The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized, Spitz-type breed that originated as a reindeer-herding dog in Finland. To keep warm in the harsh winters, this breed has a thick, abundant double coat, which at first glance may seem like a lot to take care of. On the contrary, though, these dogs don't require a great deal of grooming overall. See below for further details on maintaining the Finnish Lapphund coat!
These dogs' voluminous double coats may look like they require a great deal of care--but surprisingly, Finnish Lapphund grooming isn't too time-consuming overall. Lapphunds do shed moderately year-round (and more heavily during the twice-yearly shedding seasons), so they'll normally need brushing twice per week (but daily during shedding season). Baths are needed every 4-6 weeks, unless your Lapphund gets especially dirty or stinky. Haircuts aren't required at all, though some owners do have their Lapphunds' coats clipped to reduce their thickness.
For brushing, you'll need a slicker brush, a 2-in-1 comb for tangles or mats, and an undercoat rake to remove dead hairs. To brush your Lapphund: first wet the coat with mist from a spray bottle, then brush the coat section by section with the slicker brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you encounter a tangle or mat, first try to work it out with your fingers, then continue working through it with the comb. And use the undercoat rake once or twice per month to collect any dead hairs that have built up in the dog's undercoat. (During shedding season, you'll want to brush daily and use the rake at least once per week, if not more frequently.)
If you're following the brushing with a bath (and dogs always need brushing prior to bathing): you can use either a bathtub or an outdoor kiddie pool and a garden hose. Also be sure to use canine shampoo (and conditioner, if desired), as the kind made for humans can irritate a dog's skin. Thoroughly wet the coat, lather well, rinse until the water runs clear, then towel- or blow-dry. Finish with another quick brush-through to make the coat look full, neat, and clean.
Though these dogs don't need their coats trimmed, a few owners choose to clip their dogs shorter to make the coats more maintenance-free and to help the Lapphund stay cool in the summer months. You can learn to clip your Lapphund's coat yourself with some practice, but it's a good idea to take the dog to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can demonstrate the proper clipping method and provide other grooming tips in general.
