Swedish Lapphund

The Swedish Lapphund is a spitz type of dog and one of three domesticated Lapphund breeds in it’s native Sweden. It is one of the oldest breeds of dog to this day, and has a long history with the native Scandinavian Sami people. It, along with other Lapphund breeds, have been kept for hundreds of years, as herding and working dogs, particularly skillful at herding and guarding Reindeer.

This Lapphund is known for its intelligence and versatility, as well as for having good general health. It adapts very well from the snowy landscapes of its homeland to family life around the world. With its lush double coat and friendly, alert expression, the Swedish Lapphund not only serves as a competent working dog but also as a loyal and affectionate companion. 

Several kennel clubs around the world recognize the Swedish Lapphund, in one for or another. Some of the most prominent clubs include:

• The Kennel Club (KC) UK – Recognize the Swedish Lapphund as a member of the Pastoral Group, with strict breed standards

• The American Kennel Club (AKC) US – The breed is recognized as a member of the Herding Group, and is also registered in the AKC Foundation Stock Service. This club recognized the breed in 2006.

• Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) International – The International Federation of Kennel Clubs set the standard for this breed, as members of Group 5 ‘Spitz and primitive types’, and Section 3 for ‘Nordic Watchdogs and Herders’. This official breed standard was published in 2011.

History Of The Swedish Lapphund

Originally bred by the Sami—the indigenous people who thrived across Northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Russian Kola Peninsula—these dogs were not just pets but pivotal to survival in the semi-nomadic communities.

They were used to herd and guard reindeer and their intelligence and resilience were honed over centuries, adapting to the harsh Arctic conditions. Historical records and archaeological findings, including petroglyphs, point to the breed’s existence dating back potentially thousands of years. It is one of the oldest breeds that we know of, and the oldest of all the dogs in it’s native ‘Sampi’ Region.

While we know the breeds roots go back many centuries, it was only recognized as an official breed in Sweden in 1903. With a global population estimated to be less than 1500 dogs, it is a rare breed. Most of the population live in Sweden, but small numbers can be found around the world.

The breed faced annihilation in the 1950’s when numbers fell to ridiculously low levels. The efforts of dedicated breeders have brought the breed back from the brink, but while they are still a rare breed, they are not listed as a vulnerable native breed.

Breed Origin

The Swedish Lapphund’s  evolution is intricately linked with the semi-nomadic Sami culture, which has historically depended on these dogs for reindeer herding. All the dogs bred by the Sami, including the Swedish Lapphund highlight a symbiotic relationship between the Sami people and their dogs,. Each having a mutual dependency crucial for survival in the subarctic environment.

The dog that we recognize today as the Swedish Lapphund, comes from the hybridization of female wolf and a male dog, that occurred after the original dogs were domesticated. This could have happened as far back as 3000 years ago, or as some recent evidence suggests, much older than that!

Quick Facts About The Swedish Lapphund

• Strong and Hardy – The Swedish Lapphund is a sturdy, medium-sized breed known for its strength and agility. It is a hard worker, used to harsh climates and these traits enabled it to perform well in its historical role as a reindeer herder.

• Affectionate and Sociable – This breed has a very friendly and outgoing nature. They form deep bonds with all of their family members, when raised in a stable environment. They love social interaction, and while they do have a guarding nature, they usually do very well with strangers too.

• Energetic and Trainable – With its heritage as a working dog, the Swedish Lapphund has high energy levels and a keen intelligence. It is a highly trainable breed, responsive to commands, and eager to please. It is a suitable breed for both work and many competitive activities such as agility trials, blood tracking and heelwork.

• Loyal and Protective – As a breed that has historically worked closely with humans, the Swedish Lapphund exhibits strong loyalty and protective instincts. It is known for its ability to work as part of a team, and in fact thrives in ‘pack’ environments. Whether with humans or other dogs. They will fit seamlessly into family life, as long as there is lots to keep them physically and mentally engaged. They also do better in families with other dogs or pets.

Characteristics Of The Swedish Lapphund

While the breed is most commonly recognized by it’s official name, the Swedish Lapphund (Svensk Lapphund) it does have a few other nicknames. You might hear them being called a shortened version of thier full name, like ‘Lappie’, or a ‘Swedish Lappie’. My favorite though, is the name ‘black beauty of the Norrland.’

It’s important for potential owners to recognize the distinctions between the Swedish Lapphund and similar Spitz-type breeds. Especially the most similar Scandinavian types like the Finnish Lapphund or Norwegian Buhund. While they share a common northern heritage, each has unique traits regarding temperament, exercise needs, and grooming requirements. They are all active breeds really, but they do have subtle differences that need to be known ahead of training. 

Swedish Lapphund puppies typically arrive in litters of four to six and benefit, like all breeds, from the early weeks spent with their mother and littermates, learning vital social behaviors. Normally, puppies are ready to join their new homes by about eight weeks of age.

The cost of a Swedish Lapphund puppy from a reputable breeder can vary significantly, often influenced by factors such as lineage, breeder reputation, and geographic location. Prices generally range from $1,500 to $2,500 in the United States, but they are exceptionally rare here. If you are lucky enough to find a breeder, expect a waiting list. In the UK, you can expect to pay anywhere over £500 and up to £3000 depending again on demand as they are rare in the UK too. This is ball park prices for pups registered with their respective Kennel Clubs, and from reputable breeders.

Appearance

The Swedish Lapphund is a medium-sized breed, standing around 16 to 20 inches at the shoulder and typically weighing between 30 to 45 pounds. Males are generally larger than females and the Kennel Club specifies that the ideal height for a male is 19 inches at the withers, 17 inches for a female.

The breed’s rectangular framed body is slightly longer than it is tall. It has a broad head with almond-shaped eyes and ears that are medium-sized and normally stand erect. The muzzle is sturdy and hosts a very sensitive black nose. A feature that sheds light on its herding heritage. The Swedish Lapphund also has a distinctive coat and bushy tail, which it carries curled over its back. 

It is an agile and energetic breed. Well suited for its historical roles of herding and working in rugged terrains. The combination of its physical traits and lively character makes the Swedish Lapphund an endearing breed. Formidable and charismatic in equal measure.

Coat

The thick, double coat is a defining feature, equipped to withstand the icy temperatures above the Arctic line. The undercoat is dense but soft providing ample insulations. The outer coat is longer and coarser, effectively waterproofing the dog, repelling snow and rain.

Color

Predominantly, the breed sports a black, brown/liver or bear-brown hue, occasionally interspersed with white markings on the chest, feet or tip of the tail. The Kennel Club recognizes any of these colors/shades, but the American Kennel Club only considers black as a standard color, and white markings. Liver colored dogs are not considered to be of the breed standard in the AKC.

Temperament

Known for their gentle and affable nature, Swedish Lapphunds are highly obedient (when well trained) and form strong bonds with all family members. As working dogs with a history rooted in very harsh environments, co-operation is not a new concept to them. They are lively and alert, devoted to their pack and to it’s protection.

They are eager to please and responsive to training but their intelligence requires both mental and physical stimulation to keep them engaged. When properly socialized, Swedish Lapphunds are known for their patience and good behavior, making them well-suited to families with children and other pets.

Lifespan

These dogs generally enjoy a healthy lifespan of about 12 to 15 years, with the average veering more toward the 12. This aligns with their strong genetic heritage, and they are generally a good, healthy breed.

Known Health Issues

While generally healthy, they are prone to some breed-specific issues like hip dysplasia and certain eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy. These are the conditions that the breed may be predisposed to:

Hip Dysplasia – A genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t fit together perfectly, potentially leading to arthritis or lameness.

• Treatment: Management typically involves weight control, appropriate exercise, anti-inflammatory medications, and possibly surgery in severe cases.

Diabetes – A chronic disease affecting the body’s ability to use sugar properly, common in dogs as they age.

• Treatment: Managed with insulin injections and dietary adjustments.

Eye Conditions – These include Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), a degenerative disease that eventually leads to blindness.

• Treatment: While there’s no cure for PRA, efforts focus on helping the dog adapt to vision loss through maintaining a consistent home layout and assisting in unfamiliar areas.

Daily Life

So what is everyday life with one of these ancient Scandinavian herding dogs actually like? Let’s explore this a little.

Food and Diet

Swedish Lapphunds are used to having an active and energetic lifestyle. As such they need a food blend tailored for medium-sized breeds with a working background. The amount of food needed varies depending on their life stage and activity level. As a guide though, an average active adult Lapphund might need between 210g to 310g of high-quality dry kibble per day, spread across two to three meals. That should equate to around two to three cups or an equivalent caloric quantity of nutritious wet food. 

Adjustments should be made for less active dogs to prevent obesity, and as their nutrition requirements change with age. Puppies will also need more frequent feedings — typically four smaller meals per day to support their growth and high energy needs.

Exercise

The breed thrives on activity and they need regular, vigorous exercise to satisfy their high energy levels. They are great companions for hiking, jogging, or agility training. In fact, they perform very well in many different dog sports, with the ability to learn lots of different skills and proficiencies. 

Long hikes and interactive play will keep a Swedish Lapphund very happy, but where home life is not so spacious, then at least an hour of walking per day will do. The more exercise they have, the happier they will be, but it’s not just about physical exercise. These dogs, as with many herding and working breeds, need plenty of mental stimulation too. Regular play sessions and challenges will keep them well balanced. 

Family Compatability

Swedish Lapphunds are exceptional family pets with a particularly devoted and affectionate nature. They are highly adaptable, fitting well into various family dynamics and are particularly patient and playful with children. They are very adaptable, and fit into many types of home whether as companion animals, playful partners, or even as watchful guard dogs. 

Their sociable temperament makes them open to interactions with strangers, but they are also alert and protective when needed. Like with most herding breeds, they need interaction and don’t do well when left alone for long periods. When bored, their barking can become excessive and they are typically quite a vocal breed as it is. They do know how to chill out though when indoors, with the ‘on/off’ switch that is typical in spitz type breeds. So while they are most suited to active households, they can adapt when needs be.

Training

Due to their intelligence and eagerness to please, Swedish Lapphunds are generally straightforward to train. They are very capable and can perform well in lots of different competitive events too, so training can be a great experience with these dogs. They can excel in obedience training or competitively in herding and tracking too. Consistent, positive reinforcement methods work best and with their independent, potentially stubborn streak, you need to have a patience with them.

Socializing

Early and frequent socialization is key to developing a well-adjusted dog. Early exposure to various people, environments and other animals helps cultivate their naturally friendly and confident behaviour in the family pack. This foundation not only enhances their natural abilities as companion and family dogs, but also enables them to adapt to various roles in work or competition.

Grooming

Routine grooming is essential to manage their thick coat. They are heavy shedders during two seasons within the year and during this time they need very attentive care. This period is known as ‘blowing coat’ and they will lose lots of hair during this season. You might want to employ the help of an experienced groomer during this period, but out of shedding season, a twice weekly brush should suffice to keep their coat in good order.

The Swedish Lapphund should never be shaved as a method of managing their coat. Their bodies are used to a heavy coat, to help them deal with arctic temperatures. 

Nails and teeth should be monitored and trimmed/cleaned as and when required. Bathing only occasionally, every couple of months or so, unless particularly smelly.

Breed Traits

Breed FAQs

Summary

The rare Swedish Lapphund is more than a pet, it is a testament to Sweden’s cultural heritage and the enduring bond between humans and dogs. They are a great breed for families or individuals with active lifestyles, offering companionship, lots of fun and loyalty.

Their history as working dogs combined with their friendly nature makes them a well loved breed, capable of adapting to various roles and environments. They take to challenges, skill tests and competition very well. Their rarity to this day is somewhat surprising given the ample qualities that the breed displays. Hopefully, with dedicated and consistent breeding, this wonderful breed can find firmer footing outside of it’s native Sweden.