Hermes Bulldogge vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Lapinkoira, Lapponian Shepherd Dog or Finish Lapland Dog, it is believed that the Finnish Lapphund is an ancient dog breed, dating back way back to 7000 B.C.

The breed had its origins as a reindeer herder with the Sami people, being both herder and protector. In Finland, the first breed standards for the dog were set in 1945 by the Finnish Kennel Club. They called the dog the Lappish Herder.

The first American litter was born in 1988 and it was in 1994 that the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club, becoming a recognized breed in the Herding Group in 2011.

The Hermes Bulldogge is not a breed in itself, but is actually a line within the English Bulldogge line. The Hermes family in the United States bred this line for several years. The Hermes Bulldogge line is the largest of the re-creations from the English Bulldogge. They are inspired by the arena dogs from the days of the Roman Empire. Greg and Linda Hermes have bred healthy, smart, resilient and agile dogs. The desire of the Hermes was an attempt at recreating the 17th century dog.

They used a variety of breeds to create the Hermes Bulldogge, most of whom are never disclosed. Some of the dogs that were probably used include: English Mastiffs, American Bulldogs, Old English Bulldogges, and pit Bull Terriers. This family of dogs are playful, friendly, and good family dogs. They have a strong prey drive which makes them good hunters but not as good around other small animals or small children. The Hermes have been breeding the Hermes Bulldogge since since 1983. The puppies are all hand raised, child friendly with great health.

When discussing the Hermes Bulldogge, one must go back to the root of the English Bulldogge. That breed comes originally from England and various lines have been recreated by various breeders. The breeding of the Old English Bulldogge with Mastiffs and Pits lead to other lines that the breeders called Old English. But most fanciers believe that only two lines of the original Old English Bulldogge remain and that is the Leavitt and the Hermes.

Some form of bulldog has been in existence since 700 years ago and as it was mixed with a variety of other breeds it took on other forms over time. The English Bulldogge was a definite couch potato. Instead of being bred for a job or look, the Bulldogge was developed with temperament, ability and health in mind. This has made for a great family dog without a lot of veterinarian bills.

Looking quite a bit like the Samoyed, Siberian Husky or Australian Shepherd, the Finnish Lapphund stands at between 40 and 52cm and weighing 15 to 24kg.

The Finnish Lapphund is a medium sized dog with a friendly, sweet face.He has a beautiful soft cuddly kind of coat that is medium to long in length and essentially straight. The dense undercoat provides insulation and shouldn’t be trimmed.The dog comes in different colors such as tan brown, yellowish and black. The ears are erect and the tail is bushy, curling over the back.

Temperament:

One characteristic of this dog which can irritate some people is that he has a tendency to bark. This characteristic of his makes him a good watch dog though. He is a friendly dog who wants to do the right thing, and training and socialization can ensure that he is always obedient and amicable.

Intelligent and alert, your pet is an intelligent dog and training him won’t prove to be difficult.It is a dog which craves companionship from his human family and he wants to be included in all his family’s activities. He wants to accompany you on all your running- and cycling activities. He gets on well with children in the home with his gentle nature, being a particularly friendly breed.

The Hermes Bulldogge, much like the original Olde English Bulldogge, is taller, healthier, more athletic than the original English Bulldog. They are medium height, with a large head, a strong body and a deep, wide chest and broad shoulders. Tails might or might not be docked but the ears are never docked. They n have a moderate amount of wrinkles and a longer, less smashed face than the original. It is easier for the Hermes Bulldogge to breath, to fly and to live in warmer environments that it is for the English Bulldogge. His eyes are lower in his head but in the front center.

They are very dark almost black. Eyelids should cover the white of the eye and they have rounded cheeks. They have a short muzzle and short face. Broad, thick lips finish out the face with very large, square, broad jaws.

The Finnish Lapphund is an active and alert dog who just loves to fuss around his human family. He has many good qualities that make him the perfect family pet. It is why he is often referred to as an all-rounder.

He is a calm, friendly non-aggressive dog who wants to be co-operative with his owners. He has the tendency to bark. With a friendly, happy face, he is essentially just a big teddy bear and if you treat him well he is going to make sure that he showers you with his special love and loyalty.

Children friendliness

If socialized properly this line of bulldog is harmful to me.

Special talents

Strong and athletic, his strength and stamina.

Adaptability

He is not very adaptable. Apartments are not good for this dog. He needs to run and if possible to hunt.

Learning ability

He is very intelligent but stubborn which affects his learning ability.

Regarded as generally healthy, the Finnish Lapphund can reach anything between 12 and 14 years of age. There are however one or two common dog illnesses that your Finnish Lapphund might be more prone to and these are hip and elbow dysplasia as well as progressive retinal atrophy.

While the occurrences of these illnesses is rare, they can happen with your Finnish Lapphund. Whenever you notice something untoward with your pet, get him to the vet immediately.

The Hermes Bulldogge is healthier than most bulldogs. His face is not as smashed and he is not as wrinkled. He can breathe easier than other Bulldogs. The two major concerns are hip dysplasia and bloat.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia also some elbow dysplasia: can cause lameness and arthritis

Bloat

Terminal unless treated immediately. Can be prevented by not feeding large meals before or after heavy exercise.

Grooming:

With his beautiful, thick coat the Finnish Lapphund sheds quite heavily during certain seasons. The double coat will certainly require a good brushing at least twice a week to remove dirt, burrs and grass.

Diet:

All dogs deserve a high quality dog food which is appropriate to the breed, the age of the dog, his size and his activity levels.

You want to ensure that your pet gets all the right vitamins and minerals he requires for good health. If you aren’t sure what to feed your pet on, speak to your vet. Home-made food is always a good idea too as it provides some variety to your pet’s diet. Cooked rice, vegetables and chicken becomes a tasty, nutritious treat when added into his kibble. Also try to add in some raw meat when you can as well to ensure his skin and coat remain healthy. Cool, fresh water is to be supplied night and day non-stop.

Exercise:

Your Finnish Lapphund isn’t the kind of dog who is going to be bounding around you demanding exercise. He is a calm dog with moderate exercise requirements. He will love to join you on a walk every day and some ball games will satisfy him.

Feeding the puppy

When feeding a Hermes Bulldogge puppy be sure you feed puppy meal for bulldogs or medium dogs. For first year fee 2-4 times a day 2 cups food.

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult a solid adult dry food. 2 cups twice a day.

Points for Good Health

Better health than most lines of Bulldogs. Few wrinkles and less problems breathing as he doesn’t have a smashed face.

Games and Exercises

He doesn’t need a lot of exercise but daily walks and lots of play time. He can enjoy Lure Coursing obedience, agility and obedience