Lapponian Herder

Lapponian Herder History

The Lapponian Herder is a herding breed of northern Finland. It is a mixture of the Nordic spitz, Finnish Spitz, the old Norwegian forest and farm breeds, and the Swedish Vallhund. The origin of the name ‘Lapponian’ is unknown, but it is assumed to be derived from the word ‘lappu’, which means ‘end’ or ‘border’. The origin of ‘Herder’ comes from the Swedish ‘Hyrdur’ (herd). The Lapponian Herder is an extremely intelligent and active herding dog. It is a medium-sized, strong, agile, and hardy working dog, with a harsh rough coat. The Lapponian Herder has a short, double-layered, coarse, dense, shaggy outer-coat, and a thinner undercoat. The undercoat is denser around the neck, forelegs and tail, and on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and throat. The legs are feathered. The eyes and ears are generally black. The tail is usually docked. One tooth in the upper jaw is longer than the other. The Lapponian Herder has a very independent attitude. It is easy trained, but due to its independence, it needs strong leadership. The breed is good with children, but tends to suffer from separation anxiety. The Lapponian Herder is very friendly, and tends to chase cats. It is not good with other dogs, and tends to herd smaller animals. The breed was originally used for reindeer, elk and moose herding, and as a watchdog

Lapponian Herder Physical Characteristics

The Lapponian Herder is a medium large, short-haired, Spitz-type breed that typically stands between 22 and 26 inches tall at the shoulders. They have a large head, long legs, and a moderate tail. The coat of this breed is long and thick and comes in white, grey, red, or sable. They have a life span of 12-15 years.

Lapponian Herder Health

Description of breed health.

Lapponian Herder Temperament and Behaviour

The Lapponian Herder is a gentle, patient, and well-mannered dog. They are very intelligent and are quick to learn, which make them easy to train. They are highly adaptable and do well in a variety of different climates and environments. They are calm, independent, and laid-back, but are also very protective of their territory and family.

Lapponian Herder Activity Requirements

The Lapponian Herder is a mix between a Finnish Lapphund and a German Shepherd. This medium-sized, sturdy dog makes a good pet for an active family. While they are not as high-energy as other breeds, Lapponian Herders do appreciate having room to roam. They will need a daily walk or run, and will enjoy playing in the yard. Because they were developed as herding dogs, they also enjoy a good game of fetch. This is a good way to keep your Lapponian Herder mentally stimulated, as well as giving them the physical exercise they need. The Lapponian Herder also does well in homes with other dogs. However, they will need to be socialized with other animals at an early age.

Kennel Club Recognition