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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

Interim

General Appearance
Strongly built dog, smaller than medium size. Body slightly longer than height at withers. Coat long and profuse.

Characteristics
Tendency to herd.

Temperament
Intelligent, brave, calm, faithful. Suitable as companion and watch dog.

Head and Skull
Strong featured, comparatively broad, bitches more refined, forehead slightly rounded; stop clearly defined. Muzzle shorter than skull, straight and slightly tapering when viewed from both above and side. Nose and eye rims as dark as compatible with coat colour.

Eyes
Oval shaped, dark brown or harmonising with coat colour. Expression soft and friendly.

Ears
Erect or semi-erect. Medium size, set well apart, broad at base and very mobile.

Mouth
Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Lips tight.

Neck
Medium length, strong and profusely covered with  hair.

Forequarters
Shoulder and upper arm of approximately equal length. Shoulder moderately laid back and forming a rather open angle with upper arm. Legs well boned, strong, straight and parallel. Elbow placed slightly lower than the lower edge of brisket. Pasterns of medium length, flexible and slightly sloping.

Body
Firm. Back strong, straight and broad. Moderate spring of rib. Brisket deep and long almost reaching the level of the elbow. Depth of body slightly less than half the height at withers. Forechest clearly defined, of moderate width. Loin short and muscular. Slight tuck up. Croup medium length, well defined and slightly sloping. The body, measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock, slightly longer than height at withers.

Hindquarters
Strong boned, powerful, straight and parallel when viewed from behind. Moderate angulation. Muscular thighs. Hocks relatively low set.

Feet
Well arched, oval, covered with thick hair.

Tail
Medium length, high set, covered with profuse, long hair. Carried curved over the back or side when the dog is moving. May hang when the dog is at rest. Tip of tail may have a ‘J’ formed hook.

Gait/Movement
Effortless,  brisk, agile and straight. Medium length of stride, changing easily from trot to gallop.

Coat
Profuse. Outer coat long, coarse and straight. Shorter on the head and front of legs. Undercoat soft and dense. Males should have a more abundant mane.

Colour
All colours allowed but main colour must dominate. Markings differing from the main colour are permitted on head, neck, chest, legs, tail and underside of body.

Size
Ideal height at withers, dogs 49cm (19.25 ins); bitches 44cm (17½ ins), with an allowance of 3cm (1¼ ins) either way. Type is more important than size.

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - January 2010

Glossary of  Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

FINNISH LAPPHUND CLUB OF GB. Sec. Mrs E Short. Tel No: 01905 621296

Date page created:

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Pastoral Group 

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