Danish Swedish Farmdog is originated from Denmark but Huntaway is originated from New Zealand. Danish Swedish Farmdog may grow 29 cm / 11 inches shorter than Huntaway. Danish Swedish Farmdog may weigh 34 kg / 74 pounds lesser than Huntaway. Both Danish Swedish Farmdog and Huntaway has almost same life span. Both Danish Swedish Farmdog and Huntaway has almost same litter size. Both Danish Swedish Farmdog and Huntaway requires Low Maintenance.
The Danish Swedish Farmdog has over the centuries been a versatile dog, working on farms. The history of this dog goes way back to the 1700s, being found in Denmark and Sweden where they originated.
Today these dogs are also found in other countries. As life changed, the dog’s functions on the farm became less and the dog seemed to disappear somewhat. Both the Danish and Swedish Kennel Clubs worked together to bring back the breed, resulting in the first breed standard in 1987.
The Danish-Swedish Farmdog was also recorded in the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Services in 2011. Today, most of these dogs are owned as family or companion dogs.
The Huntaway or New Zealand Huntaway is a herding dog that originated in the New Zealand sheep country. Their main purpose is to drive sheep and they are not an old breed. They were developed late in the 19th century for their working skills. The only real criteria was that they were black and tan. A dog must win a trial in order to be placed in the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association studbook. They drive sheep mainly through their deep, loud voice.
In the New Zealand high country there was a need for a working dog with stamina, agility and intelligence to work the sheep as a drover (herder). The dog had to be able to handle rough, steep land and work with very large groups of sheep. The sheer area of land that the sheep graze and the dog would have to cover, demanded that this dog have stamina and strength to cover large pasture land and work for days if necessary. Before this the shepherds had used British sheepdogs but they preferred dogs that barked while working. So they bred the British Sheepdogs with Collies, Border Collies, Labrador, Rottweiler, Doberman and other barking sheepdogs to create the Huntaway. In addition to the bark, they bred for stamina and size.
They were participating in field trails in 1870 and ads for them were seen in newspapers by 1884. They became a separate breed in the 20th century. Today they are spreading around the world and are becoming very popular. It is not recommended that they be kept as pets however, since they are true working dogs.
Nobody could be blamed for thinking that the Danish Swedish Farmdog is a Fox Terrier, because he looks very similar. He also has a short, smooth coat which is odor-free and he is a wonderfully low maintenance breed. The coat does however shed throughout the year.
The coat’s main color is white with patches of black, fawn or chocolate brown. He can also be tri-colored. He is a small to medium sized dog with a compact body, standing between 32 - 37 cm and weighing about 7 – 12kg. He has a deep chest while the head is lean, small and triangular shaped. The ears are semi erect or they can be floppy while the tail is long.
The Danish Swedish Farmdog is not only intelligent, but he has other excellent characteristics that make him such a splendid pet. He isn’t aggressive, he is playful, loving, loyal, social and energetic.
He therefore makes an exceptional pet. He is an amusing pet who will prove to be entertaining too. He loves being part of all the family’s activities and gets on well with children and pets in the home.
You want to be sure that you provide him with exercise and games so that he doesn’t become bored, frustrated and destructive. After all, he is a breed that is used to be busy and he won’t do well with a family who puts him in the back yard and just leaves him.
The Huntaway is a large dog with a deep chest and a black and tan coat. They are strong, big and muscular with voices to match. They herd, head, work the sheep in pastures and force them into pens. They are bred to have that big authoritative, deep bark. They do not yap. Their bodies are well proportioned but longer than high. They have well - padded feet and a deep chest for stamina, along with strong legs and body that allows them to run fast and change directions at will.
The tail of a Huntaway if long, while their heads are shaped like blocks while the muzzle is long and the nose is black. They have dark, round eyes and long ears. An unusually attractive dog, they have dense fur with fringe on the tail and chest. There is characteristics a very large variety in the in the way the breed looks from one dog to the next. Thus they do not participate in confirmation events, as the standard is based on working characteristics rather than appearance guidelines. They are more a “class” than a “breed”.
The Danish Swedish Farmdog has got everything going for him that makes him such a wonderful pet to have. He fits well into city- or country life, although wherever you live, you’ll need to ensure he is well exercised.
He is a child-friendly- and pet-friendly pet and he also happens to be low maintenance. You just need to brush him twice a week. You aren't likely to spend much on vet's fees with him either.In exchange for his love and devotion, make sure that you give every everything he needs to ensure his health and happiness.
Danish-Swedish Farmdogs have a lifespan ranging from 11 to 15 years. They are hardy dogs, not suffering from any breed specific genetic issues.
However, it pays off to know of some of the common dog illnesses there are. If you provide your dog with high quality, nutritious food, good exercise and plenty of love and care, he can reach 15 years of age. Some of the more common dog illnesses to look out for -
It is always a good idea to have this testing for your dog. In fact, hip testing can spare you a great deal of anguish later on with your pet.
Hip dysplasia is a common skeletal disorder in dogs and although it is more prevalent in large dogs, smaller dogs can also get it.
You’ll notice your pet running with a strange gait and sometimes when he lies down, he’ll battle to get up again.
Recognizing the clinical signs of hip dysplasia is important to spare your dog a whole lot of pain, discomfort and even lameness.
The Huntaway is a pretty healthy breed, developed as it was from the sheepdogs and collies. They still face some inherited issues such as:
The Danish Swedish Farmdog isn’t going to be requiring too much grooming. He has a short, smooth coat which actually repels dirt.
Because his coat is odor-free, he certainly can get by without bathing. This is good news, as bathing a dog strips the skin of its natural oils. You can always just wipe his coat down with a damp cloth to rid it of dust and give his coat a good brushing twice a week to remove it of loose hairs.
It is always a good idea to check your pet’s ears to see that they remain free of debris and wax. There are ways and means to do this, and if you’re not sure how, your vet or doggy parlor can explain the process.
Check his nails to ensure they don’t get too long. This is prone to happen when your pet runs constantly on grass and doesn’t come into contact with a hard surface which files the nails down naturally.
Also, dental care is most important, and you need to brush your pet’s teeth 2 or 3 times a week with special toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Bad teeth don’t only affect the mouth of the dog, they can be detrimental to every part of your dog’s body.
If you are not using your Huntaway to herd, then feed a medium formula not a high protein, high calorie formula. Feed 3-4 times a day and 1-2 cups.
3 cups per day feeding twice a day high quality medium calorie food.
Exceptional stamina
This herding breed has a great need of mental and physical stimulation. They were born to herd and to do so over vast tracts of land in challenging conditions. They need to be challenged. They need daily exercise at a very high level. A Run them every day or take them on a couple of long walks. They will excel in field trials, Barnhunt, agility and rescue. They love to learn.