SWEDISH VALLHUND MOVEMENT

GAIT/MOVEMENT

[Standard - Free and active, elbows fitting closely to sides, forelegs moving well forward without too much lift, in unison with powerful thrusting hind action.]

The Swedish Vallhund’s top line should be level and it should be level when he moves, it should not jig up and down. It should be flexible, but it should also be strong. The Swedish Vallhund is, after all, a running dog. His job is to herd and run after cattle, so he needs to have a flexible spine with a strong straight movement. When a Vallhund moves the movement is strong, hard thrusting from behind and powerful in front. They can cover a lot of ground very quickly; in short bursts they can really move.  

Photo: Showing front movement with good tight elbows.

FAULTS

• When a dog has a greater degree of hindquarter angulation than his forequarters can tolerate, he will take a longer stride with his back legs than he does with his front legs. The dog will move in a faulty manner to avoid his back legs interfering with his front legs. This will result in exhibition of one of the following faults:

1.  Over-reaching

2. Hackney gait

3. Crabbing

4. Pining in on one rear leg

5. Moving too wide on the rear with toes turned in

6. Dips behind wither then rises to the tail route

• Cow hocks seriously weaken the rear thrust.

• Snatching hocks (a compensation for discomfort in the stifle joint, causes noticeable rocking in the hindquarters.

• Front action being tied at the elbows, which is opposite to elbowing out.

• Faulty movement caused by handler error

Ausled And Kloval Kennels Working Together to Keep The Norsled Standard Of Excellence Alive in Australia.  To contact the Swedish Vallhund Breeders visit the contact page on this swedish vallhund Website