Finnish Lapphund

When tracing the history of a Finnish Lapphund, you'll be surprised to learn that this dog breed has been around since the 7000 BC. During this period, they were referred to as the Lapland dogs, derived from the northern region of Finland, Sweden, and in part, Russia. The Finnish Lapphund was originally bred to help the nomadic Sami in herding reindeer.

The breed almost did not survive extinction due to the arrival of snowmobiles. Luckily, some breed enthusiasts started a breeding program in 1940. In the same period, the dog breed was officially accepted by the Finnish Kennel Club. Five years later (1945), The Kennel Club followed suit, accepting the Finnish Lapphund as a breed in its own right.

The Finnish Lapphund resembles the appearance of Spitz-type dogs, but still, its distinctive look is not to be mistaken. It is a medium-sized breed that stands 41 to 52 centimetres and weighs between 35 and 53 pounds. Finnish Lapphunds must be slightly longer (from chest to rump) than they are tall (from shoulder to floor). Their body is definitely thick, but not compact or stocky, most of which is obscured by its relatively dense coat, hiding well-muscled form underneath.

The Finnish Lapphund's thick coat comprises a soft, dense and abundant undercoat, while the topcoat is straight, long and harsh to touch, not to mention it is water-repellent. Its coat can be wavy for young dogs but must always be adequately harsh to be acceptable. Colour combinations of the coat consist of a single colour and a secondary colour limited to the head, neck, chest, legs, underbelly, and tail. Among the accepted colours are black, tan, white, brown, cream, sable, grizzle, red, and even tricolour.

When around children, the Finnish Lapphund is friendly and affectionate. It likes nothing more than to be a part of the family, playing and interacting. However, it is foolish to let Finnish Lapphunds and young kids mix without supervision. Doing so is a recipe for disaster, as anytime playtime can turn too boisterous, which may cause unintentional hurt.

Keeping a Finnish Lapphund with other animals, especially small ones, is okay as long as the dog has been socialised when young and these animals were actually raised together. Owners must remember that the Finnish Lapphund's herding instinct may kick in, and it will try to herd other animals.

If you can manage an intelligent and active breed, then do consider a Finnish Lapphund. This dog breed is intelligent enough to excel in obedience, herding and agility trials, not to mention they can be trained to be excellent therapy dogs.

The Finnish Lapphund is indeed an excellent watchdog, albeit slightly excessive. This breed will likely bark at anything that is unfamiliar. Its affection is also often tempered, despite its friendly nature, often fawning over select family members and reserve to some. Regardless, the Finnish Lapphund undoubtedly loves its family to the point of suffering from separation anxiety, although not all.

The Finnish Lapphund doesn't require a special diet, but to ensure that you're providing sufficient nutrition, it is best to consult with a veterinarian for advice.

Typical calorie needs of an adult Finnish Lapphund per day:

• Senior and less active: up to 1,080 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 1,215 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 1,350 calories daily

Finding a Finnish Lapphund will be quite a challenge, not only financially but also due to the fact that it's a rare breed. However, being put on a waitlist is not that bad if you are eager to own a Finnish Lapphund puppy. One perk of waiting is having a longer opportunity to set aside enough funds for its purchase and the cost of raising it.

To give you a rough idea of how much raising a Finnish Lapphund will cost you, below is a simple breakdown:

• Lapphund puppy (well-bred pedigree) costs £950 and £1,400.
• Pet insurance, depending on coverage, costs £20 to £40 a month.
• Veterinary consultations (including vaccines, boosters etc.) cost up to £1,000 a year.
• High-quality dog food will set you back £30 to £40 a month.