History of the Finnish Lapphund in Finland.
The Finnish Lapphund is a herding breed, used to herd reindeer in the northern areas of Lapland (Finland, Sweden, Russia & Norway) by the Saame (Sami) people. Originally a nomadic people, they relied heavily on the herds of reindeer for food, and clothing. They followed the herds, hunting them as they needed. The original Laponian dog was used to aide their hunting parties. It is believed that the breed - like many herding breeds has evolved from the hunter to the herder, so some Lapphund still show strong hunting instincts.
The dogs originally used by the Saame farmers, were rough coated spitz types, with long body, being rectangular in shape, with long hair, the tail being carried straight except on the move when it was carried curled over the back. The colour was very varied, black with “four eyes” being the most common.
It could be said that the breed is both old and new, old because the Saame farmers have used dogs of this type for centuries, and there are old cave painting depicting dogs of this type. Archeological digs in Lapland have unearthed skeletal remains of Lapponian dogs that have been estimated to date back prior to 7000 BC. But new because the breed Finnish Lapphund has only become accepted as a breed in its own right (by the FCI) since the mid 1960s.
The Finnish Lapphund has been referred to in many ways. Prior to 1993 it could have been called the Lapplands herding-dog, Lapplands-dog, or simply Lapphund. In 1993 it was officially christened Finnish Lapphund. In Finland this breed has been ranked in the top twenty on the most popular breeds list, because of good health, temperament, and outstanding looks.
The Finnish Lapphund is one of the three Lapphund breeds descending from the old arctic spitzes of Scandinavian area with the Laponian people (Sami) - the Finnish Lapphund, the Swedish Lapphund, and the Laponian Herder.
Finnish Lapphunds
Finland felt that it was more important to adhere to tradition and kept their focus on temperament and good herding instinct, just as the Sami people have done for centuries. Consequently the Finnish Lapphund or Lapinkoira is much closer to the original native breed.
The Finnish Lapphund is a medium size dog, heavily coated and very sturdily built. The male is expressive with a more prolific coat. The coat of a female is slightly shorter and her behavior is a little more humble. Females stand 16-18 inches, while males are slightly larger standing 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder.
All colors are permissible; the only stipulation is that one color must dominate. Typical colors include black, black-and-tan, sable, brown, red-and-white, all white (though more infrequent), and gray of various shades. White markings may occur on the neck, chest, legs, feet and tail. The Finnish Lapphund is intelligent, versatile, willing and affectionate. It is very energetic, while remaining composed and adaptable.
The Finnish Lapphund has not only been greatly successful in obedience, but also in herding, agility, searching, tracking competitions and therapy dog work.
Some detailed information on what judges should be looking for can be found in the following link. It is in Finnish but is very interesting.
If you are interested then please email for an english version. http://www.lappalaiskoirat.fi/english/breeding/judges_guide_finnish_lapphund.pdf
Swedish Lapphunds
As a result of their breeding the Swedish Lapphund today is smaller than the original Laponian stock.
The Swedish Lapphund is predominantly black or dark brown. The coat is coarse and thick with dense undercoat. Both males and females should have a distinctive mane. Ears are pricked and lively. Even though the coat of the Swedish Lapphund is impressive, it is surprisingly low maintenance. It repels snow and water, but needs regular brushing as well as a wash once a year.Because they were mostly bred for aesthetics the Swedish Lapphund has lost a lot of its herding instincts and has developed a more excitable temperament.
The Swedish Lapphund is lively, humble, co-operative, but also alert. The breed has somewhat strong sense of territory, but is friendly towards strangers.
The Swedish Lapphund is medium built dog. The ideal height for males is about 19 inches (48 cm) and for females approximately 17 inches (43 cm) with a tolerance of 1 inch (+/- 3 cm).
More informatin can be found on http://www.lappalaiskoirat.fi/english/?id=club/introduction_rlk
Lapponian Herders
The Lapponian Herder is longer than high in body, and well angulated with a shorter coat. He appears indefatigable in his trot.
The most common colour is black and tan, but dark brown dogs exist. All colours excluding dominant white are allowed.
Sourced from Lapinkoira Club of Finland & Elbereth Kennels
More information can be found on http://www.lappalaiskoirat.fi/english/?id=club/introduction_lpk
The Finnish Lapphund is a herding breed, used to herd reindeer in the northern areas of Lapland (Finland, Sweden, Russia & Norway) by the Saame (Sami) people. Originally a nomadic people, they relied heavily on the herds of reindeer for food, and clothing. They followed the herds, hunting them as they needed. The original Laponian dog was used to aide their hunting parties. It is believed that the breed - like many herding breeds has evolved from the hunter to the herder, so some Lapphund still show strong hunting instincts.
The dogs originally used by the Saame farmers, were rough coated spitz types, with long body, being rectangular in shape, with long hair, the tail being carried straight except on the move when it was carried curled over the back. The colour was very varied, black with “four eyes” being the most common.
It could be said that the breed is both old and new, old because the Saame farmers have used dogs of this type for centuries, and there are old cave painting depicting dogs of this type. Archeological digs in Lapland have unearthed skeletal remains of Lapponian dogs that have been estimated to date back prior to 7000 BC. But new because the breed Finnish Lapphund has only become accepted as a breed in its own right (by the FCI) since the mid 1960s.
The Finnish Lapphund has been referred to in many ways. Prior to 1993 it could have been called the Lapplands herding-dog, Lapplands-dog, or simply Lapphund. In 1993 it was officially christened Finnish Lapphund. In Finland this breed has been ranked in the top twenty on the most popular breeds list, because of good health, temperament, and outstanding looks.
The Finnish Lapphund is one of the three Lapphund breeds descending from the old arctic spitzes of Scandinavian area with the Laponian people (Sami) - the Finnish Lapphund, the Swedish Lapphund, and the Laponian Herder.
Finnish Lapphunds
Finland felt that it was more important to adhere to tradition and kept their focus on temperament and good herding instinct, just as the Sami people have done for centuries. Consequently the Finnish Lapphund or Lapinkoira is much closer to the original native breed.
The Finnish Lapphund is a medium size dog, heavily coated and very sturdily built. The male is expressive with a more prolific coat. The coat of a female is slightly shorter and her behavior is a little more humble. Females stand 16-18 inches, while males are slightly larger standing 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder.
All colors are permissible; the only stipulation is that one color must dominate. Typical colors include black, black-and-tan, sable, brown, red-and-white, all white (though more infrequent), and gray of various shades. White markings may occur on the neck, chest, legs, feet and tail. The Finnish Lapphund is intelligent, versatile, willing and affectionate. It is very energetic, while remaining composed and adaptable.
The Finnish Lapphund has not only been greatly successful in obedience, but also in herding, agility, searching, tracking competitions and therapy dog work.
Some detailed information on what judges should be looking for can be found in the following link. It is in Finnish but is very interesting.
If you are interested then please email for an english version. http://www.lappalaiskoirat.fi/english/breeding/judges_guide_finnish_lapphund.pdf
Swedish Lapphunds
As a result of their breeding the Swedish Lapphund today is smaller than the original Laponian stock.
The Swedish Lapphund is predominantly black or dark brown. The coat is coarse and thick with dense undercoat. Both males and females should have a distinctive mane. Ears are pricked and lively. Even though the coat of the Swedish Lapphund is impressive, it is surprisingly low maintenance. It repels snow and water, but needs regular brushing as well as a wash once a year.Because they were mostly bred for aesthetics the Swedish Lapphund has lost a lot of its herding instincts and has developed a more excitable temperament.
The Swedish Lapphund is lively, humble, co-operative, but also alert. The breed has somewhat strong sense of territory, but is friendly towards strangers.
The Swedish Lapphund is medium built dog. The ideal height for males is about 19 inches (48 cm) and for females approximately 17 inches (43 cm) with a tolerance of 1 inch (+/- 3 cm).
More informatin can be found on http://www.lappalaiskoirat.fi/english/?id=club/introduction_rlk
Lapponian Herders
The Lapponian Herder is longer than high in body, and well angulated with a shorter coat. He appears indefatigable in his trot.
The most common colour is black and tan, but dark brown dogs exist. All colours excluding dominant white are allowed.
Sourced from Lapinkoira Club of Finland & Elbereth Kennels
More information can be found on http://www.lappalaiskoirat.fi/english/?id=club/introduction_lpk
