Laponian Herder

The Sami have traditionally used dogs of the same type as the Lapp Herder to guard reindeer. The breed adapted to the harsh Arctic climate. The breed has been registered in the stud book since the 1950s under the same standard as the Finnish Lapp Hound. The Lapp Herder was recognized as an independent breed on December 10, 1996.

The FCI standard describes the Lapp Herder as an obedient, calm, friendly, energetic and zealous dog.

The Lapp Herder is a herding dog of spitz type of medium size with vigorous bone and muscle. The length of the body clearly exceeds the height at the withers. Although strongly muscled, it should not give an impression of heaviness. The tail is of medium length, attached low and abundantly provided with hair. It is carried pendant at rest and curved in action without being carried higher than the line of the back. At work, the tail can execute a rotary movement. The head is elongated in shape, the muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull. The eyes, well-spaced and oval in shape, are preferably dark colored, however they harmonize with the coat color. The ears are erect, of medium length, rather well-spaced, fairly wide at their attachment. The guard coat is of medium or long length, straight, rather erect and stiff. The undercoat is fine and tight in black, grayish or brownish color. The coat is often more abundant and longer on the neck, chest and rear of the thighs. The accepted color is black in its different shades, even grayish or dark brown, with markings of a lighter shade on the head, on the lower parts of the body and on the limbs. White markings are admitted on the neck, chest and feet.