meet the...Vasgotaspets
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Sub-group :
Origin Country Sweden
Weight Males: 20-35 pounds. Females: 20-35 pounds.
Height Males: 12-14 inches. Females: 11-13 inches.
Other Name(s) Schwedischer Schaferspitz, Swedish Cattle Dog, Swedish Cattledog, Swedish Vallhund, Vastgotaspets, Viking Dog, Westgotenspitz
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
The Vastgotaspets breed is an ancient medium-sized cattle dog that hails from Sweden. The name Vastgotaspets translates to Vallhund, another name for the breed, which is Swedish for “herding dog.” In addition to herding, these dogs also served important roles as ratters and sentries, sounding an alarm at the first sign of danger.
It is believed by some that the Vastagotaspets are the predecessor of the Corgi breeds, with their ancestors left throughout Wales during Viking plunders and exploration. However, others believe the opposite, that the ancestors of the Corgi breeds were taken back to Sweden by Viking explorers. Either way, we do know that they are somehow related, which explains the similarities in appearance.Breed Characteristics
Head: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, wedge-shaped, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is long, broad, and flat between the ears when viewed from the front. It is flat to almost flat when viewed in profile. It tapers from the broader topskull toward the narrower muzzle. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: The eyes are medium in size, in proportion to the face, and oval in shape. The rims are darkly pigmented and tightly fitting. The preferred eye color is dark brown. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Ears: The ears are moderate in size, broad at the base, being just slightly broader than long, firmly erect, and set somewhat well apart. The tips of the ears are pointed. Ears are oriented at approximately the 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock position. Ears should never appear broken, drop, small, pointed, pointed straight up, or low. Ears are held in repose when moving or not alerted.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full and broad. It tapers from a rather broad base to a rounded muzzle end. The end of the muzzle is never blunt or pointed. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, and never appear snipey or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well-opened. The nose may project slightly forward in comparison to the end of the muzzle.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage. It is strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows or just slightly below. The forechest is well-developed.
Body: Solid, of good substance, and long in comparison to the length of the forelimbs and hind limbs. The body is never light and weedy, nor is it heavy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round, compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: The tail is permitted leniency. It is set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline, being thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked. The tail may be of a natural long length to naturally bobbed. Docking of the tail is prohibited in this breed. The natural tail is of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending beyond the point of the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved, forming a brush or a slight saber, or may be carried gently curved up over the back. The natural bobbed tail can range from medium length to short.
Movement: The movement of the Vasgotaspets breed is energetic, effortless, efficient, and agile. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the center line of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Vastagotaspet breed’s temperament is playful, affectionate, and steady. Like many herding dogs, they are intelligent and versatile, making for an excellent working dog or companion. They are natural sentries, great watchdogs, and will alert their families to anything that may be amiss. Notoriously gentle as they mature, they make great playmates for other dogs and children, especially when socialized early on. They excel in many areas of discipline and events, such as agility, obedience, tracking, and article search, and some are still used for herding today. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Proportions: The body type is rectangular, with body length (measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump) being greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body-length-to-height ratio should equal 3:2, with the brisket having great clearance from the ground. The distance from the brisket to the ground should equal 1/3rd of the height at the withers. The body is well muscled, strong, elongated in comparison to the limb length, and well put together. The substance is sturdy with medium bone that only appears heavier due to the shortened length. This is a breed capable of great endurance and is surprisingly quite agile for their stature. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, wedge-shaped, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is long, broad, and flat between the ears when viewed from the front. It is flat to almost flat when viewed in profile. It tapers from the broader topskull toward the narrower muzzle. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: The expression is watchful, lively, alert, engaged, and friendly.
Stop: The stop is moderately defined.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 5:3, with the topskull being somewhat longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full and broad. It tapers from a rather broad base to a rounded muzzle end. The end of the muzzle is never blunt or pointed. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, and never appear snipey or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well-opened. The nose may project slightly forward in comparison to the end of the muzzle.
Cheeks: The cheeks are smoothly muscled, never chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work is not to
be penalized.
Eyes: The eyes are medium in size, in proportion to the face, and oval in shape. The rims are darkly pigmented and tightly fitting. The preferred eye color is dark brown. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Ears: The ears are moderate in size, broad at the base, being just slightly broader than long, firmly erect, and set somewhat well apart. The tips of the ears are pointed. Ears are oriented at approximately the 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock position. Ears should never appear broken, drop, small, pointed, pointed straight up, or low. Ears are held in repose when moving or not alerted.
Body and Tail
General Description: Solid, of good substance, and long in comparison to the length of the forelimbs and hind limbs. The body is never light and weedy, nor is it heavy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage. It is strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows or just slightly below. The forechest is well-developed.
Topline: Level from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, and level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Gently sloped.
Underline: A slight tuck-up is present, or the underline is taut and firm without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: The tail is permitted leniency. It is set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline, being thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked. The tail may be of a natural long length to naturally bobbed. Docking of the tail is prohibited in this breed. The natural tail is of a moderately long length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending beyond the point of the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved, forming a brush or a slight saber, or may be carried gently curved up over the back. The natural bobbed tail can range from medium length to short.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are long, being somewhat greater in length than the dwarfed upper arm and forearm bones.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The distance from the withers to the brisket is greater than the distance from the elbows to the ground by approximately ½.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, moderate bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are rather short or dwarfed but equal in length. They are strong, sturdy, moderate bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round, compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The Vastagotaspets breed comes in two coat varieties: the standard and the long fluffy.
Standard coat variety: Shorter to medium-length, dense, slightly harsh, weather-resistant outer coat with slight ruff and fringing on the underside and back of legs and thighs. The undercoat is short, soft, and thick.
Long-coat variety: The coat is short on the face, forehead, and front of the forelimbs and hindlimbs. The coat is longer and fluffier or longer and flat on the neck, ears, rear of the front and hindlimbs, feet, and tail, forming well-developed fringe and furnishings. The undercoat is soft and dense.
Coat Color or Pattern: Various shades of agouti and sable, including grey, grey-brown, grey-yellow, reddish-yellow, and red-brown, all lighter shading (white points).
Movement
The movement of the Vasgotaspets breed is energetic, effortless, efficient, and agile. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the center line of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Vastagotaspet breed’s temperament is playful, affectionate, and steady. Like many herding dogs, they are intelligent and versatile, making for an excellent working dog or companion. They are natural sentries, great watchdogs, and will alert their families to anything that may be amiss. Notoriously gentle as they mature, they make great playmates for other dogs and children, especially when socialized early on. They excel in many areas of discipline and events, such as agility, obedience, tracking, and article search, and some are still used for herding today. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper, healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
