Hey There

In 2003, I had the privilege of encountering my first Swedish Vallhund, a breed that was quite rare in New Zealand at the time.  The moment I met this ancient Viking breed; I was utterly captivated! Thankfully, I was extremely fortunate to bring home an extraordinary puppy, who became NZ Champion Murivall Antares (Kindle) bred by Dr Beverly Trowbridge of Murivall Swedish Vallhunds, marking the beginning of my deep appreciation for this remarkable breed.

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​​​​My journey in championing the Vastgotaspets has been both fulfilling and enlightening, as I have strived to promote the Swedish Vallhunds' unique qualities both within the show ring and in the wider community.  ​Health has always been one of the priorities for myself and my breeding partners at Rahkantra, who joined with me in 2010.  Together we have been conducting hip scoring for our breed long before it became standard practice among breeders in New Zealand, and as DNA testing has become more available and advanced, we have further enhanced our health protocols to include this crucial aspect, ensuring the well-being of our dogs with over 20 years of rigorous health testing behind our lines. 

 

I have had the privilege of being mentored in the early days by Dr Beverly Trowbridge (New Zealand), Ian Grey (New Zealand), Rose Madsen (New Zealand), Leonie Darling (Australia), Jacqui Bayless (England) and more recently by some wonderful individuals in Europe which has greatly enriched my journey.  In 2013, I approached and organized a collaborative with Massey University to develop the world's first genetic diversity test for dogs and more recently I had the honor of delivering a lecture on the principles of responsible dog breeding at our local polytechnic. I am excited to share that I have been invited to present this important topic once again to aspiring veterinary technicians and nursing students, informing the next generation of how knowledgeable and ethical breeders should comport themselves.

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​After a number of trips to the UK, Europe and Sweden, and together with our partners at Rahkantra we have solidified our commitment to the breed, doing our best to honor the Swedish Vallhunds heritage and maintain their original purpose as herding companions.  This has led us to carefully incorporate and import a diverse range of bloodlines from Sweden, England, Australia, America and Finland to ensure as much optimal genetic diversity as possible within this rare breed. Following in the footsteps Valdamar Swedish Vallhunds owned by Ian and Lesley Grey, we are currently the only breeders who have dual titled SVs in both confirmation and dog sports with several Valls actively working on dairy farms and others being trained for Reading Buddies and Search and Rescue programs. 

 

I love sharing our passion and love for these exceptional dogs with fellow enthusiasts and prospective owners, fostering a space that honors their heritage and abilities. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all our wonderful Vallhund owners, who have become an integral part of our extended family, as well as my friends and fellow breeders around the globe.  A special thank you to Candyce and Keith at Rahkantra for your unwavering support and inspiration throughout our journey.  Your kindness, encouragement, commitment and passion inspire us every day. ​

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Natalie and the Vanaheim Team.​

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