As homework became an increasingly common part of many Swedes' lives, the desire to get a dog also increased.
However, the increased demand has led to both higher prices and longer waiting times for those who want to buy a puppy from Swedish breeders.
Many have then chosen to apply outside the country's borders in their application and the Swedish Customs has seen a sharp increase in dog smuggling cases.
- It is not animals in their eyes, it is money, says the Swedish Customs' group manager Niklas Delin about the dog smugglers.
The dogs often have the "right" documentation
The biggest concern from the authorities is that rabies will enter the country and infect animals and humans.
As a buyer, you should therefore ensure that you know where the dogs come from, that the breeder has good conditions for their animals and that all documentation is in order before the trip to Sweden begins.
However, this can be difficult to do without visiting the seller yourself and even if the passports and certificates for the animals appear to be correct, there are no guarantees that the papers are correct.
- There are corrupt veterinarians who issue certificates.
If you have a dog passport from Bulgaria, for example, it is very difficult to trust that everything in this document is correct, says the Swedish Customs' group manager Niklas Delin.
No signs of reduction
Despite the fact that most pandemic restrictions have now been lifted and many have returned to their jobs, Customs has not noticed a decrease in the number of smuggled dogs.
In addition, one is well aware that far from all smuggling dogs are stopped.
- The dark figure is very large as the Swedish Customs can not always stand at all major border crossings.
Many of those we stop have to return abroad and the majority of them try to get in again via another border crossing where they hope it is unmanned, says Niklas Delin.