About Finnish Lapphunds

Finnish Lapphunds are highly individual. Different lines may result in a more sportier, driven dog, and others may be more chilled and harder to motivate. It’s very useful to know the temperaments of parents and grandparents, but it does also vary hugely. Some lappies are endless optimists who are never bothered by anything, and others can be a little more on the pessimistic side and may need work on their confidence with gentle, positive exposure to things. That’s where early and appropriate socialisation comes in.

They are full of character. Rarely a day goes by in my household where I don’t laugh at something one of them has done. With that, comes the ability to read humans and see what they can get away with. Give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. They are not dumb dogs and will happily turn the tables and train you, the owner. Don’t ask me how Kinta has trained me into giving her a fishskin after she’s finished her dinner…! 

They are an independent breed who need to know that something is worth doing before they do it. This means rewarding adequately and building a strong relationship with your dog. They don’t take kindly to harsh corrections and they aren’t going to ignore their natural instinct for a dry bit of kibble. 

Although a herding breed, they are not usually predisposed to obsessive behaviours like collies and others in the group. Their herding tendencies can show up in things like nipping as a puppy, using their voice to get results (as reindeer herders they use their voice to keep the reindeer moving), and during play. You may find they attempt to herd children or other small pets in the home. 

Most importantly, their herding background makes them extremely environmentally aware which can result in reactivity through excitement, nervousness, or just lack of emotional resilience. This usually translates to a prey drive – how severe this is will depend on the individual. Some aren’t bothered at all, some love the chase but will recall off easily enough, and some are driven absolutely wild by the sight of a jaunty squirrel tail disappearing up a tree. It’s something that needs to be worked on from day dot. 

Unlike many other herding breeds, lapphunds have a good off switch. Adequately stimulated through physical and mental exercise will result in a calm, happy dog in the home. It is unusual for them to suffer from separation anxiety (although the right sort of training as a puppy to avoid this is always recommended), and won’t pester you all day every day for more interaction. 

These dogs are beautiful, and intelligent, and there’s a reason you won’t often meet someone with just one! But they aren’t, in most cases, a dog you can simply take to a few puppy classes and then be done. Consistent, appropriate training will reward you with a dog who can go anywhere with you, will enjoy as much as you can give them interaction-wise but not fret for more, and love their family fiercely. Many take really well to canine activities – Rally, Canicross, Scentwork, Trick-Training, Hoopers, Agility, Obedience, Mantrailing… you’ll be surprised at just how many activities there are out there that you can get involved in. 

And that’s where it gets fun. You get out what you put in. They are slow maturers and can seem like puppies or teenagers for years and years, but what you put into them during this time will reward you a thousand-fold later on.