Finnish Lapphund
About the Finnish Lapphund
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 16-21" |
| Weight | 33-53 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,400/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Finnish Lapphunds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Finnish Lapphund
The story behind the Finnish Lapphund
The Finnish Lapphund comes from Lapland in northern Finland, where the Sami kept spitz-type dogs to work with semi-domesticated reindeer, herding and controlling animals across open tundra and forest. Dogs of this general type have been part of northern Fennoscandian herding culture for a long period, and the modern breeds were separated out during the twentieth century. Finnish breeders began formal registration around mid-century, and after a period in which long-coated and short-coated animals were treated together, they were divided, with the shorter-coated dogs becoming the Lapponian Herder. A standard for the Lapphund was settled and the FCI recognised it, while the American Kennel Club admitted the breed to the Herding Group in 2011. It is popular in Finland and uncommon elsewhere.
Originally bred for: Reindeer herding dog, Northern working spitz, Family companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Finnish Lapphund
A moderately sized northern breed with an efficient metabolism, so portions should be measured rather than generous, since weight hides easily beneath a heavy coat. Cold-weather working dogs need more. A diet with adequate fat supports coat quality, and two meals daily suit most.
Watch for: No characteristic food intolerance is recognised in the breed. Owners occasionally suspect diet when coat or skin quality changes, though seasonal moulting and grooming routine usually explain it. Where itching or digestive trouble persists, a veterinarian should investigate before ingredients are excluded.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Finnish Lapphund
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.