Longevity
Life expectancy
With a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, this breed can accompany its family for a long time when it receives a suitable diet, regular activity and serious veterinary follow-up. Its longevity is overall good for a medium-sized Nordic dog.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
The Finnish Lapphund is considered rather robust. It tolerates cold and humid conditions very well, but its coat density requires vigilance during hot periods or during intense exertion in high temperatures.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Serious selection and preventive monitoring are important for this breed, particularly for the eyes, hips, elbows and certain hereditary neurological disorders. Regular monitoring makes it possible to detect abnormal signs earlier and to adapt the management.
Progressive retinal atrophy: Degenerative eye condition that can lead to a gradual decrease in vision and then blindness.
Cataract: Clouding of the lens that may impair vision to varying degrees.
Hip dysplasia: Joint malformation that can promote pain, lameness, and long-term osteoarthritis.
Elbow dysplasia: Developmental abnormality of the elbow responsible for locomotor discomfort and early joint wear.
Degenerative myelopathy: Progressive neurological disorder, rarer but to be taken into account in the monitoring of bloodlines.
Heatstroke: Very dense coat and low heat tolerance increase the risk of heatstroke in summer.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The Finnish Lapphund tolerates cold, snow and bad weather very well, but tolerates heat poorly. In summer, you should favor outings during cool hours, leave water available, and avoid prolonged exertion in full sun to limit the risk of heatstroke.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The breed is not among those most prone to being overweight, but an excess of treats, a lack of exercise or poorly adjusted portions can promote weight gain. Maintaining a lean figure and good muscle mass requires a measured diet and daily physical activity.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Schedule regular veterinary check-ups with monitoring of the eyes and joints.
- Limit intense exertion in hot weather and always keep fresh water available.
- Maintain a stable weight to protect the hips and elbows.
- Brush the coat more often during shedding periods to aerate the skin and remove dead hair.
Vaccination
Finnish Lapphund vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Finnish Lapphund need? Like all dogs, Finnish Lapphunds should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Finnish Lapphund vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Finnish Lapphund booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Finnish Lapphund need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Finnish Lapphund
The recommended screenings mainly concern the eyes, hips, elbows and degenerative myelopathy depending on the bloodlines. Before adoption, it is relevant to ask for the results of the breeders’ examinations and to favor a transparent breeding program regarding health monitoring.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
