The Finnish Lapphund, pronounced ‘FIN-ish LAP-hund’ is a striking, furry and active companion dog.
Saga, the Finnish Lapphund and our January 2026 Dog of the Month.
Origin Of the Finnish Lapphund🗺️
The Finnish Lapphund was created in northern Scandinavia and Russia in the Lapland Region. The breed was developed by the Sámi people, who were a semi-nomadic tribe and was created by breeding a female wolf with a male dog.
Purpose 🐕🦺
The Sámi people originally used the Finnish Lapphund for hunting large game such as bears, reindeer and moose but over time their role changes and moved more to reindeer herding. They were then used more for guarding and protecting their herds.
Appearance and Accepted Coat Colours 🐶
The coat of the Finnish Lapphund was able to protect breed from harsh artic weather, so is very thick. Their double coat consist of their long, harsh outer coat and their dense, soft undercoat. Their outercoat is weather resistant and helps to guard the undercoat which provides insulation from cold weather.
Male Finnish Lapphund’s are, in general, easy to spot as they often have a mane around their neck and check.
They are one of the more diverse dog breeds when it comes to breed accepted colours, although there are some colours and genes that are not accepted.
These include;
- Brindle
- Parti- Colour
- Saddleback (like Beagles for example)
- Merle
- Greying gene (which over time causes dogs to look lighter as they age)
Breed standard sizes:
- Males: 46-52cm
- Females: 41-47cm
They can weigh anywhere between 15-24kgs.
Grooming and Care of the Finnish Lapphund 🛁
Their thick double coat requires intensive grooming, especially when they are shedding. During shedding time, they will lose most of their undercoat, which requires to be brushed out daily to avoid matting.
They require daily brushing on their entire coat, year round, to avoiding knots and remove any debris. They are not a breed that should be clipped as their coat is their natural protection from sun, cold, heat and protects them from cuts or injuries.
Temperament & Personality 💖
The Finnish Lapphund is a smart, gentle and in general, friendly dog that is an ideal companion dog for individuals and families. They are a very affectionate breed that quickly forms a strong bond with their family. They love being a part of family life so are not a dog that likes to be left home alone all day long.
They enjoy daily exercise and can keep up on easy jogs or love a decent walk. Once they are able to burn their energy, they are a calm and soft dog. Being from the ‘Spitz’ family they are a strong willed dog, who requires calm and confident leadership to avoid unwanted behaviours. Without this, they can become cheeky and destructive.
Originally bred as guard dogs for Reindeer, the Finnish Lapphund are naturally a good guard and watch dog for their property and will quickly alert you to any strange noises or people about their space. Excessive barking can be a problem for the breed, however correct training and plenty of mental and physical enrichment this can avoided.
They are a breed that enjoys the company of children, other household pets and other dogs, providing they are well socialised from a young age.
Health of the Finnish Lapphund 🩺
Considered a healthy breed, the Finnish Lapphund has only a few genetic disorders. These include;
- PRA – progressive retinal atrophy (an eye condition)
- Pompe’s Disease (an enzyme issue, same as human’s can develop) which can lead to premature death.
DNA testing of breeding parents and grandparents will help to show any indication of them being carriers of either of these disorders.
Be sure to check out our other Dog of the Month breed profile blogs here!
