The Lapponian Herder is a lively, clever breed originally bred to herd reindeer. It is one of three related breeds developed by the Sami people of Northern Europe to do this task along with the Finnish Lapphund and Swedish Lapphund. The breed therefore has a lot of spitz influence and is considered a spitz breed in some circles despite a few characteristics that make him unique (a generally shorter coat and a tail that does not curve over the back). Many believe that he also falls into the category of primitive breeds. Like other primitives, the Lapponian tends to be very healthy and hardy, and to possess a streak of aloofness toward the unfamiliar. Although they are friendly toward their families, they may take a bit of time to warm up to new people.
Lapponians are great at problem-solving and are adaptable to many different living environments as long as they are provided with a job to do. They are high-energy after all, and require experienced owners who are familiar with the needs of active herding breeds. Without regular exercise and mental stimulation, they can become destructive. They tend to do best in homes with yards, although can manage without a yard when paired with active owners willing to take them on frequent outings. When they have been given the proper amount of training and outlets for their energy, they will be calm and pleasant in the house.
Although independent-minded at times, the Lapponian Herder does enjoy pleasing his owner and is very capable of being trained. Not a lazy dog by any means, this intelligent breed especially enjoys training that encompasses a lot of physical movement and tends to do well in dog sports. He can easily be a top competitor if the owner puts in the work! Don’t be surprised if he barks frequently while working – the breed can be very vocal in general and especially while having fun! All of this said, the Lapponian can be dominant and even stubborn and does require that the owner makes solid rules and sticks to them. Despite his high intelligence and training-star-potential, he will not work for an owner he doesn’t first respect.
Lapponians tend to get along well with other dogs as long as they have been socialized, although some dominant members don’t get along with equally dominant personalities. If the goal is to put a Lapponian into a multi-dog household, early socialization is a must, as well as an owner who understands canine pack dynamics. They usually get along with children and tend to be very patient, even with small children. Take note, however – like other herding breeds they may try to herd kids!
Some Lapponians have a fairly high prey drive and may be prone to chasing cats or other small animals. Others do just fine and never have an issue. A prospective owner with a cat should consult with the breeder about the puppy’s lines – and ask for assistance choosing the best puppy for their household. In addition to the prey and herding drives of this breed, Lapponians tend to be very curious about their world and love to explore. Keeping them in a fenced yard or on-leash is highly recommended until the dog has been fully trained. Lapponian Herders can make good watchdogs due to their tendency to bark frequently, but resist the urge to keep them outside in the yard all day – it’s simply not fair to the dog.
Photo By Svenska Mässan