The friendly and good-natured, handsome Finnish Lapphund is gaining more followers beyond its native Finland. If you are interested in this breed, you should share one thing with it: the love for movement in nature.
Appearance: What are the Features of the Finnish Lapphund?
The medium-sized Finnish Lapphund reaches a height of about 49cm for males and 44cm for females, with a weight between 16kg and 25kg.
Due to its generally cold homeland, the Finnish Lapphund has a dense, medium-length coat that protects it against the cold. The Lapphund is known for its wide colour spectrum, making it one of the most colourful dog breeds.
The Finnish Lapphund’s tail is usually medium-length and dense.
The Character of a Finnish Lapphund: Gentle Athlete
As an active herding dog, the Finnish Lapphund is a friendly and attentive dog. Additionally, it is known for its intelligence, gentleness, and curiosity, traits that make it a great companion animal.
With these characteristics, the Finnish Lapphund is also suitable as a guard dog, alerting you to strangers with barking. However, it does not tend to bark excessively and remains calm in unfamiliar situations.
Finnish Lapphunds are gentle with children and can handle older or physically disabled people well. They can also live with other pets, provided you socialise them as puppies.
Finnish Lapphund Ownership: Gentle but Firm Training
The original herding dog is eager to learn and very cooperative. Ensure you guide your pet’s barking into controlled channels from a young age.
Is is a Good Dog for Beginners?
Even beginners can manage the training of a Finnish Lapphund well. However, it is advisable to seek professional support through puppy socialisation classes and a dog school.
You should also familiarise yourself with dog training topics to do justice to your smart companion. Otherwise, your Finnish Lapphund will quickly identify weaknesses in training and exploit them.
Don’t let this charming dog wrap you around its paw. Strictness is inappropriate for this sensitive and friendly dog.
How Much Exercise Does a Finnish Lapphund Need?
The Finnish Lapphund is an active & energetic breed, and needs sufficient physical and mental stimulation. With this sporty companion by your side, you have a wide range of activities to choose from.
Although the breed is not widespread globally, Finnish Lapphunds have repeatedly excelled in sporting activities such as Agility or herding competitions.
The “Lappi” is also suitable for Obedience or as a therapy dog in care homes or schools. Of course, it will also happily accompany you on walks or when jogging. It’s crucial to consider your dog’s health condition.
Always remember to engage its brilliant mind. Other options for dog sports include Dog Dancing, nose work, and more. Find out together what you and your dog enjoy, and try something new occasionally.
Your Finnish Lapphund also needs downtime to maintain its inner peace and avoid exhaustion. A cosy afternoon of cuddling should be a regular part of the daily routine.
Nutrition: What Does the Finnish Lapphund Eat?
Whether wet food or dry food, to keep your Finnish Lapphund healthy for a long time, ensure it receives a species-appropriate diet. It is crucial that the ingredients are of good quality and the portions are balanced.
As with all dog breeds, you should consider your dog’s age, weight, and activity level when it comes to feeding. The Finnish Lapphund has no special dietary needs.
Keep an Eye on Its Weight
Despite its lush coat, you should ensure it maintains a slim waist. It’s advisable to check and record its weight monthly. To avoid obesity, include treats in the daily ration.
Your dog should always have access to fresh water, even on longer excursions.
Care: Is the Finnish Lapphund Easy to Care for?
Despite its beautiful, lush fur, the coat care of the Finnish Lapphund is quite simple. Generally, brushing its coat thoroughly once or twice a week is sufficient to prevent tangles. Pay special attention to areas behind the ears or the hind legs, where tangling is common. Also, support your dog by brushing during shedding season to speed up the process.
Regular bathing is only necessary if your dog is very dirty. Too frequent bathing can irritate its skin.
In addition to the coat, regularly check your dog’s eyes, ears, and claws. You can trim long claws with a claw clipper or file.
Finnish Lapphund Health: A Robust Dog Breed
The Finnish Lapphund is generally considered a robust breed with an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years.
However, there are predispositions for hereditary diseases that can affect its quality of life. These include two eye conditions: Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) and cataracts, which can lead to blindness in the dog. Hip dysplasia (HD) is also known to occur.
Therefore, before buying, be sure to inquire about the parent dogs and their genetic tests.
History: Reindeer Dog from the Far North
The ancestors of today’s Finnish Lapphund mainly served the “Sami” (formerly known as “Lapps,” an indigenous people in northern Fennoscandia) as hunting and guard dogs. Later, their role shifted more towards herding reindeer, which were a vital resource for many Sami people.
The dogs’ ability to fulfil their role was more important than their appearance, leading to the breed having a varied appearance for a long time. The first standards were set by the Finnish Kennel Club in 1945.
From Herder to Family Dog
It was only in the 1960s that the breed was divided into the Lapponian Reindeer Dog and the Lapphund – since 1993, the breed is officially known as the Finnish Lapphund.
In recent decades, the Finnish Lapphund has lost importance as a reindeer dog, although it remains popular and well-known in its homeland. More than 1,000 puppies of the breed are born there each year. Today, the “Suomen Lapinkoira” (its Finnish name) is primarily a family dog.
Acquisition: Where Can I Find a Finnish Lapphund?
When buying a puppy, make sure you go to a reputable breeder who belongs to an association. This is the best way to support efforts to provide the best conditions for a healthy dog’s life. However, note that breeding this Nordic breed does not occur in every country, so you may have to travel long distances to purchase a puppy.
If this is not an issue, visit the breeder’s home to see the parent dogs and puppies up close. This is the best opportunity to ask all your questions about the breed and the health of the dogs.
How Much Does a Finnish Lapphund Cost?
Puppy prices can vary significantly depending on country & region, but expect to pay at least £1000. Additional costs include initial supplies (e.g., bowls, lead, collar) and ongoing expenses for food and vet check-ups.
Alternatively, you can adopt an adult dog. Search at a local animal shelter or contact organisations for Nordic dogs. They might have the option to place an adult dog.
Conclusion: Is the Finnish Lapphund Right for Me?
This versatile dog breed is ideal for people who love spending time outdoors with their pet. Ideally, you should have some dog experience before bringing this former herding dog into your home.
Ambitious beginner dog owners can also consider a future with a smart Lapphund, given proper preparation and support from experienced individuals or dog clubs.
The Finnish Lapphund is a wonderful fit for active families, even with young children. It is a fantastic companion for various outdoor activities and is also suitable as a guard dog. This four-legged friend treasures close family ties and loves being a part of everything.
Quick Facts about the Finnish Lapphund
Quick Info:
Finnish Lapphund (Suomen Lapinkoira), Herding and Family Dog
Height:
49cm (males), 44cm (females)
Weight:
between 16kg and 25kg
Average Lifespan:
approx. 12 to 14 years
Price:
from £1000
Temperament:
friendly, active, smart
Fur:
dense, typically straight
Fur Colour:
varied
Training Effort:
moderate
Care Effort:
low to moderate
Exercise Requirement:
high
Origin:
Finland
Franziska G., Veterinarian
At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene.
Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future.
Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
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