Finnish Lapphunds

1. What is their history? What were they bred to do?

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 ball of fluff dog! If you can put up with a heavy shedding season in the fall, you'll be great with your Lappie's grooming needs. While his double coat allows him to withstand very cold temperatures, he is very vulnerable to heat so special care should be taken in warm climates to provide shade, water, and air conditioning. Lappies are great with kids, but will probably try to herd any animal smaller than themselves. They will need to have an owner who can teach them to respect other house pets.

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. 

Annabelle – Female Finnish Lapphund/Chow Chow Mix (located in Columbia, SC)

Holly – Female Finnish Lapphund/Chow Chow Mix (located in Atlanta, GA)

Zoe – Female Finnish Lapphund (located in Forsyth, GA)

Benton – Male Pomeranian/Finnish Lapphund Mix (located in San Rafael, CA)