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Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Danish Swedish Farmdog Breed Guide: Pictures, Info, Care & More!

Danish Swedish Farmdog Breed Guide: Pictures, Info, Care & More!

Danish Swedish Farmdog

The Danish Swedish Farmdog (also known as the Danish Pincher) is an uncommon yet beautiful breed with a distinctive and loyal personality. This farm dog originates from Denmark and southern Sweden, where they were bred to perform labor-intensive tasks such as hunting, tracking, and protecting property. They have an energetic and loyal nature that makes them the perfect pet for those looking for a dog that can not only protect their family, but also interacts with their owners.

Breed Overview

Height

13 – 15 inches

Weight

15 – 25 pounds

Lifespan

10 – 15 years

Colors

Tri-color, black and white, and chocolate and white

Suitable for

Active families

Temperament

Loyal & loving, intelligent, easy to train, friendly, energetic

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is a pure-bred dog that’s recognized by the Dansk Kennel Club and Fédération cynologique internationale (FCI). Their sweet nature makes them a lovable dog that gets along with families with children. Although they are full of energy, it is not overwhelming, and they have no problem lounging around the house or cuddling up to their human companions.

Danish Swedish Farmdogs Characteristics

Energy:
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Danish Swedish Farmdog Puppies

Danish Swedish Farmdog puppy
Image By: Jne Valokuvaus, Shutterstock

Since the Danish Swedish Farmdog is a pure breed, they will be more expensive than mixed breeds from shelters. Before you decide to buy a Danish Swedish Farmdog, you should always look around shelters and rescues to see if they have these dogs in their care. Pure breeds are given up for adoption and many shelters are filled with loving dogs looking for a home.

If your local shelters do not have what you are looking for, going to a reputable Danish Swedish Farmdog breeder and spending time looking at their conditions and breeding ethics will help you determine if they are the right breeder to supply you with a healthy, well-bred puppy or adult Danish Swedish Farmdog. Always ask the breeder as many questions as possible so that you know the genetic history behind the dog and any relevant health issues the parents had or have.


Temperament & Intelligence of the Danish Swedish Farmdog

danish swedish farm dog_Kewalin Madsen_Shutterstock
Image By: Kewalin Madsen, Shutterstock

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

These dogs are excellent for families that have children. They are known to form close bonds with their family and will do anything they can to show their loyalty. Always practice proper introduction methods when introducing a new dog to children or babies and ask a professional to help guide the child on how to act around a dog.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

This dog breed does great with other animals like cats or other dogs if they are introduced from a young age. Due to the Danish Swedish Farmdog’s hunting nature, they do not do well with small pet rodents like hamsters or rats and will spend most of their day staring at the cage or even trying to get to the cage. Their sense of smell is quite good so it would be hard to hide a pet rodent from them. That being said, they were bred to hunt down rodents and it is in their genes.

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Things to Know When Owning a Danish Swedish Farmdog

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Danish Swedish Farmdogs are carnivores and should be fed high-quality kibble or raw food as instructed by a professional vet. When you get your new dog, it is a good idea to have them checked out by a vet. When you are there, you can ask what the vet recommends as a staple meal and what food brands are the best for your new dog.

Exercise 🐕

These dogs have high energy levels that allow them to exert a lot of energy running and playing with toys. Due to their small stature, they can exercise fairly easy even in a small yard. Taking them on walks a few times a week is a great way to get your Danish Swedish Farmdog to blow off some steam and provides a healthy bonding experience for both them and their owner.

Training 🎾

If you are looking for a small dog that is easy to train, then the Danish Swedish Farmdog fits that category. They can easily be trained to do tasks such as fetch, sit, or give paw and their high intelligence makes them learn new things quite easily.

Grooming ✂️

The coat of the Danish Swedish Farmdog is short and spiky. The outer layer of the coat does not easily absorb oils and moisture which makes them dry very quickly after a wash. They are clean dogs that do not have to have regular trims or brushes like other furry breeds. Instead, these dogs do not have to be brushed or groomed at all besides a regular bath with dog-safe shampoo.

Health and Conditions 🏥

These dogs are fairly healthy, and the breeder should disclose any health issues that may arise before you make the purchase. They should get all their necessary vaccinations and injections to protect them against popular yet deadly diseases that your dog can pick up. Frequent vet visits will allow you to detect potential problems before they can become severe. The Danish Swedish Farmdog is prone to becoming overweight as they age which can lead to other health issues like arthritis or lymphomas.

Minor Conditions
  • Weight gain
  • Bladder infections in females
  • Yeast infections in the ears
  • Weeping eyes
  •  Lymphomas
Serious Conditions
  • Cancer, arthritis
  • Parvovirus
  • Colds and flu
  • Heart conditions (murmurs or irregular heartbeats from birth)
  •  Neurological issues that can stem from birth or an injury

Male vs Female

There are few differences between the two genders, but females are typically rounder and have a mixture of pink and dark pigments near their genitals. Females are more prone to becoming overweight from a young age than males are. Females also have visible nipples along their stomach that shrink and darken once they have been spayed.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Danish Swedish Farmdogs

1. Danish Swedish look like the common Jack Russell.

Although the resemblance is extremely similar, the Jack Russell is a terrier and Danish Swedish Farmdogs are part of the pincher family and are not related to terriers.


2. Named by a collaboration between Sweden and Denmark.

When the name for the new breed was chosen, two countries (Sweden and Denmark) came together to settle on the local name known as Skrabba or Skaneterrier before it became a recognized breed.


3. Opposite temperament of the common terrier dog breed.

When many people think of a terrier dog, excessive barking and behavioral issues come to mind. This could not be farther from the truth for the Danish Swedish Farmdog who is easygoing and calmer than their lookalike.

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Final Thoughts

The intelligent and energetic nature of the Danish Swedish Farmdog is perfect for active families that want a dog that can get along with young children and other cats and dogs. They can be easily trained to do quirky and cute behaviors and it can be fun as a whole family to interact and teach the dog different tricks.

At night, these dogs are ready to snuggle up in their bed or with their owners and they enjoy showing affection in the form of licking, rolling on their back to have their bellies rubbed, and even bringing their owners little ‘presents’ because of their hunting skills. Although some presents are not enjoyable, especially if they bring back a rodent they found in the garden! But it is still rewarding to see their happy face as they register your initial shocked reaction to their ‘gift’.

Related Reads and Breeds:


Featured Image Credit: Kewalin Madsen, Shutterstock

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