Other names:
Lapland Reindeer Dog, Reindeer Herder, Lapinporokoira, Lapsk vallhund
The Lapponian herder is a rare breed of dog unique to Finland. It is one of three Scandinavian Lapphund types that are descended from a dog used by the Sami people for herding and guarding reindeer. This particular breed is thought to have come about as a result of a union between a female wolf and male dog after domestication.
Key facts about the Lapponian Herder
Life expectancy :
Between 11 and 13 years
Temperament :
Affectionate, Playful, Intelligent
Size :
Medium
Type of coat :
Long, Hard
Price :
Between £735 and £1
FCI Group
FCI Group
Group 5 - Spitz and primitive types
Section
Section 3 : Nordic Watchdogs and Herders
Physical characteristics of the Lapponian Herder
Adult size
Female dog
Between 17 and 19 in
Male dog
Between 19 and 21 in
Weight
Female dog
Between 55 and 60 lb
Male dog
Between 55 and 60 lb
Coat colour
The medium to long coat is usually black in different shades, sometimes seen of grey or dark brown.
Type of coat
Double coated: the topcoat is straight and harsh and the undercoat is fine and dense.
Eye colour
Dark brown.
Description
This dog is longer in body than it is high at the withers. It is a strong and muscular dog perfectly adapted to Arctic weather. The ears are abundantly feathered and stand small and pricked. The dog’s gait is effortless and lilting.
Temperament
Affectionate
An affectionate and even-tempered dog is the well-socialised Lapponian.
Playful
This is a playful and energetic dog that does not shy from boisterous play. Play may be interspersed with periods of docile inaction.
Calm
A calm dog, yet alert and fully aware of its surroundings; the Lapponian is not quick to fright.
Intelligent
An intelligent dog, the Lapponian enjoys exercise and obeys commands; it has a great desire to please its owner.
Hunter
The Lapponian is a herding dog rather than a hunter. It is not likely to exhibit predatory behaviour but it is known to be aggressive towards other dogs and animals.
Fearful / wary of strangers
Lapponians tend to be very wary of new people and take some time to warm to a visitor in their home.
Independent
The Lapponian can be wilful and dominant, but its love of praise and family love dampens any desire it may have to take command of the household.
Behaviour of the Lapponian Herder
Tolerates solitude
The Lapponian does not tolerate solitude particularly well.
Easy to train / obedience
Firmness, patience and confidence are needed of a trainer for this dog. The Lapponian will respond well to training that is consistent and forthright. Draconian measures will cause this dog to become withdrawn and aggressive.
Barking
This dog tends to bark regularly, especially when it feels threatened.
Tendency to run away
The Lapponian can easily be taught the recall command and will on most occasions respond to it. However, training and reinforcement of the command are necessary to ensure this dog does not run away.
Destructive
The Lapponian can cause extensive damage inside the house if it is anxious and upset.
Greedy / Gluttony
The Lapponian is not known to be a glutton.
Guard dog
The Lapponian is an excellent watchdog. Its bark is backed up by fearlessness.
First dog
The Lapponian should not be considered as a first dog. The dog requires structured, consistent and clever training.
Lifestyle
Lapponian Herder in a flat
A flat is too small and confined a space in which to keep such a highly-strung animal.
Need for exercise / Sporty
The Lapponian needs a great deal of outdoor exercise and family interaction.
This dog is not suited to a household where a non-canine pet already resides.
Lapponian Herder and dogs
Generally speaking, other dogs are not the friend of the Lapponian. This dog is very territorial.
Lapponian Herder and children
This dog’s gentleness of spirit and love of boisterous play will appeal to children.
Lapponian Herder and the elderly
Because it is a dog that requires a lot of exercise the Lapponian is not a good choice for people of senior years.
Price
Expect to pay anywhere between £735 and £1,400 for a purebred puppy. It will cost between £80 to £110 per month to care for this breed.
Grooming
This dog requires at least a weekly brushing. Using a slicker brush, de-shedder and metal comb will achieve the best results and keep the coat looking its best.
Shedding
The Lapponian sheds continuously throughout the year.
Nutrition of the Lapponian Herder
You should feed this dog a dog food formulated to support the health of an active dog.
Health of the Lapponian Herder
Life expectancy
Overall the Lapponian is a healthy and robust breed of dog that is not prone to any specific illnesses. Its life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.
Strong / robust
This dog is fearless, strong and confident.
Withstand heat
The Lapponian is reasonably tolerant of hot weather but will get hot very quickly due to its thick double coat.
Withstand cold
The Lapponian is very tolerant of cold and wet weather. The coat must be dried thoroughly after a wet walk.
Tendency to put on weight
If a Lapponian is not exercised as regularly as it should be and is fed too much human or substandard food it will become obese.
It is not wise to try to force the Lapponian to interact with new visitors. The dog will be painfully shy to begin with and will ‘meet and greet’ when it is ready. Patience on behalf of the owner will ensure a meeting between the dog and new people takes place without a hitch.
Origins and history
The ancient Sami tribes of Scandinavia have bred Spitz-type dogs for herding and flock protection for centuries. Most reindeer dogs were lost to the villainy of the Nazi occupation. Following the war local breeders attempted to recreate the original Sami reindeer dog. The breed enjoyed a resurgence of numbers in the 1950s and 60s and its popularity continues to this day.
