The coat of Finnish Lapphund is profuse. The outer coat is long and coarse, the undercoat soft and thick. The coat is shorter on the head and the front parts of the legs. The coat comes in all colors, but the main color must dominate.

The Finnish Lapphund needs regular brushing, especially when kept mostly in the house as a family pet. However, an outdoor type of family will suit it better.

The Grooming Process

Equipment needed: Slicker brush, wide-toothed comb.

Breed tip: Some Finnish Lapphunds seem to have a deep-seated fear of water, perhaps relating to the fact that a wet dog could quickly become a dead dog in the freezing. Finnish conditions its ancestors endured.

To prevent this from becoming a problem, be organized when grooming this breed. Before you begin, make sure you have everything on hand that you will need, to minimize the length of time during which your Lapphund is wet. If you don’t, the dog will roll and shake itself excessively following bathing.

• Comb through the entire coat with a wide-toothed comb, removing any excessive and molting coat.
• Brush the entire coat with a slicker, brushing upwards and then downwards to remove dead hair.
• Bathe the dog in a good-quality, natural-ingredient shampoo, such as tea tree and lavender.
• No conditioner should be used on the Finnish Lapphund’s coat — just rinse the coat well, taking care to remove all the soap. The coat should be clean, healthy and have a matte finish.
• After rinsing, towel the coat well and finish with a normal blower. Make sure the dryer blows the hair and not the skin, or it will be very uncomfortable for your Finnish Lapphund.
• Remember to check the dog’s nails, ears and teeth.
• Check underneath the feet for clogged hair, and remove only the minimum of hair with scissors. Otherwise, the dog should be left natural — never trimmed elsewhere on the body.