Lapponian Herder

		Lapponian Herder
		FCI standard Nº 284

Origin		Finland
Translation		Finnish Kennel Club
Group		Group 5 Spitz and primitive types
Section		Section 3 Nordic Watchdogs and Herders
Working		Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Friday 13 November 1970
Publication of the official valid standard		Wednesday 11 February 2026
Last update		Monday 23 March 2026
En français, cette race se dit		Berger finnois de Laponie
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Finnische Lapplandhirtenhund
En español, esta raza se dice		Pastor Finlandés de Laponia
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Laplandse Herdershond
In his country of origin, his name is		Lapinporokoira

Usage

Reindeer herder.

Brief historical summary

For hundreds of years the Lapps have used dogs of the same type as Lapponian Herder as reindeer herders. Acceptance to the breed register was started in the 1950’s. At that time the modern Finnish Lapphund and the Lapponian Herder were still recognized as the same breed. The Lapponian Herder was separated into its own breed 10.12.1966, as it had been noted that two different reindeer herding breeds existed.

General appearance

A herding spitz, medium sized, clearly longer than the height at the withers. The bone and muscles are strong. The dog is muscular, however must not give the impression of being heavy. The sex should be clearly stamped. The coat is suitably adapted for the arctic climate.

Important proportions

The length of the body is about 10% longer than the height at the withers. The depth of the body is about half of the height at the withers.

Behaviour / temperament

Docile, calm, friendly, energetic and willing to work. Barks readily when working.

Head
Elongated; the muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull.
Cranial region
Skull		Only slightly convex.
Stop		Gentle. The frontal furrow is marked and the eye-brows are clearly defined.

Facial region
Nose		Black or brown.
Muzzle		The nasal bridge is straight. Viewed from above and in profile the muzzle tapers evenly towards the nose.
Lips		Tight.
Nasal bridge		The nasal bridge is straight.
Jaws and teeth		Jaws and teeth are strong. Scissor bite. Normal dentition.
Cheeks		The zygomatic arches are clearly marked.
Eyes		Preferably dark in colour, yet harmonizing with the coat colour. Lively and set rather apart. Oval shaped. The expression is intelligent, in females also humble.
Ears		Pricked, medium in length, set rather apart, rather broad at the base. The inside of the ear, especially the lower part, is covered with profuse hair. Slightly floppy ears are accepted.

Neck

Strong and medium in length, set smoothly into the shoulders. Without dewlap.

Body
Withers		Marked.
Back		Strong and muscular.
Loin		Short and muscular.
Croup		Rather long and slightly oblique.
Chest		Deep, long and spacious, not very broad.
Ribs		The ribs are clearly arched.
Underline and belly		Only gently tucked up.

Tail

Medium in length, low set and covered with profuse hair. In repose the tail is hanging; in movement in continuation of the topline or slightly curved, but may not raise over the back. The tail action may also be rotating.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		Powerful, attached to the body with strong muscles, yet free in movement. Muscular and well angulated. Viewed from the front straight and parallel.
Shoulders		Oblique and muscular.
Elbows		Turning neither inwards nor outwards, close to the body, pointing straight backwards.
Forearm		Vertical.
Carpal		Sinewy and flexible.
Pastern		Seen in profile slightly oblique, enabling the flexible movement.
Forefeet		Rather oval with all sides, also underneath, covered with dense hair. The toes are well arched, the pads elastic and thick.

Hindquarters
Generality		Well angulated. Viewed from behind straight and parallel.
Upper thigh		Rather long and broad with well developed muscles.
Stifle		Pointed forward, the angulation is clearly marked.
Hock		Set rather low; the angulation is clearly marked.
Metatarsus		Rather short, vertical and parallel.
Hind feet		As front feet. Preferably without dewclaws.

Gait and movement

Free, flexible, effortless and sound. The trot is tireless. At a fast trot tends to single-track.

Skin

Tight overall without wrinkles.

Coat
Hair		The outer coat is of medium length or long, straight, rather erect and harsh. The undercoat is fine and dense. The hair is often more profuse and longer on the neck, chest and on the backside of the thighs.
Colour		Black in different shades, even greyish or dark brown with a lighter shade than the basic colour, greyish or brownish colour markings often on head, the lower parts of the body and legs. White markings on neck, chest and legs are permitted. The undercoat is black, greyish or brownish.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Ideal height for males 51 cm, ideal height for females 46 cm, with a tolerance of ± 3 cm.

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 and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

Males not masculine and females not feminine.

Very light eyes in black dogs.

Ears with slack tips (tipped ears).

Tail curled or curved over the back.

Soft, wavy or lying coat.

Without undercoat.

Disqualifying faults

Aggresive or overly shy.

Overshot or undershot mouth.

Drop ears.

Blue, sable and fawn colour.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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Lapponian Herder