Lapponian herder

 

Briefly about the breed:

• Lapland sheepdog is a herding dog with an innate herding instinct.
• The breed is useful in reindeer husbandry due to its willingness to cooperate and exterior.
• It is suitable for various dog sports and requires a lot of fun activation.
• Lapland herding dogs bond closely with their owner and thrive best with a lot of time outdoors.
• Historically, the breed is linked to the Norddikalotten’s history, culture and business life.

History:

The Lapland sheepdog has strong historical ties to the Nordkalotten, and its origins can be traced back to the first inhabitants after the ice age, who were probably Sami or hunter-gatherers. These people hunted and fished, and dogs were an important part of their culture several thousand years ago. The dogs were bred to be versatile and meet different needs.In the 16th-1550s, reindeer herding developed as an important industry in the Nordkalotten. The Lapland herding dog played an important role in this reindeer herding culture, where it helped to keep the reindeer herds together and protect them from predators. The dogs were also part of the families and had a special place in the lavvoen or gamn.In the 1950s, targeted breeding began to preserve the breed’s characteristics and register it as a separate breed. This work led to the breed receiving its first breed standard in 1966 and official approval by the FCI in 1967. The breed was named Lapinporokoira – Lapland herding dog. In the 1980s, the breed was endangered due to low popularity and a small population. Breeding was concentrated in the south of Finland, and reindeer owners in the north had limited influence on the development of the breed.However, interest in Lapland sheepdogs has increased since the late 1990s, and the breed has proven to be suitable as a service dog in various areas. Despite being a rare breed, the Lapland sheepdog has proven to work well as a reindeer herding dog and in other areas of use.

Characteristics/Mentality:

A good Lapland sheepdog is naturally obedient, willing to work, hardy, persistent and has a calm temperament. It is loyal, fearless and bonds closely with its owner. The breed has an innate herding instinct, willingness to cooperate and an exterior that makes it suitable for reindeer husbandry, where it can work for several days at a stretch in polar conditions. The dogs usually bark during herding, but they must also be able to be quiet when necessary.They work relatively independently over a larger area. The breed should not have too strong a hunting instinct, as this can negatively affect herding qualities. The Lapland sheepdog is also suitable as a guard dog because of its attentiveness and barking, but it should not come across as aggressive.

Size/Appearance:

The Lapland sheepdog is a medium-sized spitz dog with a rectangular body. It has strong legs and a muscular body, but does not seem heavy. The breed has clear gender characteristics. The fur is well suited for arctic climates, with relatively wiry, straight cover hairs and dense and fine undercoat. The colors can be black, brown or wild, preferably with bright markings on the head, chest and legs. Ideal size for male dogs is around 51 cm with a variation of /- 3 cm, and for bitches around 46 cm with a variation of /- 3 cm.

Fur care:

The coat of the Lapland sheepdog should be bathed and brushed when necessary.

The breed club

We recommend that everyone contact the breed club before purchasing a puppy. They have even more expertise about the breed and can help you with the breed’s health, exercise and other things.Good luck!