Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Setter Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction
- English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview
- English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund
- The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund
- Price of English Setter versus Price of Swedish Vallhund
- The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Swedish Vallhund
- Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Swedish Vallhund
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund
- Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Swedish Vallhund
- Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Setters shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Swedish Vallhund?
- Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?
- Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
- Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
- How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Swedish Vallhunds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Swedish Vallhund?
- Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Swedish Vallhund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Swedish Vallhund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Setter Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the English Setter and for the Swedish Vallhund. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the English Setter or the Swedish Vallhund
English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview
Both the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund are similar in size. The English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the English Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
On the other hand, the Swedish Vallhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Setter to the Swedish Vallhund based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | English Setter | Swedish Vallhund |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 80 pounds | 22 to 35 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1020 | $2500 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1200 | $2500 – $2500 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 95 | 155 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Setter in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Swedish Vallhund. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a English Setter is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Swedish Vallhund is a better pet than the English Setter. So, you should get the Swedish Vallhund!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund
Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund
The English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund.
English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.
On the other hand, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of English Setter versus Price of Swedish Vallhund
The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Swedish Vallhund puppy is $2500. The price of the Swedish Vallhund typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of a Swedish Vallhund can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Swedish Vallhund puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Swedish Vallhund is more expensive than the English Setter.
| English Setter | Swedish Vallhund | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1020 | $2500 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1200 | $2500 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Setter and Swedish Vallhund. For different price points, the charts show how many English Setter puppies or how many Swedish Vallhund puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Swedish Vallhunds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the English Setter puppy or the Swedish Vallhund puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Swedish Vallhund
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Swedish Vallhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Swedish Vallhund is 155 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Setter
Popularity of Swedish Vallhund
| Year | English Setter Popularity Rank | Swedish Vallhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 91 | 147 |
| 2014 | 89 | 158 |
| 2015 | 96 | 155 |
| 2016 | 102 | 163 |
| 2017 | 95 | 149 |
| 2018 | 94 | 169 |
| 2019 | 98 | 159 |
| 2020 | 101 | 147 |
Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Swedish Vallhund
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the English Setter is prone to more genetic health problems than the Swedish Vallhund.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Setter than for the Swedish Vallhund.
4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 2 tests are recommended for the Swedish Vallhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Swedish Vallhunds.
English Setter Health Problems
English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a English Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Setter breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters here.
Swedish Vallhund Health Problems
Swedish Vallhunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Swedish Vallhund puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Swedish Vallhund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Swedish Vallhund breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Swedish Vallhunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Swedish Vallhunds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Setters and Swedish Vallhunds
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Setters, and how common these diseases are in English Setters relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Swedish Vallhund Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Swedish Vallhund ranks 38 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 217 Swedish Vallhunds, 6 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Swedish Vallhunds, and how common these diseases are in Swedish Vallhunds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Setter and in Swedish Vallhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund:
| Disease | English Setter Rank | Swedish Vallhund Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing (Es) problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 1 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 4 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 28 out of 144 dog breeds | 106 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 70 out of 198 dog breeds | 112 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 38 out of 182 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.
Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Swedish Vallhund
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Swedish Vallhund?
English Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Swedish Vallhunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Do English Setters shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?
English Setters shed moderately.
Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Swedish Vallhund?
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.
Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.
Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Swedish Vallhunds?
English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Swedish Vallhund?
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?
English Setters have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Swedish Vallhunds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Swedish Vallhund
English Setters have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Swedish Vallhunds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the English Setter:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Swedish Vallhund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Swedish Vallhund that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Swedish Vallhund:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Setter and how the Swedish Vallhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Swedish Vallhund to other breeds:
English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Setter versus Mudi English Setter versus Akita English Setter versus Norwegian Lundehund English Setter versus English Toy Spaniel English Setter versus Australian Shepherd English Setter versus Mountain Cur English Setter versus Sealyham Terrier English Setter versus Tibetan Spaniel English Setter versus Dutch Shepherd English Setter versus Irish Water Spaniel
Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Swedish Vallhund versus Norfolk Terrier Swedish Vallhund versus Belgian Sheepdog Swedish Vallhund versus Pekingese Swedish Vallhund versus Maremma Sheepdog Swedish Vallhund versus English Springer Spaniel Swedish Vallhund versus Affenpinscher Swedish Vallhund versus Coton de Tulear Swedish Vallhund versus Bolognese Swedish Vallhund versus Cavapoo Swedish Vallhund versus Lhasa Apso
Conclusion: English Setter versus Swedish Vallhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the English Setter and the Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.