 There are three different breeds that have originated from the Laponian people (Sami), the Finnish Lapphund, the Laponian Herder, and the Swedish Lapphund. All three of these breeds diverged out of the original Laponian dog, a generic dog bred for function, temperament, and hardiness. These three things were and are extremely important to the Sami. They had to be, since most of Lapland is above the Arctic Circle, they needed an animal that could handle the harsh weather conditions and serve their needs well.
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As a result of their breeding the Swedish Lapphund today is smaller than the original Laponian stock. The Swedish Lapphund is predominantly black or dark brown. Because they were mostly bred for esthetics the Swedish Lapphund has lost a lot of its herding instincts and has developed a more excitable temperament.
Finland, however, felt that it was more important to adhere to tradition and kept their focus on temperament and good herding instinct, just as the Sami people have done for centuries. Consequently the Finnish Lapphund or Lapinkoira is much closer to the original native breed. The Finnish Lapphund is a medium size dog, heavily coated and very sturdily built. The male is expressive with a more prolific coat. The coat of a female is slightly shorter and her behavior is a little more humble. Females stand 16-18 inches, while males are slightly larger standing 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder. All colors are permissible; the only stipulation is that one color must dominate. Typical colors include black, black-and-tan, sable, brown, red-and-white, all white (though more infrequent), and gray of various shades. White markings may occur on the neck, chest, legs, feet and tail. The Finnish Lapphund is intelligent, versatile, willing and affectionate. It is very energetic, while remaining composed and adaptable. The Finnish Lapphund has not only been greatly successful in obedience, but also in herding, agility, searching, tracking competitions and therapy dog work.
The Finnish Lapphund is still used for herding reindeer and as a farm dog. It is still bred in the Lap region by the Laponian people (Sami) and bred in the south as well. The natural herding tendencies remain strong in this breed. This is quite apparent when they try to herd anything that moves, including but not limited to: owners, children, other animals in their home, brooms, bikes, etc. The few that we have here in the US have already demonstrated the ability to herd sheep and ducks well. In their native land, the Sami people  developed different lines of dogs to accomplish different tasks. The Sami’s large herds of reindeer on the mountains demanded the need for a long-distance herder. This is why the Sami developed the Lapinporokoira, present day Laponian Herder. The Lapinkoira, present day Finnish Lapphunds, were used to herd and guard the smaller group of reindeer the Sami kept separated from the main herd. This smaller herd was held close to the Sami’s dwellings for domestic purposes (milking, transportation, and heavy draft work). Along with the duties of sentinel, the Finnish Lapphunds are required to assist, when needed, with other work vital to village life. This requires that the Finnish Lapphund has a sturdy structure; frail dogs will not last in the harsh arctic life. Because the Sami needed them to interact with them in daily village life, the Finnish Lapphund was bred to be courageous and affectionate by nature. They make a natural alarm dog and a great family member.
Their easygoing temperament allows them to be very versatile. The Finnish Lapphund and Laponian Herder interchange duties often, even in present day. They are able to go where needed. Reindeer herding of today requires that the dogs ride on snowmobiles, get in and out of jeeps moving over rough terrain, as well as being able to manage the herd under flying helicopters. Truly this is no job for the faint hearted, and hardly compares to moving sheep through quite fenced in pastures.
The Finnish Lapphund has been referred to in many ways. Prior to 1993 it could have been called the Lapplands herding-dog, Lapplands-dog, or simply Lapphund. In 1993 it was officially christened Finnish Lapphund. In Finland this breed has been ranked in the top twenty on the most popular breeds list, because of good health, temperament, and outstanding looks. |
Lapland is a territory that spreads over the northern part of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The Laponian people have a long history. Originally a nomadic people, they relied heavily on the herds of reindeer for food, and clothing. They followed the herds, hunting them as they needed. The original Laponian dog was used to aide their hunting parties. Archeological digs in Lapland have unearthed skeletal remains of Laponian dogs that have been estimated to date back prior to 7000 BC. Amazingly the skeletal remains of these ancient dogs are almost identical to the Laponian dogs of present day. As the nomadic tribes settled they turned to herding the reindeer instead of hunting them. This change in lifestyle required the people to fine tune their dogs’ hunting skills to herding (really all the herding instinct is, is a control on the primitive instinct to hunt for food). From ancient times, till present, these native dogs have been herding reindeer for their masters.
The Norwegians and Swedes were the first to consider the possibility of standardizing the Laponian dogs. Of the two, Sweden took a more serious interest. Finland began efforts to collect the native dog through the 1930s to 1940s. However, World War II hampered these efforts. It even threatened to annihilate the entire Laponian breed. Following the war Finland and Sweden sent representatives from their respective kennel clubs to Lapland to select foundation stock. Soon differences in opinion arose. These varying desires created the different standards accepted today. In 1944 the Swedish Lapphund standard was accepted by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale). The Finnish Lapphund standard soon followed.