Finnish Lapphund

The Finnish Lapphund is an ancient hunting and herding dog bred by the Sami people in the Lapland region of Scandinavia. Remains of dogs from this area date back almost 7,000 years. The dogs traveled with this nomadic tribe, hunting reindeer. As they gave up their nomadic ways, the Sami began to use the Lapphund for herding.

Their historical proximity to their families makes “Lappies” crave company and attention, giving them a strong, affectionate attachment to their owners. Though a little wary of strangers, they are excellent with families and children. Their tendency to bark makes them excellent watchdogs.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Finnish Lapphund 

A lot of the things that make Finnish Lapphunds so great can also be their downfall. Many of these issues with the Lappy can be avoided with good ownership and maintenance.

The Best Dog Food For a Finnish Lapphund

The Lapphund has modest food requirements for a dog of its size and energy levels. High-protein dry dog food with meat as its primary ingredient is suitable for this dog’s needs.

Size and Weight

The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog, though its bountiful fur coat makes it look larger. The male stands 18-21 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 33-53 lbs. Females are 16-19 inches tall and, like the males, also weigh 33-53 lbs.

Common Health Issues

A generally healthy breed, the Lapphund can still be impacted by a few issues. Elbow and hip dysplasia are potential problems for the dog. A veterinarian can use X-ray machines to diagnose this issue. The Lapphund is also prone to progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, which can result in blindness.

Temperament

Lappies are affectionate and gentle, and also alert, curious, and agile. They bond well with their families, fit in with the family’s day-to-day life, are good companions for outdoor activities, and are good with children. Not aggressive, they tend to run away from danger and confrontation.

How To Take Care of a Finnish Lapphund  

Maintenance And Grooming 

The beautiful double coat of the Finnish Lapphund requires a great deal of attention. Brush the coat weekly to remove dead hair, reduce matting, and wash only when necessary. When grooming the dog, do not shave its coat.

Clean the ears regularly to avoid wax and debris buildup. Also, trim the nails regularly and brush the dog’s teeth at least three times weekly to reduce dental issues.

Training 

The Finnish Lapphund is intelligent and enjoys work, so they enjoy training sessions as long as they are fun and engaging. If they’re not having fun, they can be a bit distractible due to their hunting drive. They don’t respond well to rough or harsh handling, as their submissive nature causes them to withdraw and hold themselves back.

Recall training is a good idea to offset their hunting and herding instincts and reduce their propensity to run off. Additionally, socializing and training them to be quiet on command will keep them from being a nuisance. Lappies can also be trained as support dogs for the elderly or those with disabilities.

Exercise

Lappies should have at least an hour of daily activity, which can include a mix of walking, play, agility, or obedience training. A fenced-in yard is ideal for giving them room to investigate and play. They can handle more than an hour of activity and enjoy running alongside a bike or a jogger, but they shouldn’t be this active until they mature out of the puppy stage. Finally, don’t exercise a Finnish Lapphund in the heat; they are more accustomed to cooler temperatures.

Puppies 

Puppies should be exposed to other puppies, people, and social situations starting when they are about seven weeks old to ensure they are well-adjusted. Socialization will also make it easier to train them to be quiet on command and to avoid excessive barking.

Finnish Lapphunds And Children

The Finnish Lapphund is a loving, playful dog and enjoys time with children. The Sami trained them to be with the family, and the dogs do quite well with kids, especially when they’ve been raised around them.

That being said, a dog should never be left unsupervised with small children, mainly because small children don’t know how to read the dog’s social cues. Aggressive pulling and tugging can cause even the most loving family dog to snap at a child. Also, a house full of small children can trigger the Lappy’s barking and herding instincts, creating a chaotic environment.

Dogs Similar to the Finnish Lapphund

• Finnish Spitz: Like the Finnish Spitz, the Lapphund is also a Spitz (German for pointed), a kind of dog with pointed ears and nose, and a tail that curls over the dog’s back. Most of these dogs originate from within the Arctic Circle and Siberia.
• Icelandic Sheepdog: The Norse brought their version of the famous Scandinavian Spitz-type dog to Iceland about 1,100 years ago. Like the Lappy, the Icelandic Sheepdog is a fun-loving family dog.