Dogs
of this breed who compete in AKC competitions are members of the
Herding Group and are great at reindeer herding (of all things!) &
make wonderful companions. The original Finnish Lapphunds were helper
dogs in a tribe of semi-nomadic people called the Sami. The Sami were
in Lapland (now the northern region of Finland, Sweden, and Russia).
The Sami culture slowly evolved into a more sedentary existence -
revolving around the keeping of reindeer herds. As the Sami culture
evolved, so did their dogs - evolving from hunters to herders that
helped maintain the reindeer. With the arrival of the snowmobile, it
became less and less necessary to use the dogs, but the breed still
retained a strong herding instinct. AKC recognized in 2011, they
remain very popular as family pets - particularly in Scandinavia.
2.
How long will they live and what are
standard/typical health issues?
Finnish Lapphunds will live
approximately 12-15 years. In that time, they will be prone to
certain health issues (like all dog breeds). Some of the most common
health issues are:
Generalised progressive retinal atrophy
(GPRA): GPRA is a progressive eye disease that can cause permanent
blindness in dogs. In the Finnish Lapphund, this typically appears
between the ages of 1 and 8 years old. GPRA is a genetic illness and
is transmitted via a recessive gene. A reliable genetic test for the
GRPA has been developed by OptiGen, and breeders test breeding animals before deciding on suitable mating pairs. It is unlikely that this will be an issue with your FL so long as you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Hereditary cataracts: Cataracts can be
caused by a number of factors, and the mode of inheritance is not yet
well understood. Since the incidence in Finland is relatively high,
the disease is considered to be hereditary. In the UK and USA the
number of affected dogs is very small.
3. What is their overall
temperament?
Finnish Lapphunds are well-balanced,
trainable, hardworking, independent, and friendly. When they were
used for herding reindeer, Lappies learned to be smart, brave, and
agile ... with a tendency to bark a lot! Lappies today are no
different, so expect a lot of chatter from your fuzzy friend! The
Lapphund is calm, friendly, and submissive toward people. He may be
aloof toward people he doesn’t know but is not shy or aggressive.
If you don’t want him to annoy the neighbors with his often-heard
voice, you’ll need to teach him when it’s okay to bark and when
it’s not.
4. How easy are they to train?
Finnish Lapphunds are definitely trainable, though they certainly
have a stubborn side! Early socialization is required & they need consistency and a sense of humor in training. Make sure to keep training
sessions interesting because Lappies tend to disobey when
uninterested!5. Are they good with kids and pets?
Lappies make an excellent choice for a family pet and are known to get along very well with children. Since they are a herding breed, your Lapphund might display his abilities by trying to "round up" small animals and kids. They will need to be taught that the household cats (or any other animals smaller than it!) are not to be herded, but are to be respected and left alone.
6. How big will they be?
Finnish Lapphunds are a medium-sized breed that range in size from 16 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder. They often weigh between 35 – 50 pounds, with males weighing more than the females.
7. How much grooming do they need?
Lappies shed heavily once or twice a year. During their heavy shedding season(s), daily brushing will keep your home & clothes (& food & car & …) free of fur! It is important to begin grooming your pup when he is very young. An early introduction teaches him that grooming is a normal part of life.
8. How much exercise do they need?
Like all working dogs, daily exercise is necessary for your little Lappie. Make sure you take him on a daily walk & also practice obedience with him to keep his mind sharp. A few rigorous play sessions will tire him out & help to keep him and you at your happiest!
9. Who should own this dog?
Anybody looking for a smart, active, intelligent, medium-sized
Lappies are perfect for: Families with children who have time to exercise, groom, & train a highly active dog. Ideally, the Lappie will live in an area that is not prone to excessive heat.
10. Where can I get one?
If you are interested in purchasing a Finnish Lapphund, we recommend that you contact the AKC parent club, the Finnish Lapphund Club of America. Their website is http://www.finnishlapphund.org/ and you can contact finnishlapphund@gmail.com for breeder referral. If you are interested in rescuing a Finnish Lapphund, they are hard to come by! At the time of this posting, there were only four (4) on Petfinder.com.
Holly – Female Finnish Lapphund/Chow Chow Mix (located in Atlanta, GA)
Zoe – Female Finnish Lapphund (located in Forsyth, GA)
