🐾 Groomer Recommendations for Finnish Lapphund Owners

In addition to regular grooming at home, many Lappie owners take their dog to a professional groomer every 2–3 months. This ensures their coat stays in top condition and helps prevent matting in hard-to-reach areas.

What to Expect at a Grooming Appointment

During a professional groom, your Lappie should:

Be bathed
Be blow dried
Be thoroughly brushed, with all tangles and matts removed
Have their nails trimmed (note: you should continue trimming nails at home every fortnight)

A standard grooming appointment usually takes 1–2 hours. It may take longer if:

Your Lappie has matts
They are doing a junior coat drop
They were desexed before 14 months (which can affect coat texture)
They are blowing their coat

Selecting a Groomer

Not all groomers are familiar with Spitz coats or the unique needs of a Finnish Lapphund. Before making an appointment, ask these key questions:

Do you use any medication during grooming?
Some groomers sedate dogs without the owner's knowledge. Always clarify that this is not permitted without consent and veterinary oversight.
Are you familiar with Spitz coats? Do you enjoy grooming them?
Many groomers are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with double coats, leading to poor grooming outcomes or unnecessary shaving.
Do you understand that Finnish Lapphunds are a natural breed?
Their coats must not be shaved or trimmed, apart from paw pads. Shaving ruins the insulating properties of the coat, affecting temperature regulation in both heat and cold.
Do you use clippers, scissors, Furminators or de-shedding blades?
These should not be used on the coat (except for paw pads). Brushing and combing are the correct tools.
How do you price your services?
Make sure you understand what’s included in the base fee and what attracts extra charges (matts, coat drop etc).

At the Appointment

When dropping off your Lappie:

Reiterate that the coat must not be shaved, clipped or trimmed (except paw pads)
Clarify that no de-shedding blades or cutting tools should be used on the body
Mention that Finnish Lapphunds need to be brushed and blown out, not cut

Spitz owners often get a nasty surprise when their dog's coat has been altered without consent. Once damaged, it can take years to grow back—if ever.