Bagel Hound vs Swedish Vallhund - Breed Comparison

The Bagel Hound is a hybrid breed that emerged in the early 2000s by crossing the Beagle and Basset Hound. Both parent breeds have ancient origins—Beagles were bred for hunting small game with their exceptional sense of smell, while Basset Hounds, with their calm demeanor and powerful scenting ability, were also used for hunting.

The Bagel Hound was developed to combine the Beagle’s playful, energetic nature with the Basset Hound’s laid-back, affectionate temperament. Though relatively new, this hybrid quickly became popular for its friendly disposition, moderate energy, and suitability as a family companion.

Known also as the Västgötaspets or Swedish cow dog, the Valhund hails from Sweden. It’s a herding dog, and was always a farm dog in that country.

It was in 1943 that the dog was first recognized as a breed by the Swedish Kennel Club. Only later, in 1996, did the American Kennel Club start registering the breed.

The Bagel Hound is a medium-sized, affectionate hybrid breed resulting from the cross between the Beagle and the Basset Hound. With a sturdy, muscular body and a short, dense coat, this breed combines the best features of its parents.

Typically, a Bagel Hound has a short to medium-length coat that can come in a variety of colors, including tri-color (black, white, and tan), bi-color, or combinations of tan, white, and black. Their face is expressive with long, floppy ears and a soft, gentle gaze, a trait inherited from both parent breeds.

This breed is known for being friendly, affectionate, and playful, making it an excellent companion for families, including those with children or other pets. While generally calm, they do have a stubborn streak due to their strong scenting instincts, so consistent training is important. Despite their playful nature, they are not overly energetic and are typically content with moderate exercise, such as daily walks and playtime.

The Bagel Hound has a balanced temperament—loyal, loving, and a little mischievous—which makes them a popular choice for families and first-time dog owners who are willing to invest in training and care.

Looking much like a cross between a Corgi and the German Shepherd, the Swedish Valhund is a medium sized dog that stands between 30 and 34cm in height and weighs between 9 and 14kg.

His medium length weather-resistant coat is available in wolf like shades – cream, grey, brown etc. The tail can be long or bobbed and the medium sized ears are held erect.

Temperament:

Intelligent, confident, independent, alert, playful and active, your Swedish Valhund promises to make a good family pet.

You'll need to be an active, outdoor type of family though, as he isn’t a couch potato type of dog, snoozing in front of the TV.

He wants to be up and about going on long walks or playing ball games that give him a good run. If he gets his fair share of exercise he can adapt to life in the city or the countryside.

He is intelligent too and will respond well to training and socialization.

He just loves his human family and wants to be constantly with them. He won’t do well if you just keep him locked outside away from everyone. He is social, alert innovative and entertaining as well as being a good guard dog.

The Bagel Hound is a friendly, affectionate, and playful breed, combining the best traits of its Beagle and Basset Hound parents. They are medium-sized with a sturdy, muscular build, and a short, dense coat. Bagel Hounds are social and enjoy being around people, often following their owners around and seeking attention. They have a gentle, patient nature, making them great with children and other pets.

While they are generally calm, they are also curious and scent-driven, which can make them a bit stubborn and prone to distractions. Their affectionate personality and loyal nature make them great companions, though they benefit from consistent training and exercise.

Your Swedish Valhund is such a confident, independent dog and he promises to be a loving, faithful pet. He's also alert and will let you know if strangers are approaching his property.

He is a calm, easy going pet and is capable of adapting to quiet or noisy homes. He may be quite a strange looking dog, but he's got a whole lot of loving to give.

Hip Dysplasia

A common genetic condition where the hip joint doesn't fit properly, causing pain and potential arthritis. It can lead to limping or difficulty moving, especially as the dog ages.

Ear Infections

The Bagel Hound’s long, floppy ears trap moisture and debris, making them more susceptible to infections. Regular ear cleaning and keeping ears dry can help prevent this issue.

Obesity

Bagel Hounds love food, and without proper portion control and exercise, they can easily gain weight. Obesity can lead to other health problems like heart disease, joint issues, and reduced life expectancy. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are essential to keep them at a healthy weight.

Capable of living a long, healthy life, the Swedish Valhund isn’t likely to fall victim to some of the many dog illnesses there are, and yet it is wise to be alert to some of them that he could get.

One of these is an hereditary eye disease known as retinopathy. Its where there is degeneration of the retinal photoreceptor cells. This eye disease can lead to blindness.  

You need to be careful with this pet of yours, because with his long back and short legs he can so easily hurt his back if he leaps off a bed or high chair.

Whenever you pick this dog up, always support his legs and back. Don’t pick them up without supporting both the front legs and the rear end.

Daily walks help keep them fit, while interactive play sessions like fetch offer mental and physical stimulation. Avoid overexerting them, especially in hot weather, to prevent exhaustion.

Provide a balanced diet with portion control to maintain a healthy weight. Brush their coat weekly to manage shedding, and clean their ears regularly to avoid infections.

Use positive reinforcement during training for best results. Regular vet check-ups ensure they stay healthy, and keeping an eye on their weight helps prevent obesity.

Try and feed your Swedish Valhund two meals a day instead of just one, so that he doesn’t gobble down his food too quickly.

Your dog can be prone to obesity, so you have to be careful with the way you feed him. Overfeeding a dog packs on extra weight and this puts strain on the joints.

Apart from the dry kibble that you feed him, try to include some tasty, nutritious homemade food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach.

This can all be chopped up and added to his dry kibble. Some raw meat added to the diet can only be to his benefit. Remember to always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water is available.

General Care:

Give his thick coat a brush twice a week to remove dead hair. Brushing also stimulates the sebaceous glands that produces oil which gives the coat is sheen.

Open his mouth and check for rotting teeth which can be painful for him.

Trim his nails because left long, they can hook onto things and rip the skin open.

Check inside the ears too for redness which could mean an ear infection.You get dog wipes that you can wipe the ear out with. There are always professional dog groomers who can do these chores for you if you don't want to.

See that his vaccines are up to date and that if he shows signs of illness, you get him to the vet.