Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Swedish Lapphund is an ancient northern breed that developed among the Sámi people of Scandinavia, who needed versatile, resilient, and intelligent dogs for guarding camps, herding reindeer, and accompanying them during long migrations. Harsh climate, constant movement, and demanding work shaped the Lapphund’s stable nervous system, dense coat, and natural working ability. The breed evolved naturally with minimal selective breeding, which ensured strong health and clearly defined working qualities. In the 20th century, systematic breed development and the creation of an official standard began. Today, the Swedish Lapphund is valued as a herding, service, and family dog.
General Appearance
The Swedish Lapphund is a harmoniously built, agile northern dog of medium size, with a strong yet dry physique. The body is sturdy and well-balanced, emphasizing endurance and the ability to perform sustained work. The head is wedge-shaped and expressive, with a lively and attentive expression. The ears are erect and mobile, typical of northern breeds. The coat is dense and double, forming a protective ruff and providing excellent insulation. The overall impression is that of an energetic, flexible, and functional dog prepared for active work. Movement is free, confident, and well-coordinated. The general appearance combines strength, compactness, and natural lightness, highlighting the breed’s working temperament.
Important Proportions
Balance of body proportions is essential for mobility, endurance, and versatility. Height at the withers and body length approximate a square format, contributing to agility during herding tasks. Chest depth is about half the height at the withers, providing lung capacity for sustained work. The head is proportional to the body—wedge-shaped and of moderate length. Limbs must have correct angulation, allowing the dog to change direction easily and maintain steady movement. All proportions aim to create a functional, mobile, and stable northern working type.
Behavior and Temperament
The Swedish Lapphund is known for its balanced, friendly, and energetic character, shaped by centuries of close cooperation with humans. The breed is highly owner-oriented, very trainable, and naturally inclined to work together with its handler. It retains independence and confidence required for herding tasks. The Lapphund is attentive, quick to react to changes, and displays a lively temperament without excessive excitability. It is alert with strangers but not prone to unjustified aggression. In the home, the dog is affectionate, active, and good with children and other animals. The temperament combines liveliness, discipline, and an innate working instinct.
Head
The head of the Swedish Lapphund is wedge-shaped, proportional to the body, with smooth lines and clear breed expression. The skull is moderately broad and slightly rounded, with a smooth transition from forehead to muzzle. The muzzle is of medium length, dry, tapering gradually toward the nose but not appearing overly sharp. The nose is black and well pigmented. Lips are dry, tight, and not pendulous. Jaws are strong with a scissor bite. Cheeks are moderately developed, contributing to the harmonious shape of the head. The expression is lively and attentive, reflecting the breed’s working temperament and readiness for interaction and activity.
Facial Region
The facial region is defined by a straight or slightly convex nasal bridge, a well-developed nose, and strong pigmentation. The muzzle is strong, dry, and proportional to head length, supporting firm grip and endurance during work. Lips are thin and tight, forming a clean contour. Teeth are large, even, with a full set and correct scissor bite. Cheeks are dry and moderate, emphasizing the wedge shape. Whiskers are moderately developed and aid spatial awareness. The facial region highlights the attentiveness and expressiveness of the breed, maintaining functional structure and clean lines important for northern working dogs.
Eyes
The eyes of the Swedish Lapphund are oval, medium-sized, and set slightly obliquely, contributing to an expression of attentiveness and liveliness. The iris is dark brown or hazel, harmonizing with coat color. The gaze is intelligent and active, reflecting the breed’s working temperament and readiness for cooperation. Eyelids are dry, tight, and well pigmented, without looseness or inversion. Sclera is clean and free of redness. The eyes play an essential role in breed expression, conveying friendliness, focus, and strong orientation—traits crucial to dogs working in northern landscapes and wide open areas.
Ears
The ears are erect, triangular, high-set, and of medium size. They are highly mobile, enabling the dog to react quickly to sounds and environmental changes. Ear tips are slightly rounded or pointed. The cartilage is firm and resistant to cold and wind. The inner surface is covered with short protective hair. The ears should emphasize alertness and working readiness. Faults include soft ears, semi-erect ears, overly large ears, or ears set too wide apart. Proper ear shape and carriage contribute to the breed’s characteristic northern appearance.
Neck
The neck is strong, dry, and of moderate length, blending smoothly into the withers. Musculature is well developed, supporting endurance and prolonged active work. The topline of the neck is slightly arched, adding breed expression. Skin is tight and without dewlap, important for cold and damp climates. The neck should allow free head movement, broad visibility, and correct posture during work. A neck that is too short, thick, or excessively long disrupts balance and reduces functionality. Correct neck structure supports agility, stability, and overall working efficiency.
Body
The body of the Swedish Lapphund is strong, harmonious, and suited to sustained active work in northern conditions. The topline is straight and stable, withers moderately defined and blending into a strong, straight back. The loin is short, firm, and muscular, providing stability and power. The chest is deep, sufficiently wide, and oval in shape, ensuring good lung capacity and stability during movement. Ribs are moderately sprung and elastic. The abdomen is slightly tucked up, emphasizing a dry physique. The croup is moderately sloping and muscular, contributing to stability and drive. The body structure supports functionality and maneuverability.
Tail
The tail is a characteristic feature of the breed: high-set, thickly coated, and curled into a ring or sickle shape, carried on the back or slightly to the side. When relaxed, it may drop slightly but must not be straight or short. The curl must be natural without stiffness or breaks. The tail’s length should be sufficient to form a distinct arc, emphasizing the northern type. The tail is active in expression and reflects the dog’s working readiness. Low-set tails, weak curls, or kinks are faults.
Forequarters
The forequarters are straight, dry, and strong, positioned correctly under the body, ensuring stability and proper movement mechanics. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, and close-fitting, with good mobility. The upper arm is strong with well-defined angulation, allowing wide, free stride. Forearms are straight with well-developed but not excessive musculature. Pasterns are firm and slightly resilient. Feet are compact, round, with tight pads. The structure of the forequarters supports maneuverability and long-term work ability.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are powerful and well muscled, providing strong drive and stability during prolonged work. Thighs are broad with firm, dry musculature. Stifles are correctly formed, elastic, and stable. Lower thighs are of moderate length and parallel when viewed from behind. Hocks are low-set, clearly defined, mobile yet firm. Metatarsi are straight and not turned inward or outward. Feet are compact, with strong pads, suited to uneven and snowy terrain. The hindquarters ensure agility, speed, and endurance.
Gait and Movement
The gait is free, light, rhythmic, and well coordinated. Movement is straight, without body sway or crossing of limbs. At the trot, the dog demonstrates efficiency and smoothness essential for prolonged active work. Forelegs move forward confidently, while hindlegs provide powerful drive, establishing a stable rhythm. High activity and lively movement are acceptable, reflecting working temperament. Faults include crossing, cow-hocks, wobbling, or restricted stride. Proper movement highlights functionality, endurance, and natural adaptation to northern working conditions.
Coat
The coat of the Swedish Lapphund is dense and double, forming a reliable protective covering suited to harsh northern climates. Guard hair is straight, coarse, and close-lying, providing protection from moisture, cold, and wind. The undercoat is very dense, soft, and insulating, thickening significantly in winter. A pronounced ruff forms around the neck, emphasizing the northern type. The hindquarters have light feathering. Overly soft, curly, or sparse coats are faults, reducing protective ability. Proper coat condition ensures endurance and working capacity in cold, wet, and windy conditions.
Permitted Colors
Permitted colors include a variety of dark shades, with black considered the most typical, sometimes featuring brown or dark grey tones. White markings on the chest, feet, and tail tip are allowed if they do not disturb the overall impression. Coat color must be rich and even, without dilution or excessive mottling. Pigmentation of the nose, eyelids, and lips must be dark and harmonize with coat color. Undesirable colors include weak pigmentation, unstable shades, or excessively light tones. The coat color should maintain natural expressiveness and functionality, providing protection and climate resistance.
Size
The Swedish Lapphund is a medium-sized breed. Height at the withers for males is typically 45–51 cm; for females 40–46 cm. Weight usually ranges from 15 to 25 kg depending on sex and physique. Balance is essential to maintain agility, maneuverability, and endurance. Oversized, heavy dogs lose working efficiency, while overly light dogs lose stability and strength. Correct size supports the breed’s versatility and ability to work in northern climates, accompany humans, and perform herding tasks.
Faults
Faults include deviations that disrupt harmony and functionality: weak bone, loose musculature, insufficiently defined withers, straight or overly curved back. Head faults include disproportion, coarse or too fine features, soft or semi-erect ears, weak pigmentation of nose, eyelids, or lips. Light eyes, loose lips, incomplete dentition, or incorrect bite are faults. Movement faults include crossing, cow-hocks, wobbling, or short stride. Excessively soft, sparse, or curly coat reduces protective ability. Faults must be evaluated based on their impact on working capacity.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include traits that completely contradict breed type or render the dog unsuitable for breeding. These include unjustified aggression or pronounced shyness—qualities incompatible with the working and herding nature of the Lapphund. Disqualification also applies to incorrect bite, multiple missing teeth, full depigmentation of the nose, lips, or eyelids; floppy ears; excessively short or kinked tail; severe limb deformities; orthopedic disorders; paralysis; or movement defects. Atypical colors, albinism, or insufficient pigmentation also disqualify the dog.
Important Notes
When evaluating the Swedish Lapphund, working type is the primary criterion. The judge must consider functionality, mental stability, endurance, and strong herding instinct. Minor structural deviations are acceptable if they do not impair working ability. Seasonal shedding is not a fault. Character is important: the dog must be attentive, manageable, and confident. Coat quality must meet climate requirements. The goal is to preserve qualities developed over centuries in northern conditions.
Conclusion
The Swedish Lapphund is an ancient northern breed that embodies endurance, intelligence, and working ability shaped by the harsh environment of Scandinavia. It combines energy, devotion, and independence, while remaining people-oriented. Its dense protective coat, strong physique, and lively temperament make it effective in herding and active life. The Lapphund maintains natural harmony between functionality and expressive appearance. It is well suited for those who value hardworking, intelligent, and versatile dogs capable of both work and companionship in northern climates.
