Finnish Lapphund Health Problems: Genetic Conditions, DNA Tests and Screenings

When we were researching the Finnish Lapphund before bringing Timber home, the health question kept us up at night. Is this a healthy breed? What can go wrong? What should a good breeder actually be testing for? The honest answer is reassuring, but it comes with homework. Lappies are a hardy, long-lived breed, and they also 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). That said, 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 (the prcd form), hereditary cataract, Pompe disease (also called GSDII), and degenerative myelopathy (DM), with multi-drug sensitivity (MDR1) showing up in a small number of dogs (Finnish Lapphund Club of America, General Health; Finnish Lapphund Club of Great Britain, Breed Health; AKC Herding Group Health Testing Requirements). Below we 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 honest 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 neatly into three groups: joint conditions detected by X-ray, eye conditions detected by an ophthalmologist exam (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 is a map of what exists in the breed, not one universal rulebook. The UK and the AKC/FLCA differ in a few places, which we point out below (FLCGB, Breed Health; AKC Herding Group panel).

How common is hip dysplasia in Finnish Lapphunds?

Hip dysplasia is a recognized concern in the breed, but 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 plainly 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, using 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 care guide covers day to day exercise and weight management.

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, but 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 most affected dogs show noticeable vision loss around three to five years of age. There is no cure, but a DNA test sorts dogs cleanly into Clear, Carrier, or Affected (UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, 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). That is the whole reason eye exams still matter for prcd-clear dogs.

Hereditary cataract is occasional but 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, by a board-certified ophthalmologist or official eye-scheme panellist (ACVO/CAER in the US, BVA/KC/ISDS or ECVO in the UK) (Finnish Lapphund Health UK, Eye Testing).

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

These are three DNA-testable conditions, ranging from severe and fatal to mild but 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. Affected dogs show progressive muscle weakness, regurgitation and dilation of the oesophagus, and thickening of the heart muscle, and they typically die or are euthanized before about two years of age. The good news is that it is DNA-testable, so it can be bred away from entirely (PMC, A Nonsense Mutation in the Acid alpha-Glucosidase Gene Causes Pompe Disease in Finnish and Swedish Lapphunds; Finnish Lapphund Health UK, DNA Testing).

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) 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 by the AKC and FLCA, while some clubs (including the UK) do not yet require routine DM testing pending more research. Importantly, an at-risk genotype indicates risk, not a certainty of disease (AKC Herding Group panel; Finnish Lapphund Health UK, DNA Testing).

MDR1 (ABCB1) multi-drug sensitivity affects only a small number of Finnish Lapphunds, but it is the one to mention to your vet. It can cause adverse reactions to certain wormers and medications, so always tell your veterinarian before any drug such as ivermectin is used (FLCGB, Breed Health). This one rests on a single breed-club source, so treat it as a useful heads-up 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, not a diagnosis, and your veterinarian can tell you what it means for your individual dog.

What health tests do responsible Finnish Lapphund breeders run?

A responsible breeder runs the full AKC/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) (DM) DNA Test
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRCD (PRA-prcd, 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, all scoring 0, and does not require routine elbow testing, while the AKC/FLCA still lists elbow evaluation as recommended. That is a genuine cross-club difference rather than a contradiction (FLCGB, Breed Health; AKC Herding Group panel). It is also worth knowing that this recommended panel is broader than the minimum CHIC requirements, which we 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/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, 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 (CERF/CAER) registered with OFA

Plus permanent identification, meaning a microchip or tattoo (FLCA, What is CHIC?). As OFA puts it, a CHIC number does not imply normal results, only that the required tests were performed and made publicly available. So think of CHIC as the minimum publicly documented set, and the AKC/FLCA recommended panel above as the fuller picture that goes beyond it (it adds patella, elbow, GSDII, and DM).

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

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 50% of its offspring but does not develop the disease itself. An Affected dog has two copies (Finnish Lapphund Health UK, DNA Testing; UC Davis VGL).

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, which is granted when both parents are Clear. The Kennel Club plans to limit how long that is accepted, to two generations (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 (OFA, BVA, or FCI), a current ophthalmologist eye-exam certificate, and DNA results for prcd-PRA and Pompe (GSDII) on both the dam and the sire.

Those results should be checkable. In the US they appear on the OFA database, and in the UK on the Kennel Club records or the UK Finnish Lapphund health results search. A CHIC number is a helpful shortcut: 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.

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, not the final word.

Related Finnish Lapphund guides

• Finnish Lapphund lifespan and senior care
• The complete Finnish Lapphund care guide
• Finnish Lapphund breed guide
• Do Finnish Lapphunds shed a lot?

Finnish Lapphund health: quick answers

Are Finnish Lapphunds a healthy breed?

Generally yes. The Finnish Lapphund is considered a hardy, healthy breed. However, it carries several recognized hereditary conditions affecting the hips and eyes, plus a few DNA-testable disorders (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/FLCA recommended panel includes DNA tests for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-prcd), Pompe disease (GSD II), and degenerative myelopathy (DM, common variant), alongside hip, elbow, patella, and ophthalmologist evaluations. The three core CHIC requirements are 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, but 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 (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 in the PRCD gene, and the night-vision rod cells degenerate first, then the cones, with most affected dogs showing noticeable vision loss around three to five years of age. There is no cure, but 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, currently non-DNA-testable form exists. 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, not a pass/fail health guarantee.

What does Clear, Carrier, or Affected mean on a DNA test?

A Clear dog has no copies of the faulty gene and cannot develop the condition or pass it on. A Carrier has one copy and passes it to about 50% of its offspring. An Affected dog has two copies. Responsible breeders may pair a carrier with a clear dog to preserve diversity, but never breed two carriers together.

Sources and a note on veterinary advice

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 results search
• AKC Herding Group Health Testing Requirements
• OFA, CHIC Program
• OFA, Breed Statistics
• UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, PRA-prcd
• PMC, Pompe Disease in Finnish and Swedish Lapphunds
• PetMD, Finnish Lapphund (vet-reviewed)

Celebrate your healthy Lappy

Once you have done the homework and found your healthy Finnish Lapphund, there is a lot of life to enjoy together. We started Lapphund Designs because we could not find products that actually looked like our dogs, so we make breed-true designs for the whole Lappy Pack: breed-true Finnish Lapphund t-shirts, mugs, stickers, coasters, and cozy sweaters. For more on day to day life with the breed, read our care guide and the complete breed guide, and browse the rest of the Lapphund Lovers' Corner.

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.