Finnish Lapphund
The Finnish Lapphund is one of the most popular dogs in Finland — a medium-sized, profusely coated spitz that served the Sami people as a reindeer herder and camp companion.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Finland
Lifespan
12–14 years
Weight
15–24 kg (33–53 lbs)
Height
41–52 cm (16–21 in)
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active medium breed.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Finnish Lapphund is one of the most popular dogs in Finland — a medium-sized, profusely coated spitz that served the Sami people as a reindeer herder and camp companion. Unlike the working-focused Lapponian Herder, the Finnish Lapphund is softer in temperament and has been more extensively developed as a companion breed while retaining herding ability. It is known for being extraordinarily submissive and "startle reflexive" — Finnish Lapphunds will flinch dramatically at sudden sounds, an adaptation to avoiding reindeer hooves. This startle reflex is considered a breed characteristic.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A medium-sized, abundantly coated spitz — the profuse, flowing double coat can be any colour with a clearly defined face colour different from the body. The coat forms a spectacular mane and ruff. Erect ears with a pronounced "bear cub" facial expression from the soft expression and abundant facial hair.
Grooming
High
Shedding
Very High
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Calm, gentle, and friendly — one of the most pleasant-natured spitz breeds. Excellent with children. The "startle reflex" (dramatic flinch at sudden movement — an anti-reindeer-hoof adaptation) is a characteristic quirk. Easy to train.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1–1.5 hours exercise daily. The profuse coat requires brushing 3–4 times weekly and daily during the very heavy biannual shed. Not suitable for hot climates.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Hereditary cataract. Generally a healthy breed.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
The Finnish Lapphund's dramatic startle reflex — an exaggerated flinch at sudden movement or sound — is not a sign of anxiety but a specific breed adaptation developed from centuries of living alongside reindeer. A dog that didn't flinch quickly enough from a reindeer hoof would be injured or killed, so natural selection strongly favoured the startle response.
The Finnish Lapphund is consistently one of the most popular dogs in Finland, and in Australia it has developed a particularly strong following — Australian owners value its cold-weather coat paradoxically for its suitability to air-conditioned homes.
