Finnish Lapphund: A Guide to this Versatile and Loyal Breed

Finnish lapphund

I am a medium-sized Spitz who requires quite a lot of physical activity to thrive. If I'm not stimulated, I might get a little restless and naughty. I love to go for long walks in nature, especially in the woods and in the mountains. One of the most fun things I know is to run!

What people should know is that I'm smarter than they think. I can fool them, but do not let them fool me. To take advantage of my mental capacity, I, therefore, have a need to feel useful. Physical and mental challenges are happily received. People must also not forget that I never get too old to play and have fun!

Of course, there are different personalities within our breed, but most of us need daily long and varied walks. But like you humans, we also have days when we like to relax on the couch. However, let there be no doubt: we have the willingness and desire to be part of the toughest trips.

Finnish Lapphund | Calm and friendly, but not afraid to go my own way

I love to learn new tricks and tasks. When I am active, I am awake and engaged, but I also have an off-button for when the fun should stop. As long as people give me enough stimuli, I am kind, calm, eager, loyal, empathetic and brave.

Sometimes I do things on my terms. Some even say I can be a little stubborn. But that I don't agree with.

Cosiness and attention are great, but sometimes it can be more than enough, even for me. Then I just go to bed.

I love to be a part of a family. I like to participate and engage with humans. I am good at agility, herding, and obedience competitions. Most people know me as friendly and humble, making me the perfect therapy dog.

By the way: I love children!

Like most Spitz dogs, we bark, but the right training makes it more manageable

Some say there is a lot of noise in us. This is because we were used to the herding of reindeers, in which our voice was an important tool.

One can safely say that it is in our blood to bark, but that does not mean that we bark all the time. Most of us bark when the doorbell rings, or we see a moose, or during play.

If you think I'm making too much noise, you can teach me when it's okay to bark and when it's not okay.

As long as I am safe at home, and do not suffer from separation anxiety, you will be fine to leave me alone in a house or apartment. But do not forget that prefer to be with my pack.

Below you can see an example of what it sounds like when a Finnish Lapphund makes a sound:

Finnish Lapphund are a healthy breed

Our breed is a healthy one and can live between 12 and 15 years. We are rarely bothered by illnesses, but make sure to get us from a serious breeder.

By the way, the Nordic climate suits us perfectly. We tolerate the outside, even on the coldest days. If you take me on a tenting trip in the winter, I can lie outside in minus 20 degrees, without freezing. I feel a little worse when we have hot summers. If the temperature creeps towards 30 degrees, I have to cool down regularly and always have access to cold water. On these days it is best that I walk early in the morning, or late in the evening.

Strong instincts

Most Finnish Lapphunds have a distinct shepherd instinct. This means that we can run after moose, reindeer and squirrels, to name a few. We do not want the animals we chase to get hurt. But we are curious by nature and will get a little over-excited, which will lead to us barking a lot. Humans, therefore, have to practice summoning us, so I actually return when chasing after an animal. Much of this is about instinct, so it can be a big challenge to go against this instinct. So please bear with me.

If I grow up amongst animals from the very beginning, I will be calm and comfortable with other animals. If I've never had the opportunity to meet animals, I'll probably chase them at every opportunity.

Self-cleansing fur

Finnish Lapphunds should have their fur cut because it can damage the quality. We do not need much care, but I expect combing once a week, so I don't get uncomfortable tangles. Fortunately, our fur is self-cleaning, so we do not need to shower or bathe very often.