Finnish Lapphund

The Finnish Lapphund is an easy going and medium sized breed of the Spitz kind. It has been used traditionally to herd reindeer but is also known to be a good companion animal. It is probably the most popular breed in Finland. However it is not very popular outside Nordic countries. The breed has two lines which are the original herd line and the recent more popular exhibition line. The Finnish Lapphund is a medium sized dog with a strong build. The breed is longer than it is height when it comes to the withers. It has a thick coat with high and pricked ears. They usually have a long snout. Its colour should be black or brown.

The Lapphund has a soft, fluffy and profuse double coat. Its undercoat is short while the top coat is coarse and long. It makes the dog waterproof and also resistant to severe cold. The thick and profuse coat gives the impression of a mane which requires a minimum amount of maintenance. There are a lot of colors and markings of the Finnish Lapphund. There is no standard color and any color is allowed, however, a single color is expected to dominate. Usually they are found in brown, stable, black or red. Black and tan is one of the most common combinations in this breed with the face and legs being covered with tan. Many of the dogs have distinguished facial markings. It might be a ring of light color around the eyes known as ‘spectacles’. The tail of this dog curves behind it and it is covered with thick hair. It is an instinctive and intelligent breed. They have been believed to think before carrying out their actions. They have excelled when it comes to activities like agility, obedience training, herding trials and pet therapy owing to their intelligence.

Finnish Lapphunds are friendly and alert. They make good watch dogs due to their tendency to bark at strange and unfamiliar things. Their barking differentiates them from wolves which aids them in reindeer herding. Their barking may become a problem but it can be controlled by training. They make good outdoor companions while running or walking out in the open because they are cold-proof, water-proof and active. It has been permitted in Finland to live outdoors. They are ideal to live with family and children. They are friendly and do not run away from intimidating situations. This breed is very curious and they might need to be looked after. They normally live 12 to 14 years. Some might live 16 to 17 years. The Finnish Lapphund might suffer from certain illnesses like generalized progressive renal atrophy and other hereditary illnesses. The incidences of hip dysplasia are low.

The Finnish Lapphund is found in countries like Finland, Sweden and Norway among others. In 1982 it was imported to Denmark. There were many good performing dogs that came from Denmark after that. In 1987 the breed entered the United States of America and thus breeding lines were established in 1991 by the Johnson’s parents. It was first imported to the United Kingdom in the year 1989.