Finnish Lapphund

History

The Finnish Lapphund originated in Finland hundreds of years ago and was only used for herding livestock for farmers. Today, it is rare to see this breed in the United States, however it is still very popular in its home land.

Appearance

The Finnish Lapphund is a medium sized breed dog with males and females measuring 17-20 inches in height and weighing 35-45 pounds in weight. This breed has a small, wedge shaped head, forming into a narrow muzzle with a scissor bite. Their two small ears are triangular in shape, and stand firm at the top of their head. Their two eyes are medium in size and almond in shape, available in a light amber to dark brown in color. Their general body build is stocky, strong and very broad in appearance due to their abundant hair that covers their entire body. Their tail is medium in length, covered in hair and carried up and over their back. Their long, abundant hair is a double layer, very thick and soft to the touch; available in all colors and color combinations.

Temperament

The Finnish Lapphund is a very smart, determined, independent breed who is extremely active. This breed isn't meant for everyone and generally does best with owners who can teach them to preform daily jobs and tasks, preferably on acreage. This breed is very patient, loving and accepting of children of all ages and can do well with other dogs as well. This breed excells at agility and does well in competitions. The Finnish Lapphund would be happiest with an active owner who is able to provide a large amount of physical and mental exercise daily. This breed also requires a firm, consistent and confident owner who is able to remain pack leader at all times. Early socialization and obedience classes are recommended.

Grooming

This breed requires daily brushing and bathing when needed. Regular professional grooming is required. This breed does shed.

Special Notes

Please fully educate yourself about the Finnish Lapphund prior to adding one to your household to be sure you are able to provide proper physical and financial care for the life of your new family member. This breed requires a properly fenced in yard or proper fitting harness and leash while outdoors at all times. This breed is prone to eye issues. All dogs originate from wolves (Canis Lupus). Each breed of dog was originally created by mixing different breeds together in an effort to bring forth certain characteristics. Once a breeder has created acceptable “breed characteristics” within their bloodline and these “breed characteristics” have shown to be reliably reproduced in the offspring for three (3) generations, the bloodline may be upgraded from the category of “foundation stock” to “pure-bred”. The same “pure-bred” breed standards vary from different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders. Dog DNA testing companies can have accurate results for a specific bloodline of a small colony of dogs. However, there are tens of thousands of different bloodlines in the world which have not yet been tested for marker baseline results by Dog DNA testing companies as of 2017. For this reason Dog DNA testing companies do not guarantee the 100% accuracy of their breed lineage results and will also show different marker results for the same pure-bred breed in different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders.