Lapponian Herder vs Dorgi - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Dorgi is a designer crossbreed whose origins are not entirely known, however it is a popular breed, being a mix between a Dachshund and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

The Dorgi itself is new breed and therefore has a short history, but both dogs used to develop the Dorgi – the Dachshund and the Corgi – have their own unique histories.

The Dachshund originated in Germany in the 1500s and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi originated in the United Kingdom centuries ago.

The Lapponian Herder hails from Finland. He is a dog which was developed for the Sami people who needed a strong dog to herd and guard their reindeer. The Sami people knew that they could reply on these Spitz-type dogs to efficiently manage their reindeer herds.

As with many other dog breeds, their numbers dwindled during and after the Second World War, and breeders then stepped forward to restore the herding dog populations. The dog was developed from Spitz-type herding breeds which were crossed with black and white Karelian Bear Dogs as well as other dog varieties.

Both the Lapponian Herder and the Finnish Lapphund were recognized as the same breed, with the Lapponian being separated into its own breed in 1966.

The dog is one of Finland’s five national dog breeds and in 2017, the Lapponian Herder was accepted to the Foundation Stock Service program.

The Dorgi is known for his long body, short legs and the erect ears of the corgi. He is a small dog, measuring roughly 20-30cm in height and weighing in the region of 6 – 12kg.

Many people also refer to him as the sausage dog. The look of your Dorgi can depend quite a bit on whether he looks more like a Corgi or a Dachshund, so for instance the coat can be short and smooth, or thick and coarse.

They can surprise you with their looks, and some are born with long tails while others are born with bobtails. The coat comes in many colors too, from tan to brown to black and white or a mixture of these colors.

Temperament:

The Dorgi is full of the joys of life, just loving all the attention he gets from his human family. Of course, in return for this affection, he offers love, loyalty and plenty of fun and games.

He is an energetic breed too and is always ready to join in any games with the children in the home as well as with cats and dogs living in the home too.

Training and socialization will also be needed for the Dorgi who is intelligent and easy to train. He has wonderful behavior when trained, being obedient and relaxed around visitors to your home.

Social and sweet, this is one little dog who is guaranteed to make a wonderful pet and companion, as he loves human companionship and never wants to be left alone for too long. He is alert too, so while he is small and no real threat to an intruder, he is willing to do what it takes to protect his human family and to bark to alert you.

This is a medium sized dog and both male and female dogs stand between 43 and 51cm in height and weigh in the region of 30 to 35kg.

The average litter size for these dogs is 5 to 8 puppies.

They have a medium length double coat which is straight and fairly harsh to the touch. They are moderate shedders.

Looking much like a combination German Shepherd and Wolf, the Lapponian Herder’s coat can be dark grey, cream, dark brown and black. He has erect ears, brown eyes and a long bushy tail which can be held low but which he raises somewhat over the back when he is alert. The head is wedge-shaped with tapering muzzle and black nose.

Temperament:

Energetic and lively while also being calm, the Lapponian Herder makes an excellent family pet.

As a very active breed, he is going to need an active, outdoor-type of owner. He is an intelligent, independent dog who wants to be kept busy. Because of his smartness he is easy to train ad socialize, being a dog that wants to please.

Training and socialization will do wonders for him, particularly because he is a vocal dog, loving to bark and air his views. With the training you can call out to him ‘be quiet’ and he will, as he becomes an obedient dog who is a pleasure to have around in all kinds of situations.

The Dorgi is such a sweet little designer breed of dog that happens to also be low maintenance. Apart from being a little dog full of energy and attitude, he is loving and loyal as a family pet too, being gentle around children and making a splendid pet.

He isn’t going to eat you out of hearth and home either and he is a fairly healthy breed as well.

When you bring a Dorgi into your home, you’re bringing in a whole lot of happiness as he is an awesome family member who wants to be counted in on everything the do.

The Lapponian Herder is a great family pet who is social and who loves being in the company of his human family, being able to get on well with children in the home too, as well as pets.

He plays a protective role too, not being quiet when it comes to barking and warning his family of intruders.

They’re very energetic dogs but can be docile indoors. He is smart too, being able to learn quickly. Bring one of these Lapponian Herders into your home, and you’re guaranteed a splendid family pet.

Because the Dorgi is a hybrid breed, he promises to be quite healthy, but on the other hand, it could be that he inherits some of the common health problems associated with either the Corgi or the Dachshund.

Obesity is always a problem with a small dog, as they’re so sweet, you just want to be popping treats into their mouths all the time. It is important to follow a healthy diet for your pet however if you want to stave off common dog disorders.

Obesity:

An obese dog faces a shorter life expectancy, and some of the major health issues that an obese Dorgi has to contend with is diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure and cancer among others. Certainly better, healthier pet food choices can help save you money on vets fees.

Diabetes:

Diabetes in canines is just as serious as in humans and its a glucose-insulin complication where the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin.

Sugars build-up in the blood and these can cause damage to your dog’s eyes, heart and kidneys. You may notice your pet gaining weight, being more thirsty, being tired and having cloudy eyes which could be indicative of cataracts. Take your pet to the vet as insulin shots may be required.

The Lapponian Herder, with good care, should be able to live for 10 to 14 years.

He is generally believed to be a healthy dog breed, but as with most other dogs, there are a few health issues which can crop up. These can be eye- and infections as well as skin allergies. These can be highly irritating for your dog and painful too, and veterinary intervention may be required.

Other serious dog problems can be bloat and joint dysplasia.

Grooming:

Your Dorgi’s coat will be shortish, and shedding is minimal so a good brush twice a week will be perfect for this pet of yours, and he will love the attention you give him while doing so.

Exercise:

He is an active breed so he will require regular exercise. Take him with you on your walks. Even if you have a small garden, he’ll love fetching a ball for you.

Diet:

If you give your Dorgi commercially manufactured dog food, remember to be guided by the feeding recommendations to avoid obesity.

Its always a good idea to add in some raw meat to his diet to keep his nose wet and his skin free from being dry and itchy. You can also add in some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken for variety.

Always ensure that a bowl of fresh water is constantly available.

Grooming:

The Lapponian Herder has a dense coat and he is considered to be an average shedder with some seasonal shedding.

To keep the coat sleek and shiny, get into the habit of brushing him twice a week. With the assistance of the right grooming tools you will be able to clip his nails if he doesn’t wear them down naturally. Just be careful though, because cutting to far down can mean cutting him where the nerves are and this can cause your pet great pain.

When you brush him, check his ears at the same time and use a damp cloth to wipe away the excess wax and dirt.

His teeth should also be cleaned with canine toothpaste and toothbrush. If you are apprehensive about keeping up with these grooming procedures, there are professional dog grooming experts who will attend to your dog’s grooming needs.

Diet:

The Lapponian Herder is a medium sized dog full of energy.

If you feed him commercially manufactured kibble, you’ll read on the packaging about the type of food it is and what portion sizes to give him. Always go for the top quality brands that are made with good meaty ingredients and not filled with the likes of colorants and preservatives.

It is healthier to give him 2 smaller meals a day as opposed to one large meal. Try and give him some home-cooked food to bring in some variety. Excellent food for him would be some cooked chicken, brown rice, pasta and some cooked or raw vegetables added into his kibble. Every now and then it can be good for him to have a bit of raw meat added into his food.

Your Lapponian Herder must have constant access to cool, fresh water. Remember to wash the bowl out regularly, as the dog’s saliva enters the water when drinking.