Swedish Lapphund

Origin & history

The Swedish Lapphund is one of the oldest native breeds of Scandinavia, developed over a very long time alongside the Sami people across the north of what is now Sweden, Norway and Finland. Its main job was herding and guarding semi-wild reindeer, work that demanded stamina, independent thinking and a voice to move and control the herd across vast country. The dogs also served as general farm and watch dogs and as companions through harsh Arctic winters, their dense coats built for the cold. The breed was recognised in Sweden in the 1940s and a careful breeding programme pulled it back from low numbers. It is still fairly uncommon outside the Nordic countries, including in Australia, where it is kept by enthusiasts for companionship and dog sports rather than as a working reindeer dog.

Temperament

The Swedish Lapphund is friendly, devoted and very people-oriented with its own family, and it generally does well with children it has grown up with. It is alert and makes a keen watchdog, often quick to sound off at anything new, so it is naturally somewhat reserved with strangers until it warms up, and barking does need managing. With other dogs and with pets it is usually sociable, particularly when raised alongside them, though herding instinct can show as chasing or rounding up. It is intelligent and learns readily, but it is also independent and was bred to make its own decisions, so training works best when it is positive, varied and interesting rather than repetitive. It is a sensitive, energetic dog that needs both company and a job; left bored and alone it will bark and find its own entertainment.

Appearance

A typical spitz, roughly square in outline and a little under medium size. Males stand about 45 to 51 cm at the shoulder and females about 40 to 46 cm, with weight commonly around 19 to 21 kg. The build is sturdy and agile rather than heavy. It carries a thick, weatherproof double coat with a soft dense undercoat and a longer, standing-off outer coat, with a good ruff and a bushy tail curled over the back. The most common colour is solid black, often weathering to a brownish cast, and bear-brown also occurs, sometimes with small white markings on the chest or feet. The ears are erect and the expression is alert and friendly.

Suitability

This breed is happiest in a home that can give it daily exercise, mental work and plenty of involvement, which usually means an active household and a securely fenced yard, though it can manage a smaller home if its needs are properly met. It suits energetic owners who want a trainable, interactive dog and can tolerate a vocal one. First-time owners can do well if they commit to socialisation, training and coat care. It does not like being left alone for long periods. The dense northern coat means heat must be respected in Australia, so exercise in the cool parts of the day, provide shade and water, keep the undercoat groomed out, and never leave it in a hot car or yard.

Health

Typical lifespan is around 12 to 14 years and it is generally a healthy, hardy breed. The best-documented concerns are hip dysplasia, the eye disease progressive retinal atrophy, and a hereditary condition affecting the joints called glycogen storage disease type IV (GSD IV), for which a DNA test exists in the breed. Some lines can carry cataracts and other eye faults. Buy from a breeder who hip scores their dogs, has eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and uses the available DNA testing, and who is happy to discuss the limited gene pool. As with any thick-coated working dog, keep it at a sensible weight to protect the joints and stay on top of coat care so the dense undercoat does not mat or trap heat in summer.