Swedish Lapphund

The oldest of the native Swedish breeds, the medium-sized Swedish Lapphund (Swedish: Svensk Lapphund) is one of three ancient Scandinavian Lapphund dogs developed by the Sami people over the centuries for herding and guarding reindeer.

The Swedish Lapphund falls under the mitochondrial DNA sub-clade d1 that is found exclusively in northern Scandinavia. It is the result of a female wolf-male dog hybridization that occurred post-domestication 480–3,000 years ago and includes all Sami-related breeds: Finnish Lapphund, Swedish Lapphund, Lapponian Herder, Jamthund, Norwegian Elkhound and Hällefors Elkhound.

The maternal wolf sequence that originated these breeds is phylogenetically rooted in the same sequence as the 33,000 year-old Altai dog, although it is not a direct ancestor.

Weight: Female: 42–46 lbs (19–21 kg) Male: 42–46 lbs (19–21 kg)
Height: Female: 16–18 inches (40–46 cm) Male: 18–20 inches (45–51 cm)
Coat: Double coat of medium length, straight fur. Undercoat is fine and dense
Color: Black, Liver.
Life span: 12-14 years

Temperament: Affectionate, Kind, Lively, Alert, Trainable, Versatile.

Health: May be susceptible to hip dysplasia, arthritis, eye problems, ear infections, skin allergies, gastric torsion, and von Willebrand disease.

Special Interest:
• The national breed of Sweden.
• Known as the Black beauty of Norrland.

Classifications:
AKC: FSS
UKC: Herding group
FCI: Group 5 Spitz and Primitive dogs, Section 3 Nordic Watchdogs and Herders #135

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