Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Lapponian Herder developed in the northern regions of Scandinavia among the Sámi people, who required an intelligent, resilient, and controllable dog capable of herding and managing large reindeer herds. The breed evolved naturally over centuries under the influence of harsh climate, constant migration, and heavy workload. The dog’s primary tasks included gathering, directing, and holding the herd, as well as making independent decisions in the open tundra. As a result, the breed established a stable nervous system, physical strength, endurance, and high intelligence. In the 20th century, the breed was systematized and received official recognition. Today, the Lapponian Herder remains a true northern working herding breed.
General Appearance
The Lapponian Herder is a sturdy, agile, and harmoniously built northern herding breed of medium size. The body is dry yet strong, emphasizing endurance and the ability to work in cold, open tundra environments. The head is wedge-shaped and expressive, with an alert and attentive expression. The ears are erect and mobile, reflecting working focus. The body is strong, with a deep chest, a straight topline, and developed musculature. Limbs are straight and strong, providing stability and agility on uneven terrain. The tail is usually lowered or slightly curved. The overall appearance reflects strength, functionality, and flexibility, allowing the dog to efficiently control herd movement.
Important Proportions
Balanced body proportions are essential for effective herding performance. The relationship between height at withers and body length ensures mobility and endurance. Chest depth is approximately half the height at the withers, providing lung capacity for long migrations. The head is proportional, wedge-shaped, and of moderate length. The limbs are positioned to allow quick turns, rapid acceleration, and stability on soft snow and rocky ground. Angulation must be correct, without excessive straightness or over-angulation. Proper proportions form a functional northern working dog.
Behavior and Temperament
The Lapponian Herder has a balanced, hardworking, and independent temperament shaped by centuries of reindeer herding. It is attentive, alert, and capable of quickly assessing situations and making decisions without constant guidance. It is courageous, mentally stable, and highly trainable, yet maintains independence and requires confident, consistent leadership. In everyday life, the dog is friendly, patient with children and other animals, but may be reserved with strangers. At work, the breed shows energy, persistence, and excellent concentration. The temperament combines gentleness in social life with firmness at work, making the breed highly versatile.
Head
The head of the Lapponian Herder is wedge-shaped, proportional to the body, with smooth lines and clear breed expression. The skull is moderately broad, slightly rounded, with a moderately defined stop. The muzzle is rectangular, of sufficient length, not pointed, tapering gradually toward the nose. The nose is dark, harmonizing with coat color. Lips are dry and tight. Jaws are strong with a scissor bite. Cheeks are moderately developed. The head’s overall shape emphasizes alertness and working purpose. Expression is lively, focused, and task-oriented.
Facial Region
The facial region is formed by a straight or slightly convex nasal bridge and a well-pigmented nose. The muzzle is strong, dry, and proportional to the head length, providing firm grip and endurance during long work. Lips are thin and tight. Jaws are powerful with a full set of teeth and correct scissor bite. Cheeks are dry without heaviness. Whiskers are moderately developed and assist in orientation. The facial region highlights concentration and attentiveness. All elements must maintain clean lines and functional purpose essential for dogs working in the open tundra.
Eyes
The eyes of the Lapponian Herder are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely, emphasizing a focused, ready-to-work expression. Iris color ranges from dark brown to hazel, harmonizing with coat color. Eyelids are dry, tight, and free of looseness or rolling, ensuring protection from cold wind and snow particles. The gaze is lively, attentive, and responsive. Pigmentation of the eyelid rims must be complete. The eyes reflect calm temperament, sustained concentration, and excellent orientation in open tundra landscapes.
Ears
The ears are erect, triangular, of moderate size, set high, with a slight forward inclination. They are very mobile and react instantly to sound, which is crucial for herding across large distances. The tips are slightly pointed, and the cartilage is firm and frost-resistant. The inner surface is covered with short protective hair. Faults include soft or semi-erect ears, overly wide bases, or ears too small for the head. Correct ears emphasize alertness and working condition, supporting functionality in northern climates.
Neck
The neck is strong, dry, of moderate length, blending smoothly into the withers. Well-developed muscles ensure endurance and the ability to work all day while controlling large reindeer herds. The neck is set at a natural angle, allowing the dog to hold its head high and freely scan surroundings. The skin is tight without dewlap. The topline of the neck is slightly arched. A neck that is too thick, too short, or overly long disrupts harmony and reduces efficiency. Proper neck structure ensures mobility and stability.
Body
The body is strong, balanced, and adapted for prolonged work in tundra conditions. The topline is straight and stable, withers well defined and smoothly transitioning into a strong back. The loin is short, firm, and muscular. The chest is deep, spacious, and oval-shaped, providing capacity for the lungs and endurance for long migrations. Ribs are moderately sprung. The abdomen is slightly tucked up, emphasizing a dry physique. The croup is moderately long, slightly sloping, and muscular. This structure gives the dog stability, maneuverability, and the ability to control herd movement effectively.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, set fairly high, carried naturally—slightly curved or straight. When relaxed, it may hang down but must not be too short or kinked. During movement, the tail reflects activity and working focus. The coat on the tail is dense, forming a protective layer against wind and cold. Low-set, overly curled, or kinked tails are faults. Correct tail formation emphasizes the breed’s natural type and functionality in northern climates.
Forequarters
The forequarters are straight, strong, set correctly under the body, providing stability and precise movement. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, and well muscled, lying close to the ribcage. The upper arm is strong with correct angulation, ensuring free, wide stride. Forearms are straight and dry. Pasterns are strong and slightly springy. Front feet are compact, round, with tight pads. Proper forequarters provide endurance and functional work ability.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are powerful and well muscled, providing strong drive and stability for long herding work. Thighs are broad and muscular. Stifles are clearly defined, firm, and stable. Lower thighs are of moderate length and strong, viewed from behind parallel. Hocks are low-set, well defined, mobile but not loose. Metatarsi are straight. Feet are compact with tight pads, suited for snow and rocky ground. Proper hindquarters ensure dynamism, agility, and endurance.
Gait and Movement
The gait of the Lapponian Herder is free, light, rhythmic, and well coordinated. Movement is straight, without body sway or limb crossing. At the trot the dog shows efficiency and smoothness, essential for long migrations with reindeer herds. Forelegs move confidently forward, while hindlegs provide strong drive. High activity and liveliness of movement are acceptable, reflecting the breed’s working temperament. Faults include crossing, wobbling, restricted stride, or weakness. Proper gait highlights functionality, endurance, and adaptation to herding in the tundra.
Coat
The coat is dense and double, adapted to harsh northern climates. The guard hair is coarse, straight, and close-lying, forming a protective barrier against wind, moisture, and cold. The undercoat is very dense, soft, and insulating, thickening noticeably in winter. Coat on the neck, chest, and rear of the body is more developed, offering extra protection. Tail coat is thick and even. Too soft, curly, or sparse coat is undesirable, reducing protective qualities. The coat is essential for maintaining working ability in tundra conditions.
Permitted Colors
Permitted colors include black, dark brown, grey, wolf grey, reddish tones, and combinations of these shades. White markings on chest, feet, and tail tip are common and acceptable. Color must be natural without excessive mottling or dilution. Pigmentation of the nose, lips, and eyelids must be dark and consistent with coat color. Undesirable colors include pale, dirty, or unstable shades. Color must support functionality, aiding work in tundra landscapes and providing resistance to sun and harsh climate.
Size
The Lapponian Herder is a medium-sized breed. Height at withers for males is typically 48–54 cm; for females 43–50 cm. Weight usually ranges from 15 to 23 kg. The dog must appear dry, strong, and athletic, without excess bulk or looseness. Balance and functionality are essential: too large reduces agility, too light reduces endurance. Proper size ensures long-distance work, quick directional changes, and effective herding over wide tundra areas.
Faults
Faults include deviations from type that reduce working ability: weak bone, looseness, poor musculature, insufficient withers, sway back. Head faults include disproportion, coarse or overly fine features, weak wedge shape. Soft or semi-erect ears, light eyes, incomplete pigmentation, loose lips, incorrect bite, or missing teeth are faults. Movement faults include crossing, wobbling, restricted stride, or cow-hocks. Coat that is too soft, curly, or sparse reduces protection. Faults must be judged in relation to overall functionality.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include unjustified aggression or pronounced shyness; incorrect bite; multiple missing teeth; full depigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids; floppy ears; excessively short or kinked tail; severe limb deformities; paralysis; pronounced orthopedic disorders; movement defects. Albinism and atypical or unstable colors are also disqualifying. Any defect that prevents effective herding work in tundra conditions results in exclusion.
Important Notes
In evaluating the Lapponian Herder, working type is paramount. Functionality, mental stability, and independent working ability are essential. Minor exterior deviations are acceptable if they do not hinder herding function. Seasonal shedding is not considered a fault. Natural wariness and independence are allowed but the dog must remain manageable. Coat condition, pigmentation, and overall health are assessed. The primary goal is preserving qualities shaped by centuries of work among the Sámi people.
Conclusion
The Lapponian Herder is a versatile northern herding breed that has retained natural endurance, intelligence, and ability to work in severe climates. It is stable, attentive, and capable of independently controlling large reindeer herds. The exterior reflects functionality: strong body, powerful limbs, and dense coat ensure performance and climate resistance. With reliability, balance, and diligence, the breed remains indispensable in traditional reindeer herding. The Lapponian Herder exemplifies harmony between natural selection, working ability, and loyalty to humans.
