The weatherproof Finnish Lapphund is a tough and substantial reindeer herder from north of the Arctic Circle. This remarkably empathetic breed is among the friendliest of all dogs—once he’s satisfied that you aren’t a reindeer rustler.
The Finnish Lapphund is an intelligent, affectionate and versatile herding dog at heart. He likes to keep his people - and anything else he can herd, including kids and household pets - tightly together. These adaptable animals thrive in almost any environment. Their dense coats protect them from bad weather, but they also do well in warm climates. Finnish Lapphunds make terrific family companions, especially for active outdoorsy people. They can be a bit aloof around strangers, but they are not known to be shy. They are observant, focused and watchful. Lapphunds tend to be quite vocal and energetic, which is not surprising given their original role as reindeer-herders. This breed gets along well with other dogs and they are good with children.
A high-quality dog food appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior) will have all the nutrients the Finnish Lapphund needs. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.
The Finnish Lapphund has a double coat: a smooth outer coat over a soft, dense undercoat. Weekly brushing—daily during shedding season—will help to remove dirt and loose hair and keep the dog looking his best. Lappies don’t have a doggie odor, so an occasional bath is usually sufficient. Lappies should never be shaved, as it reduces their ability to keep cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather. As with all breeds, the nails should be trimmed regularly, as overly long nails can be painful to the dog and cause problems walking and running.
Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club:
Lapland is a region north of the Arctic Circle that takes in parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and northwestern Russia. It is named for the Sami, or Lapp, people, who have sparsely inhabited the region for several thousand years.
In ancient times, the Sami developed a profusely coated spitz-type dog (the “Lapps’ dog,” or Lapphund) used for hunting reindeer over expanses of barren tundra. Sami history is often obscure, but a few centuries ago they shifted from hunter-gathering to full-scale nomadism. The Sami became reindeer herders, moving large herds in search of pasture land.
One authority tells us, “The Sami lived in tents or turf huts and migrated with their herds in units of five or six families, supplementing their diet along the way by hunting and fishing.” As Sami society evolved, the Lapphund evolved with it. Like their masters, they went from hunting reindeer to herding them, while retaining their duties as hunting dogs, guarders, and close companions to their humans. (Lapphunds are among the Arctic breeds that spent thousands of years huddled together for warmth with their humans and other dogs on ferociously cold nights. This is one way of explaining the innate sociability of these dogs.)
Unlike the adorable cartoon characters who pull Santa’s sleigh every December, actual reindeer are stubborn, cantankerous beasts whose antlers can do serious damage. Controlling reindeer requires dogs of great courage, quickness, and intelligence, qualities that still define the Lapphund.
Reindeer herding was the bedrock of Sami society until very recently. Lapland is still home to several hundred thousand reindeer, and though modernity has encroached upon traditional reindeer territory, it is still possible to see the Finnish Lapphund, and its sister breed, the Swedish Lapphund, moving herds across the vast frozen north.