GROUP 5 - WORKING DOGS

Brief History
As the name suggests, a breed of Finnish origin. A spitz breed from the Lapland region of Finland, the breed was originally used for working with hunters, then for herding and tending flocks of reindeer. The breed still has an inherent herding instinct.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 12 to 15 years.

Temperament
Typically, they are very friendly and faithful, a sociable breed, active but usually very good with families. The Finnish Lapphund can be vocal, which needs to be discouraged from an early age.

General Breed Description
This is a medium sized, profusely coated dog. They are very alert and trainable dogs. Any colour coat is permissible, but the basic colour must be dominant. The Finnish Lapphund is friendly towards people, but as with all breeds, should never be unsupervised with small children. They can be barkers, unless discouraged from an early age.

Coat and Care Requirements
Regular maintenance to his double coat is required – at least weekly to prevent knots. The soft, dense undercoat is usually shed twice a year, and is easily removed with thorough brushing.

Size
Males: 46 to 52cms, Females 41 to 47cms.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders in is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Finnish Lapphund is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Hip Dysplasia (HD) and other hereditary problems.

Suitability
Finnish Lapphunds are a very adaptable breed; they enjoy outings and being part of the family. They suit an active family group as they need a reasonable amount of exercise. An hour walk per day would be ideal. Training for obedience or other dog sports would stimulate and benefit this breed.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/157