The Swedish Vallhund dates back to 8th century Sweden where the breed worked as farm dogs, primarily herding cattle. After World War I when farming practices changed, this breed's numbers began declining and by the 1940s, they were on the verge of extinction. Karl Zettersten and Count Bjorn developed a breeding program in an effort to save the breed. They were successful and today the breed is used as a work dog and companion.
