Lapponian Herder

The Lapponian Herder, belonging to the Spitz family, was initially developed and exclusively used for reindeer herding and kept by the Sami people of Lapland. Present-day Lapland is split between Finland and Sweden; however, these dogs remain quite common in that region while being rare throughout much of the world. They are recognized as one of five official national dog breeds in Finland.

Tracing their origins back to the Sami people of Lapland, Lapponian Herders were bred as companions and assistants for herding reindeer in Scandinavia. It has been hypothesized that these canines have bloodlines dating to prehistoric dogs. As its fame grew in the 1950s and 60s, a set breeding standard was determined and implemented for this breed. Nowadays, they are celebrated across Finland, Sweden, Norway – even beyond – with many admiring them due to their ability to thrive in harsh climates such as extreme cold weather conditions!

The Lapponian Herder exudes extravagance with its captivating, unique combination of black, brown, and grey. If you’re lucky enough to encounter one sporting extra white markings as well – consider yourself fortunate! Its double coat is typically described as dense yet straight in texture; thus requiring only weekly brushing sessions normally. However during the shedding period it would be wise to up your grooming game a bit more often for optimal results.

Through successive generations of purposeful breeding, the Lapponian Herders have earned a reputation for being smart and fast-learning. These pooches are especially loyal to their owners and love to please them above all else; with firm yet consistent training sessions beginning at an early age, they respond remarkably well!

Though highly energetic during playtime, these four-legged friends remain composed in other settings – making them ideal family pets. Additionally, they make excellent guard dogs due to their keen ability to bark on alert when needed but can be excessively vocal at times. When meeting someone unfamiliar or strange initially, the Lapponian Herder will appear aloof – though this typically dissipates quickly once it becomes obvious that danger is not present.

Lapponian Herders possess great intelligence and an inborn history of herding, making them both easy to train and quick learners. Additionally, due to their eagerness for pleasing others with tasks they have been assigned, these dogs boast tremendous recall. For a successful socialization process it would be beneficial if the pup is exposed early on to various people and multiple other canines; this could help reduce any dominant behaviors towards fellow pooches as well as shyness when meeting new folk.

Active and energetic Lapponian Herders cannot get by with just daily walks. If these canines do not have regular vigorous activity, they will become bored – potentially leading to destructive tendencies. That’s why it is essential for them to engage in running and free playtime outdoors for at least 30 minutes each day – whether that be a large yard or dog park! This exercise ensures their overall physical health and mental well-being stay balanced.