, health, upbringing and training all have an influence.

The Swedish BPH data are too limited to provide a reliable picture of temperament across the breed: the current breeding strategy reports only 25 assessed dogs in 2015–2023. It is therefore more useful to meet the puppy's mother and, if possible, other close relatives. Watch how the dogs seek contact, accept handling, respond to something unexpected and settle again. Ask how relatives cope with the kind of daily life you are planning.

Hunting traits vary but can remain. The breed is still described as a flushing and retrieving bird dog, although hunting use is uncommon in Sweden. An American Cocker may therefore suddenly become very interested in a scent or bird. Recall and outdoor engagement need to be trained rather than assumed.

## Training & Exercise

The American Cocker Spaniel needs daily activity, but no single number of minutes suits every dog. Age, health, fitness, environment and the day's other demands determine what is appropriate. A good routine combines walks and free movement in safe places with scent work, retrieving, cooperation and the ability to settle afterwards.

The breed's background offers several natural training routes. Search exercises, tracking human scent, blood tracking, controlled retrieving and tasks in which the dog works close to the handler engage both its nose and its willingness to cooperate. Rally obedience, obedience, agility and freestyle may also suit the individual. Start simply and increase difficulty, duration and physical load only when the dog is recovering well.

Prioritise recall, engagement, calm behaviour around encounters and the ability to leave a scent trail from an early age. Also train everyday skills: examination around the eyes and ears, foot handling, standing on a grooming table and resting despite movement nearby. Short, clear sessions and rewards the dog values help maintain motivation.

More activity is not always the answer to restlessness. A dog that struggles to settle may need clearer recovery time, better-adjusted training or a health check. For a puppy, new environments, body awareness and short tasks should take priority over long, repetitive exercise sessions.

## Health

The ears are the most important health area to plan for, and eye examination is the clear Swedish breeding requirement. The Swedish breeding strategy identifies ear inflammation as the breed's most common health problem. Drop ears, abundant ear hair and a rich coat make it particularly important to be able to see the skin, keep the hair around the ear opening manageable and spot problems early.

Odour, redness, swelling, discharge, tenderness or head shaking are reasons to contact a veterinarian. Recurrent problems should be investigated because there may be an underlying cause. Healthy ears do not, however, need cleaning according to a frequent standard schedule. Nor does the breeding strategy support the claim that American Cockers are generally born with narrow ear canals.

Hereditary eye conditions including cataracts and retinal folds occur, and PRA has been identified in isolated cases. For a litter registered in Sweden, both parents must have an official eye-examination result. The certificate may be no more than one year old, and the result must be valid before mating. The rule requires a current result; it does not mean that every diagnosis must be marked clear. Check the parents' results and dates in the Swedish Kennel Club's Avelsdata database, and ask the breeder to explain how any findings were assessed for the proposed mating.

A DNA test for prcd-PRA is neither a guarantee against all PRA nor a replacement for an eye examination. In 2025, the Swedish Kennel Club's breeding committee rejected an application for a central level 1 prcd-PRA health programme for the American Cocker Spaniel because it had not been established that confirmed PRA cases in the breed were caused by that particular mutation. Do not confuse the breed's Swedish requirements with testing packages for the English Cocker Spaniel: FN, hip dysplasia screening and patella examination are not formal registration requirements for the American Cocker Spaniel under the current rules.

The Swedish Kennel Club's special judging instructions highlight head shape, eyes and excessive coat. When choosing a puppy, sound proportions, eyes that neither protrude nor water constantly, a correct bite, free movement and a coat that does not hinder the dog matter more than an extreme look. Healthy parents reduce uncertainty but cannot guarantee a healthy puppy.

## History & Origins

The American and English Cocker Spaniels share roots, but the American type developed in the United States and became a distinct breed. Obo II, born in 1882, is commonly identified as an important early dog in its American history. Differences in type became clearer during the first half of the 1900s.

In 1945, the American Kennel Club divided the Cocker Spaniel into American and English Cocker Spaniels. The first American Cockers arrived in Sweden in the 1950s. The FCI lists the United States as the country of origin and places the breed among retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs. Today's breed is often oriented towards companionship and showing, but the bird-dog function in the standard explains why scent work, searching and retrieving remain relevant activities.

## Living with the Breed

The American Cocker Spaniel can live well in a house or flat when activity, access outdoors, coat care and recovery are properly arranged. In a building where sound carries, training for calm behaviour around noises and a plan for the dog's days are needed; the breed name does not tell you whether an individual will bark a lot or a little.

The breed can live happily with children, dogs and other animals, but the breed alone provides no guarantee. A dog and small child should always have an adult present, and the dog needs an undisturbed resting place. Introductions to other animals should be calm and controlled. Consider the individual's previous experience, resource guarding, play style and interest in chasing, not just a general breed description.

Alone time is taught gradually once the dog feels secure at home. Begin with very short periods and increase them only while the dog remains calm. Some individuals learn quickly; others need a slower plan. The breed should therefore be described neither as unable to stay alone nor as trouble-free without training.

The following checks are particularly useful before buying a puppy:

- View both parents' official eye results and dates in Avelsdata; check that each result was no more than one year old at mating.
- Ask about recurrent ear, eye and skin problems in the parents and close relatives, not only whether the dogs appear healthy on that particular day.
- Meet the puppy's mother and observe contact, handling, reactions to sound and recovery. Ask about other close relatives if the father is not present.
- Look for free movement, sound head proportions, eyes that do not protrude, water or squint, and a quantity of coat that can be maintained without hindering the dog.
- Ask the breeder to demonstrate coat and ear care, and judge the workload against the coat length you actually intend to keep.
- Describe the daily life and activities you are planning. A breeder who knows their lines should be able to discuss variation rather than promise that every puppy will be the same.

Rules and recommendations can change. Always check the current versions with the Swedish Kennel Club and breed club when buying rather than relying on an old checklist.

American Cocker Spaniel

The Kennel Club (UK)

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Svenska Kennelklubben (Sweden)

Dansk Kennel Klub (DKK)

Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK)

American Cocker Spaniel: a small, sturdy gundog with a silky coat and large, expressive eyes. Cheerful, affectionate, and people‑oriented, it suits active families. Needs daily exercise, mental stimulation, gentle positive training, and regular, thorough grooming and ear care.

Troupers är en uppfödare av rasen Amerikansk cocker spaniel med bas i Örebro i Sverige. Uppfödningen har arbetat med amerikansk cocker spaniel sedan år 2000.

Troupers

Norwegian Forest

Norwegian Forest Cat Club (UK)

Skogkattringen - Norwegian Forest Cat Club (Sweden)

Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe)

The Norwegian Forest cat is a large, muscular Scandinavian breed with a dense, water‑resistant double coat and strong climbing ability. Slow to mature, they are gentle, affectionate, and intelligent, needing vertical space, regular grooming, and play to stay healthy and content.

SE Hackstakatten är en uppfödare av rasen Norsk skogkatt med bas i Vingåker i Sverige.

SE*Hackstakatten

British Longhair

Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)

The Norwegian Cat Association

Royal Veterinary College - University of London

British Longhairs are sturdy, medium‑large cats with a plush semi‑long coat and round “teddy bear” look. Calm, polite, and quietly affectionate, they suit many homes. They’re moderately active, need regular grooming, and are generally healthy when bred with attention to heart, kidney, and joint care.

SE Herasellas är en uppfödare av rasen Brittiskt långhår med bas i Örebro i Sverige.

SE*Herasellas

Oriental Short Hair

GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy)

FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline)

Felinological Association of Sweden

PawPeds (Nordic PawPeds Database)

The Cat Fanciers' Association

Oriental Shorthairs are elegant, athletic cats with a Siamese‑type body, large ears and a sleek, low‑maintenance coat in many colors and patterns. Highly social, vocal, playful and intelligent, they crave daily interaction, mental stimulation and close companionship with their people.

Siamese

SVERAK

FIFe

TICA

SE Alamartin's är en uppfödare av raserna Orientaliskt korthår och Siames med bas i Vedevåg i Sverige.

SE*Alamartin's

Stabyhoun

The UK Stabyhoun Association

Deutscher Stabyhoun Club e.V. (Germany)

Swedish Kennel Club (Svenska Kennelklubben)

The Stabyhoun Association (NL)

Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

The Stabyhoun is a rare Dutch farm and gundog: medium‑sized, athletic, with a silky feathered coat that sheds seasonally. Gentle, sensitive and people‑oriented, it suits active families, needs daily physical and mental work, and is generally healthy when responsibly bred.

Jordkronan's är en uppfödare av rasen Stabijhoun med bas i Garphyttan i Sverige. Verksamhetens historia med rasen sträcker sig tillbaka till 2026.

Jordkronan's

## Quick Facts

The Australian Shepherd was developed in the United States as a herding and working dog and suits people who want to train and work with their dog every day. It is quick, responsive and versatile, but its working drive and guarding and herding instincts mean it is rarely suited to someone primarily looking for an undemanding companion.

- The breed belongs to FCI Group 1 and was developed to work sheep and cattle on farms and ranches.
- Desirable height at the withers is 51–58 cm for males and 46–53 cm for females. The breed standard gives no ideal weight.
- The coat is medium-length, weather-resistant and has an undercoat. The base colours are blue merle, black, red merle and red, with or without white markings and tan points.
- The tail may be naturally long or short. Tail docking is prohibited in Sweden.
- An Australian Shepherd needs daily physical activity, problem-solving, co-operation and opportunities to settle.
- For Swedish breeding dogs, official hip dysplasia (HD) status and known mental status through an MH assessment are key checks. MH records reactions; it is not a pass-or-fail test.

## Appearance & Coat

The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized, well-balanced and mobile dog that should be slightly longer than tall. It should be muscular and solid without becoming heavy or clumsy, because its construction must allow quick changes of direction and sustained work. The standard specifies desirable height but no ideal weight. Assess an adult by its proportions, body condition, movement and function rather than relying on a weight range said to come from the standard.

The coat is straight to wavy, medium-length and weather-resistant. The amount of undercoat varies with factors including climate and season. A correct coat needs regular combing and closer checks during shedding, but not an identical weekly schedule for every dog. Feel through the coat to the skin and pay particular attention to areas where friction can easily cause tangles, such as behind the ears and in the feathering. Check the skin, paws and nails at the same time after work in woodland or rough ground.

The four base colours are blue merle, black, red merle and red. All may occur with or without white markings and tan points. Eyes may be brown, blue or amber, including combinations, flecks and marbling. Different-coloured eyes are therefore permitted and, by themselves, say nothing about the dog's temperament.

The tail may be naturally long or naturally short. The latter is often called NBT, natural bobtail, and must not be confused with a docked tail. The Swedish Kennel Club registers the breed with a tail designation showing whether the dog has a full-length tail, a bobtail, a tail shorter than normal, no tail or a docked tail. For a puppy buyer, the registration entry is better evidence than guessing from a photograph.

## Temperament & Personality

According to the breed standard, the Australian Shepherd should be an intelligent working dog with strong herding and guarding instincts, an even disposition and a good-natured manner. It may be reserved when first meeting strangers, but breed-typical neutrality is not the same as fear or aggression. The Swedish Australian Shepherd Club therefore emphasises that neutral is a clearer term than reserved.

There is considerable variation between individuals and families. Some dogs work very intensely in relation to people and their surroundings, while others are more balanced in everyday life; the strength of herding, guarding, sound reactions and social interest can also differ. Labels such as working line or show line are not enough to predict a puppy's temperament. Look instead at the parents, mature close relatives, the breeder's goals, working records and documented mental assessments.

As a herding dog, the breed uses its body and movement to control livestock. This can produce a strong interest in things that move. In daily life, a dog may want to follow, stop or control running children, bicycles, joggers or other animals. This is a possible breed trait, not something every Australian Shepherd does and not an excuse to let the behaviour continue. Distance, a lead or barrier, a trained alternative and rewards for checking in make the situation safer while the skill is being taught.

MH is particularly useful when comparing breeding dogs and relatives. The assessment records how a dog reacted to contact, handling, play, surprises, noise and gunshots, among other things. It cannot on its own predict how a puppy will develop, and it does not measure the whole of working ability. Read the full record and ask how the dog behaves and recovers in ordinary environments.

## Training & Exercise

An Australian Shepherd needs both movement and tasks involving scent work, problem-solving and co-operation every day, but a fixed number of hours does not describe what an individual dog needs. A calm woodland walk, tracking or searching, everyday obedience, herding, working trials, agility and other well-planned training place different demands on the dog. Adapt volume and intensity to age, health, previous conditioning and recovery.

A manageable daily life requires more than making the dog physically tired. Prioritise the following from an early age:

- engagement and responsiveness even when something is moving nearby,
- recall, first practised in an easy setting and secured with a long line when needed,
- loose-lead walking, handling and the ability to wait,
- a clear transition between activity and calm,
- the ability to disengage from following or controlling children, vehicles and animals.

Training should be reward-based, progressive and adapted to the individual. The breed often learns quickly, which also means accidentally rewarded habits can become established quickly. Make the desired behaviour easy to choose, increase difficulty gradually and do not use fear, threats or physical punishment.

Puppies and young dogs need movement, environmental experience, rest and short learning sessions, not an adult dog's workload or an exercise schedule based on a fixed number of minutes. The aim is a dog that can work with commitment, remain responsive and then settle. If activity increases while the dog finds it harder to sleep, relax or cope with everyday stimuli, the plan needs reviewing rather than simply adding more speed.

## Health

For a Swedish puppy buyer, the crucial distinction is between binding registration rules, breed-club recommendations and optional DNA tests. Under the current Swedish Kennel Club rules, official hip dysplasia status is required before mating and, for resident Swedish breeding dogs covered by the rules, known mental status through a complete MH assessment is also required. Known status does not automatically mean a good hip result or a desirable mental profile; check the actual result.

In its breed-specific breeding strategy, SASK generally recommends hip grades A or B and an eye examination for breeding dogs. The club also highlights the value of checking hip results in close relatives because the breed has no hip index. Elbow dysplasia (ED) screening is voluntary and is not a specific registration requirement for the breed. Ask the breeder to show what was actually examined, on which dog, on what date and with what result rather than accepting the phrase health tested.

DNA tests are available for CEA, HSF4 and MDR1, among others, but SASK does not prescribe one universal panel for every mating. Each test concerns a particular gene or risk variant. A clear HSF4 result, for example, does not rule out every form of cataract and does not replace a clinical eye examination. Relevant tests are selected according to documented risks in the family and the planned mating.

MDR1, also called ABCB1, can affect how certain medicines are distributed in the body and reach the brain. An individual dog's status cannot be determined from its appearance. If the dog has been tested, the result should be recorded in its veterinary notes; medicine selection and dosage always belong with the veterinarian.

Two merle dogs should not be mated. The combination can produce puppies with two copies of the merle variant and an increased risk of deafness and visual or eye abnormalities. The naturally short NBT tail has a different genetic basis. SASK recommends caution with matings in which both parents carry the NBT variant as well, but the two issues should not be confused.

## History & Origins

Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd as it is known today was developed in the United States. The FCI standard links the name to Basque shepherds who came to the United States from Australia during the nineteenth century. The precise contribution of older herding dogs is less certain, so a detailed account of a fixed breed recipe should be treated as theory.

American sheep and cattle farmers continued selecting dogs for versatility, independent work, intelligence and herding ability. After the Second World War, awareness of the breed grew as Western riding, rodeos, horse shows, films and television reached a wider audience. The modern breed's American ranch background explains both the paradox in its name and why function remains central to its description.

## Living with the Breed

The Australian Shepherd is best suited to a routine that includes planned activity, learning and recovery even during ordinary working weeks. A large garden does not replace shared tasks, and competition ambitions are unnecessary if the dog still has a meaningful and varied life. Anyone wanting a dog that mainly joins shorter walks should choose a less demanding type.

With children, an adult should always be present, the dog needs an undisturbed resting place and the household needs a plan for high-energy play. Interrupt and create distance before the dog begins to fixate on or control movement. Children should not be responsible for situations in which a quick, strong dog may react to its surroundings.

Living with dogs or cats depends on the individuals and the introduction, not the breed name. Find out about the parents' and the particular dog's history. Begin calmly with separate safe spaces, a barrier and a lead, give the cat an unobstructed escape route and progress only when both animals can remain relaxed. Small pets may require permanent physical separation.

The breed can live in a flat if it gets enough time outdoors, meaningful tasks and rest, and the owner can manage reactions to noise. In a building with poor sound insulation, owners need to prevent noises in shared areas from prompting the dog to guard and bark. Time alone should be trained gradually and judged by the individual dog's behaviour. The Swedish Board of Agriculture's advice to take a dog out at least every six hours during the day is an outing guideline, not a measure of how long an individual is comfortable being alone.

Before buying a puppy, ask for the parents' registration numbers, hip results, full MH records, dates and results of eye examinations, and relevant DNA results. Also check the tail designation and working achievements, and ask how mature close relatives behave around people, noise, movement, rest and recovery. Those details say more about what daily life with the dog is likely to be like than colour, eyes or whether the breeder calls the dogs working-line or show-line.

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is a medium, athletic herding dog, highly intelligent and energetic. Loyal and people oriented, it bonds closely and needs substantial daily exercise, training, and mental work. Its striking, weather resistant coat and varied eye colors add to its appeal.

Vi planerar vår första kull. Mer info kommer när tiken blir dräktig.

#australian shepherd

Pawtasa

## Quick Facts

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is a small but sturdy and active farm and companion dog from Denmark and Sweden. The FCI places the breed in Group 2 as a pinscher-type dog. It is therefore not a terrier, although it was previously called the Scanian Terrier.

- **Height at the withers:** 34–37 cm for males and 32–35 cm for females, with a permitted variation of 2 cm either way.
- **Original purpose:** to raise the alarm, catch rats and live closely with the people on the farm.
- **Temperament according to the breed standard:** alert, lively and attentive.
- **Coat:** short, harsh and smooth, with white as the dominant colour.
- **Best suited to:** a person or family who wants to teach everyday skills, provide both physical activity and scent work, and help the dog to settle.

The breed standard gives no official weight. Figures found on different websites should therefore be treated as guidelines, not as a range into which every adult Danish Swedish Farmdog must fit. When choosing a puppy, the parents’ size, body condition and soundness are more useful than a single weight range.

## Appearance & Coat

The Danish Swedish Farmdog should be small, compact and substantial, not fine or elegant. The body is slightly rectangular: the ratio of height at the withers to body length is 9:10. The breed matures physically at a late stage, and full muscle mass and body substance may not develop until the dog is three to four years old.

The head is relatively small and triangular. The ears may be rose-shaped or folded forwards; pricked ears are not part of the breed ideal. The tail may be naturally long or a congenital bobtail of varying length. A congenital bobtail is a natural variation and should not be confused with a docked tail.

The coat is harsh, short and smooth and has no undercoat. White should predominate, with patches of one or more colours: black, tan, yellow, liver, agouti or various shades of fawn. Patches should also be present on the head, and flecking in the white is permitted. Appearance can therefore vary considerably without the dogs belonging to different varieties of the breed.

The coat needs little care, although shedding can be noticeable. Brush out loose hair as required, particularly during periods of heavier shedding, and bathe the dog when it is actually dirty. Check the skin, ears, paws and claws at the same time. Introduce the puppy gradually to tooth brushing and other handling. Calm, reward-based handling practice makes both routine care and veterinary visits easier.

## Temperament & Personality

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is usually quick, curious and people-oriented, but the breed name is no guarantee of an easy-going family dog. The standard describes the breed as alert, lively and attentive. In daily life, this often means being ready to join in, reacting to movement and letting people know when something is happening nearby.

The farm watchdog role is still apparent in many individuals. Many will bark to alert when someone arrives, but how readily barking starts and how quickly the dog becomes quiet varies. In a home where sound carries easily, it is sensible to find out how the parents and adult relatives react to doors, communal stairwells and visitors. This is more informative than assuming that the breed is always quiet or always vocal.

In the Swedish Kennel Club’s older BPH behavioural assessment summary, the breed appears mainly confident and relatively energetic. At the same time, curiosity, playfulness and interest in unfamiliar people vary clearly. BPH describes a dog’s reactions; it is not a test that the dog passes or fails. Read the individual dog’s assessment record and ask how the parents behave in everyday life.

The breed’s background as a rat catcher makes interest in small, fast-moving animals relevant. This does not mean that every Farmdog chases everything it sees, but a prospective owner should expect to teach interruption cues and recall. Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets need secure areas that the dog cannot access.

## Training & Exercise

The Danish Swedish Farmdog needs regular physical and mental activity, but there is no correct hourly rule that suits every dog. Age, health, intensity, environment and recovery determine what a good day looks like. An adult dog can have a mixture of walks, free movement in a safe place, scent work, play and short sessions of everyday training. Puppies need gradually increasing experiences and plenty of rest, not a miniature version of an adult programme.

Watch the dog’s behaviour rather than the clock. An appropriate amount leaves a dog able to settle at home, recover after activity and still move freely the next day. Persistent restlessness may mean that daily life lacks meaningful tasks, but more high-speed activity is not always the answer. Sometimes the dog needs more scent work, clearer routines or help to settle.

Prioritise skills that help a quick and attentive dog function in daily life:

- recall and voluntary check-ins when wildlife or other distractions appear
- being able to stop chasing, digging and intense play
- calm behaviour at doors, windows and when visitors arrive
- being able to rest while people move around the home
- loose-lead walking and responsiveness in busy environments
- comfortable handling of paws, mouth, ears and body

Train progressively with positive, reward-based methods and adjust the difficulty to the individual. The breed often learns quickly, which also means that barking, pulling or overexcitement can become established if it repeatedly leads to what the dog wants. Agility, rally obedience, tracking, nosework and other dog sports may suit the breed, but no particular activity is essential. What matters is a sustainable combination of cooperation, scent work, movement and recovery.

## Health

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is generally regarded as a healthy breed, but the description “healthy breed” is no substitute for checking the specific litter. Ask for registered results, dates and information about close relatives. The name of a test or a statement that the parents are health tested says too little without the actual results.

Hip dysplasia, HD, is an area in which old and current information is easily confused. The breed currently has a Swedish Kennel Club health programme at Level 1. This means that HD results can be recorded centrally, but radiography is not required for the puppies to be registered. According to the breed club, dogs with HD grade D or E or with clinical symptoms should not be used for breeding. An official result and, where available, an HD index still provide useful information about the hips specifically; they are not a certificate of the dog’s overall health.

For patellar luxation, the breed club’s current recommendations state that a dog affected by the condition or operated on for it should not be used for breeding. The recommendation does not, however, mean that all parents must have an official patella result. Ask both about examinations and about knee problems in the parents, siblings and previous offspring.

Primary lens luxation, PLL, is a serious eye disease associated with a mutation in the ADAMTS17 gene, and a validated DNA test is available for the breed. The breed club particularly recommends testing where there are carriers or untested close relatives in the line without a DNA-tested clear dog in between. According to the recommendation, a carrier may only be mated to a DNA-tested clear dog or one that is clear by descent, also known as hereditarily clear. A clear PLL result applies to this mutation; it does not rule out other eye problems or other diseases.

Before buying, it is reasonable to check:

- the parents’ identities and actual HD results, if they have been radiographed
- any patella examinations and the known family history
- PLL status and how the result fits with that of the other parent
- diseases, lameness, dental problems and temperament in close relatives
- that the breeder can explain both the strengths and uncertainties of the mating

## History & Origins

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is an old Scandinavian farm dog type but a comparatively recently recognised breed. Similar dogs lived on farms in Denmark and southern Sweden for a long time, where they controlled rats, raised the alarm when someone arrived and served as companions. Exactly how the type developed is not known. Links with pinschers and British white hunting terriers have been discussed, but should not be presented as a certain pedigree.

Before recognition, names including Scanian Terrier were used. At a Swedish survey in 1986, 107 dogs were brought together, contributing to the conclusion that the type was sufficiently consistent while also retaining useful genetic variation. Sweden and Denmark jointly recognised the breed in 1987 under the name Danish Swedish Farmdog.

The FCI granted the breed provisional international recognition in 2008 and definitive recognition in 2019. It was placed in Group 2 as a pinscher-type dog, not in the terrier group. Most are companion dogs today, but the urge to alert, interest in small rodents and strong desire to work make the breed’s history relevant even in a modern home.

## Living with the Breed

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is best suited to a home where companionship, activity and everyday training are a natural part of life. It can suit a first-time owner, but its compact size does not make the breed undemanding. The owner needs to appreciate a quick dog, be able to prevent chasing and alert barking, and be prepared to train calmness as carefully as energetic activities.

Interactions with children should always be supervised by an adult. The dog needs a resting place where it will not be disturbed, and children should not bother it when it is eating, sleeping or trying to move away. Assess the parents’ behaviour and the individual dog’s ability to break off play; the phrase “child-friendly breed” is not a guarantee of safety.

A Farmdog can live with a cat, but the outcome depends on the individuals and the introduction. Prevent the dog from chasing the cat, give the cat high places and clear escape routes, and keep the first meetings short and controlled. Small animals such as rabbits and rodents should be kept physically separate even if the dog appears calm under supervision.

Flat living can work if the dog gets outside, has opportunities to use its nose and learns not to alert at every sound in the building. A garden does not replace activity, and a large home does not solve being left alone. Begin alone-time training with very short periods when the dog is secure and calm, increase the time only when it can genuinely relax, and arrange other care if daily life requires longer absences than the dog can manage.

If possible, meet both parents or other adult relatives before deciding. Observe how they greet people, recover after a surprise, react to small animals and sounds, and settle after activity. That information, together with verifiable health data and a breeder who knows their lines, says more about daily life than general promises that the breed suits everyone.

Danish Swedish Farmdog

Swedish Kennel Club

Danish Kennel Club

Norwegian Kennel Club

The Danish/Swedish Farmdog Club of America

Fédération Cynologique Internationale

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is a lively, medium‑small Scandinavian farm breed, compact and athletic with a smooth, mainly white coat and colored patches. Highly people‑oriented, intelligent, and energetic, it excels as an affectionate family companion when given daily exercise, training, and mental stimulation.

Solgudinnans är en uppfödare av rasen Dansk-svensk gårdshund med bas i Örebro i Sverige. Uppfödningen har en registrerad historia med rasen sedan 2021.

Solgudinnans

## 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

Svenska Kennelklubben (Swedish Kennel Club)

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.

Källhagens är en uppfödare av rasen Staffordshire bullterrier med bas i Lindesberg i Sverige. Verksamheten omfattar även hunddagis, hundpensionat och en mindre butik med hundprodukter i Bergslagen. Källhagens delar praktisk information för nya valpägare om bland annat förberedelser, försäkring och utrustning.

Källhagens

## Quick Facts

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, athletic dog from southern Africa, best known for the strip of hair along its back that grows in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat. The breed is best suited to someone who has plenty of time for physical activity and training, and who can manage an independent dog with a background in hunting and guarding.

- **Origin:** southern Africa. South Africa and Zimbabwe are responsible for the breed standard.
- **Breed group:** FCI Group 6, scent hounds and related breeds.
- **Height at the withers:** the desirable range is 63–69 cm for males and 61–66 cm for females.
- **Desirable weight:** approximately 36.5 kg for males and 32 kg for females under the breed standard.
- **Coat:** short, dense and smooth, ranging from light wheaten to red wheaten.
- **Temperament:** the breed ideal is dignified and intelligent, with some reserve towards strangers but without aggression or fearfulness.
- **Activity level:** high. A Rhodesian Ridgeback needs varied exercise, mental challenges and time to settle.

A breed description is not a promise about an individual dog. Parents, close relatives, upbringing and training will tell you more about the puppy in front of you.

## Appearance & Coat

A Rhodesian Ridgeback should be powerful and muscular while remaining agile and balanced, never heavy or cumbersome. The standard gives 63–69 cm and about 36.5 kg as desirable for males, and 61–66 cm and about 32 kg for females. These are breed ideals, not a guarantee of every adult dog's eventual weight.

The ridge is the breed's defining feature. It should begin behind the shoulders, taper towards the hip bones and be symmetrical. The standard requires two matching whorls, known as crowns, placed opposite one another. The wrong number of crowns is a conformation fault, and absence of the ridge is a disqualifying fault in conformation judging. This does not determine how the dog will cope with everyday life. The appearance of the ridge and examination for dermoid sinus are separate matters.

The coat should be short, dense, smooth and glossy, neither woolly nor silky. Colour ranges from light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes is allowed, as are a dark muzzle and ears, while extensive white and excessive black hair are undesirable. The nose may be black or brown, and the eyes should harmonise with the coat and nose colour.

This short coat does not require specialist grooming. Brush and bathe as needed, keep the nails at a comfortable length and check the skin, ears and paws. Adapt care to the individual dog and its daily routine rather than following a rigid weekly schedule.

## Temperament & Personality

A typical Rhodesian Ridgeback is independent, alert and reserved with people it does not know. Reserve means the dog may prefer to stand back; it is not the same as fear. The breed standard does not consider either shyness or aggression desirable, while the breed club's behavioural material shows that social confidence, reactions and recovery vary between individuals.

The breed has a background in both hunting and guarding. Hunting interest, vigilance and independent decisions may therefore be evident in daily life, although their intensity differs from dog to dog. A dog that notices visitors is not automatically a reliable guard dog, and being quiet during a behavioural assessment does not guarantee a quiet dog at home.

The Swedish BPH behavioural assessment can provide useful information about how a dog reacts in a defined test situation. It is a description, not an examination that the dog passes or fails. Read the full result in the Swedish Kennel Club's Avelsdata, paying particular attention to social confidence, fear and recovery. Ask to meet the dam and, if possible, other adult relatives as well. Their behaviour in ordinary situations provides better evidence than labels such as “family-friendly” or “stable” in an advert.

A Rhodesian Ridgeback can live successfully in a family with children, but the breed name is not a safety guarantee. An adult should always supervise interactions, and the dog must be allowed to eat, sleep and withdraw without being disturbed. Choose the individual dog and breeder to suit your actual family circumstances rather than relying on a general label.

## Training & Exercise

A Rhodesian Ridgeback needs a great deal of physical and mental activity, but no single number of minutes suits every dog. A sound routine includes walks through varied environments, opportunities to move more freely in secure places, scent work and tasks that involve cooperation, followed by time to settle.

Tracking, search exercises and other scent-based activities make constructive use of the breed's abilities. Strength, speed and stamina should be developed gradually, especially in a growing youngster. Adjust the load to the dog's body, the surface and its recovery rather than following a simple age formula.

Independence does not make the breed untrainable, but it does make motivation and clarity important. Reward-based, varied sessions are more effective than long repetitions or harsh confrontation. Start engagement, loose-lead work and recall training early. If the dog is inclined to pursue wildlife, use a long line or a securely fenced area until the training remains reliable in the presence of distractions.

Introduce the puppy to people, dogs, places and sounds at a pace that still allows it to engage with you and recover. The goal is not to greet everyone, but to feel secure in everyday situations.

## Health

Before buying a puppy, official hip and elbow results and a documented examination of the puppy for dermoid sinus are key checks. Match every result to the identity of the dog, and distinguish between the Swedish Kennel Club's registration rules and the breed club's stricter conditions for its puppy-referral service.

For a Rhodesian Ridgeback litter to be registered, the Swedish Kennel Club requires both parents to have an official hip dysplasia result before mating. The breed also has a specific requirement for official elbow dysplasia status. Nordic breeding dogs covered by the rule must not be bred from if they have ED grade 2 or 3, or clinically diagnosed or surgically treated elbow dysplasia. A known result is not automatically a good result, so read the grade itself and ask how the mating was planned.

The puppy-referral criteria of the Swedish Rhodesian Ridgeback Club go beyond these basic requirements. They include conditions relating to parental age, hip grades and pairings, ED grade 0 and behavioural documentation for certain dogs. If a litter is advertised through the referral service, check what that meant for the particular mating. If it is not listed, ask which condition was not met; the label alone does not reveal the entire health picture.

Dermoid sinus, commonly shortened to DS, is a congenital developmental abnormality in which the skin and underlying tissue do not separate completely during foetal development. It can form a tract of varying depth. Puppies should therefore be examined carefully by someone with appropriate experience, and buyers should be told who performed the check and what was recorded.

Research has linked the genetic change that produces the ridge with a higher risk of DS, but a ridge test is not a diagnostic test for dermoid sinus. The breed club stresses that the complete genetic cause of DS has not been established and advises against a newer commercial risk test that lacks published validation. A visibly correct ridge can therefore never replace a physical examination of the puppy.

DNA tests for conditions such as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, JME, and degenerative myelopathy, DM, should not be treated as a compulsory standard panel for every Swedish mating. The breed club recommends assessment based on relationships and known results. Ask the breeder why a particular test was chosen, which dog the result belongs to and how it influenced the mating. That is more informative than an unspecified claim that the dogs are “DNA tested”.

Keep the dog at a healthy, functional body condition as well. Monitor weight, waistline, how easily you can feel the ribs and stamina over time. Let a vet assess changes or symptoms rather than drawing conclusions from a generic list of diseases.

## History & Origins

The Rhodesian Ridgeback was developed in southern Africa and is the only internationally recognised dog breed to originate there. In the Cape Colony, the dogs of early settlers were crossed with local, semi-domesticated ridge-bearing hunting dogs. The official history does not provide a definitive list of every European breed behind the modern dog, so precise recipes are speculative.

The breed's original work led to the name “lion dog”, but that description needs context. The dogs were expected to track game, especially lion, and use their agility to hold it at bay from a distance until the hunter arrived. They often worked in pairs or groups of three; their role was not to kill a lion on their own.

F.R. Barnes drew up the first breed standard in Bulawayo, in what was then Rhodesia, in 1922, using the Dalmatian standard as a model. It was recognised by the South African kennel organisation in 1926. The current standard is maintained by South Africa and Zimbabwe and still describes a fast, functional dog with stamina rather than a heavy-bodied one.

## Living with the Breed

A Rhodesian Ridgeback is best suited to a home that can provide close company, daily activity, consistent training and clear opportunities to rest. The size of the home does not determine suitability on its own. Flat living can work if the dog's needs are met outside and it can relax indoors; a large garden replaces neither walks, scent work nor cooperation with its owner.

Time alone must be introduced gradually, without leaving a puppy before it is ready. Begin with very brief, uneventful periods and increase them only while the dog remains comfortable. There is no breed-based hourly limit that suits every adult. Plan around the dog you actually have and arrange help if it shows distress, vocalisation, destructive behaviour or difficulty settling.

Whether a Rhodesian Ridgeback can live with other dogs or cats depends on the individual, previous experience and the introduction. Keep initial meetings controlled, give each animal a separate safe space and prevent chasing. A puppy raised with a cat may develop good habits, but that does not predict with certainty how it will react to unfamiliar small animals outdoors.

Before buying, the following checks are more valuable than general promises:

- verify the parents' identities and official HD and ED results in SKK Avelsdata;
- ask whether the litter meets the breed club's puppy-referral conditions and what any exceptions mean;
- request documentation of the puppy's dermoid sinus examination;
- read the BPH results of parents and close relatives as descriptions, not scores;
- ask why any DNA tests were performed and how the results affected the mating;
- meet adult relatives and assess confidence, recovery, hunting interest and the ability to settle in daily life;
- be honest about the time you have for training, exercise, daytime care and gradual alone-time training.

The right dog should not merely conform to the breed standard. It should come from parents with well-documented health and have traits that suit the life you can offer.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Verein für Deutsche Doggen (Germany)

Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Great Britain

Société Centrale Canine (France)

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a powerful, athletic African hunting dog with a distinctive ridge of reverse-growing hair. Loyal and affectionate with family but reserved with strangers, it needs ample daily exercise, consistent positive training, and suits active, experienced owners.

Ridgemark är en uppfödare av rasen Rhodesian ridgeback med bas i Örebro i Sverige. Uppfödaren genomförde SKK:s uppfödarutbildning 2021–2022. Under 2023 fortsatte uppfödaren sin kunskapsutveckling genom en fördjupningskurs i hundavel och genetik samt en distansutbildning om hundens beteende.

Ridgemark

Brazilian Terrier

Dansk Kennel Klub (Danish Kennel Club)

Verein für Deutsche Spitze (German Society for German Spitz and Related Breeds)

The Brazilian Terrier is a medium‑small, athletic, tricolor farm terrier from Brazil, bred for ratting and watchdog work. Energetic, intelligent, and often bonded to one person, it needs daily exercise, consistent positive training, and mental stimulation. Grooming is simple; sourcing puppies abroad can be difficult.

Tenderlove N'care's föder upp terrier brasileiro i Åsbro. Kennelnamnets registrerade historia går tillbaka till 2000, då chinese crested dog förekom under namnet. Registreringarna av rasen sträcker sig till 2006. Genom åren har även boxer, griffon bruxellois och stor xoloitzcuintle förekommit under kennelnamnet. De första registreringarna av terrier brasileiro gjordes 2025, då även griffon bruxellois registrerades. Den 28 februari 2026 var en terrier brasileiro från kennelns egen uppfödning anmäld i juniorklass vid den internationella hundutställningen Agria Dog Show.

Tenderlove N'care's

Ingen

## Quick Facts

- The Eurasier is a medium-sized German Spitz breed, developed as a companion dog and happiest when living closely with its family.
- Under the breed standard, males should measure 52–60 cm and weigh 22–30 kg. The corresponding ranges for females are 48–56 cm and 18–26 kg.
- The standard describes a calm, self-assured and attentive dog with a strong bond to its family, without being pushy with strangers.
- Reserve should not be confused with fear. Swedish BPH behaviour assessments show clear variation in social confidence within the breed.
- Eurasiers generally enjoy joining in with family activities without having the workload of a working breed. Exercise and training must still be tailored to the individual each day.
- The double coat generally needs brushing about once a week, and more often when the undercoat is being shed.
- In Swedish breeding, both parents must have an official hip score before mating. The breed club’s advice about results and other tests goes beyond the registration requirement itself.
- The breed suits someone who wants a close everyday companion and accepts an independent streak. It is less well suited to a life with little company or an expectation that the dog should greet everyone.

## Appearance & Coat

The Eurasier is a balanced, medium-sized Spitz. Its body is slightly longer than its height at the withers, its ears are erect, and its bushy tail is carried over the back or curved to one side. Bone should be moderate, and the thick coat must not obscure the dog’s proportions. The overall impression should be functional and well balanced rather than heavy or excessively fluffy.

The standard gives ranges of 52–60 cm and 22–30 kg for males and 48–56 cm and 18–26 kg for females. These figures are a guide to the breed, not a promise of an individual puppy’s adult size. If size matters in practical terms, look at the parents and close relatives as well.

The coat consists of a dense, soft undercoat and medium-length, straight guard hairs that lie fairly loosely. Hair is shorter on the face, ears and fronts of the legs, and longer on the tail and backs of the legs. All colours and colour combinations are permitted under the current international standard except pure white and piebald.

In everyday life, a thorough brush about once a week is often enough. More frequent brushing is needed when the undercoat comes out once or twice a year, and the amount of loose hair can then be considerable. Use the opportunity to check the skin, nails, ears and teeth. Bathe the dog when it is dirty.

## Temperament & Personality

The Eurasier should be calm, self-assured and even-tempered, with a strong attachment to its family and limited interest in making contact with strangers. This can make the breed appealing to people who want a dog that enjoys being close to its own family without automatically greeting everyone. It does not mean that every Eurasier will be quiet, confident or easy in every situation.

Swedish BPH results offer a more nuanced picture than the ideal set out in the standard. As a group, the dogs showed little interest in strangers, but their confidence during social encounters varied considerably. A dog that calmly chooses not to greet is reserved. A dog that flees, freezes or becomes highly distressed needs more distance and support. Reserve must not be used to excuse fear or threatening behaviour.

A puppy needs early, positive experiences of different people, environments, surfaces and everyday situations. The aim is not to have strangers pet the puppy, but for the dog to remain calm and secure even when it does not wish to interact. Let it observe from a distance at which it can still eat, explore and recover. Forced greetings can increase insecurity.

Eurasiers can live happily with children, dogs or other animals, but the breed name is no guarantee. A dog and young children should always have an adult present, and the dog needs a resting place where it will not be disturbed. Ask the breeder how the parents respond to handling, sudden movement and unfamiliar dogs. Where cats or small pets share the home, use calm introductions, secure separation and supervision while you learn about that individual dog’s chase behaviour.

## Training & Exercise

Eurasiers often learn quickly, but they were not developed for the sustained task work expected of a working breed. Clear routines, rewards the dog values and short sessions with an understandable goal tend to work best. Reward the behaviour you want to see again, making the task clear without damaging trust. Harsh corrections, intimidation and physical pressure have no place in training.

Everyday skills matter more than accumulating advanced exercises. Teach the dog to walk with you on a lead, wait, return when called, accept handling and settle when nothing is happening. Vary rewards between food, play, movement and access to things the dog wants to investigate. If the dog loses interest, reducing the difficulty or changing the task is often more useful than repeating the same cue.

The breed is generally happy to join walks and family outings without needing the workload of a dedicated working breed. A fixed number of exercise minutes says little about what a particular dog needs. A good day includes movement, opportunities to sniff, chances to solve problems and enough rest. Adjust this to age, health, weather and the dog’s recovery. Scent work, tracking, rally obedience, hoopers and other shared activities may suit the breed, but the individual dog’s motivation should guide your choice.

Recall still needs training, even if the dog likes to remain near its family. Neither a close family bond nor a reputation for low prey drive makes a dog safe off lead. Use a lead or long line wherever wildlife, traffic, other animals or local rules make off-lead exercise unsuitable.

## Health

The Eurasier is described as relatively healthy, but prospective owners should still check several health risks and breeding considerations. Begin by distinguishing SKK registration requirements from the breed club’s more extensive breeding recommendations.

For a Swedish litter to be registered, both parents must have an official hip dysplasia result before mating. The requirement is a known result, not necessarily grade A or B. The Swedish Eurasier Club recommends breeding dogs with HD A or B, ED 0 and patella 0. Ask to see the official results and, where possible, check siblings and previous offspring as well. Parental results reduce uncertainty but cannot guarantee a healthy puppy.

The breed club also recommends carefully planned pairings for Dandy-Walker-like malformation, DWLM. The variant is inherited recessively and can be identified with a DNA test. A clear dog can be mated to another clear dog or to a carrier, whereas two carriers must not be paired. A carrier is not the same as an affected dog and need not be removed from breeding when its mate has tested clear. This distinction matters both for preventing affected puppies and for preserving genetic diversity.

The breed club also monitors reported cases of hypothyroidism, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, EPI/EPA, and gastric torsion. The club does not describe these as major problems in the breed, but it continues to collect information about them. Persistent tiredness with coat changes, or recurring diarrhoea with weight loss, therefore deserve attention. Suspected gastric torsion requires emergency veterinary care.

Ask the breeder about official joint and patella results, DWLM status and known diagnoses among the parents, siblings and previous offspring. A general assurance that the dogs in the family are ‘healthy’ is less informative than documented results and an open account of relatives’ health.

## History & Origins

The Eurasier is a young breed with a well-documented German origin. Julius Wipfel began the breeding programme in 1960 by combining the Chow Chow and the Wolfspitz, also known as the Keeshond. The early dogs were called Wolf-Chows. The Samoyed was introduced later, and the breed was renamed Eurasier to reflect its European and Asian origins.

The FCI recognised the Eurasier in 1973, and the first Eurasier arrived in Sweden in 1994. The breed has always been intended as a companion dog, and the international standard does not require a working trial. This helps explain why close family contact and a stable everyday temperament are central to the breed. Simplistic claims that each foundation breed supplied one particular trait are best avoided, however; today’s dogs vary both mentally and physically.

## Living with the Breed

The Eurasier is best suited to a home where the dog takes part in everyday life. It can live in a flat or a house, because the size of the home matters less than the routine around exercise, rest, noise and company. A garden does not replace walks or family contact, and the breed’s background makes it unsuitable for living mainly alone in an outdoor kennel.

Time alone must be taught gradually once a puppy feels secure in its new home. Begin with very short absences and increase them only while the dog remains settled before, during and after you leave. Dogs learn this at different rates. Plan daily life around the individual dog you have, not a supposed breed limit measured in hours.

For families with children, adult supervision and a protected resting place matter more than the label ‘family dog’. Where cats or small pets are present, secure boundaries and controlled introductions matter more than assumptions about prey drive. Anyone who wants to do a great deal of training should meet the parents and ask what motivates them, how they cope with handling and how they recover in unfamiliar environments.

Before buying a puppy, ask for the registration certificate, sales contract, a current veterinary inspection certificate and documented health information for the parents. Meet the dam and, if possible, other adult relatives. Look in particular at whether they can remain calmly neutral towards strangers without fleeing, freezing or being pressed into contact. A carefully planned Eurasier litter should make sense both on paper and in the life you can offer.

Eurasier

German Kennel Club (VDH)

Eurasier Klub e.V. Sitz Weinheim (EKW)

The Eurasier Society UK

Norsk Kennel Klub (Norwegian Kennel Club)

The Eurasier is a medium, plush-coated Spitz bred as a calm family companion. Sensitive and deeply bonded to its people, it prefers a peaceful home, is reserved but non-aggressive with strangers, needs moderate daily walks, mental games, gentle training, and regular coat care.

Sable Shade's är en kennel i Arboga som föder upp eurasier. Kennelnamnet har historiskt även använts vid registrering av långhårig collie, kleinspitz och mittelspitz.

Sable Shade's

SE Järnskogen's är en uppfödare av rasen Norsk skogkatt med bas i Hallsberg i Sverige.

SE*Järnskogen's

## Quick Facts

The Welsh Corgi Pembroke is a small but powerful herding and cattle dog that is now kept mainly as an active companion. It is best suited to someone who wants to combine walks with everyday training, scent work or other forms of mental activity.

- Height at the withers: approximately 25–30 centimetres
- Breed-standard weight: 10–12 kilograms for males and 9–11 kilograms for females
- Country of origin: Great Britain, with the breed’s working history rooted in Wales
- Coat: a medium-length double coat that sheds, particularly during heavier seasonal moults
- Temperament: the ideal is a bold, alert and friendly dog, but individuals vary considerably
- Lifespan: the Swedish breed club describes many dogs as reaching 12–14 years, although health and longevity vary

The Pembroke and the Welsh Corgi Cardigan are two separate breeds, not varieties of the same breed. They differ in features such as size, colour and tail. Do not choose between them on the strength of simplistic claims that one is always calmer or more sociable.

## Appearance & Coat

The Welsh Corgi Pembroke should be low-set, strong and sturdily built without appearing heavy or restricted. The body is medium in length, the chest is broad and deep, and the ears are upright. Despite its short legs, a healthy Pembroke should move freely and actively.

The breed standard gives an approximate height of 25–30 centimetres, a weight of 10–12 kilograms for males and 9–11 kilograms for females. These figures are guidelines, not the correct target weight for every dog. Body condition and muscle mass must also be considered.

The coat has straight, medium-length outer hair and a dense undercoat. Permitted colours are red, sable, fawn, and black and tan. They may appear with or without white on the legs, chest and neck; a small amount of white on the head and muzzle is also allowed.

Older descriptions can give the impression that every Pembroke has a short tail. In fact, puppies may be born with a full tail or a natural bobtail of varying length. Tail docking is prohibited in Sweden unless it is medically necessary. A docked dog is therefore not Swedish-bred, so its origin and import documents should be checked carefully.

The Welsh Corgi Cardigan is generally a little taller, has a long, fox-like tail and comes in a wider range of permitted colours. Colour or personality cannot identify the breed reliably; the pedigree establishes which breed the dog belongs to.

The coat does not require trimming. Brush it regularly and brush through the undercoat when shedding increases. This removes loose hair and makes changes in the skin easier to spot. Bathe the dog when it is dirty rather than to a fixed timetable. Calmly accustom the puppy to brushing, nail care and tooth brushing.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed ideal is a bold, workmanlike, outgoing and friendly dog. However, the Swedish Kennel Club’s current BPH behaviour analysis shows considerable variation among the dogs assessed. Some greet strangers enthusiastically, while others show much less interest. A breed description therefore cannot predict exactly how any particular puppy will develop.

The Pembroke’s background as a farm and cattle dog is often reflected in watchfulness, quick reactions and an ability to make its own decisions. Many enjoy working with their owner, but some need more practice to choose the handler over events in their surroundings. This can make the breed rewarding to train, although everyday cooperation should not be taken for granted.

The Swedish Kennel Club highlights possible tendencies to guard, bark and nip at heels. The last of these is linked to the breed’s historical work close to the hind legs of cattle, but herding behaviour is not identical in every dog. Nipping at running children, feet or trouser legs should still be stopped early. Reward calm contact, attentiveness and choosing an appropriate task instead.

Vocal behaviour also varies. A Pembroke may react to sounds at the door, movement outside a window or anticipation, but the breed name alone does not determine whether barking will become a problem. Ask how the puppy’s parents and close relatives behave at home. Establish calm routines around the door, visitors and rest from the outset.

For a family with children, the right individual and a well-managed routine matter more than the label “family dog”. Dogs and young children should always have an adult present, and the dog needs a resting place where it will be left undisturbed.

## Training & Exercise

The Welsh Corgi Pembroke needs physical exercise and mental activity every day, but a fixed number of minutes or miles will not suit every dog. Age, health, fitness and what the walk involves all matter more than a standard timetable.

A good daily routine includes walks with time to sniff, short training sessions and a task that requires concentration, such as searching for food, tracking or learning practical skills. Balance calm activities with movement and planned rest. A dog that runs a great deal but never learns to settle may still find it difficult to relax.

Start early with recall, loose-lead walking, impulse control and a calm cue that interrupts barking or nipping. Reward-based training makes the desired choice clear to the dog. Keep sessions focused and finish while the dog is still engaged rather than repeating the same exercise until interest fades.

The breed may enjoy obedience, rally, tracking, scent work and agility. Choose an activity to suit the individual dog’s body and motivation. Not every Pembroke has herding ability simply because the breed historically worked cattle; these qualities must be assessed in the individual.

Short legs are not a reason to treat a healthy adult dog as fragile. Build fitness and muscle gradually and provide good grip on slippery floors. Adjust exercise for puppies, older dogs and dogs recovering from injury. Sudden pain, reluctance to move, lameness or weakness calls for veterinary assessment, not blanket advice about stairs or ramps.

## Health

The Swedish breeding strategy describes the Welsh Corgi Pembroke as a generally healthy breed, but buyers should still check hips, eyes and documented health in the family. It is important to distinguish between registration requirements, breed-club advice and DNA tests that happen to be available.

Since January 2025, the Swedish Kennel Club has required both parents to have an official hip status before mating if their puppies are to be registered. Ask to see the results and how the breeder evaluated the proposed pairing; “X-rayed” does not mean that the result was clear.

Svenska Welsh Corgi Klubben, the Swedish breed club, also recommends that breeding dogs have an eye examination before mating. Ask for current results for both parents and about eye findings in close relatives. The club also monitors lameness and premature closure of the ulna, known as short ulna, which can cause the front leg to develop abnormally. A young dog with an increasingly turned-out foot, a curved foreleg or lameness should be examined promptly by a vet.

DNA tests for degenerative myelopathy, or DM, and von Willebrand disease type 1 are available for the breed, but their results must be interpreted correctly. The current Swedish breeding strategy describes the DM test as a risk test and does not recommend routine testing, because it does not give the complete clinical picture and the disease has not been documented as a major problem among Swedish dogs. For vWD type 1, the breed club withdrew its previous routine-testing advice after a review with the Swedish Kennel Club’s DNA group. A laboratory result does not in itself prove that a dog is ill or will become ill. Ask the breeder why a test was performed and how its result was balanced against other aspects of health and genetic diversity.

Keep the dog at a healthy body condition throughout life. A clear waist should be visible from above, and the ribs should be easy to feel with light pressure. Weigh the dog regularly, but do not let the figures in the breed standard replace a proper body-condition assessment. Consult a vet if weight changes without a clear reason or the dog needs a structured weight-loss programme.

## History & Origins

The Welsh Corgi Pembroke developed in Wales as a farm and herding dog, but its earliest origins have not been conclusively established. Theories involving Flemish weavers, Nordic spitz-type dogs and a relationship with the Swedish Vallhund should be treated as theories rather than settled history.

Its documented work on Welsh farms explains the breed more clearly. Pembrokes helped move cattle to and from barns, guarded farms and performed several other duties. As heelers, they drove cattle while working close to the animals’ hind legs. The task demanded alertness, mobility and determination, as well as both independence and cooperation.

Pembrokes and Cardigans developed their own distinctive features in Wales but were long treated collectively as Welsh Corgis. They were separated into two breeds in 1934. The FCI lists the Welsh Corgi Pembroke as breed number 39 in Group 1 for sheepdogs and cattle dogs.

In Sweden, Pembrokes live almost entirely as companion dogs, although some still herd. Their working heritage is more often expressed through dog sports, scent work and an everyday life in which they solve tasks with their owner.

## Living with the Breed

A Welsh Corgi Pembroke can live in a flat, terraced house or detached home if its routine provides enough activity, rest and companionship. Its low height does not make it inactive, and a garden cannot replace walks or training. In a flat, it is particularly important to work early on calm responses to sounds in shared areas, movement outside windows and activity at the door.

Time alone must be introduced gradually. Begin with very brief periods and increase them only while the dog remains relaxed. Puppies and anxious dogs need particular care. Dogs also need to be taken out regularly during the day, so anyone working long hours must plan for company and daytime walks.

The breed can live with other dogs or cats, but compatibility depends on the individuals and the introduction. Give a cat dog-free places and a clear escape route, keep early meetings controlled and prevent chasing. Small pets should be protected from stress and physical contact. Previous experience with another species is useful information, but it cannot guarantee the next relationship.

The Pembroke can suit a first-time owner who enjoys training and can be consistent without using harsh methods. It is less suitable for someone who wants a dog content with very short walks, that sheds little, or that will automatically be quiet and compliant.

The breed has grown markedly in Sweden. Careful checks become even more important as a breed gains popularity. Meet the breeder and the puppy’s mother, and verify registration, microchip details, the veterinary examination certificate and official health results. If the dog is imported or has a docked tail, its origin and import documents should be clear. A sound decision rests on records, open answers and how the dogs actually behave, not photographs or promises of a particular temperament.

Welsh Corgi Pembroke

Association Française du Corgi

The Welsh Corgi Pembroke is a small, sturdy herding dog with short legs, a fox-like face, and a weather-resistant double coat that sheds year-round. Intelligent, active, and people-oriented, it needs daily exercise, mental stimulation, kind training, and careful weight and back management.

Kenneln Gleetail's föder upp welsh corgi pembroke i Svartå. De första registreringarna under kennelnamnet avser skotsk terrier 2020 och welsh corgi pembroke 2024. Flera skotska terrier uppfödda under kennelnamnet har deltagit i officiella utställningar, och några har svenska och norska utställningschampiontitlar.

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