Tracing the Lappish breeds

Our native dog breeds are an important part of Finnish cultural history. By genotype, the Finnish Lapphund and the Lapponian Herder are not as distant and unchanged as the world’s most primitive breeds, such as the Australian Dingo or the African Basenji. Nevertheless, the roots of the native Finnish breeds are far back in the tides of history. The Sámi people have kept dogs as family members and helpers in various tasks for centuries.