The Danish-Swedish farmdog (DSF) is an excellent companion for an active home. The breed is versatile and known for his role on farms as a hunter, herder, and ratter. The DSF was a farm dog for hundreds of years and is also known as the "Skrabba," "Skaneterrier," and "rattehund."
Danish-Swedish Farmdog Breed Overview
The DSF breed is an excellent companion for an active home and any pet parents looking for a therapy dog. Many experts believe the breed traces back to the Fox terrier and pinscher crossbreed. On many farms, this working dog is a herder, watchdog, ratter, and companion dog. The breed needs exercise and is tenacious when pursuing rodents, snakes, birds, or grasshoppers, but this dog also enjoys a nap after all the work is done.
Origin and History
The breed's early origins go back to the 1700s in Great Britain, Germany, and France. The Danish-Swedish farmdog originated in Denmark and Sweden in 1987. Both kennel clubs agreed on the name of the breed and the breed standard. Though often mistaken as a terrier, this breed is most closely related to the pinscher family. The dog was so lively and trainable he was often seen in circuses, appearing as the clown's playmate.
Temperament
The DSF is good with children but does chase small animals, so this breed is not a great candidate for pet parents with cats. The dogs are often mistaken for terriers since both breeds share many personality traits. Pet parents may train this breed to ignore chickens!
Appearance
This breed is a small, compact, and slightly rectangular dog.
- Coat colors: The breed's coat color is always tri-color.
- Height: The DSF is between 13 and 15 inches tall.
- Weight: The farm dog weighs between 15 and 26 pounds.
Low-Maintenance Grooming
The DSF is low-maintenance for grooming, and pet parents need to brush and bathe this dog occasionally.
Exercise
Dog sports, including agility, nose work, and rally are excellent activities for this working breed. Playtime or walks several times a day need to be part of the routine.
Health Issues
This breed is generally healthy, and there are no known medical conditions. Pet parents may need to discuss a few health evaluations with a reputable breeder. There are two critical screenings: hip and elbow testing for informational purposes
Best Diet for Small Breeds
Pet parents need to look for high-quality ingredients for an active small breed. Many diets are specially formulated for smaller breeds, including this active farm dog.
Caring for Your Senior Danish-Swedish Farmdog
The Danish-Swedish farmdog's lifespan is 10 to 15 years. This breed lives a long, healthy life for a small dog. An active senior breed needs to visit the vet at least twice a year for wellness exams. The vet must look over a dog for any achy joints and determine if supplements and pain medication are needed.
The DSF Is a Solid Nosework Dog
This multi-purpose breed excels at both scent work and therapy dog work. The DSF is a versatile breed with an out-going personality and easily trained for a wide variety of sports.
The Danish-Swedish Farmdog Club of America (DSFCA)
This dog is the newest national breed in Sweden and Denmark. The Danish-Swedish Farmdog Club of America is a wonderful resource for pet parents looking for puppies.
Danish-Swedish Farmdogs Are Good Therapy Dogs
This working dog is a great candidate for pet parents with an active lifestyle. Danish-Swedish farmdogs are lovely companion animals with a solid work ethic. The dog is a multi-purpose working breed, so a pet lover needs to make sure their little buddy is kept busy with daily exercise or dog sports.
