The Lapponian Herder is a friendly, spitz-type, and medium-sized dog believed to have evolved from prehistoric dogs. It goes by many names such as Reindeer Herder, Lapsk Vallhund, Lapland Reindeer Dog, and Lapinporokoira. It has an analytical expression and is super energetic during work.
It normally has a straight, dense double-coat that protects it from harsh climates, and it comes in three basic colors: brown, black, and gray. The Lapponian Herders are well-muscled but don’t have a bulky and chunky appearance. They are highly affectionate with family and love children.
Lapponian Herder History
It may seem like a new breed, but in truth, it has been around for ages! Back when there wasn’t confirmed evidence to know its type, the Lapponian Herder was confused with the modern Finnish Lapphund. But these are two separate breeds and were distinguished on October 12, 1966. The Lapponian Herder comes from Lapland and was utilized to herd reindeer.
Most of these dogs were lost during World War II, and Swedish and Finnish breeders began making attempts to re-create the original breed and set standards for the Lapponian Herder. Later on, in the 1950s and 1960s, an increase in these dogs was observed, and they began gaining popularity.
Lapponian Herder Characteristics
The Lapponian Herder is an incredible dog breed that seems to have all the wonderful qualities we look for in pets. They are wonderful companions who are vigilant, calm, sweet, affectionate, and playful. Their eyes are almond-shaped and set apart. The male dog has a lively and vigilant expression, whereas the female dog has a more steadfast and true expression.
How Big Do Lapponian Herders Get
The height of a male Lapponian Herder is 19-21 inches, and it weighs between 60-70 pounds. On the other hand, the female grows 17-19 inches tall and weighs around 55-65 pounds. When they’re six months old, they are 15-17 inches tall and weigh around 25 pounds, and on turning one year old, they are 17-19 inches tall and weigh between 40-47.5 pounds.
How Long Does a Lapponian Herder Live
Normally, the lifespan of a Lapponian Herder is 10-14 years. It’s a pretty healthy dog who will get to live a long and healthy life. We can also play a substantial role in increasing the years by taking good care of our dog, ensuring that it has a good diet, enough physical and mental exercise, and lots of love and attention.
How Much Does a Lapponian Herder Cost
A Lapponian Herder can cost around $800-$1500, and the price may vary depending on the quality and locality of the dog. Medical expenses can go up to $500 per year and consist of vaccination shots, flea treatment, etc., and other expenses may vary and include costumes, bed, toys, etc.
Lapponian Herder Temperament/Personality
The Lapponian Herder has a marvelous personality. It is a great family pet that loves to play with small children and is super affectionate towards its family members and other pets. It is quite protective of its home and will do everything it can to ensure its safety. Also, it is pretty adaptable and will be fine anywhere as long as it gets to participate in different activities and receives enough love.
They can be easily trained and appreciate positive reinforcement. Herding is their innate trait, and they are likely to herd small children by barking at them. So, we should address this kind of behavior in the early stages. They are wary of strangers initially, but once they make sure there are no red lights, they are super welcoming!
Caring For Lapponian Herder
Lapponian Herders are fabulous dogs that like playing with children and pleasing their owners. It is important not to leave these cute dogs alone for too long as they can become destructive and start barking a lot to entertain themselves. We should give them daily tasks to fulfill and enough mental stimulation to keep them occupied and healthy. Other than that, giving them loads of attention, good food, and cuddles is a great start in caring for them!
Lapponian Herder Nutrition
The Lapponian Herder is an energetic dog and will require plenty of nutrients to meet its energy needs. After consulting a veterinarian, we can give them healthy raw foods and about 3 cups of high-quality dog food divided into three meals a day. However, we shouldn’t over-feed them as they are prone to obesity. In addition, occasional food toppings are a nice treat to lift our dogs’ spirits!
How to Groom a Lapponian Herder
Lapponian Herders are generally low maintenance but are heavy seasonal shedders due to their dense undercoat. During that time, we’re gonna want to give our dogs hot baths in nice bathtubs to quicken the process and let loose hair fall out, and we’re gonna have to brush them almost daily. In addition, we should clip their nails every two weeks and brush their teeth every 2-3 days.
Lapponian Herder Activity Levels
The Lapponian Herders are quite active dogs and require at least 60-70 minutes of physical activity daily to stay fit. In addition, they should have at least 10 miles of walk mileage per week. They work best when they’re given a job to do and are known to become destructive if they don’t have enough physical and mental stimulation.
Caring for Lapponian Herder
Lapponian Herders are super friendly, loyal, calm, intelligent, and playful, and they like being given different tasks because of their willingness to please their owners. We should ensure that our dogs are not left alone for too long, are given lots of love and good food, get enough exercise and mental stimulation to stay fit.
Lapponian Herder Health
The Lapponian Herders are among the healthiest dogs and are very less likely to develop any disease during their lifetime. But one should always be safe to have no regrets! So, we should watch out for ear infections, skin allergies, gastric torsion, hip dysplasia, and Von Willebrand’s Disease.
Breeds Similar To Lapponian Herder
- Pekingese
- Affenpug
- Norjack
- Scottish Terrier
- Altman White English Bulldog
- Entlebucher Mountain Dog
- Bullboxer Pit
- Olde English Bulldogge
Best Dog Food for Lapponian Herders
The best dog food for Lapponian Herder is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. This food has been crafted with novel proteins. It includes bison and buffalo as the main ingredient. Moreover, it also contains sweet potatoes and peas that maximize digestive health. It promotes strong muscles. The antioxidants and fruits from vegetables and fruits boost overall health.
- Free from preservatives, fillers, artificial ingredients, corn, grain, and wheat.
- K9 strain probiotic supports digestive health.
- Provides shiny coat and healthy skin through omega 3 and 6.
Best Puppy Food for Lapponian Herders
The best puppy food for Lapponian Herder is Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food. This puppy food has been manufactured with super healthy chicken and rice. It provides a good amount of protein for developing the muscles of your pup. It is free from corn, soy, wheat, GMO ingredients, and by-product meal.
- Supports vision and cognition through DHA from omega 3 fatty acids.
- Ensures better immunity with antioxidants.
- Ensures your pup gets healthier joints and bones through high-quality calcium.
Best Dog Crate for Lapponian Herders
The best dog crate for Lapponian Herder is MidWest LifeStages Single Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate. This crate requires no tool for setting up due to its fold-and-carry construction. This crate comes with a plastic pan that allows for easy cleaning. The pan is highly durable and has a replaceable feature.
- Includes secure slide-bolt latches for added security.
- Equipped with a divider panel that allows your pup to grow.
- Features four rubber roller feet for higher convenience.
Best Dog Bed for Lapponian Herders
The best dog bed for Lapponian Herder is FurHaven Plush Ball Pillow Dog Bed w/Removable Cover. This bed has a covering made of faux fur. It provides a cozy space for your dog to have a relaxing sleep. It contains a stretchy interior that ensures your dog gets higher flexibility.
- Made of high-quality fabric with complete recycled material.
- Machine-washable fibers with zippered design.
- Durable and long-lasting machine washable woven liner.
Best Dog Harness for Lapponian Herders
The best dog harness for Lapponian Herder is OneTigris Tactical Vest Nylon Front Clip Dog Harness. This harness has a super durable and versatile design. It has water-resistant and lightweight padding. Additionally, it also allows you to have superior control through the control loop.
- Includes V-rings for leash attachment.
- Provides complete fitting through adjustable straps.
- Features crisscross bungee strap that enables you to have added storage.
Sources
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