Himalayan Sheepdog vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison

Himalayan Sheepdog vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed ComparisonHimalayan Sheepdog is originated from India but Finnish Lapphund is originated from Finland. Himalayan Sheepdog may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Finnish Lapphund. Himalayan Sheepdog may weigh 21 kg / 47 pounds more than Finnish Lapphund. Both Himalayan Sheepdog and Finnish Lapphund has same life span. Himalayan Sheepdog may have more litter size than Finnish Lapphund. Himalayan Sheepdog requires High maintenance. But Finnish Lapphund requires Moderate maintenance

History

himalayan sheepdog - historyThe Himalayan Sheepdog comes from Nepal originally and was bred as a guardian for livestock. The exact location where the breed comes from is not documented well but it is thought that they come from North India and Nepal and they are rare outside of that area. They are a mountain dog – close in ancestry to the Himalayan Mastiff, and the Kinnaur Sheepdog of Tibet (Himalaya). All these Himalayan mountain dogs were all called “Gaddi dogs”. The term was used for all the large dogs no matter what their breeds actually were.

The Himalayan Sheepdog is called by various names depending on where they were from. They are called Gaddi Leopardhund in Himachai Pradesh, In Nepal they are known as Bhote Kukkur or Bhotiya. Then there are Chamba Gaddi dogs. They are an ancient breed that existed before documentation on breeds was kept.

They acted as both guardians and herders. They guarded the mountain men’s encampments as well as the livestock. They were also used at times to hunt large animals. Today they are found only within Nepal and India. These Himalayan Sheepdogs are on the verge of extinction in India. There are no breeding programs and their isolation has caused the dilution of the gene pool. It is not recognized by any clubs including the UKC and the AKC.

finnish lapphund - historyKnown also as the Lapinkoira, Lapponian Shepherd Dog or Finish Lapland Dog, it is believed that the Finnish Lapphund is an ancient dog breed, dating back way back to 7000 B.C.

The breed had its origins as a reindeer herder with the Sami people, being both herder and protector. In Finland, the first breed standards for the dog were set in 1945 by the Finnish Kennel Club. They called the dog the Lappish Herder.

The first American litter was born in 1988 and it was in 1994 that the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club, becoming a recognized breed in the Herding Group in 2011.

Description

himalayan sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe breed is a large dog, very athletic and strong. The Himalayan Sheepdog is muscular with a deep chest, strong neck and strong shoulders. It has a medium tail that is thick and busy, curled high over its back. It is a daunting dog that can be very intimidating. They have well padded and large paws. With a broad head and wide forehead, they have a strong, wide muzzle. Their ears are high on the head and hang from the sides. They have almond shaped medium eyes that are deep set with a black nose.

They are a very active and swift dogs. By their nature they are constantly in motion, patrolling their territory and guarding their flock and people. Their devotion to their people and their courage is the stuff of legends. Their coat is double with a large ruff around their necks that resembles a mane. The inner coat is dense and short while the outer coat is longer but dense as well.

finnish lapphund puppy - descriptionLooking quite a bit like the Samoyed, Siberian Husky or Australian Shepherd, the Finnish Lapphund stands at between 40 and 52cm and weighing 15 to 24kg.

The Finnish Lapphund is a medium sized dog with a friendly, sweet face.He has a beautiful soft cuddly kind of coat that is medium to long in length and essentially straight. The dense undercoat provides insulation and shouldn’t be trimmed.The dog comes in different colors such as tan brown, yellowish and black. The ears are erect and the tail is bushy, curling over the back.

Temperament:

One characteristic of this dog which can irritate some people is that he has a tendency to bark. This characteristic of his makes him a good watch dog though. He is a friendly dog who wants to do the right thing, and training and socialization can ensure that he is always obedient and amicable.

Intelligent and alert, your pet is an intelligent dog and training him won’t prove to be difficult.It is a dog which craves companionship from his human family and he wants to be included in all his family’s activities. He wants to accompany you on all your running- and cycling activities. He gets on well with children in the home with his gentle nature, being a particularly friendly breed.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

himalayan sheepdog dog - characteristicsYes with enough proper socialization

Special talents

Protection and loyalty

Adaptability

They are not especially adaptable and need a large yard. They are not good in an apartment.

Learning ability

Intelligent but stubborn and independent making them able to learn if they want to.

finnish lapphund dog - characteristicsThe Finnish Lapphund is an active and alert dog who just loves to fuss around his human family. He has many good qualities that make him the perfect family pet. It is why he is often referred to as an all-rounder.

He is a calm, friendly non-aggressive dog who wants to be co-operative with his owners. He has the tendency to bark. With a friendly, happy face, he is essentially just a big teddy bear and if you treat him well he is going to make sure that he showers you with his special love and loyalty.

Health Problems

himalayan sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis is a pretty healthy breed with very few health issues. They have the usual large dog issues.

  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Arthritis – can cause extreme pain and lameness
  • Patellar luxation – kneecap issues that are painful and can cause lameness
  • Obesity – they have a tendency to overeat and are not that active
  • Glaucoma – can cause blindness

finnish lapphund puppies - health problemsRegarded as generally healthy, the Finnish Lapphund can reach anything between 12 and 14 years of age. There are however one or two common dog illnesses that your Finnish Lapphund might be more prone to and these are hip and elbow dysplasia as well as progressive retinal atrophy.

While the occurrences of these illnesses is rare, they can happen with your Finnish Lapphund. Whenever you notice something untoward with your pet, get him to the vet immediately.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

himalayan sheepdog dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day with a total of two cups of a quality dog food for large breed dogs.

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult dog twice a day with 3 to 4 cups of a high quality dry dog food for large breed dogs.

Points for Good Health

They are very strong and athletic.

Games and Exercises

The Himalayan Sheepdog needs exercise but not to be overworked. They should be taken on long walks at least once a day. They might play fetch or run in a yard, but they don’t like too much exercise.

Grooming:

finnish lapphund dogs - caringWith his beautiful, thick coat the Finnish Lapphund sheds quite heavily during certain seasons. The double coat will certainly require a good brushing at least twice a week to remove dirt, burrs and grass.

Diet:

All dogs deserve a high quality dog food which is appropriate to the breed, the age of the dog, his size and his activity levels.

You want to ensure that your pet gets all the right vitamins and minerals he requires for good health. If you aren’t sure what to feed your pet on, speak to your vet. Home-made food is always a good idea too as it provides some variety to your pet’s diet. Cooked rice, vegetables and chicken becomes a tasty, nutritious treat when added into his kibble. Also try to add in some raw meat when you can as well to ensure his skin and coat remain healthy. Cool, fresh water is to be supplied night and day non-stop.

Exercise:

Your Finnish Lapphund isn’t the kind of dog who is going to be bounding around you demanding exercise. He is a calm dog with moderate exercise requirements. He will love to join you on a walk every day and some ball games will satisfy him.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
India
Finland
Height Male:
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
40 - 52 cm
15 - 21 inches
Height Female:
58 - 69 cm
22 - 28 inches
40 - 52 cm
15 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
Weight Female:
38 - 43 kg
83 - 95 pounds
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
3 - 7
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Bhotia • Bhotiya • Bhote Kukkur • Gaddi • Gaddi Leopardhund • Himachal Pradesh • Himalayan Guard Dog • Himalayan Mastiff Guard Dog • Himalayan Chamba Gaddi • HSD
Lapponian Shepherd Dog, Lapinkoira, Finish Lapland Dog
Colors Available:
Black, fawn, light brown, beige
Tan, black, brown, yellowish
Coat:
rough dense long
Long and dense
Shedding:
Seasonal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
High maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  3. Labrador Husky vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  5. Pyredoodle vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  8. Sarplaninac vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  9. Mountain View Cur vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  10. Native American Indian Dog vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  11. Komondor vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  12. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  13. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  14. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  15. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  16. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  17. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  18. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  19. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  20. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  21. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  22. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  23. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  24. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  25. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  26. Sakhalin Husky vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  27. German Pinscher vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  28. Portuguese Water Dog vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  29. Puli vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  30. Griffon Bleu de Gascogne vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  31. German Spaniel vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  32. McNab vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  33. Porcelaine vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  34. Finnish Lapphund vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  35. Finnish Lapphund vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  36. Finnish Lapphund vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  37. Finnish Lapphund vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  38. Finnish Lapphund vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  39. Finnish Lapphund vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  40. Finnish Lapphund vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. Finnish Lapphund vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  42. Finnish Lapphund vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  43. Finnish Lapphund vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Finnish Lapphund vs Canaan Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. Griffon Nivernais vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  46. Hokkaido vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  47. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  48. Pumi vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  49. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  50. Istrian Sheepdog vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds