GENERAL APPEARANCE
Sizes: Height at Shoudlers: Ideal size for males 48 cm. Ideal size for females 43 cm 
The Swedish Lapphund is a typical spitz dog of slightly less than medium size with a proud head carriage. The important proportions are a rectangular body shape. The Swedish Lapphund appears shorter in leg than the Finnish Lapphund due to the fact that the rib cage is deeper than the Finnish Lapphund. 
The skull is slightly longer than broad, and the nose is preferably dark. Eyes are set well apart, round, fairly big, but not protruding, preferably dark brown and full of expression. The ears are triangular, broad at the base, small, and pricked, with the tips slightly rounded. They are set well apart and very mobile. The back is level and strong, muscular and springy with the chest reaching to the elbow, and the fore chest is well developed with a well defined breastbone. The belly is slightly tucked up. The tail is rather high set, reaching to the hock when extended. Carried over the back when moving.
The coat is a profuse double coat. Bushy, long and dense on the tail. Forming a ruff around the neck. The colour is usually solid black.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
He is lively, alert, kind and affectionate and also very receptive and willing to work. Nowadays the breed is foremost kept as a companion dog, it is very versatile, suitable for obedience training, agility, herding, tracking etc.
HISTORY
The Swedish Lapphund is a refinement of the many northern dog breeds. The Lapphund is descended from dogs which were used primarily in the guarding and keeping of reindeer, ie keeping the herd stationary. In the 1800’s the Sami or (lapps) inuett people herded their reindeer through what is today Finland, Sweden & Russia. The reindeer where moved up & down the country using the Samoyed, Finnish & Swedish Lapphunds. In the late 1800’s & early 1900’s the tribes found this way of life harder to maintain, so the breeds split, the Samoyed to Russia, Finnish Lapphund to Finland & the Swedish Lapphund to Sweden. 
The Lapphund is very receptive and willing to work. Its abilities as a good guard and herding dog made it very useful in the reindeer-trade.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 31-35cm (12”-13¾”).
Colour: Various shades of grey, brown and yellow mixed with darker hairs in designated areas. Up to one-third of the dog’s colour may be white.
Coat: Outercoat - harsh, close and of medium length. Undercoat - thick, soft and woolly.
Gait: Legs reach well out with strong hind propulsion.
Not unlike the Welsh Corgi, the Vallhund is a sturdily built working dog. From above, the head looks like a blunt wedge, with a skull that is flat with a defined stop and a slightly shorter muzzle. The oval eyes are very dark and the smooth haired ears are erect and pointed. The long strong neck flows into well laid back shoulders and the slightly shorter upper arm angles well back to the elbow. The forelegs, when viewed from the front, bend slightly inwards. The body, which is one-third longer than the height at the withers, has a long and deep chest. The broad loin slopes slightly to a shortish tail of up to 10cm (4”) in length. Well angulated hindquarters finish with well arched oval feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
As a member of the Arctic Spitz family, the Vallhund is energetic and forever on the watch. These little Swedish herders excel in the ability to keep flocks of sheep together. Active, affectionate and intelligent, they make worthy companions to their human families. Periodic grooming is required to remove any dead hair, and keep the skin and coat healthy.
HISTORY
While there is no definite evidence associating the Swedish Vallhund with the Welsh Corgi one must presume that there is some common ancestry involving either the Dachshund and some form of Spitz or both. With the advent of industrialisation, the breed all but became extinct in Scandinavia, but in the mid 20th century, a group of conscientious breeders resuscitated this attractive little breed.