Our Story
A longtime breeder of Tibetan Mastiffs, Glenda Nunnally came to love Finnish Lapphunds for the same reasons she adores Tibetans. The loving nature of both breeds and their willingness to please their owners make them the best dogs for so many lifestyles. Since Lappies are a rather newly recognized breed in the United States, it is important to Glenda to breed with accountability to the breed standard. She breeds for quality not quantity, and her goal is to further the health, wellness, and structure of this natural dog--to the standard it's been for thousands of years. Structure is the most important aspect of breeding. A solid foundation brings everything else about a dog into focus. Breeding is not Glenda's income nor livelihood. She breeds for her genuine love of this good-natured, easygoing, lovable dog with a loving temperament that's perfect for both individuals and families.
Glenda's goal is to produce great dogs for pet, performance, or conformation. Because she believes that genetic testing for known issues in any breed is extremely important, Junaluska takes that extra step in its breeding program to genetically test all puppies in a litter, utilizing Embark and Paw Prints genetic testing. Because genetic variability in the gene pool is crucial to the preservation of sound, healthy Finnish Lapphunds, Junaluska Finnish Lapphunds is constantly working toward maintaining the original spirt and well-being of this primitive breed.
About
Finnish Lapphunds
Finnish Lapphunds are active, intelligent, and agile Spitz-type dogs in the Herding Dog category. It is a heavy-coated, medium-size dog that requires regular daily exercise and mental stimulation.
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A gentle and adaptable working breed, Lappies are great with people of all ages and abilities, excel at dog sports, and retain a natural disposition for therapy and emotional support. If your family loves the outdoors, this dog is for you! Finnish Lapphunds make wonderful travel companions, regardless the climate. Although they are a Nordic breed and enjoy colder climates, they can adapt to warmer ones but will need air conditioning to keep comfortable.
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Lappies shed seasonally, but the fur around your house can be controlled with regularly weekly brushing. Nails should be trimmed regularly and bathing is as-needed.
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Known for a slight independent streak, Lappies are curious and courageous, utilizing a high-pitched bark harkening back to their herding heritage to alert owners of threatening situations. But their sense of humor and overall happiness to see people tend to win out over any guardian behavior, giving them the popular nickname, Happy Lappie!
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A sturdy dog (33-53 lbs) of great strength and stamina, the Finnish Lapphund is the perfect dog for active individuals and families. If you are interested in showing your Finnish Lapphund, please refer to the Breed Standard to know what to look for in Conformation. At Junaluska Finnish Lapphunds, we breed with the breed standard in mind but always intend for our puppies to go to loving homes first!
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(Adapted from Finnish Lapphund Complete Owners Manual, by George Hoppendale & Asia Moore)
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Additional Resources
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For additional information on Finnish Lapphunds, check out the following websites: Finnish Lapphund Club of Canada, Canadian Kennel Club, and American Kennel Club.
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