Breeds / Medium
Finnish Lapphund puppies
Friendly, alert and eager to please, the Finnish Lapphund is an Arctic herding spitz that is calm indoors and notably vocal.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Finland
- Adult weight 15 to 24 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 33 to 53 lb
- Adult height 41 to 53 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium double
- Shedding Heavy, brush often
- Typical lifespan 12 to 15 years
- Good with children Usually good
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Finnish Lapphund
The Finnish Lapphund was the herding dog of the Sami, working reindeer in the Arctic north of Finland, a job that demanded a dog be nimble, loud and able to live through extreme cold. This is a medium sized spitz with a thick double coat, a broad head and a very expressive face. Lappies are friendly, calm indoors and unusually people focused for a spitz, though the herding wiring shows in a fast startle bark and a habit of announcing everything.
Exercise needs are moderate: a long brisk walk every day plus play, since these dogs will not exercise themselves. The double coat needs weekly brushing, daily work during the two annual moults, and should never be shaved. Training goes well with rewards. Barking is the honest catch, and it needs managing early rather than after it has become a habit. Rated four out of five with children, with supervision and socialisation, a Lappy generally suits an active family.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Finnish Lapphund puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, both detectable by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hereditary cataract, screened by an ophthalmologist eye exam
- Glycogen storage disease type II, detectable by DNA test
Your Finnish Lapphund puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Finnish Lapphund.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15 to 24 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 24 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Finnish Lapphund
Previous: Fila Brasileiro · Next: Finnish Spitz
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Finnish Lapphund breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/finnish-lapphund/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Christoffer Hjeltnes Støle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.