The Danish-Swedish Farmdog
No one knows the origin of the breed with certainty, but the breed is very old. Dog skeletons found in Viking burial sites are similar to Farmdog types. In any case, typical Danish-Swedish Farmdogs have been found in all of the “old” Denmark, from Scania to Schleswig Holstein, and even Normandy. Until the 60’s, this little Farmdog could be found all over in the countryside of Denmark and southern Sweden. During the industrialization, there were fewer and fewer small farms in Denmark and Sweden. At the same time, the population of Farmdogs decreased. Fortunately, a few country folks continued the breeding of the dogs. This was however, entirely unorganized. Throughout the 1970’s, some people involved with Danish Kennel Club work, became aware of this interesting little dog breed. During the 1980’s, it became clear to DKK’s committee for national and forgotten breeds, that it was important to save the breed. The awareness was also directed to southern Sweden as well, as this had been part of the old Danish farming country.
Until a few decades ago, the small Farmer's Dog was a natural part of Danish rural life. Its everyday functions were many. This little working dog had many jobs around the farm including: mouser/ratter, livestock herder, hunting dog, watchdog and family companion. The breed was so lively and trainable. It was often utilized in circuses, appearing as the clown's playmate.
In more recent times, farms were closed down and families moved to the cities. The faithful little farmer's dog was suddenly not "grand" enough, and the breed became hard to find. A part of Danish dog culture was in danger of disappearing totally.
The Danish Kennel Club (DKK) and the Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) worked together in cooperation to seek out typical breed specimens and save the little farmer's dog from extinction. During the search, it turned out, fortunately, that excellent healthy specimens of this tough old breed still existed.
With its new name, Danish-Swedish Farm Dog, this funny little dog is one of the newest of the national breeds in Denmark and Sweden, although it has been proven that its ancestors go far back in history. Its origins go back to the 1700's where it could be found in Great Britain, Germany and France as well as Denmark and Sweden. Though often mistaken as a terrier, this breed is most closely related to the pinscher family.
In 1987, the first 130 Farmdogs were registered in DKK’s registry, and in 1989, the breed was shown officially for the first time in Denmark at the World dog show in Bella Center. Through close cooperation between the Danish Kennel Club and the Swedish Kennel Club, the breed was successfully recognized on a provisional basis by FCI in 2008. In 2019 the breed was fully recongnized by FCI.
The American Kennel Club's Foundation StockServices (AKC/FSS) recognized the breed in 2011. In 2019, the two active clubs in the United States combined and became the official AKC recognized Danish-Swedish Farmdog Club of America. The Danish-Swedish Farmdog has been approved to move into AKC Miscellaneous Group June 30, 2021