Could my dog be a Swedish Lapphund???
It's a common question many dog owners have. While your fluffy, spitz-type dog may resemble a Swedish Lapphund, chances are it's a different breed or mix entirely.
True Swedish Lapphunds are quite rare outside of Sweden and Finland. These agile herding dogs were bred to work with the Sami people and their reindeer herds in the harsh conditions of the Scandinavian tundra. They have thick, weatherproof coats, often in a black coloration, with prick ears, a curled tail, and a muscular, medium-sized build. So what might your mystery pup be instead?
Many northern spitz-type mixes can take on the classic Lapphund look.
Some similar-looking breeds include Finnish Lapphunds:
Finnish Lapphund GCH Midnight Island I Put a Spell on U at First Light DN CGCA TKN VHMP, Owner- Clarissa McInturf
Finnish Lapphund Am Grch Alnopa Ukonvasara (IMP USA) owners- Brianna Page & Melanie Pritzer Photo courtesy of Mel Pritzer
Finnish Lapphund GCH Midnight Island I Put a Spell on U at First Light DN CGCA TKN VHMP, Owner- Clarissa McInturf
Finnish Lapphund Am Grch Alnopa Ukonvasara (IMP USA) owners- Brianna Page & Melanie Pritzer. Photo by Jaymee-Lee Robinson, Vivid Portraits
Black and tan Finnish Lapphunds - Photo courtesy of Whitney Stacey
Finnish Lapphund MBVIS NBISS MBPIS MAOM Can Am Ch Can Am Gr Ch Can Gr ChX Bearspaw Sampo HIC TT RN Photo courtesy Leeza Friedman-Prokopishyn
German Spitz dogs can be mistaken for Swedish Lapphunds, too:
A German Spitz dog, courtesy Mykala Harms
A German Spitz dog, courtesy Mykala Harms
A German Spitz dog, courtesy Mykala Harms
A German Spitz dog, courtesy Mykala Harms
Consider the similarites to the Yakutian Laika:
Yakutian Laika Gucci Eden severu "Gucci", Owner Tereza Stodolová
Alexandra Evans’ black and white Yakutian Laika boy
Perhaps your dog is a Nenets Herding Laika:
Nenets Herding Laika “Denali” from Jeanne Hershberger
Nenets Herding Laika “Denali” from Jeanne Hershberger
A masked black tri Icelandic Sheepdog is another canine to consider:
Masked black tri Icelandic Sheepdog courtesy Kayla Stilger
Chow dogs have similarities to the Swedish Lapphund:
Chow CH Veluto Kamira Miss Gia RATN RI BCAT2 Photo courtesy of Katie Mirabelli
Chow CH Veluto Kamira Miss Gia RATN RI BCAT2 Photo courtesy of Katie Mirabelli
Chow GCH Tin Pan Alley Just A Dream CGC CA Photo courtesy of Layla Loveless
Chow GCH Tin Pan Alley Just A Dream CGC CA Photo courtesy of Layla Loveless
Even this sweet Black Spitz Pomeranian could be incorrectly called a Swedish Lapphund:
Whitney Stacey’s Mr Kitty is small black Spitz Pomeranian
The best way to know for sure is a DNA test.
Unless your pet was specifically bred and obtained from a reputable Swedish Lapphund breeder, the odds of them sharing the genetic makeup of this northern breed are vanishingly small.
With detailed pedigree information or DNA testing, it's possible to identify your canine companion as a Swedish Lapphund definitively. We recommend Embark for this test:
But whatever your dog's actual heritage, those Lapphund-like traits of intelligence, loyalty, and a lively spirit are sure to make them a beloved companion. Ultimately, what matters most is that you've given a loving home to your furry friend, purebred or not!
Blog header photo by Brandy Gale.
