Origin & Purpose
The Finnish Lapphund traces its origin
back to the dogs kept by the Lapp people used as
reindeer herders and watchdogs in Finnish
Scandinavia and in the northern parts of Russia.
Over the years, as reindeer herding subsided,
the dogs were effectively used on Sheep and
Cattle. The breed name was changed from
Lapponian Herder to Lapphund in 1967 and again
changed in 1993 to FinnishLapphund. Today the
breed is very popular in the whole of Finland,
mainly as a house and hobbydog.
General Appearance
Smaller than medium sized, its
conformation is strong for its size, slightly
longer than the height at the withers. Long and
thick coated with pricked ears.
Important Proportions – The
depth of the body is slightly less than half of
the height at the withers. The muzzle is
slightly shorter than the skull. The skull is
slightly longer than broad, the depth is the
same as the breadth.
Temperament
Keen, calm and willing to learn.
Friendly and Faithful.
Size
Ideal height for males at the withers -
49 cm (19 inches)
Ideal height for females at the withers - 44 cm
(17 inches)
With a tolerance of +/- 3 cm (just over 1
inch)
Type is more important than size
Coat & Colour
Skin - Tight overall without wrinkles.
Hair – Profuse, the males
especially have an abundant mane. The outer coat
is long, straight and harsh. On the head and on
the front of the legs, the coat is shorter.
There must be a soft and dense undercoat
Colour
All colours are permitted. The basic colour must
be dominant. Colours other than the basic colour
can occur on head, neck, chest, underside of the
body, on legs and tail
Head
Head and Skull: strong in
outline, rather broad. Skull:
Broad, slightly convex. The forehead is rather
domed. The frontal furrow is clearly defined.
Stop: Clearly defined. Nose:
Preferably black, yet harmonising with the coat
colour. Muzzle: Strong, broad
and straight; viewed from above and in profile,
evenly tapering, but only slightly.
Lips: Tight. Cheeks:
The zygomatic arches are clearly marked
(defined). Eyes: Dark brown in
colour, yet harmonising with the coat colour.
Oval shaped. The expression is soft and
friendly. Ears: Medium sized.
Carried erect or semi-erect, set rather far
apart. Triangular in shape, rather broad at the
base. Very mobile. Mouth: The
jaws are strong. Scissor bite.
Neck
Medium in length, strong and covered
with profuse hair
Forequarters
Powerful with strong bones. Viewed from
the front straight and parallel.
Shoulders: Slightly oblique.
Upper Arm: As long as the shoulder
blade. The angle between shoulder and upper arm
is rather open. Elbows: Placed
slightly lower than the lower edge of the
ribcage, pointing straight backwards.
Forearm: Rather strong, vertical.
Carpus (Wrist): Flexible.
Pastern: Of medium length,
slightly sloping.
Body
Withers: Muscular and broad, only
slightly marked (not prominent). Back:
Strong and straight. Loins:
Short and muscular. Croup: Of
medium length, well developed, sloping
onlyslightly. Chest: Deep,
rather long, reaching almost to the elbows, not
very broad. The ribs are slightly arched; the
forechest clearly visible but not too
pronounced. Underline:
Slightlytucked up
Hindquarters
Strong boned, powerful. Viewed from
behind, straight and parallel. The angulation is
clearlymarked but not too strongly.
Upper Thigh: Of medium length, rather
broad with well developed muscles.
Stifles: Pointed forward, the
angulation is clearly marked (well angulated).
Hock Joint: Moderately low set;
the angulation is clearly marked but not too
strongly. (Moderate angulation).
Metatarsus (Rear Pastern): Rather
short, strong and vertical. Feet:
Well arched, oval rather than round, covered
with dense hair. The pads are elastic with the
sides covered with dense hair. Rear dewclaws are
not desirable
Tail
Set rather high, medium in length,
covered with profuse and long hair. In movement
the tail in curved over the back or side; at
rest it may hang down.
Gait
Effortless. Changes easily from trot to
gallop, which is the most natural style of
movement. The legs move parallel. Agile and fast
when working.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points
should be considered a fault and the seriousness
with which the fault should be regarded should
be in exact proportion to its degree
- Males not masculine and females not
feminine
- Light head, insufficient stop
- Dropped ears
- Tail carriage continuously lower than
the topline
- Over angulated or too straight rear
angulation
- Lack of under coat. Flat coat. Curly
outer coat
- Basic colour indistinct Disqualification
- Over or undershot mouth
- Kinky tail
Note: Male animals should
have two apparently normal testicles fully
descended into the scrotum
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