Swedish Lapphund Complete Breed Guide

With a dazzling dark coat and powerful voice, the Swedish Lapphund may be a rare breed, but it’s one to watch. Lappies need loving owners that can train them, groom them, and keep them active, but they’ll happily be your guard dog and family companion in return.

The Swedish Lapphund, also known as a “Lappie,” was originally bred to herd reindeer in Sweden and Scandinavia. They’ve kept a lot of characteristics from their herding history, including a love for standing guard, barking, and being active. They get along well with children, dogs, and other pets in the house but may be wary around strangers. Lappies also need to be brushed each week (more often when they shed during spring and fall) to keep their beautiful, dark manes clean and healthy. With a little grooming and a lot of training, the Swedish Lapphund can make a great watchdog or family companion.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

Swedish Lapphunds are social dogs that love being around kids and other animals. They’re fairly small (usually under 50 pounds), but their tendency to bark makes them a better fit for house life or areas where their nose won’t affect neighbors. Lappies love playing outside, but they should primarily live indoors and be around people.

Exercise & Activity

Lappies are an active breed that needs daily exercise and mental stimulation; without it, they get destructive and noisy. Plan on giving your Swedish Lapphund at least 20-30 minutes of exercise each day, whether it’s a job, walk, or game of fetch. Lappies also do well at sports that tap into their herding instincts, like flyball, agility, and rally.

Swedish Lapphunds are energetic, affectionate, and always on alert. With a long history of herding, the Lappie is known to bark and make a great watchdog. You’ll need to teach this pup when to bark and when to be quiet, but luckily, they’re smart and will catch on quickly. Lappies also make good family companions, but they may be aloof toward strangers.

Lappies have double coats of black or dark brown hair. Their fur is thicker around the neck and longer on the tail and behind the legs. Swedish Lapphunds shed in the spring and fall, but even if it’s not shedding season, they’ll need weekly brushing to keep their coif under control.