Lapponian Herder (Lapinporokoira)

FCI:

Lapponian Herder - Group V. - Spitz and primitive types, Section 3 - Nordic Watchdogs and Herders.

General Appearance:

It's adaptable, friendly and gentle dog allowing exercising a companion dog. It is intelligent and friendly, fiercely loyal owners, but also quite independent, energetic and proud.

Temperament/Behaviour:

Despite all its positive features it is not suitable for every owner. With regard to its independence it is only suitable for people with consistent, quiet and cool, talented natural authority and its ability to effortlessly use in kind but strict upbringing and training.

It is closely guarding, strangers it notifies by loud barking, but it does not act on them downright hostile, rather it ignores. It behaves tolerant to pets and children. As a companion dog it should not also be penned all its life, it must be able to spend enough time with the owner and members of its family. It is quite lively, and therefore it is necessary to provide adequate physical and mental activity, preferably by running one of the many dog sports and similar activities. It has excellent conditions for both agility and pulling a cart or sled, obedience, flyball or competitive herding sheep (herding trials). In this respect, of course, it requires some previous training as work with sheep. It is still something other than directing reindeer herds which is deeply encoded.

This breed is huge resistant to adverse environmental conditions, particularly cold, cold wind and a lot of snow it makes a breed that can be all year round in the outdoor kennel. Although it will rarely use, should be available insulated shed, so that if necessary it could find a suitable microclimate. Some individuals harder tolerate summer heat, which should be considered in the location of the pen. It must be protected from direct sunlight and in a suitable, preferably on the north-side and unrestricted airflow exposed spot.

Body:

This is a medium sized Nordic Spitz of rectangular body frame and overall body typical Spitz type breeds. It is strong and muscular, agile. The coat is thick, moderately long. Erect ears and tail, richly plumed and carried, especially in the heat of passion and faster movement over the back and shoulders. The ideal height at the withers is 51 cm, male and female is 46 cm, permitted tolerances for both sexes is +/- 3 cm, weight according to him, in the range of 27-30 kg.

The head is of medium length, the skull should be slightly longer than the muzzle, above should be slightly domed, wide between the earlobes. Longitudinal front furrow is palpable, and the eyebrows are clearly visible. The frontal slope is to be bold, but not too steep. The muzzle is rather short, broad, flat nasal bridge, toward the nose narrows slowly, so it has a slightly wedge-shaped.

The nose should be black, but the colour can also match the colour of hair can thus be brown. Lips are thin, strong teeth, scissor bite is required. Zygomatic arches should be clearly visible.

Eyes are oval, rather large, dark-coloured, but their colour can also match the colour of the coat, i.e. can be lighter. Ears should be medium-sized, raised further apart (large) set, with broad bases, a top sharply pointed. Almost always is moving forward, inside richly feathered, especially at the base.

The neck is of medium length, thick, covered with long, very thick hair. Seamlessly merges into a strong body. Withers must be significant, back strong, very broad, muscular shoulders are short, well-muscled, croup should be slightly longer, slightly sloping.

The tail should be moderately long and rather low. In repose carried hanging down, in movement and in the heat of passion pointing upwards, but not curled over the back, only slightly curved. It must always be dense and richly furred.

The chest is quite long, deep, on the imaginary cross-section of oval shape, roomy. Ribs should be well sprung, belly slightly tucked required. Legs are strong, straight and muscular, chest and pelvis must be straight and parallel to each other. The forelegs are muscular shoulders, forearms are vertical to ground, wrist supple, sinewy, slightly angled pasterns. Feet should be oval rather than circular shape, fingers must be closed, arched, inter digital spaces richly feathered. The pads are thick and resilient. The hindquarters should be well angulated. The thigh is fairly long, broad and muscular. Hocks to be low over the substrate, significantly bent, hocks are relatively short, vertical. Dewclaws tolerated better, however, is missing when.

Hair is at the front side of front and hind legs and feet short on the back of the forearm and thigh significantly longer. Topcoat should be medium length or long, rough to the touch, straight, rather wispy. Like on the front limb and the head, face and earlobes shorter. On the chest and on the back should be longer as the neck and behind the limbs. The undercoat must be soft and very dense, black, grey or brownish.

Colour is dark, black different shade of gray or dark (chocolate) brown badges lighter than the base colour on the head, lower body and legs. White markings are permitted on the neck from the front of the chest, head and feet.

All faults from the requirements of the standard is to be considered as defects and evaluate accurately the degree of expression with regard to the health and welfare of the dog or bitch. Defects include lack of  secondary sexual characteristics (not allowing at first glance to recognize the dog from the bitch and bitch to dog), very bright eyes in black coloured individuals unsteady (wobbly), the tops of the ears in motion, the tail twisted or curled over the back, hair soft , woolly or adjacent area, lack of undercoat. In the serious defects belong aggression or fearfulness, overshot or undershot jaw, hanging earlobes.