Appearance,

Characteristics & Temperament

 

 

 

 

Web Graphics By Kilcoy by Design
Maintained by Theldaroy Kennels
Copyright © 2004-2008

The beauty of the breed is in its uniqueness – there are no two lapphunds that are exactly alike, and this is the way it should be. There are many lovely, almost perfect Finnish Lapphunds that, however, clearly are individuals when it comes to temperament and appearance.

General Appearance

 

For decades the general appearance of Finnish Lapphund has remained the same. The breed is medium built, having a naturally heavy coated, with dense undercoat suitable for withstanding the extreme  temperatures of its native Lapland. Ears are pricked or tipped.

All coat colors are permitted, as long as the primary color is dominant. The dog differs from the bitch both in appearance and character, the bitch being smaller and more often more submissive. The ideal height for males is 19 inches (49 cm) and for females 17 inches (44 cm) with a tolerance of 1 inch (+/- 3 cm) the right type being considered to be more important than the size.

 

Characteristics

The Finnish Lapphund is intelligent (even cunning), independent, humble and co-operative. He will do everything for you with  encouragement. Even though a quick learner, the Finnish Lapphund usually thinks for a while before going into action. He likes to watch his family's life from aside, treating the family as a reindeer herd.

        

The breed is very popular as a family pet, he enjoys human contact. He is easy to train and is a most suitable companion for dog sports. They have a strong nose picking  up scent work very quickly.  They do require a reasonable amount of exercise though this can be done in a good sized yard. They love the human contact so a walk on lead would be sufficient to bond with your lappie. 

Whilst they can be trusted off lead, I would always keep a weary eye on them as they can chase, and will become "deaf" when you are attempting to recall.  However they are very trainable.

 

We have dogs in Australia who have done very well in obedience, agility and one is trained in the Responsible Pet Ownership in Schools Program.

 
 
Temperament

The Finnish Lapphund's nature is in itself is as individual as the breed. They are courageous, keen, calm and willing to learn. They are friendly,easy going and very faithful.

The Finnish Lapphund is intelligent, bold, calm, good natured, and eager to serve. He has a pleasant, unobtrusive nature that is in harmony with the people and animals around it. He is usually submissive towards people, he may be a little bit distant but never timid, though bitches can be a little shy. Bitches are much softer in nature than the males.
 
Lapphunds are extremely loyal to their family and have a strong desire to please the human members in it. They train with a minimum of effort. In fact corrections considered acceptable for many others breeds of dog are often too much for the Lapphund. Because the Finnish Lapphund wears its heart on its sleeve, it is very sensitive to correction and will show depression if corrections are too severe! In most cases a Lapphund is aware of his error before the undesired behavior is even completed. Finnish Lapphunds seem to have an intuition of what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
 

Colours of the Lapphund

Finnish Lapphunds come in all colours from white / cream to black.

The most traditional colouring for the Finnish Lapphund is the tri colouring or  black, tan and white depicting the "4 eyes" of the traditional Saami herder. Sable dogs take on the base colour with black tip highlights to the end of their hair.

Swedish Lapphunds come in black and bear brown, some white on chest legs is acceptable.

Ch Lapinlumon Mundus

Ch Miehtebiekka Ursus

Ch Fidelis Gratia Finnica
Black, tan & white Black Black, tan

Janoby All About Arri

 

 

Ch Theldaroy The Wild One

 

 

 

 

Fidelis Haliatar
Blue Domino Sable

Forest Trail's Sapphire Sky

Liehkun Aurinkanasu

  

 
Grey Sable Red Sable  

Staalon Ruska

  

 

Piefla

 

Miavig Double Choc
  Brown  

Fidelis Esaias

Forest Trail's Fire In Ice

 
Cream White  

These are not the only colours that Finnish Laaphunds come in. they are a small sample of the variations of the breed colourings.

Look at how we have changed!!!!

Now to show what changes the breed can go through from baby to adulthood. We can never assume anything with the Finnish Lapphund. They change so much.

Many find coat color to be the most fascinating aspect of the Finnish Lapphund. It is so diverse! Lappy puppies are usually born dark. Their coat changes color as they mature. Many of the dogs in this section are from ForestTrails Kennels, we wish to thank them for the use of these pictures.