Swedish Lapphund

Overview of Swedish Lapphunds

Swedish Lapphunds are nearly nonexistent outside of Scandinavia, but those lucky few who have discovered this breed know that this a fantastically well-rounded dog, well suited to be both a working dog and a loving pet.

The Swedish Lapphund is associated with the Sami tribes of Scandinavia and in their mythology, the Sami people were approached by the Swedish Lapphund who promised them lifelong service in exchange for good treatment.

The Swedish Lapphund is great with families and loves kids but should be watched around small children as they have herding instincts ingrained in them and may nip at a child to keep them wrangled.

The Swedish Lapphund is generally a healthy breed, but as with many breeds, hereditary eye disorders and hip dysplasia (a condition that can lead to mobility problems) can arise.

Swedish Lapphunds come in either black or liver (with or without small white markings) – dark colors were favored so they were easy to see while working in the snow.

Swedish Lapphund dog is one of the dogs that shed seasonally and in this period it’s necessary to devote more attention and frequently brush it to remove the dead hair.

The Swedish Lapphund is medium-sized and has typical spitz characteristics – a thick, stand-off coat, a bushy tail that can curl over the back, and prick ears.

The Swedish Lapphund is recorded in the AKC’s (American Kennel Club) Foundation Stock Service, which means a step forward in their official registration.

Swedish Lapphund dog is a typical sheepdog with a lot of energy, requires long daily walks and running outdoors to stay in good physical condition.

The Swedish lapphund is also a very multifaceted hunting dog, mainly used for hunting elk and forest birds, but also deer, wild boar and bear.

Barking

But yes, they do respond well to positive reinforcements methods such as their favorite play, food rewards, and praise.Keep training sessions short and fun so that they don’t get bored easily.Moreover, they are independent thinkers, so don’t expect from them to be obedient while training.Swedish Lapphunds are highly trainable dogs, but early training is essential to prevent excessive barking in the future.

Breed

Coat

Because of their thick coats, the Swedish Lapphund is not a fan of the heat and should remain indoors during hot or humid weather.These dogs are happiest when they can spend their day outdoors, though they are not suitable to be outdoor-only dogs they would much rather curl up in the family home when it’s time for bed.They can live in apartments if the owners are active and can commit to exercising the dog outside each day.

Energy

On the head and lower limbs the hair is shorter.The hair is long and straight and the undercoat is soft and dense.

Health

The Swedish Lapphund is an active and intelligent breed, and therefore they need daily exercise to keep them healthy and happy and to prevent them from becoming destructive and noisy.

Life expectancy

A few health issues have been identified in the breed, but they are not common.Cleaning the Lapphund’s ears and brushing its teeth will help keep him in top shape.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.The Swedish Lapphund is thought to be a rather healthy breed and has a life expectancy of 14 years.

Social

Start exposing your dog to different sights, sounds, people, and dogs as soon as your vet gives you a green light to do so.That way you will ensure that your puppy develops in a stable and well-behaved, active dog.The Swedish Lapphund socialization process should start as soon as your new puppy arrives at your home.The Swedish Lapphund, like any other breed, needs early training and socialization.Unsocialized dogs can develop behavioral problems and can be pretty intolerable and even aggressive towards other pets and dogs.

Temperament

That trait is a result of their independent working ability that required them to make independent decisions.The Swedish Lapphund’s temperament is usually pretty gentle and they are willing to listen and obey your orders.They are also rather intelligent but can have a stubborn streak.

Training

Just like with other breeds, Swedish Lapphunds react well only to positive reinforcement training techniques, such as play, praise, and rewards with treats.Still, this breed is independent, so don’t expect unquestioning obedience from them.

Are They Child-Friendly?

Vi var på hundeutstilling i Kristiansand i helga.

Are They Good for Families?

The Swedish Lapphund can be a good dog for families and children.They are friendly and protective.They are very social by nature and with some training can be great around people.The Swedish Lapphund does well in cooler climate areas with a little space.

Are They Social With Other People?

The Swedish Lapphund is a very social dog and with a little training can be excellent around humans.

Do Swedish Lapphunds Like Cats?

Thinking to get a Swedish Lapphund and need to know if Swedish Lapphund Dogs get along cats or how do you introduce a Swedish Lapphund to a cat in the house?

Well, Swedish Lapphund Dogs score out of 5 in the scale of dog breeds that are good with cats.

Do They Have a Strong Prey Drive?

This dog has a low prey drive.They are herders and guarders and don’t tend to give chase to small animals.

Do They Tolerate Other Pets?

This breed has a high tolerance to other pets.They are generally tolerant and sociable with other dogs.They can be acceptable of cats if raised with them.

How difficult is it to obtain a Swedish Lapphund, whether from a breeder in Sweden or here in the States?

It is definitely a challenge here in the States.To date, there have only been two litters whelped here – 2015 in California (five pups) and 2019 in Tennessee (three pups).Importing is an option and requires folks who are interested in doing so to invest the time and energy necessary to earn the trust of Swedish breeders.I have found the breeders in Sweden to be fiercely protective of their beloved breed, which I greatly respect.

How Easy are They to Train?

This type of dog can learn quickly and responds well to praise and positive reinforcement.

How would you describe the breed?

Sturdy, intelligent, independent and spirited! Loving and cuddly when it suits them and spunky and demanding when their needs dictate.I tell people they have an on and off switch – full of energy but capable of chilling out.They are wonderful companion dogs, bonding with their family and very friendly with others.When I go to the local dog park, I think my Lappies enjoy visiting with the people there more than playing with the other dogs.

Is The Swedish Lapphund Good for New Owners?

This breed is a family friendly, dog friendly and sociable dog.They do take some patience when training.We don’t recommend this dog for novice owners unless you are dedicated to spending a fair amount of time dedicated to taking care of your dog.

It’s also a rare breed, with fewer than 1,200 in the world? How many Swedish Lapphunds do you think live in the United States?

At present, there are 15 Swedish Lappies in the States – seven are imports and eight are pups whelped here in the States.

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Questions about the breed?

Please feel free to contact me.  Patricia Arfsten
parfsten@yahoo.

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What Were They Bred For?

Herders created The Swedish Lapphund to herd and guard the flock.The Sami people used this dog for their Reindeer herds.Reindeer grew accustomed to this dog and knew it was a friend and not a foe.This dog is highly intelligent and capable of many different tasks.In modern day times they good at socializing with people and a good companion of children.

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Where did the Swedish Lapphund Come From?

Hunters and farmers created the Swedish Lapphund in Scandinavia, Sweden.This is the national dog of Sweden! Most of these dogs still exist in and around the area of Sweden.

Why are Swedish Lapphunds so rare?

Discussion in ‘Dog Chat’ started by PiddlingFish, Jun 13, 2020.

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Why RuffChamp?

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Why the Swedish Lapphund?

Now that you understand the Swedish Lapphund temperament, you can decide if this is the right breed for your family.

History of Swedish Lapphunds

In 1903, the Swedish Kennel Club recognized the Swedish Lapphund as a distinct breed, and the first Lappie to be registered with the club was a dog named Halli.

In 1944, Svensk Lapphund was recognized by the FCI.

In 1944, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognized the breed.

In 2007, the American Kennel Club finally got around to awarding the Swedish Lapphund official breed recognition.

In the 1960s the Swedish Kennel Club took the breed into a breeding program
to enhance their guarding abilities.

In the 1980s researchers from the Netherlands reported clinical and morphological data of another Swedish Lapphund family affected by the same disease [4], [5].