A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
For the Finnish Lapphund Breed Standard and Extended Breed Standard see Detail (ankc.org.au)
Country of Origin: Finland
ANKC Group 5 - Working Dogs
For the Finnish Lapphund Breed Standard and Extended Breed Standard see Detail (ankc.org.au)
Country of Origin: Finland
ANKC Group 5 - Working Dogs
Thank you Lauren Valentine for allowing the use of this great visual summary of the breed standard highlights.
BRIEF HISTORY:
For hundreds of years the people of Lappland 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's name was changed into Lapphund in 1967. In the 1970's 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 become homogeneous in a short time and today the breed is very popular mainly as a companion and utility dog in the whole of Finland.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Smaller than medium sized, its conformation is strong for its size, slightly longer than the height at the withers. Long and thick coated with pricked ears. Important Proportions:- The depth of the body is slightly less than half of the height at the withers. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull. The skull is slightly longer than broad, the depth is the same as the breadth.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Utilisation- Originally a herder and watch dog used in the work of keeping reindeer. Today also popular as a companion dog.
FCI Classification: Group 5 Spitz and primitive type, Section 3 Nordic Watchdogs and Herders. Without working trial.
TEMPERAMENT: Keen, courageous, calm and willing to learn. Friendly and Faithful.
HEAD AND SKULL: Strong in outline, rather broad.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull - Broad, slightly convex. The forehead is rather domed. The frontal furrow is clearly defined.
Stop - Clearly defined.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose - Preferably black, yet harmonising with the coat colour.
Muzzle - Strong, broad and straight; viewed from above and in profile, evenly tapering, but only slightly.
Cheeks - The zygomatic arches are well pronounced.
Lips - Tight.
EYES: Dark brown in colour, yet harmonising with the coat colour. Oval shaped. The expression is soft and friendly.
EARS: Medium sized. Carried erect or semi-erect, set rather far apart. Triangular in shape, rather broad at the base. Very mobile. It is equally acceptable that one ear is erect and the other semi-erect.
MOUTH: The jaws are strong. Scissor bite.
NECK: Medium in length, strong and covered with profuse hair.
FOREQUARTERS: Powerful with strong bones. Viewed from the front straight and parallel.
Shoulders - Slightly oblique.
Upper Arm - As long as the shoulder blade. The angle between shoulder and upper arm is rather open.
Elbows - Placed slightly lower than the lower edge of the ribcage, pointing straight backwards.
Forearm - Rather strong, vertical.
Carpus [Wrist] - Flexible.
Pastern - Of medium length, slightly oblique.
BODY:
Withers - Muscular and broad, only slightly marked [not prominent].
Back - Strong and straight.
Loins - Short and muscular.
Croup - Of medium length, well developed, sloping only slightly
Chest - Deep, rather long, reaching almost to the elbows, not very broad. The ribs are slightly arched; the forechest clearly visible but not too pronounced.
Underline - Slightly tucked up.
HINDQUARTERS: Strong boned, powerful. Viewed from behind, straight and parallel. The angulation is clearly marked but not too strongly.
Upper Thigh - Of medium length, rather broad with well developed muscles.
Stifles - Parallel, rather well angulated.
Second Thigh - Relatively long and sinewy.
Hocks - Moderately low, rather well angulated but not excessively.
Metatarsus - Rather short, strong and vertical.
FEET: Forefeet: Well arched, oval rather than round, covered with dense hair. The pads are elastic. Dense hair between the pads.
Hind feet: As front feet.
TAIL: Set rather high, medium in length, covered with profuse and long hair. The tip of the tail may have a J-formed hook. In movement the tail is curved over the back or side; at rest it may hang down.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Effortless. Changes easily from trot to gallop, which is the most natural style of movement. The legs move parallel. Agile and fast when working.
COAT
Skin- Tight overall without wrinkles.
Hair- Profuse, the males especially have an abundant mane. The outer coat is long, straight and harsh. On the head and on the front side of the legs, the coat is shorter. There must be a soft and dense undercoat.
COLOUR: All colours are permitted. The basic colour must be dominant. Colours other than the basic colour can occur on head, neck, chest, underside of the body, on legs and tail. (*See a great page by Caleebra Finnish Lapphunds page on Colours)
SIZE: Height at withers:
Ideal height for males - 49 cm [19.5 ins]
Ideal height for females - 44 cm [17 ins]
With a tolerance of +/- 3cm [just over 1 in].
Type is more important than size.
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 and on its ability to perform its traditional work.
· Lack of sexual dimorphism.
· Light head.
· Insufficient stop.
· Over angulated or too straight rear angulation.
· Tail carriage continuously lower than the topline.
· Lack of under coat.
· Flat coat.
· Curly outer coat.
· Basic colour not dominant.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:
· Aggressive or overly shy.
· Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities.
· Overshot or undershot mouth.
· Kinky tail.
· Full drop ears.
NOTE:
- Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
- Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation, should be used for breeding.
A.N.K.C. © January 2000