Finnish Lapphund Health Problems: DNA Tests and Screenings

When I was researching the Finnish Lapphund before bringing Timber home, the health question kept me up at night. Is this a healthy breed? What can go wrong? What should a good breeder actually be testing for? The answer is reassuring, and it comes with homework. Lappies are a hardy, long lived breed, and they carry a handful of recognized hereditary conditions that responsible breeders screen for. Here is the plain, owner to owner guide to Finnish Lapphund health problems, the DNA tests and screenings that matter, and what CHIC really means.

Is the Finnish Lapphund a healthy breed?

Generally yes. The Finnish Lapphund is considered a hardy, healthy breed with a typical lifespan of about 12 to 15 years (PetMD, vet reviewed). Like every purebred dog, it carries some recognized hereditary conditions, mostly in the hips and eyes, along with a few DNA testable metabolic and neurological disorders.

The headline conditions to know are hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy of the prcd form, and hereditary cataract. Add Pompe disease, also called GSDII, and degenerative myelopathy. Multi drug sensitivity shows up in a small number of dogs (Finnish Lapphund Club of America, general health, Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain, breed health, and AKC herding group health testing requirements). Below I walk through each one, the recommended screening panel, what CHIC and OFA certification actually mean, and the exact questions to ask when you choose a puppy. If you are new to the breed, our complete Finnish Lapphund breed guide covers temperament, size, and the bigger picture.

One note up front. This article is general breed information compiled from breed club and veterinary genetics sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. For any specific dog, talk to your own veterinarian.

What genetic and hereditary conditions affect Finnish Lapphunds?

The breed's recognized conditions split into three groups. Joint conditions detected by X ray, eye conditions detected by an ophthalmologist exam with some also DNA testable, and DNA testable metabolic or neurological disorders. Here is the quick reference version.

One thing to flag. Clubs in different countries do not all require or recommend the same tests, so this table maps what exists in the breed rather than one universal rulebook. The UK and the AKC differ in a few places, which I point out below (FLCGB, breed health and AKC herding group panel).

How common is hip dysplasia in Finnish Lapphunds?

Hip dysplasia is a recognized concern in the breed, and the Finnish Lapphund is considered relatively low to moderate risk. The UK breed club gives a breed average BVA/KC hip score of 12 and states that the breed is "not high risk for hip dysplasia". (FLCGB, breed health).

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that can lead to pain and arthritis as the dog ages. It is screened by X ray and is most reliable once a dog is two years or older. Breeders use OFA or PennHIP in the US, the BVA/KC scheme in the UK, or the FCI A to E grading in Finland (FLCA, general health). Exact prevalence percentages vary a lot by population and registry, so rather than quote a single number, check the current OFA breed statistics for the latest figures. If you want to think ahead about joints as your Lappy gets older, our lifespan and senior care guide covers weight management and arthritis plans in detail.

What is a patella evaluation, and why is it on the panel?

A patella evaluation checks whether the kneecap slips out of its groove, a condition called patellar luxation. It sits on the AKC recommended panel for the breed alongside hips and elbows. The exam is hands on rather than an X ray, and a vet assigns a grade from 1 to 4 based on severity (Cornell Riney Canine Health Center).

The sign owners usually notice is a skipping gait, a sudden three legged hop on a back leg that resolves after a few steps. Mild cases without clinical signs often need no treatment at all. When a dog is affected, management runs through weight control, anti inflammatory medication, restricted activity and physical therapy, with surgery for advanced disease or persistent limping (Cornell). OFA certifies patellas from 12 months of age and recommends periodic re-evaluation, because some luxations appear later (OFA, patellar luxation).

What eye conditions should Finnish Lapphund owners watch for?

The main one to know is prcd-PRA, the breed's most important DNA testable inherited eye disease. A couple of other eye conditions matter too, and they are exactly why regular eye exams stay important even for a DNA clear dog.

prcd-PRA, progressive rod cone degeneration, is autosomal recessive, caused by a single G to A change at position 5 in the PRCD gene. The night vision rod cells degenerate first, then the cones, and clinical signs of vision difficulty usually become evident between three and five years of age. There is no cure, and a DNA test sorts dogs cleanly into Clear, Carrier, or Affected (Laboratoire de genetique veterinaire, PRA-prcd).

Non prcd PRA. Here is the catch that trips people up. Not all PRA in the breed is explained by the prcd mutation. Some clinically PRA affected dogs test clear on the prcd DNA test, which means at least one other form exists that currently has no DNA test (FLCA, general health). Eye exams therefore still matter for prcd clear dogs.

Hereditary cataract is occasional and recognized in the breed. It typically appears after one year of age, has no DNA test available, and is detected by an ophthalmologist eye examination (FLCGB, breed health).

Because several eye conditions are late onset and not DNA testable, one clear exam in a young dog is not enough. Eye exams should be repeated regularly, ideally every year and within 12 months before any mating. The exam is done by a board certified ophthalmologist or official eye scheme panellist, meaning ACVO or CAER in the US and the BVA/KC/ISDS scheme in the UK (Finnish Lapphund Health UK, eye testing). The UK breed health site also encourages testing puppy litters, testing annually, and testing dogs over eight, so the breed builds a picture of late onset disease.

What are Pompe disease (GSDII), degenerative myelopathy, and MDR1?

These are three DNA testable conditions, ranging from severe and fatal to mild and worth knowing. All three are good reasons to keep your vet in the loop.

Pompe disease (GSDII) is a severe, fatal, autosomal recessive metabolic disorder identified in Finnish and Swedish Lapphunds, caused by a nonsense mutation in the GAA gene. The 2013 study that identified it describes affected dogs showing progressive muscle weakness, vomiting and regurgitation, and cardiac enlargement, with the affected dogs in that study euthanized between 14 and 19 months of age (Seppala, Reuser and Lohi, PLOS ONE, 2013). The good news is that it is DNA testable, so it can be bred away from entirely, and the UK club makes the test mandatory under its code of ethics (Finnish Lapphund Health UK, DNA testing).

Degenerative myelopathy is a late onset spinal cord disease linked to a mutation in the SOD1 gene. A DNA test for the common variant is available and is recommended on the AKC panel, while the UK breed health site notes that the evidence linking suspected cases to DNA results is not yet strong enough for a routine requirement there. An at risk genotype indicates risk rather than a certainty of disease (AKC herding group panel and Finnish Lapphund Health UK, DNA testing).

MDR1 multi drug sensitivity affects only a small number of Finnish Lapphunds, and it is the one to mention to your vet. It can cause adverse reactions to certain wormers and medications, so tell your veterinarian before any drug such as ivermectin is used (FLCGB, breed health). Be aware that the UK breed health site describes the sensitivity as anecdotal in this breed. It also says the MDR-1 DNA test remains unproven for Finnish Lapphunds, because no dog showing a reaction has been checked against the gene test (Finnish Lapphund Health UK, priorities). Treat it as a useful heads up for your vet rather than a settled prevalence figure.

For all three, and especially MDR1 before any medication, talk to your vet. A DNA result is a planning tool rather than a diagnosis, and your veterinarian can tell you what it means for your individual dog.

What other conditions does the breed health data flag?

Beyond the headline list, the UK breed health site names Addison's disease, thyroid disease, and epilepsy among the conditions owners have reported. The same site keeps a public results search where diagnosed cases are recorded (Finnish Lapphund Health UK, priorities and Finnish Lapphund Health UK, health results search).

Read that data the way its authors intend. It is voluntarily reported by owners, it has no denominator, and it cannot tell you how common anything is. What it does give you is a short list of conditions that have appeared more than once in the breed, which is worth knowing when something looks wrong. Addison's disease in particular is easy to miss early, because vague lethargy and stomach upsets look like a hundred other things.

What everyday health problems do Lappy owners actually deal with?

Most of what fills a Finnish Lapphund's vet record has nothing to do with genetics. Weight is first. A double coated dog hides gain beautifully, so owners assess with their eyes when they should be using their hands. You want to feel the ribs easily and see a waist from above, and weighing the food rather than scooping it is the change that fixes most cases. A wide, stable stainless dog bowl makes measured feeding easy to keep up.

Dental disease is next, and it is one of the most common problems in dogs generally (VCA Animal Hospitals). Start toothbrushing while your dog is young and it becomes a two minute habit instead of a wrestling match.

Then there is heat. The coat that makes this breed magnificent in a Kootenay winter is a real liability in July. Cornell's heat guidance lists heavy panting, seeking shade, whining, reluctance to play, and drooling as early overheating signs, and difficulty breathing, vomiting, weakness, confusion, collapse, or seizures as a life threatening emergency (Cornell Riney Canine Health Center). Never shave the coat to cool a Lappy down, because it insulates against heat as well as cold. Our guide to Finnish Lapphunds in hot and cold climates covers the seasonal plan.

What health tests do responsible Finnish Lapphund breeders run?

A responsible breeder runs the full AKC and FLCA recommended panel and shares the results. Here is that panel, listed as the AKC publishes it:

• Patella evaluation.
• Hip evaluation.
• Elbow evaluation.
• Ophthalmologist evaluation.
• Pompe disease (GSD II) DNA test.
• Degenerative myelopathy, common variant, DNA test.
• Progressive retinal atrophy prcd DNA test.

(AKC herding group health testing requirements.)

A quick note on elbows. Elbow dysplasia is not currently considered a problem in the breed. The UK club reports 11 dogs graded with all of them scoring 0, and does not require routine elbow testing, while the AKC panel still lists elbow evaluation as recommended. That is a genuine cross club difference rather than a contradiction (FLCGB, breed health and AKC herding group panel). It is also worth knowing that this recommended panel is broader than the minimum CHIC requirements, which I explain next.

What do CHIC and OFA certification actually mean?

CHIC certifies that the required breed specific tests were completed and the results made public. It is not a pass or fail health guarantee. A dog can earn a CHIC number even with an abnormal result, as long as the testing was done and the results were shared. OFA states that the CHIC number itself does not imply normal test results, only that all the required breed specific tests were performed and the results made publicly available (OFA, CHIC program).

For a Finnish Lapphund, the three core CHIC requirements are:

• An OFA hip evaluation.
• A DNA based prcd-PRA test registered with OFA.
• An eye exam by a board certified ACVO ophthalmologist, registered with OFA.

Plus permanent identification, meaning a microchip or tattoo (FLCA, what is CHIC). So think of CHIC as the minimum publicly documented set, and the AKC recommended panel above as the fuller picture that goes beyond it, adding patella, elbow, Pompe, and degenerative myelopathy.

How do DNA test results work, and what do Clear, Carrier and Affected mean?

DNA tests sort dogs into three results, and understanding them is the key to reading a breeder's paperwork. A Clear or Normal dog has no copies of the faulty gene, so it cannot develop the condition or pass it on. A Carrier has one copy and passes it to about half its offspring while staying healthy itself. An Affected dog has two copies (Finnish Lapphund Health UK, DNA testing and Laboratoire de genetique veterinaire).

This is where responsible breeding comes in. A carrier can safely be bred to a Clear dog to preserve genetic diversity, because none of the puppies will be affected. The rule that must never be broken is mating two carriers, which can produce affected puppies. You may also see hereditary clear status, granted when both parents are Clear, though the Kennel Club plans to limit that to two generations before DNA testing is required again (Finnish Lapphund Health UK, DNA testing). The practical takeaway for a puppy buyer is simple. Ask to see the parents' DNA results, because that is what tells you whether a pairing was done responsibly.

How do you choose a healthy Finnish Lapphund puppy?

Ask the breeder for documented health results on both parents, and verify them yourself rather than taking it on trust. The short checklist is hip scores from OFA, BVA or FCI, a current ophthalmologist eye exam certificate, and DNA results for prcd-PRA and Pompe on both the dam and the sire.

Those results should be checkable. In the US they appear in the OFA database, and in the UK on Kennel Club records or the UK Finnish Lapphund health results search. A CHIC number is a helpful shortcut, since it indicates the full required panel was completed and made public. If a breeder cannot or will not show you the parents' results, that is your answer. Our guide to finding a Finnish Lapphund breeder covers the wider conversation, including waiting lists and red flags.

And one more time, because it matters. Discuss any specific dog's results and risks with your own veterinarian. A genetics report is a starting point for a conversation rather than the final word.

Celebrate your healthy Lappy

Once the homework is done and your healthy Finnish Lapphund is home, there is a great deal of life to enjoy together. I started Lapphund Designs because I could not find products that actually looked like my dogs, so everything is drawn breed true, in every coat, from the Finnish Lapphund t-shirts I wear on the trail to the stickers that end up on the vet folder. If you want more on daily life with the breed, browse the rest of the Lapphund Lovers' Corner.

Owners often ask me whether a mix is healthier than a purebred, and the research gives a narrower answer than the phrase hybrid vigour suggests.

Related Finnish Lapphund guides

• whether a mix is healthier than a purebred
• Finnish Lapphund breeders in Canada, province by province
• Finnish Lapphund lifespan and senior care
• The complete Finnish Lapphund care guide
• How to find a Finnish Lapphund breeder
• Do Finnish Lapphunds shed a lot?
• Finnish Lapphund breed guide

Finnish Lapphund health: quick answers

Are Finnish Lapphunds a healthy breed?

Generally yes. The Finnish Lapphund is considered a hardy, healthy breed with a typical lifespan of about 12 to 15 years. It carries several recognized hereditary conditions affecting the hips and eyes, plus a few DNA testable disorders including prcd-PRA, Pompe disease, and degenerative myelopathy. Always consult your veterinarian about an individual dog.

What DNA tests should a Finnish Lapphund have?

The AKC recommended panel includes DNA tests for progressive retinal atrophy prcd, Pompe disease (GSD II), and degenerative myelopathy, common variant, alongside hip, elbow, patella, and ophthalmologist evaluations. The three core CHIC requirements are narrower: an OFA hip evaluation, a prcd-PRA DNA test, and an ACVO eye exam, all registered with OFA.

Do Finnish Lapphunds get hip dysplasia?

It is a recognized concern, and the breed is considered relatively low to moderate risk. The UK breed club reports a breed average BVA/KC hip score of 12 and states the breed is "not high risk for hip dysplasia". Hip screening through OFA, PennHIP, BVA/KC or FCI is most reliable at two years or older, and you can check current OFA breed statistics for up to date figures.

What is prcd-PRA in Finnish Lapphunds?

prcd-PRA, progressive rod cone degeneration, is the breed's most important DNA testable inherited eye disease. It is autosomal recessive, caused by a single G to A change at position 5 in the PRCD gene. The night vision rod cells degenerate first, then the cones, with vision difficulty usually evident between three and five years of age. There is no cure, and a DNA test classifies dogs as Clear, Carrier, or Affected.

Why do prcd-clear Finnish Lapphunds still need eye exams?

Because not all PRA in the breed is explained by the prcd mutation. Some clinically PRA affected dogs test clear on the prcd DNA test, meaning at least one other form exists with no DNA test available. Hereditary cataract also has no DNA test. Regular ophthalmologist eye exams, ideally annual, remain important even for prcd clear dogs.

What does a CHIC number mean for a Finnish Lapphund?

A CHIC number certifies that all the breed specific required tests were performed and the results made publicly available. According to OFA, the CHIC number itself does not imply normal results. It is documentation that the testing was done and shared, rather than a pass or fail health guarantee.

Sources

This article is general educational information compiled from breed club and veterinary genetics sources. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Please consult your own veterinarian about your individual dog.

• Finnish Lapphund Club of America, general health
• Finnish Lapphund Club of America, what is CHIC
• Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain, breed health
• Finnish Lapphund Health UK, eye testing
• Finnish Lapphund Health UK, DNA testing
• Finnish Lapphund Health UK, health priorities
• Finnish Lapphund Health UK, health results search
• AKC herding group health testing requirements
• OFA, CHIC program
• OFA, patellar luxation
• OFA, breed statistics
• Laboratoire de genetique veterinaire, PRA-prcd
• Seppala, Reuser and Lohi, Pompe disease in Finnish and Swedish Lapphunds, PLOS ONE 2013
• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, patellar luxation
• Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, summer heat safety tips
• VCA Animal Hospitals, helping our senior dogs age gracefully
• PetMD, Finnish Lapphund, vet reviewed

Written by Jill, co-founder of Lapphund Designs. Jill lives in Castlegar, BC with her husband and their two Finnish Lapphunds, Timber and Tundra.