DogMatchUp

Taiwan Dog vs Swedish Vallhund

Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.

Taiwan Dog
Small

Taiwan Dog

Foundation Stock Service

Swedish Vallhund
Small

Swedish Vallhund

Herding Group

Quick Comparison

Size

Taiwan Dog Small
Swedish Vallhund Small

Lifespan

Taiwan Dog 9-13 years
Swedish Vallhund 12-15 years

Exercise Needs

Taiwan Dog 5/5
Swedish Vallhund 5/5

Grooming Needs

Taiwan Dog 3/5
Swedish Vallhund 2/5

Breed Overview

Taiwan Dog Overview

Taiwan Dogs possess a lean, muscular build with distinctive triangular ears and a sickle-shaped tail. Their short, dense coat comes in black, brindle, or fawn colors. Alert and agile, these medium-sized dogs showcase remarkable athleticism and natural hunting abilities. Their facial expressions convey intelligence and vigilance, while their balanced proportions reflect their versatile working heritage.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 9-13 years
Size: Small
Temperament: Loyal, Versatile, Intelligent

Swedish Vallhund Overview

Swedish Vallhunds are compact, sturdy herding dogs with distinctive wolf-like features and characteristic spitz-type traits. Their muscular build, alert expression, and medium-length double coat reflect their Viking heritage. Standing at 12-13 inches tall, these agile dogs possess a unique combination of strength and nimbleness, with their short legs and long body giving them a distinctive silhouette.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Size: Small
Temperament: Friendly, Energetic, Watchful

Key Differences

  • Energy Level: Taiwan Dogs are less energetic than Swedish Vallhunds, requiring less daily exercise.
  • Grooming: Taiwan Dogs require more grooming attention compared to Swedish Vallhunds.
  • Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Taiwan Dogs tend to be more reserved with strangers than Swedish Vallhunds.
  • Trainability: Swedish Vallhunds may be slightly easier to train due to their Swedish Vallhund's higher intelligence ranking.
  • Living Situation: Swedish Vallhunds adapt better to apartment living, while Taiwan Dogs typically prefer homes with more space.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Taiwan Dog and Swedish Vallhund, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.

Basic Information

Feature Taiwan Dog Swedish Vallhund
Size Small Small
Life Expectancy 9-13 years 12-15 years
Country of Origin Unknown Unknown
Breed Group Foundation Stock Service Herding Group

Physical Characteristics

Feature Taiwan Dog Swedish Vallhund
Height
17-20 inches
43-51 cm
12-14 inches
29-35 cm
Weight
26-40 lbs
12-18 kg
20-35 lbs
9-16 kg
Coat Type Short, dense coat Short, dense coat
Coat Length Short Short
Shedding Seasonal Seasonal

Temperament & Behavior

Feature Taiwan Dog Swedish Vallhund
Temperament Loyal, Versatile, Intelligent Friendly, Energetic, Watchful
Energy Level
5/5
5/5
Intelligence
1/5
1/5

Compatibility

Feature Taiwan Dog Swedish Vallhund
Good with Children
3/5
5/5
Good with Other Dogs
3/5
3/5
Apartment Friendly
2/5
2/5

Temperament & Personality

Taiwan Dog Temperament

Loyal Versatile Intelligent

The Taiwan Dog is known for being loyal, versatile, intelligent, making them better suited for homes without young children. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They tend to be reserved with strangers, which makes them good watchdogs. With their high energy levels, they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.

Swedish Vallhund Temperament

Friendly Energetic Watchful

The Swedish Vallhund is characterized by being friendly, energetic, watchful, which makes them great companions for families. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They're naturally cautious around strangers, which enhances their ability to serve as watchdogs. Their high energy requires substantial daily exercise and activities to keep them physically and mentally satisfied.

Temperament Comparison

When comparing the Taiwan Dog and Swedish Vallhund, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:

Sociability with Strangers

Taiwan Dog
3/5
Swedish Vallhund
3/5

Good with Children

Taiwan Dog
3/5
Swedish Vallhund
5/5

Side-by-Side Trait Ratings

GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Taiwan Dog

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 3/5

Swedish Vallhund

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 5/5

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Taiwan Dog

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

Swedish Vallhund

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

ENERGY LEVEL

Taiwan Dog

Low High

Rating: 5/5

Swedish Vallhund

Low High

Rating: 5/5

TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE

Taiwan Dog

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 1/5

Swedish Vallhund

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 1/5

GROOMING NEEDS

Taiwan Dog

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Swedish Vallhund

Low High

Rating: 2/5

Care & Maintenance

Taiwan Dog Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

5/5

Taiwan Dogs require significant daily exercise, including at least 60-90 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and more vigorous activities like running, swimming, or fetch.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Taiwan Dogs require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.

Swedish Vallhund Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

5/5

Swedish Vallhunds need substantial daily exercise, including at least 60-90 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and more intense activities like running, swimming, or agility training.

Grooming Requirements

2/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Swedish Vallhunds require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be helpful.

Health & Lifespan

Taiwan Dog Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 9-13 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Patellar luxation
  • Eye problems
  • Allergies
  • Dental issues

Swedish Vallhund Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-15 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Retinal Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Swedish Vallhund Retinopathy
  • Intervertebral Disk Disease

Pros & Cons

Taiwan Dog

Pros

  • Highly intelligent
  • Excellent watchdog
  • Low maintenance grooming
  • Athletic and agile

Cons

  • Strong prey drive
  • Can be reserved with strangers
  • Requires extensive exercise
  • May be territorial

Swedish Vallhund

Pros

  • Highly trainable
  • Good with families
  • Excellent watchdog
  • Adaptable to different living situations

Cons

  • High exercise needs
  • Can be vocal
  • Seasonal shedding
  • Strong herding instinct

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Now that you've compared the Taiwan Dog and Swedish Vallhund, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.