Keep in mind, when I acquired a Swedish Vallhund, I knew nothing about them. I knew the history of the Corgis and checked out books on them while in university.
Logically, I rationalized Vallhunds are better balanced: longer in the legs, shorter in the back, thus they are the “healthier” breed.
However it is becoming clear to me, no matter how I rationalize things, the primary reason why I went with a Swedish Vallhund instead of a Corgi is personal preference. See, Vallhunds have this gait: the hot-stuff strut. Many spitzes have this cocky demeanor about them; and thus we interpret their personality as such. Tod the Shiba had this strut; Elkhounds have it; Finnish Spitzes have it; some Laikas have it as well. Not all spitzes have it, and some of the non-spitz breeds have this movement.
Can’t visualize it? Try this footage from a walk to McDonald Beach on Sea Island in Richmond, B.C.:
No corgi moves like this. I don’t know if it is an indicator of their personality, or if they have low ground clearance, but they don’t.
When I say “[Riley's uncle] reminds me so much of Tod,” I really means it.
He is so much like an elkhound with short legs that it’s scary.
[..YouTube..] He is so much like an elkhound with short legs that it’s scary.
Found this through BorderWars because of all of the to-do about the Westminster collie winner , and lo and behold, a vallhund strutting! I have three vastgotaspets, and can so relate