Danish-Swedish farm dog, now recognized by the American Kennel Club

The breed is known for its versatility and friendly demeanor and will compete in the Working Category.
The Danish-Swedish farm dog, once a common sight on Scandinavian farms, almost became extinct due to industrialization.

The American Kennel Club announced a new addition to its exclusive, prestigious roster on Thursday, qualifying the Danish-Swedish Farmdog for competition.

The dog can now join hundreds of other purebred breeds in the “working group” on the American Kennel Club event circuit this year. They may even make a cameo appearance at televised competitions like the National Dog Show and the AKC National Championship in the coming months.

The Danish-Swedish Farm Dog is the 202nd breed to receive full recognition from the Club, a prominent dog advocacy group and the world’s largest registry of purebred dogs.

The Danish-Swedish Farm Dog is found on farms throughout Denmark and southern Sweden and has been used for a range of tasks related to land care, including pest control. The breed, originally called the Danish Pinscher, is a “people-oriented, friendly, loving companion,” according to the Kennel Club.

“This compact working dog is very versatile, loves a challenge and has a job to do,” Gina DiNardo, the club’s executive director, said in a statement. “It would be a wonderful addition to a family who can provide him with the exercise and mental stimulation he needs. As always, we strongly encourage potential dog owners to do their research to find the best breed for their lifestyle.”

The Danish-Swedish farm dog makes the leap from “country life” to the television screen

The exact origins of the Danish-Swedish Farm Dog are still fairly unclear, but until the 1960s they could be found “everywhere” in the rural areas of Northern Europe, according to the club.

The Danish-Swedish farm dog became a “natural part of Danish rural life,” fulfilling a range of roles including moulting, cattle herding, hunting dog, guard dog and family companion. The dog even performed in the circus, playing the role of clown’s assistant, the American Kennel Club said.

According to the AKC, the breed’s decline came later when industrialization took hold in Denmark and Sweden. But “some country people”, namely the Danish Kennel Club and the Swedish Kennel Club, continued breeding and retrieving the dogs and thus saved the “little farm dog” from extinction.

“With its new name, Danish-Swedish Farmdog, this fun little dog is one of the newest national breeds in Denmark and Sweden, although its ancestry is proven to go back far in history,” according to the American Kennel Club.

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