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Finnish Lapphund breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the weatherproof Finnish Lapphund a tough, substantial reindeer herder from north of the Arctic Circle and a remarkably empathetic breed, among the friendliest of dogs once it is satisfied you are not a reindeer rustler.
A luscious coat, a sweet spitz-like face and a heavily coated tail curving over the back mark it as a Nordic dog.
Temperament
Finnish Lapphunds are friendly and submissive companions, a bit wary of strangers. They crave companionship and are miserable when neglected.
Quick and agile, they move effortlessly and go from a trot to a full gallop in a second flat.
Lifespan
Finnish Lapphunds live 12 to 15 years. Elbow and hip dysplasia, both detectable by X-ray and progressive retinal atrophy, which causes vision loss, are conditions present in some dogs.
Care
The double coat has a smooth outer layer over a soft, dense undercoat. Weekly brushing, daily in shedding season, removes dirt and loose hair and Finnish Lapphunds have no doggy odor, so an occasional bath is enough. A Finnish Lapphund should never be shaved.
Finnish Lapphunds are calm dogs with moderate exercise needs and a long, brisk walk every day keeps one healthy and happy. Finnish Lapphunds tend not to exercise themselves, but a half-hour play session with a ball or another dog can satisfy them.
History
Lapland is a region north of the Arctic Circle covering parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and northwestern Russia, named for the Sami people who have sparsely inhabited it for several thousand years. In ancient times the Sami developed a heavily coated spitz-type dog, the Lapphund, to hunt reindeer over barren tundra.
A few centuries ago the Sami shifted from hunting and gathering to nomadism and became reindeer herders, moving large herds in search of pasture.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 3 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 4 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 5 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 4 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 3 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |