The Ultimate Finnish Lapphund Food Buyer’s Guide

The Finnish Lapphund is not very well-known in the United States but they are one of the most popular breeds of dog in Finland. They are a medium-sized spitz type of dog developed north of the Arctic Circle. Traditionally used to herd reindeer and as general helper dogs in Lapland (the largest, northernmost region of Finland), today the Finnish Lapphund is a popular companion and family pet throughout Scandinavia.

Mitrochondrial DNA suggests that the Finnish Lapphund is related to other Nordic breeds such as the Swedish Lapphund, the Lapponian Herder, the Norwegian Elkhound, the Jamthund, and the Hallefors Elkhound. This relationship may go back as much as 3000 years ago.

The Sami were originally a semi-nomadic tribe in Lapland. It’s theorized that they used Lapphunds as helper dogs. As they eventually developed a less nomadic existence and settled down, they came to depend on keeping herds of reindeer. Their Lapphunds developed into reindeer herding dogs.

Prior to World War II, dog breeders in Norway and Sweden began to consider standardizing the breed but they were interrupted by the war. After World War II, dogs in Lapland were in jeopardy because of a serious outbreak of canine distemper. Many dog populations in Europe and other countries were decimated at this time by distemper and food shortages. Some breeds were lost or their numbers were severely reduced. This is always a tragedy but especially for rare, isolated breeds. Lapphunds throughout Scandinavia were in danger of extinction at this time, especially in Sweden.

With the help of the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) breed standards were developed for the Finnish Lapphund and some of the other Lapphund breeds in the 1940s. The first breed standard for the Finnish Lapphund was developed by the Finnish Kennel Club in 1945. At that time the breed was called the “Finnish Herder.” A second Finnish kennel club created a breed standard for the “Lapponian herder” in the 1950s. It was not until the Finnish kennel clubs were unified in the 1960s and there was a reassessment of the breeds. At this time the shorter-coated Lapponian Herder was separated from the longer-coated Finnish Lapphund. These dogs were called Lapinkoira (which is translated as Finnish Lapphund). The short-coated dogs were called the Lapinporokoira (which is translated as Lapponian Herder).

By this time the Sami people had begun using snowmobiles to herd reindeer so the Finnish Lapphund’s job as a reindeer herder was coming to an end. However, the breed was becoming more popular than ever as a companion dog. Even in the towns and cities of Finland and elsewhere in Scandinavia, Lappies were welcomed. While the Finnish Lapphund is not used much for herding reindeer anymore, they still retain their strong herding instincts. In the United States the dogs have been used for herding sheep.

The first Finnish Lapphund litter was born in the United States in 1988. The breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1994. The American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted them into the Miscellaneous Group in 2009 and the Finnish Lapphund became fully recognized as a member of the Herding Group in 2011. The Finnish Lapphund Club of America is the AKC parent breed club in the United States. They are the 173^rd most popular breed in the United States today, according to AKC registration statistics. Lappies are recognized by all other major kennel clubs in the world today.

At work the Finnish Lapphund is active and agile but they tend to be noisy dogs. At home Lappies are calm and friendly. They are very submissive to people. They are faithful, hardy and easy-going dogs. However, they may try to avoid threatening situations rather than confronting them. They are highly intelligent and they do tend to bark at anything they don’t recognize. This can make them a good watch dog but it may dissuade people from having them as an apartment dog. Lappies also tend to be curious dogs.

The standard for the breed says this about the Finnish Lapphund’s temperament, which explains it well:

Finnish Lapphunds were developed to herd reindeer, an animal that is not as fearful of dogs and wolves as many other herd animals. As a result, the breed has a temperament that reflects a basic need to both control, and get away from, these animals. When herding reindeer, the dogs are extremely active and noisy. They must be constantly on the watch, as a reindeer may turn and try to trample them at any moment. As a result, the breed has a very strong “startle reflex”, as well as being extremely agile and alert. However, they also recover quickly after startling, and will return to their work, exhibiting extreme courage. When interacting with people, Finnish Lapphunds are calm, friendly, and very submissive. At times, they may appear a little distant or aloof. This combination of submissiveness and reserve should not be misinterpreted as shyness. Although excited barking is typical, excessive sharpness and snarling are by no means acceptable, not even in males toward other males.

Lappies get along very well with children. They are also good with the elderly and with the disabled. They seem to almost instinctively know when they need to be gentle.

The Lapphund usually loves cold weather and they have the perfect coat for cold weather temperatures. They are one of only two breeds that are allowed to live outdoors in Finland. Many Finnish Lapphunds tend to be uncomfortable in warm weather climates. If you have a Finnish Lapphund and you live in a warmer climate, you may need to keep the air conditioner running. They like the cold and they don’t tolerate heat well.

Lappies have a profuse double coat that makes the dog not only virtually waterproof but also highly resistant to cold weather. Although the coat is thick, it only requires moderate maintenance. They do shed seasonally so be prepared to brush your dog regularly to remove dead, shedding coat, especially in the spring and autumn.

The Finnish Lapphund does require plenty of daily exercise. They make an excellent outdoor companion for anyone who enjoys outdoor sports, especially winter sports. Lappies usually do very well with training, thanks to their high intelligence. Some owners believe that the dogs have especially good at figuring things out. Lappies tend to do very well in obedience, agility, herding trials, carting, mushing, flyball, tracking, and as pet therapy dogs. As with most dogs, Lappies do best with praise and rewards and they do not do well with any kind of harsh training methods.

Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which will direct you to our partner sites. If you purchase the pet foods we recommend through those links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you.

Quick Look : Top 4 Best Dog Foods for a Finnish Lapphunds

Food	Price	Nutrition	Rating
Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula Read Reviews Where To Buy	$1.36/lb
Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food Read Reviews Where To Buy	$2.16/lb
*New Formula* ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food	$3.08/lb
Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food	$1.41/lb

Finnish Lapphund Diet & Nutrition

Male Finnish Lapphunds are typically 18 to 21 inches tall. Females are 16 to 19 inches tall. Both sexes generally weigh between 33 and 53 pounds. You can find the AKC breed standard for the Finnish Lapphund here.

Growing puppies and young adults use a lot of energy. They require a diet that features good quality protein. According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, an active adult Finnish Lapphund weighing 40 pounds requires an average daily caloric intake of 1109 calories. Dogs that have been spayed/neutered, or that are older, may need slightly fewer calories. Some dogs may need more calories depending on their level of activity and their individual metabolism. If you and your Finnish Lapphund are doing agility training or other active training, you may need to bump up your dog’s daily calories to 1233 kcal/day or more (40 lb dog), depending on how much training/work he is doing. Growing puppies will also consume more calories than adult dogs and so do young adult dogs. A Finnish Lapphund puppy weighing 25 pounds (4-12 months of age) needs an estimated 866 calories per day.

Since the Finnish Lapphund is a medium-large sized dog, it’s not hard to find many good foods that are appropriate for their size. You also have many choices for Finnish Lapphund puppies since they don’t normally have any special food requirements based on size. It’s always wise to encourage slow growth in puppies and to keep them lean instead of fat. You should also watch the weight of your adult Finnish Lapphund since being overweight or obese can worsen any potential health problems.

The Finnish Lapphund Club of America points out that Northern breeds can have slower metabolisms which means they can be especially prone to weight gain if you overfeed them, so it’s important to watch how much you feed your Lappie.

You can choose a puppy food that is made for all puppies. Most breeders recommend feeding this food until your puppy reaches about 90 percent of his adult size. You can also feed an all life stage dog food (sometimes AAFCO-approved for “growth and reproduction”) to puppies. Just make sure to check the nutrients to make sure they are suitable for puppies – especially the calcium levels and calcium to phosphorus ratio. You should talk to your breeder about the food they recommend for their puppies since they usually have experience with how their puppies grow and develop. Not all puppies will grow at the same rate, even in the same breed, so your puppy’s breeder is usually your best source of advice.

Feeding Your Finnish Lapphund

Some health issues in dogs can be made better or worse by the food you feed. Finnish Lapphunds are a generally healthy breed. The few issues that are known in the breed tend to be genetic or at least not food-related. However, some issues, such as hip and elbow dysplasia and patella luxation which occur infrequently, can be worsened if a dog is allowed to become overweight.

Glycogen storage disease II, or Pompe’s disease, as it’s known in Finnish Lapphunds, does occur in the breed. This is an inherited metabolic disorder. (See below in the Health section.) Because this condition can lead to megaesophagus, affected dogs will regurgitate food, vomit, and they can develop aspiration pneumonia. Trying to feed these dogs (which are usually puppies/young adults) is very difficult. Most dogs with this disease die of heart failure or they are euthanized by the time they are 1.5 years old. There is a DNA test for this condition. If you are considering a Finnish Lapphund puppy, you should talk to the breeder about the testing the parents have had. Dealing with any puppy or young dog with megaesophagus is a heartbreaking endeavor. If you are trying to feed a megaesophagus puppy or young dog, we recommend some of the resources on this page.

Finnish Lapphunds are not known for having skin or allergy problems but they can occur with individual dogs. If your Lapphund does have an allergy it’s a good idea to work with your veterinarian to identify the trigger(s). Keep in mind that there are different kinds of allergies: inhalant, contact, flea bite/insect, and food. Many dog lovers automatically think of food allergies when you mention allergies, but flea bite allergies and inhalant allergies actually account for far more allergic reactions in dogs than food allergies. So, if your Lapphund seems to be having an allergic reaction, with itching, scratching, redness, etc., it may not be due to the food he’s eating. On the other hand, it could be food-related.

If it turns out that your Lapphund does have a food allergy, working with your veterinarian can help you identify the specific ingredients that trigger your dog’s reaction so you can avoid it. However, you should be aware that if your dog does have a food allergy, there is a good chance that he will develop reactions to more foods/ingredients as he gets older. You will probably have to change food again in the future so be alert to your dog’s reaction to his food.

If your Lapphund has problems with diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, or a gurgly stomach when he eats, this is not a food allergy. It’s a food sensitivity. If you’ve seen the movie Along Came Polly with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston, you probably recall the scene where they eat at an ethnic restaurant and Ben Stiller’s character is in agony. Some people – and dogs – have food sensitivities to certain foods, spices, etc. If your Lappie has a food sensitivity you will need to try to determine the cause so you can avoid the ingredient(s). It’s often a good idea to feed a dog with a food sensitivity a food with a minimal number of ingredients so there is less chance of giving him something that could upset his gastrointestinal system. Keep his food simple and fairly bland.

Whether you feed your dog a food with or without grains is a personal choice. Many people choose grain free dog foods because their dogs have digestive problems, food allergies or sensitivities, or skin problems. You may want to avoid the most common grains, such as corn and wheat which are often over-used in dog foods, but there are many good dog foods that use alternative grains/cereals such as oats and barley. You can try a couple of foods, with and without grains, and see how your dog does on the foods so you can make your decision.

Keep in mind that food allergies are based on the proteins in foods and not carbohydrates. The most common dog food allergens are: beef, dairy, chicken, lamb, fish, corn, wheat, and soy. While we usually think of ingredients such as corn and wheat as sources of carbohydrates, these cereals/grains are also sources of proteins. When dogs (or people) have allergies to these ingredients, they are reacting to the proteins and not the carbs. There can be other reasons to avoid lots of carbs in your dog’s diet, but food allergies are related to proteins.

Otherwise, try to feed your Lappie a good quality diet that has good sources of meat protein. It’s easier for a dog to digest good meat protein than protein that comes from poor quality sources of animal protein that may be found in some cheaper dog foods. Dogs also digest animal protein more easily than plant protein for the most part. (Sure, a pet food company can cook peas and lentils to a mushy consistency to make them easier to digest but your dog will get more complete nutrition from animal protein and it will agree with him better.) This doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive dog food available but you should look for good quality foods with good quality ingredients. They are better for both the short-term and long-term health of your dog.

It’s also a good idea to select a food that has fewer carbohydrates. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t necessarily mean grain free. Many grain free dog foods are loaded with carbs. Potatoes and sweet potatoes, for example, can send carb percentages very high. And some dog foods with grains have modest amounts of carbohydrates. We recommend doing a little math when you’re considering a dog food and figuring out the dry matter basis so you can tell what the actual protein, fat, and carbohydrate percentages are in a food.

For medium and larger size dogs, it’s usually easier on the pocketbook to feed kibble instead of canned food. Kibble costs less per ounce than canned food. Canned food can have more protein than kibble but some dry dog foods today have extremely high percentages of meat protein. They can also be very expensive. Again, some of these things are personal choices that you have to make for yourself depending on your budget. You can find very good kibbles with good meat protein for reasonable prices, especially if you order online from sites like Chewy.com. We always recommend that you figure the dry matter basis for the foods you are considering, whether they are canned or kibble, so you can make a good comparison of the protein, fat, fiber, carbs, and other nutrients.

Theoretically, when you buy and feed better quality dog food you feed your dog less food. Unfortunately, we do not find that to always be the case. If you are used to feeding two scoops of the old food, for example, you may continue to dish out two scoops of the new ultra super max premium dog food – which has double the calories. And your dog happily eats all the food. Next thing you know, Fido is the size of a house. If you are switching foods, make sure you check the label and see how many calories the food has. Have a good idea how much food you need to feed so you don’t accidentally overfeed your dog. It’s very easy for a dog to become overweight before you really notice!

And, of course, keep plenty of fresh water available for your dog at all times. Grain free foods with high protein percentages, especially, can make dogs very thirsty, so keep the water bowl full.

Finnish Lapphund Health Problems

As we’ve already mentioned, the Finnish Lapphund is generally a very healthy breed. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and luxating patellas can occur in Finnish Lapphunds but, compared to other breeds, these issues do not tend to occur with very great frequency in Finnish Lapphunds.

These health issues are usually complex in nature. While hip dysplasia and other joint/bone diseases can be caused by a single trauma such as a dog being hit by a car, in most cases dogs develop these problems as a result of a combination of issues. Genetics, environmental/developmental factors, and nutrition all play a role in determining whether an individual dog will have hip or elbow dysplasia. For example, a puppy that runs and plays in the backyard may be less likely to develop hip dysplasia as an adult than one of his littermates who runs on pavement when his owner goes jogging. This exercise may seem like it’s healthy for the puppy but strenuous, repetitive exercise at a young age can lead to bone and joint problems later in life. Keeping your puppy overweight can put undue stress on his bones and joints, which can contribute to dysplasia later in life. Likewise, early spaying and neutering, before a puppy’s growth plates have closed, has been found in many recent studies to be a contributing factor to later hip dysplasia.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) , an eye disease, can also occur in the Finnish Lapphund. Most forms of this disease eventually lead to complete blindness. There is a genetic test for one form of PRA in Finnish Lapphunds but PRA is a complex disease and more research is being done.

We’ve already mentioned that Pompe’s disease, one form of Glycogen Storage Disease, is found in the Finnish Lapphund. This is a fatal disease but there is now a DNA test available to breeders. It is a progressive disorder of the glycogen metabolism, meaning there is a problem in the breakdown of glycogen into glucosse because the body lacks a particular glucosidase enzyme. This means that glycogen accumulates in all the body’s cells. The effects are most noticeable in the tissues that consume energy such as the heart, smooth muscles, and the skeletal muscles. Some of these muscles are involved in the dog’s digestion, meaning that dogs with this disease usually develop megaesophagus. This makes it very hard for them to eat and digest food. There is no treatment for Pompe’s disease. This disease is extremely rare in Finnish Lapphunds.

The Finnish Lapphund Club of America recommends the following tests for the breed, especially for anyone considering breeding their dog:

Hip Dysplasia

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist

Elbow Dysplasia (Optional)

Patellar Luxation (Optional)

Pompe’s Disease (Glycogen Storage Disease) (Optional)

GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASE

Degenerative Myelopathy (Optional)

DNA based DM test results from an approved lab.

These are the current OFA results for the Finnish Lapphund. Keep in mind that the breed was only recognized by the AKC in 2011.

Evaluations through December 2016

In the United States the lifespan for the Finnish Lapphund is estimated to be between 12 and 15 years. In Finland it’s said that some Lappies live to be 16-17 years old.

Remember that most dogs do not have major have health problems. Breeders work diligently to test and screen their dogs so they produce healthy puppies. But no one can completely guarantee that every dog will be healthy throughout their lifetime. If you are interested in getting a puppy or dog, be sure to talk to the breeder about their dogs and their health guarantees.

Along with good breeding practices, health testing, and good vet care, many dog lovers try to keep their dogs healthy by feeding dog food that has more natural ingredients. There is a belief that this can help keep a dog’s immune system stronger. Many people recommend feeding a food that is free of some of the most common food irritants such as corn, soy, and wheat. These are not the most common dog food allergens – beef, dairy products, and chicken, for example, lead to more food allergies for dogs than corn, soy, and wheat. But many people like to avoid soy and grains in dog foods. There are many good grain free dog foods today if you want to feed one to your dog. Avoiding artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives is also suggested as a way to help keep the immune system stronger.

Ingredients to Look for and Some to Avoid

As with most dogs, when choosing a food for your Finnish Lapphund you should look for a food that has good sources of protein and fat.

Ideally you will select a dog food that features two or three meat proteins in the first several ingredients listed. It’s not unusual today to see a food list both chicken and chicken meal, for example, as the first two ingredients. Both whole meats and meat meals are good sources of protein. Whole meats refer to foods such as whole chicken, beef, fish, and lamb. Some people don’t like meat meals as much as whole meats but they are a concentrated form of the meat in which the moisture has been removed. They contain several times as much protein as a whole meat. Meat meals are usually quite acceptable as one of the first ingredients in a good quality dog food. They are used by many good dog food brands. Some companies will go a step further and also add a related organ meat. For example, if the first two ingredients are whole chicken and chicken meal, they may also add chicken liver. That’s fine. This is one way of adding more protein to the food. Most dogs will enjoy foods that have liver added. It is best if the liver is named. We don’t like to see generic liver. It’s important to remember that liver, hearts, kidneys, lungs, and so on are technically meat by-products so you always want the dog food manufacturer to be as specific as possible about the ingredients they are using.

Many dog foods today, even some of the most expensive and highly touted, use lots of plant proteins such as lentils and peas. These foods often have high protein percentages on the label. When you read the guaranteed analysis it’s important to consider how much of the protein in the food comes from meat and how much comes from plants. Your dog is able to digest meat protein more easily than plant protein. Meat protein is a much more natural source of protein for your dog than plant protein.

Dogs also need good sources of fat. You should look for named fat sources such as chicken fat. Other named fats also provide needed nutrients such as fish oil which can provide omega-3 fatty acid to help keep the skin and coat healthy. Puppies can benefit from DHA which is Docosahexaenoic acid. This is a specific form of omega-3 fatty acid that helps with brain and eye development. Older dogs seem to benefit from medium chain triglycerides which feature medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These have been found to help older dogs feel and act younger. They are often made from a combination of coconut oil and other oils.

If you want to avoid corn, soy, and wheat in your dog food, your Lappie may still be able to eat an alternative grain such as barley or oats. Or you can feed a grain free dog food that uses an alternate source of carbs that is low glycemic. You don’t have to feed a dog food with an excessively high percentage of protein but it’s a good idea to keep the carb percentage low to moderate.

If your Finnish Lapphund has a food allergy or food sensitivity, you may need to work with your veterinarian to identify the food triggers unless they are very obvious. There are lots of good foods with alternative meat proteins today as well as limited ingredient diets which we will discuss below.

Recommended Dog Food For Finnish Lapphunds

Food	Price	Nutrition	Rating
Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula Read Reviews Where To Buy	$1.36/lb
Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food Read Reviews Where To Buy	$2.16/lb
*New Formula* ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food	$3.08/lb
Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food	$1.41/lb

Based on information we found from Finnish Lapphund breeders, Lappies should be able to eat most good quality dog foods but every dog is an individual. Even dogs in the same breed can have different food needs. Some dogs need more calories than others. Some dogs will do better with more protein or fat than other dogs. We are providing several suggested foods for your Lappie which meet our standards but you may have to use a trial and error method to see which food your dog does best on.

When you are trying a new food, be sure to allow several days to slowly transition to the food, mixing in a little of your dog’s old food each day. Of course, if your dog shows signs that he doesn’t like the food or doesn’t tolerate it, you will have to make adjustments. If your dog eats the food but you don’t like his condition after a few weeks, you can change him back – slowly – to his previous food. It’s best not to go directly to another new food. You can upset your dog’s gastrointestinal system if you keep changing to too many new foods in a short period of time. Once your dog has settled back with his old food, you can once again try a new food. You should allow at least a couple of weeks between foods before trying another new food so you can give your dog’s system a chance to rest and recover. This also gives the new food a fair chance.

If you try a new food and your dog doesn’t seem enthusiastic about it, you might also try another food from the same product line that uses a different kind of meat protein or other ingredients. As long as the guaranteed analysis and nutrient percentages are similar, the food should be similar to the original food you selected.

When you are feeding a new food and your dog is eating it without problems, it’s important for you to assess his physical condition. Is he gaining or losing weight on the new food? Does his coat look healthy? Are his eyes bright? Does he seem to have good energy or is he more lethargic than usual? And, the big question for any dog lover – what does his poop look like? As most dog lovers know, you can tell a lot about a dog’s health by checking his poop. Does it look normal and firm? If he having regular bowel movements? Those are good signs. If your dog is having runny poop or diarrhea; or if he is having trouble with his bowel movements, it could be because of the new food. These are all things you should note during the first few weeks of feeding a new food. Even if your dog LOVES the food, if he’s not thriving, you may have to rethink his diet or how much you are feeding him.

One Finnish Lapphund breeder notes that coat quality is often a determining factor in the diet chosen for this breed. That’s actually true for all breeds. Good quality protein and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids will help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy. It’s also important for your dog to have omega-3 and omega-6 in a good ratio. Omega-6 is widespread in plants and it’s usually plentiful in everything your dog eats. Omega-3 comes from fish, flaxseed, and some other sources. However, dogs don’t digest it very easily from plant sources. Dog foods that provide omega-3 from fish sources, especially cold water fish, are usually better options. There is still some debate about exactly the best ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 for dogs, but better quality dog foods will usually have a ratio between 5:1 and 10:1.

Very often, if a dog has loose stool or other gastrointestinal problems with a food, even if he really likes the food, it can be because you are 1) feeding too much of the food; or 2) the food is too rich. What does too rich mean? It means the food may have too many calories for your dog’s needs. It might have too much fat for your dog. Or, the protein percentage may be too high. You can also check the fiber percentage. Maybe it’s too high. If cutting back on the portions doesn’t help, you need to try changing the food.

You should also remember that dogs are a little like people. Their appetites can vary depending on things like the weather and their mood at times. Most dogs will eat more in the winter and less in the summer, especially if you live in a climate with wide changes in the temperature. So, if your dog is not eating as much when it’s hot in the summer, it doesn’t necessarily indicate anything to be alarmed about. If your dog is eating more food in the winter – and putting on weight – you may want to see if your dog’s favorite food has a formula with a little less fat or fewer calories so he won’t gain too much weight. Then go back to his favorite formula when he’s more active in warm weather.

Most of the foods we have selected here do not contain corn, wheat, or soy, unless noted. You may have to try a couple of foods to find which one is best for your dog. You should also keep in mind that your dog’s dietary needs can change as he grows and ages so you may have to change foods to suit him.

Best Dog Foods for Finnish Lapphund Adults

Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula  

This Canidae formula is an all life stages food so you can feed it to dogs of all ages. The first five ingredients are: Chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, brown rice, and white rice. The food does contain grains (rice, oatmeal, barley) but even many dogs that have problems with corn or wheat can eat these grains which provide dietary fiber. The food contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The food is naturally preserved and it contains pre- and probiotics for healthy digestion, along with antioxidants and omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids for good skin and coat. The guaranteed analysis shows 24 percent crude protein; 14.5 percent crude fat; and 4 percent crude fiber. It has 468 kcal/cup. We think this is a good food for dogs that do well on moderate protein and fat. Canidae has had a good reputation for many years.

Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food 

If you would like a higher protein percentage for your Lapphund, many dog owners like Merrick Grain Free foods. The first five ingredients in this food are Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, and Potatoes. This recipe is an all life stage food with 460 kcal per cup ME (metabolizable energy) on an as fed basis (calculated). It has 70 percent meat ingredients, 30 percent vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. It is grain free – no corn, wheat, or soy. No gluten. No ingredients from China. It has 38 percent crude protein and 17 percent crude fat, with 3.5 percent crude fiber. It also has glucosamine and chondroitin added, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Merrick uses local growers from Texas, where the food is made. We think this food has good quality protein and other ingredients for a very activeLapphund. Not everyone will like a protein percentage this high but if you do, give this food a try.

ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food

If your Lappie is very active (training for agility, for example), we can also recommend Acana foods. Champion Pet Foods has completed titsnew kitchen in Kentucky and they have reformulated some of their dog and cat foods to reflect what is now “regional” to the Kentucky area. So, it’s still the same award-winning company, but Acana is being made in Kentucky. We’ve had a chance to review the Acana dog and cat foods and there are some changes in the meat proteins but the foods still look good. If you visit the Acana web site you can view the old and new formulas to see the changes (we really like being able to compare the formulas). The current (old) Grasslands formula, for example, is heavy on lamb, duck, whitefish, and lentils. The new formula will feature goat meal and catfish meal, in addition to the lamb and duck. The old formula has 31 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. The new formula has 33 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 6 percent crude fiber, and 12 percent moisture. The food has 60 percent animal protein ingredients and 40 percent vegetables, fruits, and botanicals. No grains, potatoes, or tapioca. If you’re looking for a good grain free dog food for your Lapphund that is low in carbohydrates, we think that the Acana foods are a good choice. Acana foods typically have slightly less meat protein than Orijen (made by the same company), but we think they’re a good choice for many dogs. Most people still seem to like the Acana foods now that they are being made in Kentucky but if you have questions about them, we recommend talking to people who feed these foods to their dogs for their opinions.

Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food

If you would like a food with a little less protein, we also like Fromm Adult Gold. This formula has duck, chicken meal, and chicken as the first three ingredients. It has 24 percent crude protein, 16 percent crude fat, and 3.5 percent crude fiber, with 408 kcal/cup. It is AAFCO-approved for growth and maintenance. The food includes salmon oil – a great source of omega-3 fatty acid for healthy skin and coat; probiotics, and prebiotics. No corn, wheat, or soy. The food is also made at the family’s own facilities in Wisconsin. The Fromm family has been making dog food and dog products for over 100 years and they have a great reputation. The food includes brown rice and pearled barley in the first five ingredients. It does contain oatmeal and potatoes so if you are trying to keep the carbs very low you may not like this food. However, we think the ingredients are good quality and many dogs will do well on this food. You can see the technical analysis for the food, with the dry matter basis figures on the site. Fromm also makes their popular Four Star line of dog foods which feature favorites such as Chicken a la Veg  and Hasen Duckenfeffer.

Best Dog Foods for Finnish Lapphund Puppies

Lapphund puppies can usually begin eating a puppy food right after they are weaned or they can eat a good all life stage food. If you have questions about how to feed your puppy, we recommend talking to your puppy’s breeder. They usually have the most experience with raising Lapphund puppies and can guide you.

Puppy foods should have a calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 1.2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. It’s also important that dog and puppy foods do not have an excess of calcium since this can affect bone growth. If you are feeding your puppy a food that is properly formulated, you should not add any extra calcium, such as milk, cottage cheese, or other calcium supplements. Doing so can lead to serious health problems such as OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) and other orthopedic problems.

Keep in mind that all life stage dog foods are formulated to be nutritionally adequate for growing puppies. Foods for puppies may also have the AAFCO statement that they are approved for “growth and reproduction.”

Here are some of the puppy foods we like for Lapphund puppies.

Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula 

This is one of our favorite foods for all puppies. Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula is a limited ingredient food with nine ingredients plus vitamins and minerals and probiotics. It’s grain free with probiotics to help digestion; antioxidants for a healthy immune system; and omega 3 and 6 to support healthy skin and a beautiful coat. The first five ingredients are chicken, menhaden fish meal, lentils, peas, and potatoes. The recipe is supposed to be especially good for puppies with sensitive digestion. The food has 30 percent crude protein, 12 percent crude fat, 4 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. This food checks in at 520 kcal/cup, so it’s high in calories but active, growing Lapphund puppies can usually burn them off. Just remember that you don’t need to feed a lot of food with these very nutrient-dense foods. If your Finnish Lapphund puppy does well on this puppy food, Canidae has some good adult foods – both grain free and foods with grains.

Fromm Puppy Gold formula

Similar to Fromm’s Gold Adult formula, this puppy formula contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The first three ingredients are duck, chicken meal, and chicken. The food has moderate protein and fat to encourage puppies to grow slowly. The food has 417 kcal/cup. The technical analysis for the food shows the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio for puppies. The food has 27 percent crude protein; 18 percent crude fat; and 3.5 percent crude fiber. Fromm Puppy Gold formula also has added DHA-rich salmon oil for good brain and eye development in puppies. The USDA-inspected ingredients for the food are delivered fresh each morning. We think this food could be a good choice for Lapphund puppies.

Best Dog Foods for the Senior Finnish Lapphund

Finnish Lapphunds generally live very long lives. This means you will probably need to consider what to feed your dog in his teen years. As your dog ages it’s a good idea to plan an annual senior check-up with your vet. Many older dogs begin to put on pounds as they become less active. For this reason, most senior dog foods have fewer calories and they can skimp on protein. You should watch your older dog’s weight as he gets older to make sure he doesn’t become overweight. In some cases you can simply cut back on the portions of his regular dog food to help him stay fit or increase his exercise.

On the other hand, some very old dogs often start to have some problems metabolizing nutrients, including protein. It can become hard for them to keep good muscle tone and weight as they age. For this reason, you may wish to avoid many dog foods labeled “senior.” These foods are often formulated for older dogs that have gained weight. Instead, look for a senior dog food that has lots of protein. As long as your older dog doesn’t have any problems with his kidneys or with phosphorus, there is no reason to avoid higher protein levels.

It’s very important that senior dogs have good quality protein. Good quality protein is easier to digest and metabolize than poor quality protein. It provides the older dog with more nutrition that he can use. So, plan on giving your older Lapphund the very best food possible with excellent sources of protein.

Orijen Senior Dog

Orijen Senior  provides plenty of excellent quality protein for your older dog. This food features free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and nest-laid eggs. It helps keep older dogs in good muscle even as they become less active. Made of 80 percent meats and fish, the food is low-glycemic and has low carbs to help keep your older dog’s blood sugar steady. The food also contains natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to keep your dog’s joints healthy. The food is 38 percent crude protein and 15 percent crude fat. It checks in at 445 kcal per 250ml/120g cup. We think this is a very good food for senior dogs who often need extra protein as they get older. (We know Orijen is expensive but this food really stands out for senior dogs.)

Another food you may want to consider for older dogs is Weruva’s Caloric Harmony Venison and Salmon Meal Dinner with Pumpkin. This food (and several others in this product line) is potato-free with no corn or wheat, easy to digest, and low-glycemic. It contains pumpkin and oatmeal for healthy gut motility. The first five ingredients are: Venison, Venison Meal, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, and Oatmeal. Meat protein comes from grass-fed venison. The dry matter basis for this food is an estimated 37.8 percent protein;14.4 percent fat; 3.9 percent fiber; and 35 percent carbs. The calorie count (calculated) is Metabolizable Energy (ME) 3320 kcal/kg; 348 kcal/cup. This food is not specifically made for senior dogs but we think those look like good figures for senior dogs that need more good quality protein without extra fat.

Best Dog Foods for Finnish Lapphunds with Skin Problems

The Finnish Lapphund is not especially prone to skin problems but it’s always possible that an individual dog can have a problem. If your Lappie is having skin problems or problems with food allergies, you will probably want to avoid foods that contain known food allergens such as beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. If your dog is having food allergies – which usually manifest as itching, redness, chewing, hair loss, and sometimes ear problems – you will need to identify the trigger for his allergy. You can try to guess the trigger or work with your veterinarian on a food trial and elimination diet for your dog. You may need to find a novel protein for your dog – a protein that he has not eaten previously. Natural Balance has a selection of limited ingredient diets that can be helpful for dogs with food allergies. You might try giving your dog the rabbit formula, kangaroo formula, venison formula, or bison formula. He should be able to eat a meat protein that he has not eaten previously without having an allergic reaction.

Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Potato & Rabbit Dry Dog Formula

This limited ingredient diet food has limited sources of protein and carbs. It’s also grain free and complete and balanced for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. The food should be easy for your Lapphund to digest and it contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Wild Calling! Xotic Essentials Rabbit Meal Recipe

Any dog suffering from skin problems or food allergies may benefit from Wild Calling’s Xotic Essentials recipes. Formulas like their rabbit meal recipe use exotic meats that are rare in today’s pet food market so your dog probably hasn’t eaten them before – and has less chance of having an allergic reaction. The foods are also highly digestible. Wild Calling also uses what they call LITe (limited ingredient technology). They don’t use any of the ingredients commonly found in most dog foods such as chicken, grain, gluten, egg, yeast, corn, wheat or soy. If your Lapphund has a food allergy, he may benefit from Wild Calling. The foods are formulated for rotational feeding and they offer several Xotic Essentials recipes, such as kangaroo and bison, so your dog doesn’t get over-exposed to one kind of meat protein. This is an All Life Stage food. We think that dogs with skin problems and food allergies can definitely benefit from these recipes.

Another food that is often recommended for dogs with food allergies and skin problems is Zignature. It comes in proteins such as trout & salmon, kangaroo, turkey, duck, venison, and others. It’s available in dry and canned versions. Foods are potato- and grain-free, and chicken-free. They do not use common bonding agents (thickeners and ingredients to hold the food together) in their foods which are high in simple carbs and starches. They only use low glycemic carbs such as chickpeas that add extra protein and fiber to the food. They work with Tuffy’s in Minnesota and Performance Pet in South Dakota to make their foods. Many people like Zignature very much. If you have a dog with food allergies, this is a brand that you might consider. This duck formula is a good example with hypo-allergenic meat first, no corn, wheat, soy, dairy or chicken, chicken eggs or chicken by-products.

Best Dog Foods for Finnish Lapphunds with Sensitive Stomachs

Many dogs are susceptible to food sensitivities that affect their digestion and excretion. If your dog has a sensitive stomach it can be an indication of a food sensitivity, which is different form a food allergy. A dog with a food sensitivity will have gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. Or it could be something more serious.

A dog with a sensitive stomach can often be helped by feeding the right dog food. Sticking to a limited ingredient diet food with as few ingredients as possible can reduce the chance of your dog having a bad reaction to something in the food.

Many people recommend Wellness Simple for dogs with food sensitivities. The formulas feature only five main ingredients to keep things very simple for your Lapphund. Wellness makes formulas that are both grain free and some that have grains such as oatmeal. The food is easy to digest and contains probiotics and prebiotics to help the gastrointestinal system. It also contains omega fatty acids for good skin and coat. Formulas feature duck, salmon, turkey, and lamb. Wellness Simple comes in dry and canned formulas.

We also recommend Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Dry Dog Food. This food is grain free with limited ingredients. It has good quality, alternative ingredients that are easily digestible for a dog with a sensitive stomach. And it contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The first five ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Salmon, Fish Meal, Potato Protein, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols). It has 21 percent crude protein, 10 percent crude fat, 5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. It has 350 kcal/cup and it’s a maintenance formula. If your dog can’t eat some of the ingredients in this food, Natural Balance has lots of other LID recipes that you might check.

If your dog can’t eat these ingredients, you might try one of the Weruva foods or Acana Singles. Weruva also has lots of foods with pumpkin which can sometimes help a dog with stomach issues.

Best Dog Foods for Overweight Finnish Lapphunds

It’s possible that you won’t ever have a problem with your Finnish Lapphund and weight gain. However, some dogs do put on extra pounds. You can often help your Lapphund lose weight by cutting back on his portions and encouraging him to get more exercise.

If your Lappie needs to lose more than a couple of pounds, however, you may need to consider a weight control dog food.

We do not recommend a weight control dog food for a puppy or a very old dog. These foods generally have fewer calories and may have some other differences in nutrients that make them inappropriate for growing puppies or older dogs who need special nutrition. Many weight control foods contain a lot of filler ingredients or empty carbohydrates which makes it hard to recommend them.

If you have a Finnish Lapphund who needs to lose weight, we can recommend Fromm Gold Weight Management. It can be hard to find a good weight control dog food but Fromm is a quality brand with good ingredients. This food has 25 percent crude protein and 10 percent crude fat so it’s not that much different from some of the adult foods we’ve recommended. It has 341 Kcal/cup. Fed in moderation, it should help most overweight Lapphund lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. The first five ingredients are: Turkey Liver, Chicken Meal, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal, and Dried Tomato Pomace.

Fromm also has a grain free weight control formula called Fromm Gold Coast Grain Free Weight Management Dog Food with the same crude protein and fat percentages if you prefer a grain free weight control food for your dog.

If your dog needs to lose weight, you should proceed slowly. No crash dieting. You should aim for your dog to lose no more than 3 to 5 percent of his body weight per month or about one percent each week.

Conclusion

While his days of herding reindeer may be over, the Finnish Lapphund today is known as a wonderful companion dog. Calm, friendly, intelligent, and eager to learn, Lappies are great with children. They are faithful, active, hardy dogs and they love being part of a family. Plus they love cold weather and having fun in the snow! If this sounds like a dog for you, we encourage you to contact a Finnish Lapphund breeder. Lappies are a terrific breed.

Below is a list of products reviewed in this article

1. Canidae All Life Stages Chicken, Turkey, Lamb & Fish Meals Formula

2. Merrick Grain Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food

3. ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food

4. Fromm Adult Gold Dog Food
5. Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula

6. Fromm Puppy Gold formula

7. Orijen Senior Dog

8. Weruva’s Caloric Harmony Venison and Salmon Meal Dinner with Pumpkin

9. Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets® Potato & Rabbit

10. Wild Calling! Xotic Essentials Rabbit Meal Recipe

11. Zignature
12. Wellness Simple
13. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Dry Dog Food
14. Fromm Gold Weight Management
15. Fromm Gold Coast Grain Free Weight Management Dog Food