Lapland Vallhund (Lappish Reindeer Herding Dog)

The Lappish Reindeer Herding Dog, or Lapland Vallhund, is a rare and intriguing breed with deep roots in the icy northern regions of Finland and Sweden. This robust, medium-sized dog was initially bred to assist in the herding of reindeer, an activity requiring endurance, nimbleness, and intelligence. The breed is an excellent companion for active families and outdoor adventurers because it still possesses strong herding instincts.

These dogs are renowned for their ability to build strong relationships with their human families and for being amiable and devoted to them. They are generally amiable and gregarious once they get to know someone, despite the fact that they can be a little reserved around strangers. They can survive in colder climates thanks to their thick, weather-resistant coat, which comes in a variety of colors, but it also means they need to be groomed frequently.

The Lapland Vallhund is a loyal family companion in addition to a working dog. They are best suited for those who can provide them with an active lifestyle, as they require a lot of mental and physical stimulation to remain content and healthy. The Lapland Vallhund might be the ideal dog for you if you’re searching for a canine companion that is both loving and intelligent.

Originally from northern Scandinavia, the Lapland Vallhund, also called the Lappish Reindeer Herding Dog, is a devoted and industrious breed. This dog, which was first bred by the native Sámi people to herd reindeer, is renowned for its intelligence, dexterity, and resilience in inclement weather. The friendly, vivacious, and loving nature of the Lapland Vallhund, despite its continued use for herding, makes it an excellent family companion. It thrives in busy homes where it can receive lots of exercise and mental stimulation.

General characteristics of the breed

Other names for the Lappish Reindeer Herding Dog include Vallhund, Lapinporokoira, Lapland Herder, and Reindeer Herder. The Sami (Lapps) used these herding dogs to herd reindeer, which is where the name originated. They gather the herd expertly, using their loud barks to guide them to the proper location. These dogs run quickly, are tough, and lack fear. They fight back against predators and will fight a bear if necessary to defend the herd. They possess a strong protective instinct. They can locate animals and have good local navigation.

Finland cherishes Lapland Vallhunds for their adaptable working nature. They can guard the house and property, hunt, and carry light loads. They are frequently employed by law enforcement in search and rescue missions. They are great companions and athletes. In contrast to other northern breeds, Lapinporokoira are happy living in an apartment in a city. However, in spite of everything, the breed is extremely uncommon and is hardly ever found outside of Finland.

Pros

In Finland, the Lapland Vallhund is among the most well-liked breeds of dogs. These are obedient, amiable dogs that are prepared for any task. They are retained as a friend and protector. Owners observe the following benefits:

• hardy, hard-working;
• calm and balanced;
• obedient, easy to train;
• run fast;
• cheerful and playful;
• have pronounced security and guard qualities;
• unpretentious in maintenance and care;
• get along well with other pets.

Cons

Lapland valhunds are active and highly mobile dogs. They require physical effort. It is not a good idea to create a population of couch potatoes and inactive people. There are a few more drawbacks for these dogs:

• strongly fed;
• Loudly bark much and loudly;
• emotional;
• strong, it is difficult to keep on a leash;
• the breed is rare, it is difficult to find a puppy.

Differences from Finnish Lapphund

Since these two breeds are so similar, people frequently mix them up. Their origin, narrative, and application are all the same. However, Lopar deer dogs are somewhat bigger than lapphondes in Finland. Their tail does not become a ring, and their wool is thicker and shorter. From the outside, they resemble shepherds more than Spitz. Lappish Vallhunds exhibit more robust, efficient, and noticeable working traits in their behavior.

The images illustrate how these breeds differ from one another:

History of origin

A book detailing the life of the Sami people from the sixteenth century mentioned how their dogs assisted them in herding reindeer. The author distinguished between two breeds: shepherd-like dogs and fluffy Spitz-like dogs, which were the ancestors of contemporary Finnish Lapphunds. Then, they were referred to as reindeer dogs, or porokoiras. Their ancestors, according to researchers, were Scandinavian Spitz dogs who had long coexisted with and protected northern peoples.

With the development of industrial reindeer herding, these dogs gained particular popularity. The stronger, faster individuals were sought after by breeders. To set themselves apart from wolves, they opted for squat, black or dark red ones. When they chose to replace them with technology, some questioned whether the breed even existed at all. However, the sound of the engine scared the reindeer, which is why reindeer herding dogs are still in demand today.

Finnish Lapphunds and Lapland Valhunds were part of the same breed until the mid-1900s. Their official divorce wasn’t finalized until 1966. By now, the population was in danger of going extinct, so breeders had to rebuild it. The dogs were crossed with breeds indigenous to the north. The Lappish dogs used for herding reindeer were acknowledged as a distinct breed by the FCI in 1970. These days, it is among the rarest in the world, hardly ever encountered outside of the Nordic nations.

Appearance standards

Typical herding dogs are Lappish Vallhunds. Their elongated, muscular body is strong, and they have triangular, erect ears as well as a sharp, conical muzzle. These are medium-sized dogs, with males standing 50–54 cm tall at the withers and weighing no more than 30 kg. Females are typically 43–46 cm tall, and they are lighter and smaller than males.

The following physical characteristics are considered characteristic of the breed, according to the standard:

• the head is small, proportional to the body, the skull is round, the superciliary arches are pronounced;
• the stop is quite deep, but smooth, the muzzle narrows towards the nose, not long, the earlobe is large, black;
• jaws are strong, lips are thin, close-fitting, scissor bite;
• eyes are large, dark, set wide apart, look attentive, intelligent;
• ears are medium-sized, triangular, with pointed tips, set high and wide;
• neck is short, muscular, without dewlap, transition into shoulders is smooth;
• chest is deep, rather narrow, ribs are well arched, belly is noticeably tucked up;
• back is straight and wide, loin is short;
• tail is set low, abundantly covered with hair, usually dropped straight or with a slightly raised tip, the dog never raises the tail above the line of the back;
• limbs are not thick, straight, set parallel, the dog develops high speed, can suddenly break away from a place or brake;
• paws are compact, oval, toes are collected, hair grows thickly between them;
• the coat is double, with a dense undercoat, which reliably protects the body from cold, injury and insect bites;
• the top coat is straight, thick, medium length, hard to the touch, there may be feathering on the neck, tail and thighs;
• the color is mainly black with light spots on the chest, muzzle, paws, belly, less common gray or dark brown color.

The description of the appearance is enhanced by photos:

Character traits

Lappish dogs make wonderful friends. They develop a strong, devoted bond and love for their owners. They connect with everyone on a common level and get along well with kids. They are gregarious, require attention, and adore affection. They obey orders without question, are obedient, and are constantly prepared to work.

Olengonoks are gregarious, energetic pets. They adore running and other active games. They get along well with cats and other pets and do not have any conflicts with the dogs of other people. Lappish dog owners describe their pets as follows:

• calm;
• friendly;
• obedient;
• loyal;
• energetic;
• efficient;
• vigilant;
• fearless;
• independent.

Lapland Vallhunds are devoted to their owners and grow quite close to them. They are clever and enjoy their jobs. Training is therefore not an issue. Once a dog and its owner have built trust, the dog will attempt to comply with all of its requests.

The dog picks up tricks and commands with ease. You must exercise patience, persistence, and firmness when training. However, physical contact or rudeness are not acceptable. For this dog, affection and praise are the most effective training methods. The fact that the reindeer herders are playful, restless, and easily distracted should also be considered. Classes should therefore be brief and engaging.

Lappish dogs are energetic and adore running. However, they are modest and lead regular lives in a home or even an apartment in a city. The dog only needs to be walked two or three times a day. To allow him to run, it is advisable to take him to the park or dog park more frequently. It is preferable to have the dog wear a leash in the city. Given the strength and quickness of Vallhunds, it ought to be sturdy.

Herders of reindeer make excellent guards. They react quickly, have good hearing, and are watchful. They bark loudly in response to strangers approaching. This dog never acts aggressively. The owner will also be friendly if he speaks to the stranger in a normal manner. However, is always prepared to defend the property and its owner from harm. If the animal is housed in the yard, he must set up a heated booth for the winter.

Taking care of Lopar dogs is not hard. The wool needs to be combed several times a week using a hard brush. When molting, do it every day. If your dog lives with you, you can clean your paws after a walk each month, and you can also bat out as it gets polluted. It’s important to routinely clean your ears and examine your eyes. The claws must be cut if they do not grind. Giving chewing treats is sufficient to prevent tartar.

Nutrition

Within the food, Lapland Unassuming, valhunds consume everything that is offered to them. However, you must select a well-balanced diet for them. Pets fed premium dry food will get all the vitamins and minerals they need. A mature dog needs to be fed twice daily. There should always be unrestricted access to clean water.

Lappish dogs can also benefit from natural feeding. Lean meat or offal should make up the majority of the diet. Porridge should not be served in large quantities; it is preferable to combine meat and vegetables. Fruits and fermented milk products are beneficial to give.

Health

Lappish dogs are robust and well-maintained. They are used to the severe weather in the north. They can live for 14–15 years if given the right care, and they never get sick. Representatives of the breed may occasionally suffer from the following illnesses:

• joint dysplasia;
• cataracts;
• arthritis;
• otitis;
• allergies;
• gastric volvulus.

Renowned for its exceptional herding skills, the Lapland Vallhund, also called the Lappish Reindeer Herding Dog, is a breed steeped in history. It is a loyal and intelligent companion, especially to those who can provide it with lots of mental and physical challenges. Whether it’s herding or being a part of an active family, this industrious dog is happiest when it has a task to complete.

The Lapland Vallhund is becoming more well-known despite not being as well-known as some other breeds because of its strong work ethic and adaptability. Although it can adapt well to many different kinds of homes with the right care and attention, it does best in colder climates. This breed responds well to constant training and positive reinforcement, but it also needs a close relationship with its owner.

If you’re searching for a dog that is devoted, industrious, and extremely trainable, the Lapland Vallhund could be it. This breed can provide many years of loving and dependable companionship in the correct setting.

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The secret of your dog"s longevity in our TG! 💬

The secret of your dog"s longevity in our TG! 💬

The secret of your dog"s longevity in our TG! 💬

The secret of your dog"s longevity in our TG! 💬

October 25, 2025.

Lappish reindeer herding dog