Breeds / Large
Lapponian Herder puppies
Energetic, hardy and attentive to their handler, a Finnish reindeer herding dog that works by voice and needs a job to do.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin Finland
- Adult weight 31.8 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 70 lb
- Adult height 46 to 51 cm
- Energy level High
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short double
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 10 to 14 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Lapponian Herder
The Lapponian Herder was developed in Finnish Lapland by Sami herders to work reindeer, moving them by voice and body rather than by biting, across open ground in bitter weather. They stand 46 to 51 cm and carry a short, thick double coat, usually dark with lighter markings. The temperament follows the job: energetic, hardy, closely attentive to their handler, willing to learn, and inclined to use their voice a great deal, which was exactly the point out on the tundra.
This dog needs work. Herding, obedience, agility, rally, scent work, tracking, anything that occupies them, or they will find their own occupation and the house pays. Grooming is easy: the smooth coat does not tangle, wants occasional brushing, and drops its undercoat once or twice a year in spring and autumn. They rate in the middle with children and other pets, so supervise and socialise. The barking is designed in rather than a training failure, and anyone in a terraced house or flat should think hard about that first.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Lapponian Herder 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 large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. 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, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist examination
Your Lapponian Herder puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Lapponian Herder.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 31.8 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 31.8 kg; chew toys made for large 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 large breeds
Previous: Landseer (European Continental Type) · Next: Large Munsterlander
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 Lapponian Herder breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/lapponian-herder/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.