The Benefits of Exercise for Finnish Lapphunds

Physical Activity - A Key to Health & Happiness

Finnish Lapphunds are a unique breed known for their friendly disposition, intelligence, and herding instincts. These dogs were designed to work in harsh climates, herding reindeer across vast, cold expanses. As modern-day companions, Finnish Lapphunds retain a love for active work and thrive on both physical and mental stimulation. Providing your Lapphund with sufficient exercise is not only essential for their physical health, but it can also enhance their mental well-being and strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

This article will explore the many benefits of exercise for Finnish Lapphunds, addressing their unique needs, and offering practical tips for owners living in various climates.

Physical Health & Wellness

Like all active breeds, regular exercise is crucial to the physical health and longevity of Finnish Lapphunds. These dogs were bred to be agile, strong, and capable of working long hours in harsh conditions. Their thick double coat, designed to protect them from cold weather, is paired with a sturdy, muscular body. However, if not provided with adequate physical activity, this natural strength can turn into excess energy, which may result in behavioral problems like anxiety or destructiveness.
Regular exercise helps prevent obesity, promotes cardiovascular health, and keeps muscles and joints strong. Finnish Lapphunds, especially those under the age of five, require at least 30-60 minutes of vigorous activity every day. Depending on your location and lifestyle, this could involve running, hiking, playing fetch, or even participating in dog sports such as agility or obedience.

BENEFITS FOR HEALTH:
Improves cardiovascular health: Regular physical activity strengthens the heart and circulatory system, reducing the risk of heart disease and ensuring your Lappy lives longer.
Prevents obesity: Obesity in dogs is a major health concern, leading to a range of issues including diabetes, arthritis, and decreased mobility. Regular exercise ensures your Lapphund maintains a healthy weight and prevents against disease.
Joint & muscle health: Movement supports joint function, improves flexibility, and helps prevent conditions like arthritis, which is common in older dogs.

Mental Stimulation & Emotional Balance

Finnish Lapphunds are highly intelligent dogs with a natural drive to work. Their ability to think independently, combined with their intelligence, means they can quickly become bored if not sufficiently challenged. Lack of exercise and mental stimulation can lead to frustration, anxiety, and destructive behaviour such as chewing or digging.
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Exercise, particularly when combined with training, provides mental stimulation and helps to tire out your dog in a healthy way. Walking through new environments, practicing tricks, or participating in puzzle games during exercise can satisfy both their physical and cognitive needs. Interactive play like fetch or hide-and-seek can also be great ways to engage their minds while burning off energy.

MENTAL & EMOTIONAL BENEFITS:
Prevents boredom & destructive behaviour: Keeping your Lapphund mentally engaged during exercise can prevent undesirable behaviours that stem from frustration or excess energy, particularly among Lappies from driven lines.
Strengthens the bond between owner and dog: Exercising together builds trust and enhances your relationship! It also encourages teamwork, whether you’re working through an agility course or simply walking through your neighbourhood.
Reduces anxiety & stress: Physical activity, especially outdoor adventures, helps to release pent-up energy, which can decrease stress and anxiety levels in dogs.

Adapting to Different Climates

One of the advantages of the Finnish Lapphund's heritage is its versatility. While they were originally bred for the cold, the breed can adapt to various climates when properly cared for. That said, Finnish Lapphunds need to be treated with care in weather extremes, such as heatwaves or excessive cold.

COLD CLIMATES:
Finnish Lapphunds are well-suited to cold environments due to their thick double coat, which protects them against freezing temperatures. In these conditions, exercise can be enjoyed throughout the year in snowy or icy landscapes. Activities such as skiing, hiking, or running in the snow provide an excellent outlet for exercise and mental stimulation.
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However, it’s essential to remember that, even in cold climates, exercise should still be balanced. Just because your Finnish Lapphund enjoys the cold doesn’t mean they should be outside for extended periods without proper care. Over-exertion can lead to exhaustion, and the risk of frostbite or hypothermia can exist in extreme conditions.

HOT CLIMATES:
In hotter climates, Finnish Lapphunds thrive when their owners are cautious about their physical exertion and are clever about when & where they exercise. While their coat helps to regulate body temperature, the breed is not immune to overheating, particularly in full sun. Owners in warmer areas should adjust exercise routines to the cooler times of day, such as early mornings or late evenings. Always exercise your Lappy in areas where swimming, water and shade is freely available during summer. Dog beaches are ideal! Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the midday heat, and always ensure that fresh water is available. Alternatively, Lapphunds can enjoy indoor activities, such as interactive games, trick training, or treadmill walks, if the outside conditions are too harsh on particular days.

Socialisation & Positive Behaviour

Exercise also plays an important role in canine socialisation. Finnish Lapphunds are friendly and good-natured, but like any breed, they benefit from being exposed to a variety of social situations to develop positive behaviours. Regular walks, visits to dog parks, and playdates with other dogs can improve your Lapphund’s social skills and help them grow into well-behaved companions.

As natural herders, Lapphunds often enjoy interacting with other animals, but they can also display some reserved or independent behaviours at first. Through regular exercise in different environments, they learn to adjust to new sights, sounds, and smells, which positively contributes to their confidence, adaptability and develops a well-rounded adult.

Meeting their Natural Instincts

As a working breed, Finnish Lapphunds have an innate desire to be active, keep stimulated and be productive. Exercising your Lapphund is more than just a physical requirement; it’s an opportunity to satisfy their instinctive needs. Engaging in activities that mimic their traditional roles as herders - such as obedience training, agility, flyball or herding exercises (for those with access to herding sheep or similar animals) - allows your Lapphund to express their natural instincts in a constructive way.

BENEFITS OF INSTINCTUAL EXERCISE:
Satisfaction of natural drive: Providing outlets for their herding instincts or other natural drives ensures your Lapphund feels fulfilled.
Reduces unwanted or destructive behaviours: Respects their instincts and enables them to express them in a healthy way.
Promotes a balanced temperament: By allowing them to express their instincts in a safe and controlled way, you reduce the likelihood of behavioural issues and frustration.

Conclusion

For Finnish Lapphunds, exercise is a vital aspect of a well-rounded and fulfilling life. It not only ensures they remain physically fit but also supports their mental well-being and emotional balance. No matter where you live - whether in the snowy winters of Finland or the warm climates of Australia - there are countless ways to keep your Lapphund active, engaged, and happy. From outdoor adventures to interactive games, the key is to find the right balance and variety of exercise to meet their unique needs.

As you continue to explore the benefits of exercise in our wellness series, we’ll look in more detail at specific activities and routines to help you get the most out of your Finnish Lapphund's physical activity. Stay tuned for more tips to enhance your Lapphund’s life and health!