Swedish Lapphund
Group: Pastoral
Size: Medium
Coat length: Medium
Grooming required: More than once a week
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Small or Large House
Garden size: Small/Medium
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: Up to 1 hour per day
They are a medium-sized spitz type breed with a typical spitz rectangular shape. Their weather-proof coat is thick with a soft dense undercoat and a harsher outer coat that stands out. They come in black, brown or a combination of the two with occasional small patches of white.
They have a long history which goes back to when they were a hunting and guarding dog for ancient Scandinavian tribes, to being used to herd reindeer in the mid 18th Century. They are a highly intelligent and trainable dog but one that is capable of independent thought too. They enjoy human company and are brave, loyal and friendly. They are normally good with other animals, people and children but have a tendency to bark. They need regular physical and mental exercise but they do not tolerate heat well.
Despite the thickness of their coat, they are relatively easy to brush and comb but they can shed heavily. They are prone to epilepsy and hip dysplasia.