Finnish Lapphund

General Information - Finnish Lapphund

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History

The Finnish Lapphund, also known as the Suomenlapinkoira, the Lapinkoira, or the Lapland Dog, originates from as early as the 1600's in Finland. There are three varieties of Lapphund: the Finnish Lapphund, the Laponian Herder, and the Swedish Lapphund. Their ancient forbears were herding spitzes that were kept thousands of years ago by nomadic tribes across Scandinavia, themselves the forbears of the Laplanders. It is believed that the Finnish Lapphund traces some of its roots to the Samoyed. The dogs' main function in the last few centuries was that of a herder of reindeer for the Lapp people, although most frequently this task fell to the smooth-coated variety of Lapphund, the Laponian Herder. The Finnish Lapphund is a hardy dog that is capable or working in the very harsh climates of Northern Scandinavia and Russia. Through selective breeding, the dog's natural herding instincts are maintained. It is rarely found outside of Scandinavia and Russia.

Temperament

The Finnish Lapphund is an intelligent dog that responds well to its owners. It enjoys family life, and is calm and loyal. It makes both a good companion to the family, as well as a watchdog that will alert when strangers approach.

Upkeep

The Finnish Lapphund is active and needs a good workout every day, either in the form of a long walk or jog or a vigorous play session. It loves cold weather. It can live outdoors in temperate to cold climates, but it much prefers to live indoors with its human family. Its thick coat needs brushing and combing two to three times a week, daily when shedding. The Finnish Lapphund drove reindeer by barking. This trait may cause problems in apartments or quiet neighborhoods.

Finnish Lapphund

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Finnish Lapphund

Brief Historical Summary: For hundreds of years the Lapps have used dogs of the same type as the Finnish Lapphund as reindeer herders and watchdogs in Finnish Scandinavia and in the northern parts of Russia. Due to these dogs, the first standard of the Lapponian Herder was established by the Finnish Kennel Club in 1945. The breed’’ name was changed into Lapphund in 1967. In the 1970s the type and picture of the breed became fixed and the standard has been specified several times. The breed name was again changed to Finnish Lapphund in 1993. The breed type has been become stable in a short time and today the breed is very popular in the whole of Finland, mainly as a house and hobby dog.

Important Proportions: The depth of the body is slightly less than half of the height at the withers. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull. The skull is slightly longer than broad, the depth is the same as the breadth.

Characteristics: Utilisation - Originally a herder and watch dog used in the work of keeping reindeer. Today also popular as a companion dog.

Temperament: Keen, courageous, calm and willing to learn. Friendly and Faithful.

Head and Skull: Strong in outline, rather broad.

Cranial Region:
Skull - Broad, slightly convex. The forehead is rather domed. The frontal furrow is clearly defined.
Stop - Clearly defined.

Facial Region:
Nose - Preferably black, yet harmonising with the coat colour.
Muzzle - Strong, broad and straight; viewed from above and in profile, evenly tapering, but only slightly.
Lips - Tight.
Cheeks - The zygomatic arches are clearly marked [defined].

Eyes: Dark brown in colour, yet harmonising with the coat colour. Oval shaped. The expression is soft and friendly.

Ears: Medium sized. Carried erect or semi:erect, set rather far apart. Triangular in shape, rather broad at the base. Very mobile.

Mouth: The jaws are strong. Scissor bite.

Neck: Medium in length, strong and covered with profuse hair.

Forequarters:
General Appearance - Powerful with strong bones. Viewed from the front straight and parallel.
Shoulders - Slightly oblique.
Upper Arm - As long as the shoulder blade. The angle between shoulder and upper arm is rather open.
Elbows - Placed slightly lower than the lower edge of the ribcage, pointing straight backwards.
Forearm - Rather strong, vertical.
Carpus [Wrist] - Flexible.
Pastern - Of medium length, slightly sloping.

Body:
Withers - Muscular and broad, only slightly marked [not prominent].
Back - Strong and straight.
Loins - Short and muscular.
Croup - Of medium length, well developed, sloping only slightly.
Chest - Deep, rather long, reaching almost to the elbows, not very broad. The ribs are slightly arched; the forechest clearly visible but not too pronounced.
Underline - Slightly tucked up.

Upper Thigh - Of medium length, rather broad with well developed muscles.
Stifles - Pointed forward, the angulation is clearly marked [well angulated].
Second Thigh - Relatively long and sinewy.
Hock Joint - Moderately low set; the angulation is clearly marked but not too strongly. [Moderate angulation]
Metatarsus [Rear Pastern] - Rather short, strong and vertical.

Feet: Well arched, oval rather than round, covered with dense hair. The pads are elastic with the sides covered with dense hair. Rear dewclaws are not desirable.

Tail: Set rather high, medium in length, covered with profuse and long hair. The tip of the tail may have a J-formed hook. In movement the tail in curved over the back or side; at rest it may hang down.

Gait/movement: Effortless. Changes easily from trot to gallop, which is the most natural style of movement. The legs move parallel. Agile and fast when working.

Coat:
Skin - Tight overall without wrinkles.
Hair - Profuse, the males especially have an abundant mane. The outer coat is long, straight and harsh. On the head and on the front of the legs, the coat is shorter. There must be a soft and dense undercoat.

Colour: All colours are permitted. The basic colour must be dominant. Colours other than the basic colour can occur on head, neck, chest, underside of the body, on legs and tail.

Size: Height at Withers - Ideal height for males: 49 cm [19.5 ins]. Ideal height for females: 44 cm [17 ins]
With a tolerance of +/: 3 cm [just over 1 in]. Type is more important than size.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

• Males not masculine and females not feminine
• Light head, insufficient stop.
• Dropped ears.
• Tail carriage continuously lower than the topline.
• Over angulated or too straight rear angulation.
• Lack of under coat. Flat coat. Curly outer coat.
• Basic colour indistinct.

• Over or undershot mouth.
• Kinky tail

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.