Lapland reindeer dog
Temperament:
The Lapland Reindeer Dog - also called Lapinporokoira or Finnish Lapland Shepherd Dog - originates, as its name suggests, from Lapland. There he was bred to herd reindeer and still does so successfully. Outside his homeland, however, he is hardly known.
Characteristics
The Lapland reindeer dog is a active herding dog. He loves nature and needs a large portion of exercise and mental occupation every day. However, with plenty of exercise and intensive socialization, you can even keep this four-legged friend in the city. This breed is very attentive and closely observes its surroundings. Special attention must be paid to this in training so that you can counteract it when the dog gets distracted.
This pelt-nose is strongly focused on their people. To his family, the intelligent dog is always faithful and loves to work with them as a team. At first he reacts neutrally or even reservedly to strangers. As a typical watch and herding dog, he reliably notifies his owner of any changes in his territory. He does this mainly by barking.
He is definitely not a beginner dog. Only experienced and very active people can properly assess the energy of this four-legged friend and exploit it. One should not underestimate the demands that this dog breed brings with it. The sporty, smart Lapland Reindeer Dog is great for many types of dog sports. Unlike many other Nordic dogs, this pelt-nose can be kept alone very well. With other dogs he behaves mostly playful, but also enjoys the time alone with his humans. Especially the Work with them fulfills his natural instincts and loads him ideally.
The medium dogs reach a size of 46 cm in females and 51 cm in males, with a tolerance of 3 cm down and up in both cases. Their coat consists of medium length, straight outer coat and dense, fine undercoat. Often the neck, chest and back of the thighs are more hairy than the rest of the body. These dogs come in black, gray and dark brown. Many specimens have lighter markings in grayish to brownish on the head, underside of the body and on the legs. White markings on the neck, chest and legs are also allowed according to the breed standard.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The Lapland reindeer dog is very uncomplicated in the diet. High quality food is indispensable for any dog. It should not contain sugar, nor chemical additives. A mixture of meat with fruits and vegetables is ideal. This may involve feeding a mixture of wet and dry food. However, the barf method is also a popular way to feed a dog.
The amount of food should be adjusted for this athletic four-legged friend to his individual workload. In order to avoid harmful obesity, you should let your dog weigh regularly and if necessary also Work with a veterinarian on a nutrition plan.
Lapland reindeer dog care
Due to its robust coat, the Lapland reindeer dog is quite easy to clean. It is enough to brush every few days. However, he hair quite a lot. Increased brushing can help to have less hair distributed throughout the house. In Coat change twice a year he needs more intensive coat care. During this time he sheds especially much and dead fur must be brushed out daily. Eyes, ears, teeth and claws must be checked regularly. If necessary, these must be cleaned and the claws shortened. The four-legged friend only needs a bath in case of really heavy soiling.
However, one must never forget that the Lapinporokoira is a Herding dog is concerned. So there are Several hours of exercise and mental workout every day necessary to do justice to the breed. Only then he can also come to rest at home and be a pleasant companion in everyday life.
Suitable accessories
Like any dog, this breed needs a certain Basic equipment. This includes, for example, a leash, collar, harness, bowls and much more. For the fur care suitable utensils should also not be missing. A sturdy brush removes dead hair and dirt. One Curry comb gets to the undercoat, combs out dead fur there too and prevents dense knots. A high quality dog shampoo rounds off the coat care, if a bath is necessary after all.
Toothpaste and toothbrush for dogs help keep your pelt's teeth healthy in the long term. Either you take over the cutting of the claws yourself, for which you need a claw scissors or you have this done at the vet or in the dog salon. As intelligent dogs, most Lapland reindeer dogs also enjoy Brain games. These bring variety into your everyday life and serve the mental workload.
Origin & History
The Lapland reindeer dog is a close relative of the Finnish Lapphund. Their common ancestors were kept in Lapland as hunting and guard dogs. The Sámi people began to keep larger herds of reindeer over time. This made the Tasks and thus the requirements for the Lapland reindeer dog changed. From then on, instead of being used as a hunting and guard dog, he was mainly used to herd and drive the reindeer herds.
Thus, a former hunting and guard dog became a herding dog. Since there was no specific breed standard, for a long time breeding did not pay attention to appearance. Only the character and the typical qualities of a herding dog were significant. Only in the middle of the 20th century, with the Separation of the Lapland Reindeer Dog and the Finnish Lapphund, the first standards were introduced. Until the separation, both breeds of dogs were considered the same.
Since the differentiation of breeds, they are also officially differentiated in breeding. The Lapland Reindeer Dog was recognized as an independent breed by the FCI on December 10, 1966. Today they are no longer mainly used as herding dogs, but mainly as family and companion dogs. Outside Scandinavia, they are nevertheless very rare.
