Introduction

History

Breed Standard

Health & Care

FAQ's

The official Kennel Club breed standards

SIZE MEDIUM
GROOMING MODERATE
EXERCISE MODERATE
LOCALITY TOWN & COUNTRY
LIFESPAN OVER 12 YEARS
WEEKLY
FEEDING COST
£5.50 - £7.50  
To read about the history of the breed, click here and you will be taken to the Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain's history page.

 

 
General

Strongly built dog, smaller than medium size. Body slightly longer than height at withers. Coat long and profuse.

Characteristics Tendency to herd.
Temperament Intelligent, brave, calm, faithful.  Suitable as companion and watch dog.
Head and Skull Strong featured, comparatively broad, bitch’s more refined; forehead slightly rounded; stop clearly defined. Muzzle shorter than skull, straight and slightly tapering when viewed both above and side. Nose black.
Eyes Oval shaped; dark.
Ears Erect or semi-erect. Medium size, set well apart, broad at base and very mobile.
Mouth Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Lips tight.
Neck

Medium long, strong, covered with thick hair.

Forequarters Shoulder and upper arm of approximately equal length. Shoulder moderately laid back and forming a rather open angle with upper arm. Legs well boned, strong, straight and parallel. Elbow placed slightly lower than the lower edge of brisket. Pasterns of medium length, flexible and slightly sloping.
Body Firm. Back strong, straight and broad. Moderate spring of rib. Brisket deep and long almost reaching the level of the elbow. Depth of body slightly less than half the height at withers. Forechest clearly defined, of moderate width. Loin short and muscular. Slight tuck up. Croup medium length, well defined and slightly sloping. The body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock, slightly longer than height at withers.
Hindquarters Strong boned. Strong and straight when viewed from behind. Hock of medium size. Dewclaws permitted.
Feet

Well arched, oval, covered with thick hair.

Tail Medium length, high set, covered with profuse, long hair. Carried curved over the back or side when the dog is moving. May hang when the dog is at rest. Tip of tail may have a ‘J’ formed hook.
Gait/Movement

Effortless,  brisk, agile and straight. Medium length of stride, changing easily from trot to gallop.

Coat

Profuse. Outer coat long and coarse. Undercoat soft and thick. Shorter on the head and front parts of legs.

Colour All colours are allowed, but the main colour must dominate.  Marks differing from the dominant colour are permitted on head, neck, chest, legs and on tip of tail.
Size Ideal height at withers, dogs 49cm (19.25 ins); bitches 44cm (17½ ins), with an allowance of 3cm (1¼ ins) either way. 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.
Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
© Liz Mowatt 2007 - Site Map