The Finnish Lapphund: A Loyal and Friendly Breed
History:
The Finnish Lapphund is a Nordic breed that has been used for herding reindeer by the indigenous Sami people for centuries. They were first registered in Finland in 1945, and have since spread throughout Europe as popular companions.
Appearance:
The Finnish Lapphund stands at around 18-21 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 30-50 pounds. Their coat is thick, double-layered with a soft undercoat, providing insulation from cold weather. The coat color can range from black to brown to cream with markings on their chest, feet or tail. They also have triangular ears that point slightly forward giving them an alert look.
Temperament:
Finnish Lapphunds are highly intelligent dogs and very loyal to their owners, but they can be aloof with strangers until properly introduced. Their personalities are playful but calm making them great companions for children as well as seniors looking for a low-energy dog breed.
Behavioral Tendencies:
They still retain strong herding instincts which makes them natural guardians of small children or other pets in your household. It’s important to socialize your puppy early so he learns how to interact appropriately with strangers as this will help minimize any anxiety caused by new people entering their territory.
Health Problems:
Finnish Lapphunds typically live between 12-15 years but like many breeds have genetic health risks such as hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which affects eyesight leading eventually blindness among others, regular vet checkups should prevent these conditions from developing further down the line
Exercise Needs:
Although the Finnish Lapphund isn’t too active compared with some working breeds if you’re going out on long walks it’s good practice not only because it keeps them healthy but helps maintain appropriate weight levels also along with outdoor exploration and playing with toys.
Special Grooming Needs:
Their thick double coats are fairly easy to maintain provided they get brushed regularly to prevent matting. Bathing should be kept at a minimum, especially during colder months when their undercoats provide insulation.
Training:
Finnish Lapphunds respond well to positive reinforcement techniques, which include treats or praise for good behavior along with clickers that can aid in training them basic obedience commands like “sit,” “stay” and others
Compatibility with Children/Pets:
They love children and are great companion dogs thanks to their protective nature making them excellent family pets while introducing other animals such as cats or other breeds of dog requires proper socialization
Personality Quirks:
Due to its herding instincts Finnish Lapphund may display extra attention-seeking tendencies on occasion if not given appropriate stimulation, games or outdoor activities can help reduce these behaviours
Famous Examples:
The breed isn’t as well-known outside Europe so there aren’t many famous examples. One notable appearance is in the 2009 romantic-comedy movie “Did You Hear About The Morgans?”, where Sarah Jessica Parker’s character owns a Finnish Lapphund named Hubble who tries his best to keep up with her character throughout New York City