Swedish Lapphund

The Swedish Lapphund is a breed of dog of the Spitz type from Sweden, one of three Lapphund breeds developed from a type of dog used by the Sami people for herding and guarding their reindeer. The expression "the black beauty of Norrland" is very often attributed to the Swedish lapphund, which is most likely one of Sweden's oldest breeds. The Swedish name of the breed is Svensk lapphund.

Like all spitz dogs in general, the 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. Lapphunds exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.

The breed also has a number of certificated search and rescue dogs and army dogs. 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 breed is also extremely popular as a competitive show dog.

In Sweden dogs have their temperament tested by a system called mentalbeskrivning. Results for the Swedish lapphund show a curious, intrepid, and friendly 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.

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.