Swedish Lapphund has the world’s friendliest bark.
Swedish lapphund has its origins among the ancient hunting tribes of northern Scandinavia, from the land that the Sámi people call Sapmi. One assumes that the lapphund followed the first Sámi, who migrated to Scandinavia in the neolithic era. In Sámi mythology it is said that the lapphund sought the post of worker amongst the Sámi people in exchange that it would always be well-treated. The lapphund has been used mainly for hunting and guarding, but studies have also shown that during the Stone Age, dogs were kept as pets. When the Sámi people started to keep domestic reindeer in the mid-18th century, the lapphund’s repertoire was expanded to include herding.
The Swedish lapphund is a typical spitz. It is rectangularly built, slightly under medium size with a good carriage. It moves effortless with drive, light, springy and covering ground. Despite that they are gifted with a dense and long, shining coat, they are very easy to groom. Some brushings when the coat is shedding is enough to keep the coat in good condition.The special coat does not smell doggy and is cleans itself from dirt. So it is really easy maintained. The coat colour is black or bear brown, sometimes with white marks on tail, chest and feet. It has a profuse double coat with hair standing straight out from the body, undercoat is dense and very finely curled.
Swedish lapphund demands a stable upbringing and both regular mental as physical stimulation to perform at its best. As a working dog they show their versatility in a number of different fields. Many compete with success in such widely different disciplines as obedience, dog agility trials, working contest, freestyle/heelwork to music, Rally obedience, and blood tracking. The Swedish Lapphund can also participate in herding events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Swedish Lapphunds exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.
The Swedish Lapphund dog breed is also useful as a search and rescue dog and army dog. The Swedish lapphund is also a very multifaceted hunting dog, mainly used for hunting elk and forest birds, but also deer, wild boar and bear. It is also a skilled tracking dog in searching for wounded or killed game. In addition to their versatility as working animals, the Swedish Lapphund dog breed is also extremely popular as a competitive show dog.
In Sweden, Swedish Lapphund dogs have their temperament tested by a system called mentalbeskrivning. Results for the Swedish lapphund show a curious, intrepid, and friendly dog breed which is playful and non-aggressive. They are easy trained, strong, and very devoted to their family. Early training is essential to prevent excessive barking.