Herding spitz Medium size 15-21 kg

Lapphund

A lively, affectionate Nordic herding spitz that bonds warmly with its family - the trade-off is a strong bark, herding instinct, and a heavy seasonal coat blow.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
15-21 kg, 40-51 cm tall
Moderate-high
Activity
Active herder; needs daily exercise
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Prefers company but copes with routine
Good
Trainability
Bright and willing; can be talkative
Moderate
Coat care
Thick double coat blows heavily seasonally
Excellent
Fit with kids
Gentle, patient family dog
Good
Other pets
Sociable with other pets
Light
Health burden
Hardy breed; eyes and hips to watch

The Lapphund typically weighs 15-21 kg, stands 40-51 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want an affectionate, lively dog that bonds closely with family,
you can provide daily exercise plus training or dog sport,
you enjoy an alert, engaged dog and don't mind some barking,
you can manage a heavy double coat and its seasonal blows.

Do not consider this breed if…

you need a quiet dog; this is a naturally vocal breed,
you cannot keep up with heavy seasonal shedding,
you want a calm, low-energy companion with minimal exercise,
an alert herding dog that likes to announce visitors would bother you.

A typical day with a Lapphund

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    40 min walk or a run in a safe area
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Chew or puzzle toy, then a nap
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk with sniffing time
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training or a game with the family
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk or dog sport session
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles calmly once its needs are met

Temperament and training

Affection Very high
Trainability High
Vocality High
Herding instinct High
Energy High
Sensitivity High
Common owner mistakes
Letting barking become a fixed habit rather than managing it early · Underestimating the twice-yearly coat blow and brushing needs · Leaving a social, bonded dog alone too long without enrichment

Family and environment

Kids Excellent
Gentle, patient, and playful with children.
Dogs Good
Sociable and generally friendly with other dogs.
Cats Good
Usually fine, especially when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Possible with exercise, but barking can be an issue.
House with a yard Suitable
A secure yard suits this active herder well.
City Manages
Adapts with daily activity; may bark at bustle.
Countryside Ideal
Space and cool weather match its heritage.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental disease Routine brushing and cleanings reduce risk
Hip dysplasia Screened in breeding stock
Cataracts Can develop with age; monitor vision
Hypothyroidism Manageable with daily medication

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Closely related Finnish herding spitz
Lapinkoira
A friendly, hardy Finnish reindeer herder that makes a devoted family dog - the trade-off is a tendency to bark and a thick coat that sheds heavily twice a year.
View profile →
Another Nordic reindeer-herding breed
Lapponian Herder
A hardworking Finnish reindeer herder for active, engaged owners - the trade-off is high energy, a vocal streak, and a real need for daily jobs to stay content.
View profile →
Similar friendly, vocal spitz herder
Icelandic Sheepdog
A friendly, vocal Nordic herding spitz - trainable and great with family, but talkative and shedding heavily, needing daily activity.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Lapphund cost in the US?
The Swedish Lapphund is rare outside Scandinavia, so US buyers usually face waitlists and may need to import. Puppies commonly run about $1,500-$3,000. Over a 12-14 year life, food, grooming, and routine vet care typically add well over $15,000, though this hardy breed tends to keep surprise costs lower than many.
Do Lapphunds bark a lot?
Yes, they tend to be vocal. Bred to herd reindeer partly with their voice, they are alert and quick to bark at movement, noise, and strangers. Training and enough activity keep it in check, but a naturally quiet dog this is not, which matters if you have close neighbors.
How much grooming does the coat need?
Weekly brushing most of the year, and daily during the two heavy seasonal shedding periods when the undercoat blows out. The double coat is largely self-cleaning and should never be shaved, since that can harm how it insulates the dog against both cold and heat.
Are Lapphunds good family dogs?
Very much so. They are affectionate, people-oriented, and typically excellent with children. The honest caveats are the barking, the seasonal shedding, and a herding instinct that may show up as nudging running kids, all manageable with training and supervision.