Breed guide

Swedish Vallhund: healthy weight & calories

A healthy adult Swedish Vallhund usually weighs 9 to 16 kg (19.8 to 35.3 lb). That is a wide range because frame size varies a lot even within one breed, so how they feel under your hands matters more than the number alone.

Daily calories by activity level

Estimated for a Swedish Vallhund at 12.5 kg, a healthy weight in the middle of the breed range. Resting energy is 70 × weight0.75 kcal; the multiplier below scales it up for how much they move and whether they are desexed.

ActivityDesexedEntire
Mostly restsa few short potty walks 558 kcal 651 kcal
Short daily walks20 to 30 minutes total 651 kcal 745 kcal
Active most days45 to 60 minutes, some play 745 kcal 838 kcal
Very activeruns, hikes or dog sport 838 kcal 931 kcal

Puppies get roughly twice their resting energy while growing, about 931 kcal a day at this weight, but puppy needs change every few weeks so this is a starting point, not a fixed number. Seniors typically need about 10% less than an adult at the same activity level.

Good to know for a Swedish Vallhund

Steady beats dramatic. A fixed routine of weighed meals and predictable walks moves the number faster than any single big change.

Why the weight matters

Studies of dogs a similar size to a Swedish Vallhund found overweight dogs had a shorter median life span than lean ones, by 1.0 to 2.3 years (Salt et al. 2019). That is an association from observational data, not a promise, but it is one of the largest studies of its kind.

Get their exact numbers

This page gives a breed-level estimate. For portions in grams, a calorie target adjusted for your dog's own age, activity and desexed status, and a 7-day activity plan, take the free 60-second check.

Check Swedish Vallhund free →

How much should a Swedish Vallhund weigh?

A healthy adult Swedish Vallhund typically weighs 9 to 16 kg (19.8 to 35.3 lb). Frame size varies a lot within a breed, so body condition (can you feel the ribs?) matters more than the number on the scale.

How many calories does a Swedish Vallhund need a day?

A desexed adult Swedish Vallhund at a healthy weight typically needs roughly 651 kcal a day with short daily walks, more if they are very active or not desexed, less if they mostly rest. Use the calculator below for a number tailored to your dog.

Similar breeds: Icelandic Sheepdog, Puli, Irish Terrier

Also see: the dog calorie calculator · is my dog overweight? · all breeds

This is an estimate, not a diagnosis. Talk to your vet before changing your dog's diet or exercise. How we work this out