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Finnish Lapphund

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General
OtherNames		Suomenlapinkoira
Dog Group Kennel Club		Pastoral
Breed Classification		Finish Lapphunds belong to the Pastoral Group and, because of their co-operative nature, make excellent companions and watch dogs. They were used in their native country for herding reindeer and are now used, very effectively, on sheep and cattle. They are also seen in the show ring.
Cost of Ownership Visit our dog food department
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50
Feeding Requirements		It will cost between £4 - £5 a week to feed a Lapphund.
Other Expenses		A puppy will cost around £650.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		9 - 15 years
Average Litter Size		5
General Physical Description		A spitz-type dog of medium size, the Lapphund is strongly built with a long, straight and coarse top coat and a thick undercoat. The impressive collar of hair and the soft and humble expression give this breed their individual look.
Height Min Max Bitch 41cm 47cm Dog 46cm 52cm Weight Min Max Bitch 19kg 20kg Dog 20kg 21kg
Size Category		Medium
Weight Height Range		Dogs normally measure between 46 - 52cms and weigh around 20 - 21kgs; bitches between 41 - 47cms and weigh around 19 - 20kgs.
Ailments		The Lapphund is a healthy breed although a small percentage have PRA or HC. Very few cases of HD are found.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness Pet insurance for dogs resource Pet health and vet advice		Low
Other
History		A type of this breed descends as far back as from 7000BC and originates from the dogs kept by the Lapp people. They lived in the area known as Lapland which incorporated Sweden, Finland and parts of northern Russia and Norway. Then it was known as the Lapland Dog and was brought to England by the Normans. The first Breed Standard was accepted in Britain in 1945 when the breed was known as the ‘Lapponian Shepherd Dog’. In 1993 the official name of the breed changed to the ‘Finnish Lapphund’.
Intelligence		Extremely intelligent and easy to train, the Lapphund is one of the most suitable of breeds to train for dog sports such as flyball and agility.
Show Characteristics		With a strong and comparatively broad head, the forehead should be slightly rounded with a clearly defined stop. The muzzle should be shorter than the skull but straight and slightly tapering when viewed from the side. The nose should be black. The eyes should be oval-shaped and dark; the ears erect, pointed and of medium-size. The jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The neck should be long and strong and covered with thick hair. The body should be firm, strong and straight with a long and deep brisket and a moderate tuck up. With good bone, the fore and hind legs should be strong and straight, with medium sized hocks. Dewclaws are permitted on the hind legs. The feet should be well-arched, oval and covered with thick hair. The tail should be of medium length covered with long hair and carried curled over the back when in motion.
Country Of Origin		Finland
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics Visit our dog training aids department
Energy		High
Overall Exercise		60 - 80 minutes
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Low
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		Low
Risk of Sheep Worrying		High
Tendency to Bark		Medium
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		High
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		The calm, friendly and faithful nature of this breed makes then very suitable as household companions. This is a sociable dog who wants to work for and please the handler at all times. They get on well with both children and other household pets.
Grooming Visit our dog grooming department
Coat Length		Medium/Long
Grooming Requirement		Every Day
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		Regular grooming is required due to the abundant coat.
Colour		Finnish Lapphunds are seen in all colours. The main colour will dominate, other coloured markings being seen on the head, neck, chest, legs and tail.
Shedding		Moderate
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies		True