Swedish Lapphund Dog Breed

Below are basic details for the Swedish Lapphund. These details highlight the breed's average size/weight as well as the breed's best skills.

Adult Lapphunds are between 16 and 20 inches tall and weigh 35-55 pounds. Their medium size gives them a nice balance between dexterity and strength, making them ideal for a number of roles. These are amiable dogs that enjoy being around people and love children. These traits make them ideal for families.

Due to their hunting instincts they may chase small animals, but if the dog is socialized at a young age this problem should be considerably mitigated. These dogs do not require a tremendous amount of brushing - a few times a week should be fine until shedding season, when daily brushing may be required. Their special coat is self-cleaning and will not smell rank. Some nail clipping will be necessary, and it is very important that these dogs get daily exercise.

The Swedish Lapphund has an extensive history. Its origins predate written language--historians estimate that it was first domesticated by the ancient hunting tribes of northern Scandinavia sometime around 9,000 BC. Since then, the Lapphund has been used for hunting, herding and guarding; studies have also indicated that these dogs were kept as pets even in the Stone Age.

Genetic studies have revealed that this breed has an ancestry and traits unique or very rare among extinct breeds. Despite this, the Swedish Lapphund is one of the rarest dog breeds today. A 2012 study found that only 1400 of these dogs exist in the world today, with most residing in Sweden, Finland and Norway. At the time of the study there were no more than 10 Swedish Lapphunds in the United States with verified pedigrees.

This is a medium-small sized dog with a rectangular build. Its face features a prominent dark nose, round, large brown eyes, and small, triangular ears that stand upright. The tail is bushy and carried over the back. The weather-resistant double coat is long, dense and soft. The topcoat hairs stick straight out from the Lapphund's body, while the undercoat is composed of dense, curly hair.

The Swedish Lapphund is described as alert, curious, fearless, and friendly, and non-aggressive. These dogs are very active, so expect a lot of playful behavior. They are bright dogs and should be trainable without much issue. In the past they were often trained to bark in order to scare off potential threats, so early training should be done to teach your pet to moderate its barking.

A well-trained Swedish Lapphund can excel in a variety of roles. They are natural hunters and herders, but today some of these dogs compete with success in dog shows, dog agility competitions, and even dog dancing contests. In Scandinavia Lapphunds are sometimes employed as search and rescue dogs and army dogs. There are few things that other dogs can do that this breed cannot.

The Swedish Lapphund is thought to be a rather healthy breed and has a life expectancy of 14 years. A few health issues have been identified in the breed, but they are not common. One of the easiest and most important things you can do to better the health of your Lapphund is to feed it properly and keep it at a healthy weight. Regular maintenance is required, as it is with any dog breed. Cleaning the Lapphund's ears and brushing its teeth will help keep him in top shape.

Below are common health issues to watch out for in the swedish lapphund dog breed.