HEAD AND SKULL

[Standard - Rather long and a clean cut, blunt wedge with almost flat skull and well defined stop. Viewed from above, shows an even wedge shape from skull to tip of nose. Muzzle viewed from side, looks rather square, slightly shorter than skull Lower jaw strong. Although a dark mask is acceptable, a well-defined mask is highly desirable with lighter hair around eyes, on muzzle and under the throat, giving a distinct contrast to the upper mask. Tightly closed lips. Nose black.]

Shape of the head is defined as a long, clean cut, blunt wedge with an almost flat skull and well-defined stop. From above it is not pointed in any way but very much a blunt wedge shape. The side view of the head should be very strong with a good depth of muzzle and with tight lips and flat planes. A Vallhund does not have bulging cheeks or anything that sticks out from the face. They should be well filled in below the eyes.

EXPRESSION

Should be watchful, alert and eager. Gaze should show intelligence and a keen, friendly interest.

EYES

[Standard - Medium size, oval, very dark brown]

Eyes should be medium size and oval, not round or narrow. If the eyes are not an oval, it definitely detracts from the required expression of alertness, intelligence and good-tempered interest. Eye color should be very dark brown but in keeping with the coat color. Eye color in red and steel grey (blue) dogs is always lighter. Eyes should also not be protruding nor sunken. The eye rims should have black or brown pigmentation.

EARS

[Standard — medium size, pointed, pricked, leather hard from base to tip, but fine smooth haired and mobile.]

Ears should be of medium size, be sharply pointed and carried in the alert position.

Their texture should be firm and leathery but covered by smooth fine hairs. 

Vallhund ears are always on the move.

MOUTH

[Standard - Scissor bite - Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.]

The Vallhund should have a regular scissor bite with flail dentition. There has been an increased tendency in Sweden and England for Vallhunds to be missing teeth between the canine teeth and the molars.

Vallhunds have very large teeth for their size and a strong scissor bite is essential in a breed that is used for herding and vermin catching. A loss of contact caused by short centre incisors is not a scissor bite and should be penalised.

A well-defined mask is desirable; the Vallhund looks as though it is wearing spectacles. A head that is lacking in some facial markings at least around the eyes seems to loose the Spitz look. The nose should be black.

*Picture on this page: Ch. Norsled Topsy