Swedish Lapphund puppies

About the Swedish Lapphund

The Swedish Lapphund is one of Sweden's oldest breeds, a spitz kept by the Sami people to guard and later to herd reindeer across the north. They stand 41 to 51 cm and weigh 13.6 to 20.4 kg, with a thick black double coat, prick ears and a tail curled over the back. Much of their herding was done by voice, which explains a dog that is quick to bark, alert to everything around them, lively, affectionate and thoroughly involved in family life.

A Lappie needs daily exercise and, more importantly, something to think about, since a bored one becomes vocal and inventive. The coat is easier than it looks, a weekly brush for most of the year and daily attention when the undercoat comes out in drifts once or twice a year. It should never be shaved. They learn quickly and enjoy training, so a sport or a scent game is time well spent. Barking is the thing to manage from the first week, particularly for anyone with close neighbours.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Swedish 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. 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 dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
• Progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test on both parents
• Glycogen storage disease type II, detectable by DNA test on both parents

Your Swedish 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 Swedish Lapphund.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 13.6 to 20.4 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 20.4 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

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

Previous: Sussex Spaniel · Next: Swedish Vallhund

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 Swedish Lapphund breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/swedish-lapphund/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Ljhumbix at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.