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Lappenhond

Lapinkoira

HISTORY

The Finnish Lapphund is one of two Lapphund breeds, the other being the Swedish Lapphund. The Lapps, a nomadic people native to the area that now includes those countries near the Arctic Circle, originally used their dogs to herd reindeer. Those who settled in Finland called their dogs the Finnish Lapphund. Those who settled in Sweden called their dogs the Swedish Lapphund.For hundreds of years the Lapps have used dogs of the same type as the Finnish Lapphund as reindeer herders and watchdogs in Finnish Scandinavia and in the northern parts of Russia. Due to these dogs, the first standard of the Lapponian Herder was established by the Finnish Kennel Club in 1945. The breed'’ name was changed into Lapphund in 1967. In the 1970'’ the type and picture of the breed became fixed and the standard has been specified several times. The breed name was again changed to Finnish Lapphund in 1993. The breed type has been become stable in a short time and today the breed is very popular in the whole of Finland, mainly as a house and hobby dog.

GENERAL APPEARANCE The Finnish Lapphund is a Spitz of medium size, matronly built considering its size, slightly loner and its height; and its coat is long and thick.

CHARACTERIZATION
The breed is intelligent, brave calm, eager to learn and quite faithful. Tendency to shepherd is innate in the breed. It is suitable as a shepherd dog, county house dog and watch dog..

HEAD
Is strong featured head of a dog is comparatively broad; Bitch's is more noble; forehead is a little rounded; atop is clearly distinguishable. Muzzle is shorter than skull, straight, and it tapers slightly but evenly when viewed both from above and aide. Nose is preferably black. Lips are tight.

EARS
Are pointed medium sized, quite far apart, rather broad at their base and very mobile. For the present, ears with slack tops are also permitted.

EYES ** Are dark

NECK ** Is medium long, strong and covered with thick coat.

FORELEGS
Have strong bones; they are strong and straight when viewed from the front and behind. Elbows are on the arms level as the lowest edge of brisket. Paws are considerable high, rather oval than round, covered with a thick coat.

BODY
Body is firm. Back is strong, straight and considerably broad and strong at shoulders. Brisket is deep and longish, chest line rises slightly.

HINDLEGS
Have strong bones; they are strong and straight when viewed from the front and behind. Hock is of medium size. Hindquarters dewclaws are permitted for the present.

TAIL
Is medium long or slightly shorter; it has long hair and carries tail high over the back when moving.

COAT ** Is plentiful. Outer coat is long and coarse. Undercoat is soft and thick. On the head and on the front parts of legs, hair is shorter.

COLOR
All colors are allowed. But the main color must dominate. Marks differing from the main color are permitted on head, neck, chest, legs, and on the tip of the tail

SIZE ** Height at withers is 18 ½-21 inches for dog, and 16 18 1/2 inches for bitches.

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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.