Do Finnish Lapphunds Shed a Lot? Coat, Seasonal Blow and Grooming

Let me be honest with you, owner to owner: yes, Finnish Lapphunds shed. When Timber blows his coat every spring, I can practically build a second dog out of what comes off the brush. But here is the part nobody tells you before you fall in love with that fluffy curled tail and those soft teddy bear eyes. The shedding is completely manageable once you understand how the coat actually works. So if you are wondering whether you can live with a Lappy and your favourite black sweater, this is the plain, no nonsense guide.

Do Finnish Lapphunds shed a lot?

Yes. The Finnish Lapphund is a moderate to heavy shedder that loses some hair all year, with two heavier seasonal coat changes. Purina UK rates the breed 3 out of 5 for shedding and puts it plainly: like all Spitz types, they shed (Purina UK). ShowSight Magazine agrees that the breed sheds year round, with shedding becoming more pronounced at the seasonal coat changes (ShowSight Magazine).

Here is the good news. For most owners this is not a deal breaker, it is just a routine. The shedding comes straight from the breed's thick double coat, the same coat that was built to keep these dogs warm while herding reindeer in Arctic Finland. Once you work with that coat instead of fighting it, brushing season becomes part of the rhythm of owning a Lappy.

Why do Finnish Lapphunds shed? The double coat explained

They shed because they have a thick double coat, and that is exactly how it is supposed to work. The Finnish Lapphund's coat is long, coarse, and straight on the outside, sitting over a soft, dense undercoat. It is profuse all over, and males carry an even more abundant mane (Royal Kennel Club, UK breed standard). ShowSight describes it as a luxurious double coat with a soft, dense undercoat and a longer, harsher outer coat, developed for herding reindeer in the Arctic cold (ShowSight Magazine).

The dense undercoat is the part that sheds in volume. That insulating layer is what comes out in quantity when the seasons turn, and that is normal and healthy for the breed. The harsh outer guard coat sheds far less. If you want the bigger picture on heritage and coat origin, our Finnish Lapphund care guide covers grooming, exercise, and health in one place, and our guide to Finnish Lapphund colours explains why two Lappies can look so different.

What is a seasonal coat blow?

A coat blow is when a double coated dog sheds its undercoat in large clumps as the seasons change, typically in spring and fall. Hill's Pet describes it well: your pet blows their coat when their undercoat comes out in large clumps in preparation for summer (Hill's Pet). Spring shedding thins the coat for warmer weather, and fall shedding makes room for a heavier winter coat.

VCA Animal Hospitals notes that long haired breeds typically experience two heavy seasonal shedding cycles, in late spring and fall, the same pattern that applies to a double coated Lapphund (VCA Animal Hospitals). One honest caveat: the idea of two fixed, weeks long blows is a fair generalization for double coated breeds, but the sources do not lock in an exact duration. Every dog is a little different. Tundra and Timber do not even blow on quite the same schedule.

When do Finnish Lapphunds shed the most?

They shed the most during the seasonal coat changes, and those changes are triggered by daylight length and temperature, not just the date on the calendar. VCA explains that seasonal shedding is affected by the outside temperature and the hours of daylight each day, known as the photoperiod, and that indoor pets living in a consistent climate with artificial light tend to shed year round (VCA Animal Hospitals).

Hill's backs this up, noting that time spent indoors with artificial lighting and temperature control can affect when and how much a dog sheds (Hill's Pet). The practical takeaway: a Lappy who spends a lot of time indoors may shed more evenly across the whole year rather than in two sharp peaks. If your dog lives the outdoor mountain life like ours do here in Castlegar, you will likely see those two distinct seasonal blows more clearly.

Finnish Lapphund shedding through the year (what to expect)

Most of the year you can expect manageable, routine shedding, with intense undercoat loss around the two seasonal coat changes. ShowSight recommends brushing several times a week normally, moving to daily brushing during the heavier shedding periods (ShowSight Magazine). Here is what a typical year looks like.

Hill's reminds us that shedding length varies depending on the time of year, the dog's overall health, and genetics (Hill's Pet). The single goal during a blow is simple: get the dead undercoat out before it has a chance to mat.

How do you manage Finnish Lapphund shedding?

You manage it with a light, regular grooming routine that ramps up during the blow. The routine is easier than most people expect. The Finnish Lapphund Club of America recommends brushing about every 1 to 2 weeks, with more often being better, and bathing only about once a month. They also point out that the coat does not mat easily and that the dogs lack that doggie odour, staying clean for a long while (Finnish Lapphund Club of America).

During the seasonal shed, step it up to daily brushing. Purina UK notes that daily grooming may be necessary when your dog is shedding (Purina UK). A technique that genuinely helps is line brushing, which the FLCA describes as lifting the coat up, starting down by the hock, and combing down to reach the roots through the dense double coat (Finnish Lapphund Club of America).

For tools, the FLCA recommends a slicker brush, a greyhound or wooden handled comb, and an undercoat rake for built up dead hair, which earns its keep during the blow. Hill's similarly suggests using a brush or comb made for stripping out the undercoat (Hill's Pet). And a friendly heads up from Purina UK: be keen on grooming and on vacuuming your home (Purina UK). Between brushing sessions, plenty of us in the Lappy Pack like to wear our love for the breed on a Finnish Lapphund t-shirt or sip a grooming break coffee from a breed true mug.

Should you ever shave a Finnish Lapphund?

No. Do not shave a Finnish Lapphund. The coat should stay natural and untrimmed, and the right way to cut down on loose hair is de-shedding, which means removing dead undercoat, not shaving. ShowSight is clear that the coat should not be sculpted or otherwise trimmed (ShowSight Magazine).

The FLCA goes further, restricting even a stripping knife to the muzzle and the front of the legs, and warning that using it on the body will break and damage the hair (Finnish Lapphund Club of America). That double coat insulates against both cold and heat, so shaving it does not keep your dog cooler, it just removes their natural protection. Reach for the undercoat rake and comb instead. De-shedding is the supported alternative, and it actually works.

Does diet affect shedding and coat quality?

Diet does support coat quality, but the specifics belong with your veterinarian. VCA explains that pet hair is mostly composed of protein, and that up to 35 percent of a dog's daily protein intake is used to maintain skin and coat. It identifies linoleic acid (an omega-6), EPA and DHA (omega-3 fatty acids), and biotin and B vitamins as nutrients that support healthy skin and coat (VCA Animal Hospitals). Hill's recommends feeding a complete and balanced food formulated to promote healthy skin and hair (Hill's Pet).

One honest note from us: this is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian before you change your dog's diet or add any supplements, since the right plan depends on your individual dog.

When is shedding a sign of a health problem?

Sudden, patchy, or otherwise abnormal hair loss is not normal seasonal shedding and is worth a veterinary check. VCA notes that a healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not brittle or coarse, and flags bald spots, patchy hair loss, excessive dandruff, odour, and recurring skin problems as reasons to see your vet (VCA Animal Hospitals).

There is also a recognized condition called seasonal flank alopecia, which shows up as symmetrical, well demarcated patches of hair loss tied to changing day length, and it is distinct from the normal, diffuse undercoat shedding you see during a blow (VCA Animal Hospitals). When in doubt, have your veterinarian take a look. You know your dog's normal better than anyone.

Related Finnish Lapphund guides

• The complete Finnish Lapphund care guide
• Finnish Lapphund colours
• Finnish Lapphund health problems and DNA testing
• Finnish Lapphund breed guide

Finnish Lapphund shedding: quick answers

Do Finnish Lapphunds shed a lot?

Yes. Finnish Lapphunds are moderate to heavy shedders. They shed some hair year round and shed more heavily during two seasonal coat changes. Purina UK rates the breed 3 out of 5 for shedding and notes that, like all Spitz types, they shed. Regular brushing keeps it manageable.

Why do Finnish Lapphunds shed so much?

They have a thick double coat, a long, coarse outer coat over a soft, dense undercoat, developed to protect them while herding reindeer in Arctic Finland. The dense undercoat is what they shed in volume, which is normal and healthy for the breed.

What is a coat blow and when does it happen?

A coat blow is when a double coated dog sheds its undercoat in large clumps as the seasons change, typically spring and fall. Hill's describes the undercoat coming out in large clumps to prepare for summer, and VCA notes long haired breeds usually have two heavy seasonal shedding cycles in late spring and fall.

How often should I brush a Finnish Lapphund?

About every 1 to 2 weeks for routine maintenance, with more often being better, and daily during the seasonal shed. Bathing is only needed about once a month, since the coat does not mat easily and the breed stays clean for a long while.

Should I shave my Finnish Lapphund to reduce shedding?

No. The coat should stay natural and untrimmed. The correct way to reduce loose hair is de-shedding, removing dead undercoat with an undercoat rake and comb, not shaving. The FLCA warns that cutting the body coat will break and damage the hair, and the double coat protects against both heat and cold.

When is shedding a sign of a health problem?

Sudden, patchy, or abnormal hair loss is not normal seasonal shedding. VCA flags bald spots, patchy loss, excessive dandruff, odour, and recurring skin problems as reasons to see your vet. Symmetrical, well demarcated patches can point to seasonal flank alopecia, a recognized condition, so have it checked by your veterinarian.

Sources

• The Kennel Club (UK), Finnish Lapphund breed standard
• Finnish Lapphund Club of America, Lapphund Grooming
• Purina UK, Finnish Lapphund
• Hill's Pet, Why Do Dogs Shed
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Dog Shedding: Normal and Abnormal
• ShowSight Magazine, A Rainbow of Colours

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. For your own dog, talk to your veterinarian.

Embrace the floof

Here is the truth about Lappy shedding: it comes with the territory, and it is a small price for one of the most loyal, joyful breeds out there. A bit of fur on your jacket just means you have a Finnish Lapphund, and around here that is something to be proud of. If you are still weighing the breed, our guide to whether Finnish Lapphunds are hypoallergenic is worth a read, and our full care guide ties grooming, exercise, and health together. We started Lapphund Designs because we could not find products that actually looked like our dogs, so we make breed true designs across t-shirts, mugs, stickers, coasters, and sweaters. Come join the Lappy Pack, fur and all.

Written by Jill, co-founder of Lapphund Designs. Jill lives in Castlegar, BC with her husband and their two Finnish Lapphunds, Timber and Tundra. She started Lapphund Designs after struggling to find products that celebrated the breed she loves.