Lapponian Herder – Dog Breed Information

Posted on Mar 18, 2019, Modified : Sep 5, 2019 Zina

Breeds

Country of Origin	Finland
Nicknames and Other Names	Lapland Reindeer Dog Lapsk Vallhund Reindeer Herder Lapinporokoira
Scientific Name	Canis lupus familiaris
Breed Type	Purebred
Group	Herding Group
Bred For	Herding Reindeer
Size	Medium-sized
Recognized By	AKC, FCI, UKC
Life Span	10-14 years
Ideal Weight	70 pounds (male and female)
Ideal Height	18-20 inches (male and female)
Fur Type	Medium-length, double coat
Common Colors	Gray Black Liver
Markings	White markings
Availability	Rarely available
Achievements	None
Suitable for Apartments	Yes
Used in World War	No
Most Similar To	Finnish Lapphund

Lapponian Herder is a medium-sized working dog of Finland. Their body is muscular with a medium and dense coat. The undercoat is soft and the outer coat is straight and harsh which keeps them warm in winter. They need weekly grooming to avoid shedding and to remove dead hair.

Lapponian Herder is slightly longer than tall. The head is elongated with a slightly tapering muzzle. Their eyes are oval, set apart usually with brown or black in colors. Their ears are pointed upwards giving them an alert looks. Their neck is thick and the chest is strong and muscular. The legs are muscular and straight allowing them to move efficiently.

History and Origin

The country of origin of the Lapponian Herder is in Finland in the 19th century. They had been used by Sami of the Lapland for hundred of years to herd Reindeer, their original purpose. In 1966, many reindeer breeds were separated and made Lapponian Herder an independent breed. In his native Finland and other regions, this breed still herds reindeer.

The United Kennel Club has recognized Lapponian Herder under a broader herding category. The American Kennel Club has accepted Lapponian Herder in the Foundation Stock Service since April 2017. It is yet to be recognized by AKC officially.

Is Lapponian Herder Child-Friendly?

Lapponian Herder is very loving towards children. They make a great companion for kids at home. However, they are a herding breed and they have the tendency to herd. So, supervision is necessary to avoid nipping, biting in the leg and barking.

Lapponian Herder is child friendly — Lapponian Herder hugging a baby girl.
Image Source: Instagram– @belggis

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: The temperament of Lapponian Herder is docile, calm, and friendly which makes them a good family pet. They are active and likes to be part of the household activity. They are patient and do well with other pets but can be little aggressive towards male dogs.

Behavior: Lapponian Herder is reserved around strangers and can be suspicious of them. However, a proper introduction can make them welcoming of the guest. They love the company of their family and if they are left alone for a long time, they might show destructive behavior and may face separation anxiety.

Personality: The personality of the Lapponian Herder is energetic and calm. They are easily adopted in any situation and place. However the need exercise and needs to be taken out regularly for a walk.

Trainability

Lapponian Herder is an independent dog who like to do things on their own. Firm leadership should be developed and make them see you as a leader. The training should be consistent and positive methods should be used in training. Praise them after they complete a task and reward them with treats. This will encourage them and they will be focused on the training.

Facts

In the native land of Lapponian Herder, it is named as Lapinporokoira.
The nickname if Lapponian Herder is “the reindeer herder”.
The average life span of Lapponian Herder is between 12-14 years.

Health Issues

General Health	Healthy
Common Health Issues	Bloat, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Ear Infections, Skin Allergy, Obesity, Cataracts
Hypoallergenic	No
Vaccination Required	Rabies, Canine Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Canine Parainfluenza, Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, Kennel Cough
Shedding	Moderate Shedder
Drooling	Average Drooler
Grooming	Easy and Minimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain Potential	Average to High
Separation Anxiety	High Chance
Allergies	Skin Allergy
Diets and Supplements	Protein: 27% Fat: 12% Fiber: 4% Glucosamine Probiotics Multivitamins

Lapponian Herder is generally a healthy breed who rarely suffer from any kind of serious health problem. However, if they face any health condition, it might be the following canine health issues:

Hip Dysplasia: The dislocation of the joints of the hip due to undeveloped banes is called hip dysplasia. It causes a lot of pain to your dog on the back making it hard for them to go from one place to another.
Gastric: Gastric is an abnormally ballooning of the abdomen. It is usually caused by an improper diet.
Ear Infection
Skin Allergies

Colors

Lapponian Herder comes in the following colors and marking:

Black
Gray
Liver
White marking

Puppies

Image Source: Pinterest
Image Source: instagram-@pehmyt

Cost: The average cost of the Lapponian Herder is around $800 and it can go high up to $1500-$2000 depending on the quality of the breeders.

Height and Size: The average height of the male Lapponian Herder is 19-21 inches and female is 17-19 inches. The average weight of the Lapponian Herder is 27-30 kgs.