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Breed profile

Danish-Swedish Farmdog

A compact Scandinavian farm dog that once caught rats and watched the yard. Friendly, quick to learn and adaptable.

A white Danish-Swedish Farmdog with black and tan head markings stands on grass beside a stone wall
Small, sturdy and built for farm work.Photo: Osol1301 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Weight
7–11 kg15–24 lb
Height
30–39 cm12–15 in
Lifespan
11–15 yrs
Group
Working
Origin
Denmark & Sweden
Popularity
#170 USNot ranked in UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsEasy to trainLow grooming

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Friendly, Alert, Playful, Eager.

Health problems to know about

  • Hyperuricosuria (bladder stones)
  • MDR1 drug sensitivity
  • Primary lens luxation

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

About an hour of activity a day, ideally with training games, agility or scent work. Weekly brushing. Ask breeders for DNA test results.

A good fit for

Active families, first-time owners who like training, dog-sport beginners.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with pet rodents, people away all day, owners who want a couch potato.

Sources

  1. American Kennel Club: Danish-Swedish Farmdog, the newest AKC-recognised breed
  2. Embark: Danish-Swedish Farmdog breed and health information
  3. Wikipedia: Danish-Swedish Farmdog

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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