A Detailed Comparison of the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund.

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Kishu Ken Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken or the Swedish Vallhund.

Kishu Ken versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview

Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are similar in size. The Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Kishu Ken belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Kishu Ken versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kishu Ken 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund

Factor Kishu Ken Swedish Vallhund
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Height 17 to 22 inches 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Weight 30 to 60 pounds 22 to 35 pounds
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Life Span 9 to 13 years 12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $2500 – $2500
Average Price No Data $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Kishu Ken 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 the Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Swedish Vallhund is a better pet than the Kishu Ken. 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 Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund

    Below is a list of where the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:

  • Kishu Kens are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Swedish Vallhunds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Kishu Kens not very playful. However, Swedish Vallhunds are very playful.
  • The Similarities Between the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund

    The Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are most similar:

  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kishu Ken versus Swedish Vallhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund.

    Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches 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.

    Lifespan of Kishu Ken versus Swedish Vallhund

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is 13.5 years.

    Swedish Vallhunds live longer than Kishu Kens.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Kishu Ken versus Swedish Vallhund

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Kishu Kens shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Kishu Ken or the Swedish Vallhund

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kishu Ken or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Kishu Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Kishu Kens 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.

    Do Kishu Kens Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

    Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Kishu Ken vs. Swedish Vallhund

    Kishu Kens do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Swedish Vallhunds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kishu Kens 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.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kishu Ken or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Kishu Kens good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Kishu Kens and Swedish Vallhunds?

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Kishu Ken Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Kishu Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kishu Ken or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Kishu Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kishu Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken:

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (76 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Swedish Vallhund vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Swedish Vallhund vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Kai Ken (79 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Swedish Vallhund vs Kai Ken.
  • 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:

  • Dalmatian (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs Dalmatian.
  • German Longhaired Pointer (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs German Longhaired Pointer.
  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Border Collie (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Kishu Ken vs Border Collie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Kishu Ken and how the Swedish Vallhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Kishu Ken and of the Swedish Vallhund to other breeds:

    Kishu Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kishu Ken versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Kishu Ken versus Tibetan Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Afador     Kishu Ken versus Welsh Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Bloodhound     Kishu Ken versus Norwegian Buhund     Kishu Ken versus Dachshund     Kishu Ken versus Italian Greyhound     Kishu Ken versus Irish Water Spaniel     Kishu Ken versus Australian Shepherd     Kishu Ken versus Bolognese     Kishu Ken versus Tibetan Spaniel     Kishu Ken versus Swedish Vallhund     Kishu Ken versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Kishu Ken versus Akbash     Kishu Ken versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Kishu Ken versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Border Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Finnish Spitz     Kishu Ken versus Berger Picard     Kishu Ken versus Goldendoodle     Kishu Ken versus Bedlington Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Canaan Dog     Kishu Ken versus Chinese Crested     

    Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Swedish Vallhund versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Swedish Vallhund versus Berger Picard     Swedish Vallhund versus Cesky Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus American Bulldog     Swedish Vallhund versus Schnoodle     Swedish Vallhund versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Swedish Vallhund versus Siberian Husky     Swedish Vallhund versus Maltipoo     Swedish Vallhund versus Rottweiler     Swedish Vallhund versus Bordoodle     Swedish Vallhund versus Standard Poodle     Swedish Vallhund versus Gordon Setter     Swedish Vallhund versus Puggle     Swedish Vallhund versus Kuvasz     Swedish Vallhund versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Swedish Vallhund versus Papillon     Swedish Vallhund versus American Foxhound     Swedish Vallhund versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Bich Poo     Swedish Vallhund versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Irish Wolfhound     Swedish Vallhund versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Boxer     Swedish Vallhund versus Pomeranian     Swedish Vallhund versus Yorkipoo     

    Conclusion: Kishu Ken 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 Kishu Ken and the Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.