Swedish Lapphund
About the Swedish Lapphund
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 16-20" |
| 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 | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,300/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Swedish 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
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Swedish Lapphund
The story behind the Swedish Lapphund
The Lapphund is associated with the Sami people of northern Scandinavia, where spitz-type dogs assisted with reindeer herding, guarding the herds and, in earlier periods, working as hunting dogs before reindeer husbandry became the dominant way of life. Archaeological finds of dog remains in northern Sweden indicate a long presence of similar dogs in the region. As herding practices modernised in the twentieth century and motorised transport reduced the need for dogs, numbers fell sharply. Swedish enthusiasts and kennel authorities established a standard and worked to preserve the breed, distinguishing it from the related Finnish Lapphund and the Lapponian Herder. It is recognised internationally and is considered a national breed of Sweden. Numbers remain small, with the population concentrated in the Nordic countries, where the dogs are kept as companions and competed in herding and obedience.
Originally bred for: Reindeer herder, hunting spitz, camp watchdog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Swedish Lapphund
Something balanced and matched to an energetic build works fine; beneath all that coat these are spare, hardy dogs, so judge by touch. Winter work outdoors may justify a modest lift, offset by trimming back once milder months arrive.
Watch for: No breed-typical food sensitivity is documented for this small population. Heavy-coated spitz dogs with itchy skin are often affected by undercoat retention or parasites instead. Speak to a vet before removing ingredients, and make any diet transition gradually.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Swedish 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.