The Finnish Lapphund is a spitz-type breed of dogs, very popular in the Nordic countries, especially in Finland, its country of origin, and it was developed by crossbreeding the Karelian Bear Dog with the native reindeer dogs. This medium-sized breed was originally used by the Sami people for herding reindeer, a practice encountered even today to a smaller extent.
The Sami people are indigenous people inhabiting the Arctic area of Scandinavia whose main means of living is reindeer herding. However, this breed's notoriety extends beyond the Sami people, due to its high intelligence, even-temperedness, alertness and friendliness. Moreover, the Lappie is very versatile, being used as a good watch dog, as a trustworthy and loyal family companion, while being able to compete in dog agility contests, like in obedience, tracking and herding trials. They are also used as search and rescue dogs, but do not make good guard dogs however, because they are quite friendly and sociable. When they are at work, herding reindeer, they are confident, energetic and noisy, while when they are with their family, they are loving, gentle, affectionate and extremely submissive.
The Finnish Lapphund is a hardy breed, strongly built, with pricked ears and a long-haired, coarse double coat so it can withstand the harsh weather conditions in the Nordic region. The outer coat is waterproof and provides endurance to rough, snowy conditions and freezing temperatures and the undercoat is soft and very dense, to keep the body temperature constant. All colors and patterns are allowed, ranging from red, brown, sable, wolf-sable, cream and black, but the black and tan combination is predominant. The most distinguishable facial markings are its ”spectacles”, which refer to a slightly lighter colored hair around its eyes, highly visible and very specific to this breed. Its sweet and smiling face expression is so precious!
The easy-going and gentle nature of this breed will win anyone over in an instant. Furthermore, they are always eager to learn new things, they are curious, inquisitive, even-tempered, very agile and energetic. They are the perfect family companion, soft, calm, kind-hearted in particular towards the elderly and the people with disabilities, very humble and, as far as small children are concerned, a match made in heaven. They form close bonds with every member of the family and live for loving their family and for the love of their family.
If you are not ready to make them feel as parts of the family and to give the love right back at them, then consider another, more independent breed. They enjoy being involved in all family activities and they also get along excellently with other pets in the family. They only bark for a reason.
Training the Finnish Lapphund is quite easy, but should be done in a gentle manner, with a soothing tone of voice, because it is very intelligent, obedient and cooperative. They can even think through the actions they undertake. Females are typically more submissive, humbler than males and smaller in size too. The mane of the males is more pronounced.
Regular exercise is essential to this energetic and active breed, which loves to be outdoors, to play in the snow and to socialize. They can adapt to any lifestyle, environment and climate, but since they adore the snow, they prefer cooler climates. Despite its profuse coat, it is a low maintenance breed and grooming is quite easy. In terms of health, this sturdy breed is predisposed to developing hereditary eye disorders, in particular cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA), a genetic disease with late onset.
By adopting a Finnish Lapphund, you can win big time the ideal family companion, calm, gentle and humble, suitable even for little children, an agile herding dog and an affectionate, faithful and loving friend for life.
