A typical spitz in stature, the Lapphund is rectangular in shape and has a substantial and weatherproof coat. The top coat is thick and wooly, the hairs of which should be erect and the undercoat dense and curly and made up of finer hairs.
| General
Physical Description |
A typical spitz in stature, the Lapphund is rectangular in shape and has a substantial and weatherproof coat. The top coat is thick and wooly, the hairs of which should be erect and the undercoat dense and curly and made up of finer hairs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size Category | Medium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight Height Range | Bitches should measure between 40-46 cms (16-18 ins)at the withers and dogs 45-51 cms (18-20 ins), both weighing around 19 - 21kgs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ailments | There are so few of these dogs in the country that there are not many documented problems. PRA has surfaced in their native Sweden and hip dysplacia has been reported there too. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Susceptibility To Illness | Low | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | Swedish Lapphunds are a very old breed. In fact a 7,000 year old skeleton found in Norway closely resemble todays Lapphunds. Originally bred to guard and herd the Sami people's reindeer herds, they are mostly used today as a companion dog although in some, the herding instinct is very strong. The breed is not common outside its home country of Sweden. However if you do get a Lapp, they can be a very independent but loyal companion and lover of the family. | |
| Intelligence | As all spitz type dogs, Lapphunds like to please but also like to do things their own way! Gentle training is needed and once the penny has dropped training is easy. As with all puppies it is important to socialise at the right point in their lives to have a well balanced and loving friend. This breed can be very noisy, as when originally trained as reindeer herders they were taught to bark all the time whilst working. This way the reindeer knew that a silent dog like creature was an enemy. Not much fun around town though so this needs to be curtailed through gentle training. | |
| Show Characteristics | The head should be wedge-shaped with no hint of snipiness and with a well-defined stop. The eyes should be set well apart, round and dark brown with well pigmented rims. The ears should be set well apart, short, erect and pointed. The jaws should be strong with a perfect scissor bite. The lips and palate should be strongly pigmented. The neck should be powerful and of medium length. The body should be slightly longer than the height at the withers with a straight and muscular back. The forelegs should be straight with close fitting elbows and sloping shoulders. The hindlegs should be strong with a moderate turn of stifle and low set hocks. Dewclaws are highly undesirable. The feet should be strong and oval with black nails and pads. The tail should be high set and reach to the hock when extended, with bushy, long dense hair, and carried curled over the back when moving. | |
| Country Of Origin | Sweden |
| Other Names |
 |
Lapphund, Lapland Spitz, Lapplandska Spets |
| Dog Group Kennel Club | Pastoral | |
| Breed Classification | The Swedish Lapphund was originally used for herding reindeer; today they are used mainly as companions or for sheepherding in their native country, as well as being seen in the show ring. |
|
||||||
| Energy | High | |||||
| Overall Exercise | > 2 hours per day. The Lapphund likes a reasonable amount of exercise, but not necessarily through hours of walking. They enjoy mind games and will have just as much fun hunting for a favourite toy. This is not a dog recommended to be let off the lead unless you have trained your dog well and have total control. Their natural herding instinct is likely to leave your Lapp chasing after a rabbit, or worse still a car, and at this point they go totally deaf! |
|||||
| Distress Caused if Left Alone | High | |||||
| Personal Protection | Medium | |||||
| Suitability As Guard Dog | Medium | |||||
| Risk of Sheep Worrying | High | |||||
| Tendency to Bark | High | |||||
| Ease of Transportation | Low | |||||
| Level of Aggression | Low | |||||
| Compatibility With Other Animals | High | |||||
| Suitable
For Children |
High | |||||
| General Character And Temperament | In general the Lapphund is a friendly, outgoing and devoted dog. They are protective of their homes; no intruder will ever go unheard. Lapphunds get on extremely well with children, make good family pets and like to be included in all family activities. However if they are left to there own devices they can be very vocal, and if their minds are not exercised (similar to border collie) then they can be destructive and are known to enjoy digging. Sympathetic training is a must. They are very tolerant of children, but as with all pets, children should NEVER be left alone, however trustworthy your friend may be. Please note that you should not intend to get one of these delightful dogs if there is not someone or another to be a constant companion. THESE DOGS DO NOT LIKE BEING KEPT AWAY FROM THE FAMILY and doing so risks the dog getting so desperate to be with you that it may get destructive. | |||||
| Lifespan |
9 - 15 years On average the Lapphund lives for around 12-13 years. |
|
| Average
Litter Size |
5 The average litter size is 4 - 6 puppies, however some can have more or less than this. |
|
||||||
| Average
Food Cost |
$8-15 per week | |||||
| Feeding
Requirements |
These dogs are not big eaters, but the quantity of food will depend on whether you are working the dog on a herding basis or being used as a companion dog. | |||||
| Other
Expenses |
The purchase price of a puppy ranges from $800-$1100. | |||||
| Average
Puppy Price |
$600-1000 | |||||