Swedish Lapphund

Origin

The Swedish Lapphund has been known in the Nordic area for centuries. It is a Nordic Spitz used in the past for reindeer herding, hunting and as a watchdog by the nomadic Laplanders. Nowadays it is mainly kept as a versatile companion dog.

Temperament

Lively, alert, kind and affectionate. The Lapphund is very receptive, attentive and willing to work. Its abilities as a good herding dog made it very useful in the reindeer trade. It is very versatile, suitable for obedience training, agility, herding, tracking, etc. It is easy to train, full of endurance and toughness.

Activity Level

Swedish Lapphunds are energetic and intelligent family companions that thrive with regular physical activity and mental stimulation. They are generally easy to train, playful, and possess endurance and resilience, making them well-suited for a variety of activities such as agility, herding, tracking, and other performance-based tasks.

Height/Weight

Height at the withers: Dogs, 48 cm (19 in); bitches, 43 cm (17 in). Allowance for +/- 3 cm (1.25 in).

Coat

Profuse double coat. Hair standing straight out from body, undercoat dense and thick. Short hair on head and on front of legs. Longer hair on brisket, backside of legs and on tail. Bushy, long and dense on tail. Forming a ruff round neck. The coat is weather resistant.

Colour

Usually, solid black; bronzing is typical as more or less ”bear-brown” shades. White on chest, on feet and tip of tail is permissible.

Grooming

The grooming requirements for the Swedish Lapphund are moderate, involving weekly brushing and occasional bathing. The breed sheds its undercoat at least once or twice annually; during these periods, more frequent brushing may be necessary to effectively manage loose fur. Under no circumstances should a Swedish Lapphund be shaved. The coat should be maintained at its natural length throughout the year.