The Danish-Swedish Farmdog, also referred to as the Little Big Dog, is a companion dog that enjoys a challenge and works hard. Small, compact, and rather rectangular in shape, they are known for maturing slowly. They are allowed to participate in AKC FSS Open Shows, Agility, Barn Hunt, Flyball, Herding, Lure Coursing, Nosework, Obedience and Rally, and Tracking.
Danish-Swedish Farmdog
energetic / trainable / attentive
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
12.5-14.5 inches
Weight
15-20 pounds
Life Expectancy
11-13 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Danish-Swedish Farmdog
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
The DSF has established itself as a healthy breed over time, devoid of genetically or otherwise often occuring health problems. Those who want to own a Danish-Swedish Farmdog can learn all they need to know about particular health issues unique to the breed by collaborating with a responsible breeder. To lessen the possibility of sickness in their puppies, good breeders genetically screen their breeding material.
Grooming
The Danish-Swedish Farmdog is a simple dog to maintain, groom, and care for. Being extremely low maintenance, they only require the occasional brushing and bath to keep them clean and looking their best. They can have their nails clipped or ground if necessary to prevent overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. To minimize a buildup of wax and debris that could cause an infection, their ears should be examined. You can wash your teeth.
Exercise
Exercise should be done every day for proper conditioning. Playtime in the backyard, preferably gated, and daily walks are two options for getting fitness. Indoor games like hide-and-seek, chasing a ball tossed across the floor, or teaching them new tricks can also be a form of exercise. A smart way to burn off energy is to engage in outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, retrieving balls, or flying discs. Even quick walks through the halls in your apartment can provide your dog with exercise, especially when it's bad outside. Dog sports training, such as agility, obedience, and rally, can also be a terrific method to exercise your dog.
Training
Nutrition
The Danish-Swedish Farmdog is often a low-maintenance dog. Any high-quality food is advised. Breed-specific recipes are available from several dog food manufacturers for small, medium, big, and extra-large breeds. The longevity of Danish-Swedish Farmdogs, a tiny breed, can range from 11 to 13 years. Choosing what to feed your dog is a personal decision, but the best method to choose how frequently to feed him as a puppy and the best adult diet to lengthen his life is to consult your vet and/or breeder. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.
History
The little farmer’s dog, formerly known as the Danish Pincher, used to be an inherent aspect of Danish rural life until a few decades ago. Numerous daily duties were performed by the Danish-Swedish Farmdog, including those of a mouser/ratter, cattle herder, hunting dog, watchdog, and family member. Smaller family farms and the devoted working farmdog have both become more rare as lives have evolved. The Danish-Swedish Farmdog’s first breed standard was published in 1987 as the result of years of work by the Danish and Swedish Kennel Clubs to revive this breed. In order to launch the country’s first formal breeding program, a DSF was imported in 1998. The breed’s FCI Standard was formally released on March 26, 2009.