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Danish-Swedish Farmdog Breed Info: Pictures, Traits & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Danish-Swedish Farmdog

Height: 12 – 15 inches
Weight: 15 – 25 pounds
Lifespan: 11 – 13 years
Colors: Black and white, chocolate and white, tricolor
Suitable for: Active families, multi-pet households, adventurous people, farmers, large fenced yards
Temperament: Smart, fun-loving, affectionate, mindful, alert, energetic, loyal

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is a small purebred that is full of life and is handy on the farm. Originally bred as working dogs, Danish Swedish Farmdogs can do it all: hunt, herd, rat, and watch. Nowadays, these dogs are lovable family pets, but hunters and farmers still favor them over other breeds due to their instincts and skills.

These dogs feature toned bodies and resemble the Jack Russell Terrier from afar. They have short, straight coats that make them look soft and sleek. Their bodies are typically white, yet patches of black or chocolate may be present, especially on the head and back. They feature beautiful amber or dark brown eyes that show loyalty and affection all the time.

These are highly intelligent dogs with a great deal of energy, so don’t expect them to sit at home all day long. You’ll need to walk and play with them every day to keep them happy. There is much to learn about this awesome purebred dog, so keep reading to learn more!

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Danish Swedish Farmdog Puppies

Danish Swedish Farmdog puppy
Image Credit: Jne Valokuvaus, Shutterstock
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

As this breed’s name suggests, these dogs were born to live and work on farms. Their instinct is to stay busy, so they’re always looking for something to do. If they’re left alone without an outlet, they’ll likely become destructive. They require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to avoid boredom. Early socialization and training should go on the top of your list, so you can have a well-behaved dog that can get along with other animals.

Be ready to have the adventure of a lifetime of caring for a Danish Swedish Farmdog. You will have a loyal and affectionate dog by your side.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Danish Swedish Farmdog

1. They have big personalities.

Danish Swedish Farmdogs are small in size, but they are big in personality! They’re lively in social settings, and they love to bark when they play. They’ll also let you know when someone is headed toward your front door.


2. They love to work.

Most people wouldn’t expect a small Danish Swedish Farmdog to do much aside from play and sleep. But these dogs were born to work! They thrive when they’re given a job, whether hunting, herding, or even carrying small loads of water or lumber.


3. They’re extremely agile.

These little dogs are agile and thrive when participating in agility clubs and tournaments. They love obstacles, they can swim well, and they’ll impress you with their climbing skills. They’re so agile, many owners consider them to escape artists.

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Danish Swedish Farmdog Temperament & Intelligence 🧠

The Danish Swedish Farmdog is excitable and social. They have a love for working alongside humans and thrive when they have a job to do, whether it’s working on the farm or fetching the morning newspaper. These smart dogs can be taught to pick up their toys, and they’ll spend hours keep the kids company, whether inside or outdoors.

These dogs are smart, and they have high energy levels, so they need daily exercise and plenty of mental stimulation throughout the day. Danish Swedish Farmdogs make for great therapy dogs, thanks to their patients and loyalty to humans. They have a high prey drive, so they don’t always get along with small animals. But they’re sociable enough to live and visit with other dogs.

Luckily, these dogs are easy to train, so they are typically well-behaved from puppyhood as long as training starts early enough. All in all, this is a playful and enthusiastic breed that yearns to please their human family members and looks forward to consistent attention.

Are Danish Swedish Farmdogs Good for Families? 🏡

Danish Swedish Farmdogs are excellent family pets. They love playing with kids, they’ll cuddle up with adults, and they’ll follow teenagers all around the house. They do need obedience training as puppies to learn how they should behave around people, especially young children.

Their small size makes them vulnerable to human interaction, so kids should never be left unattended with your Danish Swedish Farmdog. These dogs should be introduced to kids outside of the home slowly, so they don’t become too overwhelmed and end up feeling defensive. Every interaction your pooch has with a child should be a positive one.

Do Danish Swedish Farmdogs Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Danish Swedish Farmdog gets along famously with other dogs. They love being in the company of dogs small and large, especially at home, where the dogs can be a cohesive pack. But these dogs will get along with new dogs outside of the home too, as long as they are trained to do so when they’re still puppies. Your pup should be introduced to new dogs regularly from the time you bring them home.

You can take them to the dog park or invite friends who have dogs over to visit. Introducing your dog to other dogs regularly will effectively socialize them and optimize the chance that they’ll get along in any social situation. Danish Swedish Farmdogs can also get along with cats if they clearly understand that the cat is a pet within the household, just like them.

Introducing these dogs to cats early on is essential, thanks to their inherently high prey drive. Smaller animals such as hamsters, guinea pigs, and even snakes could trigger their prey drive, so these small animals should never be out of their cages when your pooch is free to roam.

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Things to Know When Owning a Danish Swedish Farmdog

There is still plenty to know before becoming the proud parent of a Danish Swedish Farmdog, such as their eating and exercise habits, as well as their training capabilities.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Danish Swedish Farmdogs eat about a cup of dog food each day, give or take, depending on their specific activity levels. They can eat wet, dry, or homemade food, depending on your preferences and if the food meets their nutritional needs. Your veterinarian can provide you with recommendations for high-quality foods that your pups should thrive on, or you can go shopping on your own.

If you choose to do it yourself, look for a food made just for small dogs and puppies until your pup is considered an adult, usually about 12 months of age. Once an adult, your dog should still eat food made for small breeds for optimal digestion. Look for food made with real meat, omega fatty acids, and whole food sources of vitamins and minerals, like sweet potatoes and flaxseed.

Exercise 🐕

These small dogs have large activity levels! They can easily keep up on a few-mile walk or hike — every single day. They love playing in the yard with kids or visiting the dog park for a jaunt. They need a good 45 minutes of vigorous exercise daily, which can include games such as fetch. Danish Swedish Farmdogs need mental exercise regularly too. They should be challenged with interactive toys or training sessions at least once a day.

Training 🦮

Every Danish Swedish Farmdog needs obedience training to learn how to live within a rule-based household environment. Unless you don’t mind your dog jumping on everything, chewing things up, and being unruly with visitors, you need to teach your puppy at least the basic obedience commands when they are still puppies. Obedience commands should be reinforced through training practice regularly throughout your dog’s life.

These dogs also do well as therapy dogs, so therapy training is an option for older dogs after obedience training and a life of living closely with humans has been experienced. Agility training should be considered as well, as these dogs are fast, flexible, and focused.

Grooming ✂️

These dogs have short, smooth coats that don’t heavily shed, so they need little grooming throughout the week. A few brushings and a quick wipe-down of the ears is all that should be needed. Their nails should stay naturally trimmed, thanks to the long walks you’ll be taking them on. And they don’t typically need baths, as they are good at keeping themselves clean in general.

Health Conditions ❤️

These dogs are generally healthy and live long happy lives. But there are a couple of minor health conditions that you should be aware of, so you aren’t taken by surprise if they end up developing in your little pup at some point in the future. 

Minor Conditions
  • Patellar luxation
  • Elbow dysplasia
Serious Conditions
  • None of note

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Male vs. Female

Male versus female is always a topic among dog owners and those who are thinking of adopting a dog. So, you might be wondering what differences you could expect if you were to adopt a male or female Danish Swedish Farmdog. The truth is that both genders are kind, loyal, smart, attentive, and sociable. Therefore, don’t limit yourself to one or the other. Meet many adoptable Danish Swedish Farmdogs, and choose the dog that feels right for your family.

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Final Thoughts: Danish Swedish Farmdog

We think that any household would be lucky to have a Danish Swedish Farmdog living within it. Although this purebred dog needs plenty of outdoor time and exercise, they also appreciate cuddly family times. They’re good for laughs, but they’ll also display their serious side when it comes to watching your property and alerting you of strangers.

All in all, this is a dog that no family or person should overlook — they’re sociable, easily trainable, and relatively easy to care for compared to similar breeds. How do you feel about the Danish Swedish Farmdog? Do you already own one, or are you interested in adopting one? Let us know about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!


Featured Image Credit: BIGANDT, Shutterstock

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