Dog Breed

Finnish Lapphund

Rare
Primary image of Finnish Lapphund dog breed
Full Name
Finnish Lapphund
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Life Span
12 - 15 years years
Weight
33 - 53 pounds
Description

Friendly, Keen, Faithful, Calm, Courageous. A rare breed, that is mainly found in Finland and the nordic countries. Visually they are very similar to huskies, but raised for herding reindeer, so have a different mentality. They eager to please their owner, and can be trained well.

Origin
Finland
Bred For
Herding reindeer
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Finnish Lapphund good with children?

    Yes, the Finnish Lapphund is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Finnish Lapphund naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Finnish Lapphund friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Finnish Lapphund is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Finnish Lapphund is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Finnish Lapphund friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Finnish Lapphund is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Finnish Lapphund is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Finnish Lapphund like to cuddle?

    The Finnish Lapphund likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the Finnish Lapphund like to play?

    The Finnish Lapphund is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Finnish Lapphund make a good service dog?

    The Finnish Lapphund is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Finnish Lapphund good for first-time owners?

    The Finnish Lapphund is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Finnish Lapphund be trained?

    The Finnish Lapphund can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Finnish Lapphund can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Finnish Lapphund shed a lot?

    The Finnish Lapphund sheds a lot! They may still shed less than a few other breeds, but be prepared for dog hair throughout the home and on your clothes.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Finnish Lapphund easy to groom?

    The Finnish Lapphund requires some grooming, but less than the average dog breed. Typically you will not need to take the Finnish Lapphund to the pet salon, and occasional combing at home should be enough.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Finnish Lapphund need a lot of exercise?

    The Finnish Lapphund needs a daily exercise partner! The Finnish Lapphund is best suited for a family where it will get plenty of daily exercise; it has so much energy that exercise is mandatory to avoid destructive behaviors.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Finnish Lapphund?

    The Finnish Lapphund is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Finnish Lapphund bark? Does the Finnish Lapphund bark too much?

    The Finnish Lapphund barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Finnish Lapphund will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Finnish Lapphund a good guard dog?

    The Finnish Lapphund would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Finnish Lapphund good at staying alone? Is the Finnish Lapphund independent?

    The Finnish Lapphund considers their owner part of the "pack" and hates being left behind. This can be a good thing for someone looking for an emotional support dog who is loyal and always by their side, but bad if the dog will need to be left at home alone for extended periods.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Finnish Lapphund a good apartment dog?

    The Finnish Lapphund is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Finnish Lapphund?

    The Finnish Lapphund is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Finnish Lapphund tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Finnish Lapphund?

    The Finnish Lapphund does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Finnish Lapphund if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Finnish Lapphund tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Finnish Lapphund?

    The Finnish Lapphund does very well in cold weather, and loves the snow. They were built for it!
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Finnish Lapphund try to run away?

    The Finnish Lapphund has huge wanderlust, meaning that it's natural for them to want to run away. They are known as escape artists. It's important to test your yard and have a tall fence that cannot be jumped or climbed over. Sometimes the Finnish Lapphund is not well suited for being off-leash, even if they are well trained.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Finnish Lapphund a healthy dog? The health of a Finnish Lapphund should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Finnish Lapphund is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Finnish Lapphund high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Finnish Lapphund?

    It seems like the Finnish Lapphund never runs out of energy. If you are looking for a 5 AM run partner, the Finnish Lapphund is your dog! A dog's energy level is one of the most important considerations when getting a new dog, and we would only recommend the Finnish Lapphund for a family where it will get plenty of exercise.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Finnish Lapphund drool?

    The Finnish Lapphund drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Finnish Lapphund have a large prey drive? Does the Finnish Lapphund like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Finnish Lapphund has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Finnish Lapphund may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
    Athleticism

    Is the Finnish Lapphund atheltic?

    The Finnish Lapphund is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
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  • Secondary image of Finnish Lapphund dog breed

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  1. Herding
  2. Spitz
  3. Finnish Lapphund
The Finnish Lapphund is a purebred dog that belongs to the Spitz sub group, which falls under the larger Herding dog breed group.
Herding group: The Herding group dogs all share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. They have traditionally been raised on farms to help herd and protect valuable livestock. They are intelligent, and have been bred to treat each day like they have a "job" they must do. Their innate herding ability is such a big part of who they are, that they are known to even "herd" their owners, children, or other small dogs. Some can seem stubborn and even obsessed with their herding, since they take it seriously! They have high expectations, and must be stimulated mentally just as much as physically. The reward to these "high expectations" is that they can be trained very well, and are oftentimes used in competitions. Certain breeds such as the well known German Shepard are also used by Police forces, because of their discipline, intelligence, and ability to be trained.
Spitz sub-group: Spitz breeds are some of the dog world's most ancient dogs. They have a distinct wolf-like appearance with pointy ears, and a heavy double coat, and a big bushy tail that curls over the back. The majority of them are perfect for cold climates, as they originate from the Nordics, Russia, and Canada. There are many spitz type of breeds, and sometimes it is debated which dogs are "true spitz" breeds. Spitz dogs love the outdoors and love adventure.

Finnish Lapphunds for adoption

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