Pandikona vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

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 Pandikona hails from the village of Pandikona, India, but is in danger of becoming extinct. They have always been well adapted to the harsh conditions of the Kurnool district in India, and they are considered to be a primitive-type dog breed.

It has always been a territorial dog that has been used to guard villages and today it’s a dog which isn’t recognized as a standardized breed by any of the major kennel clubs. It is essentially a companion dog today.

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 Pandikona is a medium sized sighthound which stands at between 48 and 66cm in height and weighs in the region of 30 – 40kg. They are actually slightly built dogs, although the Pandikona can come in a variety of sizes as there is no selective breeding.

The breed’s coat is essentially short-haired and smooth with colors varying from solid fawn, white to black with white patches. Brindle is also sometimes seen. They are slim, muscular dogs with erect ears and a long tail that most times curves upwards.

Temperament:

These intelligent and very independent dogs are found roaming around Indian villages and guarding their owner’s property. They are territorial dogs, they are fearless too and make excellent guard dogs. They get on well with children as well as with pets, and with training they become loyal and faithful companions.

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.

The Pandikona may well be a primitive-type hunting dog from India but he is robust and low maintenance, and capable of making a splendid pet. That is one huge tick in his favor already.

He is an active dog who likes to be kept busy but that doesn’t mean he is too busy to give his human family his loyalty and companionship. Easy to keep, the Pandikona promises to make you the most fantastic pet and friend.

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.

Dogs are totally dependent on us for their care, and it is our responsibility to keep our eyes on them to ensure they are happy and healthy. It can be to you and your pet’s benefit to know some of the most common health problems that dogs face.

The Pandikona dogs are super hardy – used to roughing it - and they’re not going to require much veterinary care. Even though this is such a hardy dog, you can never tell if a sudden canine illness strikes your pet. Sometimes it will be necessary to get your pet to the vet to be examined and to receive medication.

Ear Infections:

This is very common in dogs and an ear infection can be triggered by dirt and wax in the ear, allergies and ear mites or something else. Your dog will be scratching at his ear, shaking his head, there will be redness and possibly discharge and a nasty odor. Don’t hesitate to take your pet to the vet.

Worms:

Roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms are horrible parasites that can cause a whole lot of unpleasant symptoms in your dog. He could have a cough, a dull, listless coat, diarrhea, a lack of appetite and weight loss. Treatment from the vet will depend on the type of worm that has infested your pet.

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.

Exercise:

There isn’t much information on the Pandikona but they have always spent their time roaming free around Indian villages. They’re used to having a lot of space to run and won’t do well in cramped spaces in the city. He wants to be busy and will certainly require you taking him on walks or allowing him to run free in a park. Ball games will also be appreciated as he loves lots of activity.

Diet:

Food is so very important to the health of dogs. As pets, the Pandikona deserves to have nutritious food which has all the right vitamins and minerals.

These days the best commercially manufactured dog foods can be a good choice for your pet and you choose these foods by reading the labels on the packaging and going according to the dog’s size, his activity levels and his age.

Dogs thrive on homemade food, especially when its simple and nutritious. Boiled chicken, some brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as sweet potato, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added into his kibble from time to time can only do him good. Some raw meat added in occasionally can also be immensely beneficial. Make sure he has always got a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

General Care:

Check your Pandikona over from time to time. Check inside his ears for redness and signs of infection and check his eyes too. Brush him at least twice a week to get rid of dust and loose hairs. Trim his nails too and check inside his mouth for bad teeth.

Never ever leave him in a hot car or outside without shade and water. Make sure he has a nice dry comfortable place to sleep. He gives you unconditional love and companionship, and in exchange for this you want him to be well provided for.