Standard of Perfection
Finnish Lapphund
(Soumen Lapinloira)

As accepted by the federation Cynologique Internationale
March 12, 1999

Translation: Finnish Kennel Club.

Origin: Finland

Date of publication of the original valid standard: 12-Mar-1999

Utilization: Originally a herder and watch dog used in work of keeping reindeer.
Today also popular as a companion dog.

Classification F.C.I.
Group 5 - Spitz and Primitive Type
Section 3 - Nordic Watchdogs and Herders
Without Working Trial.

Brief Historical Summary: For hundreds of years the Lapps have used dogs of the same type as Finnish Lapphund as reindeer herders and watchdogs in Fennoscandia and in the northern parts of Russia. Due to these dogs the first standard of the Lapponian Herder was established by the Finnish Kennel Club in 1945. The breeds name was changed to Lapphund in 1967. In the 1970’s the type and picture of the breed became fixed and the standard had been specified several times. The breed name was again changed into Finnish Lapphund in 1993. The breed type has become stable in a short time and today the breed is very popular mainly as a house and hobby dog in the whole of Finland.

General Appearance: Smaller than medium sized, the conformation is strong for the size, slightly longer than the height at the withers. Long and thick coated dog with pricked ears.

Important Proportions: The depth of the body is slightly less that the half of the height at the withers. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull. The skull is slightly longer than broad, the depth is the same as the breadth.

Behavior/Temperament: Keen, courageous, calm, and willing to learn. Friendly and faithful.

Head: Strong in outline, rather broad.
Cranial Region:
Skull: Broad, slightly convex. The forehead is rather domed. The frontal furrow is clearly defined.
Stop: Clearly defined.
Facial region:
Nose: Preferably black, yet harmonizing with the coat colour.
Muzzle: Strong, broad and straight; viewed from the above and in profile, evenly but only slightly tapering.
Lips: Tight.
Jaws/Teeth: The jaws are strong. Scissor bite.
Cheeks: The zygomatic arches are clearly marked.
Eyes: Dark brown in colour, yet harmonizing with the coat colour; oval shaped. The expression is soft and friendly.
Ears: Medium sized, carried erect or semi-erect, set rather far apart, rather broad at the base, triangular in shape and very mobile.
Neck: Medium in length, strong and covered with profuse hair.

Body:
Withers: Muscular and broad, slightly marked.
Back: Strong and straight.
Loin: Short and muscular.
Croup: Of medium length, well developed, only slightly oblique.
Chest: Deep, rather long, reaching almost to the elbows, not very broad. The ribs are slightly arched; the forechest clearly visible, not very strong.
Underline: Slightly tucked up.

Tail:
Set rather high, medium in length, covered with profuse and long hair. The tip of the tail may have a J-formed hook. In movement the tail is curved over the back or side, in rest it may hang.

Limbs:
Forequarters:
General Appearance: Powerful with strong bones. Viewed from the front, straight and parallel.
Shoulders: Slightly oblique.
Upper Arm: As long as the shoulder blade. the angle between shoulder and upper arm is rather open.
Elbows: Placed slightly lower than the lower edge of the ribcage, pointing straight backwards.
Forearm: Rather strong, vertical.
Carpus: Flexible.
Pasterns: Of medium length, slightly oblique.
Forefeet: Well arched, oval rather than round, covered with dense hair. The pads are elastic with the sides covered with dense hair.

Hindquarters:
General Appearance: Strong boned, powerful, viewed from behind, straight and parallel. The angulation is clearly marked but not too strongly.
Upper Thigh: Of medium length, rather broad with well developed muscles.
Stifle: Pointed forward, the angulation is rather clearly marked.
Second Thigh: Relatively long and sinewy.
Metatarsus: Rather short, strong and vertical.
Hind Feet: Dewclaws are not desirable.

Gait/Movement:
Effortless. Changes easily from trot to gallop, which is the most natural style of movement. The legs move parallel. When working agile and fast.

Shin: Tight overall without wrinkles.

Coat:
Hair: Profuse, especially the males have an abundant mane. the outer coat is long, straight and harsh. On the head and on the front side of the legs the coat is shorter. There has to be an undercoat that is soft and dense.
Colour: All colours are permitted. The basic colour must be dominant. Colours other than the basic colour can occur on head, neck, chest, underside of the body, on the legs and tail.

Size:
Height at Withers:

Ideal height for males is 19 inches (49 cm)
Ideal height for females is 17 inches (44 cm)
with a tolerance of one inch (+/- 3cm)
Type is more important than size.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.