Medium sized and with the typical spitz characteristics of thick plush coat, curly tail and prick ears, the Swedish Lapphund is an intelligent and attractive dog. Coats come in bear-brown, black, brown or black and brown. Slightly longer than they are tall, the Swedish Lapphund is rectangular in outline.
The Swedish Lapphund is generally a healthy breed, but can suffer from:
- Hip dysplasia
- Diabetes mellitus¹ which is a condition where dogs develop very high sugar levels because they do not produce a normal amount of insulin.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.
¹T. Fall et al, 'Diabetes Mellitus in a Population of 180,000 Insured Dogs: Incidence, Survival, and Breed Distribution', 2007, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
| Family-friendly: | 4/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 3/5 |
| Easy to train: | 4/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 2/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Energy level: | 3/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 4/5 |
Ideal Swedish Lapphund owners are experienced with spitz types, understanding there will be lots of shed hair, a considerable degree of barking, and lots of walks whatever the weather. If that’s not an issue, this breed is versatile and clever, suitable for a variety of dog activities and sports and reward those interested in training them very well. Suited to rural or semi-rural homes with older children who can help take part in training and exercise.
Hardy, faithful, alert and intelligent, the Swedish Lapphund makes a fun companion for those who like spitz breed traits. They are vocal and this is a function the breed has been selected for, so they will alert to any suspicious movement or activity. This breed also retains a desire to hunt and to herd and so careful management and ownership is necessary to ensure they don't get themselves into trouble!
Country of Origin: Sweden
Bred initially as a hunting dog, the Swedish Lapphund lived with the nomadic Sami people in Lapland, where they also herded reindeer and acted as companions and watchdogs. Archaeological remains of dogs of this medium sized spitz type have been found dating back to 7000 years ago, making this type of dog very old indeed and possibly one of the oldest European breeds.
Despite their history, the Swedish Lapphund has only been officially recognised as a breed since 1944, when the FCI adopted the first breed standard. Today the Swedish Lapphund is typically a companion dog and show dog, and they are relatively rare in the UK.
The Swedish Lapphund is a dog who will need an hour a day of dog physical exercise, ideally more. They will also need time dedicated to training and puzzle solving to keep their clever minds active and fulfilled. A bored, under-exercised Lapphund will not be a pleasant or quiet companion. Thriving in cold weather and not put off by a bit of rain, the Lapphund does need exercise even in the worst weather. In the summer heat, exercise early in the morning and later at night to avoid your dog experiencing heat-stroke.
The Swedish Lapphund does not require a huge home, however with their vocal nature and agile physical skills, a rural or rural suburbs home would be best. In the busier suburbs or city and more densely packed housing, the Lapphunds vocal nature may prove problematic. With their dense coats, this is a dog that doesn’t enjoy central heating or overly warm homes.
The Sweddish Lapphund needs to have a balanced dog diet including all the main nutrient groups and a constant supply of fresh water. It's also important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed them at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of their particular food.
The weather-resistant coat of the Swedish Lapphund consists of a dense undercoat and a top coat that stands straight out from the body. The coat is longer on the thighs, tail, chest and 'mane'. A thorough groom, brushing down through the undercoat, is required a couple of times a week to prevent tangles and mats from forming. Consider whether shedding will be an issue as along with constant shedding (especially in a warm home) the Lapphund can shed heavily twice a year. Discover the rest of our dog grooming tips with this handy article.
This is an independent minded dog with a quick brain so you’ll need to be on top of your canine training game to get the best out of the Swedish Lapphund! Using positive reinforcement, food and toys to motivate, it is possible to train the Lapphund to a high level and they will enjoy activities such as mantrailing, Rally, and scent-work-based games. Pay attention to early dog socialisation and training a solid and reliable recall, as this is a breed who will want to chase and hunt.
Better suited to the outdoor family who enjoy a lot of walking and training. Possibly not suited to families with very small children as their hunting and herding nature may not be suited to busy family life.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
The Swedish Lapphund is a very versatile dog, originally bred to hunt reindeer, when the Sami peoples began herding the breed was easily retrained to herd instead of hunt. They were also used to hunt elk, foxes and birds, which all require different skills from the dog!
They are the oldest of Sweden’s nine native breeds, and are the National Dog of Sweden.
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