History
Dogs that look like the Finnish Lapphund have existed for many years, possibly even thousands. They were used for herding and gathering, assisting in managing livestock. The Saame people, who lived a nomadic lifestyle in Lapland—an area that includes northern Finland, Sweden, and parts of Russia—relied on these dogs to herd reindeer. As herding became less common and snowmobiles took over, the Saame's nomadic way of life changed, leaving the dogs without work. The population of these dogs decreased even more during World War II. However, a group of Finnish breeders worked to bring the breed back, known in Finland as the Suomenlapinkoira. Today, this breed is quite popular in Finland but only made its way to the United States in the late 1980s.
Ideal Owner
The Finnish Lapphund is known to experience separation anxiety, so it’s important for their owners to be home for most of the day. They require regular walks, training, and plenty of cuddles. This breed thrives when they have tasks to complete. They can be quite vocal, so owners should be prepared to handle their barking. Similar to other Spitz breeds, the Lapphund also sheds fur.
