Lapponian Shepherd

Lapponian shepherd is usually an English alternate name for the Lapponian Herder, the Finnish Lapinporokoira. Older books and translations may also use it loosely for reindeer dogs from Lapland, which can cause confusion with the Finnish Lapphund. In its recognized sense, it is a medium, hardy herding dog bred to work semi-domesticated reindeer, with a rectangular body, thick but not overly long coat, erect or partly erect ears, and a dark coat often marked with tan or white.

Anyone searching under this name should check the registry or breeder terminology first, because paperwork may list Lapinporokoira or Lapponian Herder instead. These dogs are quick learners and close workers, but they need regular exercise and mental structure rather than a sedentary routine. Cold weather is easy for them; heat calls for shade and sensible scheduling. Coat care is simple until the seasonal undercoat drop. Good placements value nerve, biddability, and sound movement as much as appearance.

Colors: Albino, Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Grey, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Leucistic, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Melanistic, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow