For a Finnish Lapphund, the best thing about the dog forest is friends
Recently, the Finnish Lapphund Nalle got a new playmate at Someron Koirametsä when his fellow Lapphund, Pouta, came to explore the dog forest. Nalle has been with Someron Koirametsä from the very beginning and was an important reason why the dog forest was founded in the first place. He’s accustomed to visiting the forest daily, while Pouta, at one and a half years old, was experiencing it for the first time.
Nalle was already roaming freely in the forest when Pouta entered through the outer gate. Finnish Lapphunds have a long history as herding and guard dogs, and one might imagine Nalle patrolling his territory energetically. However, his guarding instincts are rather dormant. Nalle greeted Pouta with a friendly bark, feeling no need to defend his territory. The two dogs sniffed each other in greeting, and in no time, they were off, racing through the forest together.
The Finnish Lapphund’s social nature shines in the dog forest
Every dog finds its own way to enjoy the freedom and natural environment of the dog forest. Finnish Lapphunds are especially known for their friendly and social nature, and for them, there’s often nothing better than the company of other dogs. Both Nalle and Pouta get along well with other dogs and quickly found a shared rhythm. They took turns chasing each other, with Nalle clearly delighted to have a new playmate in the forest.
In Sammallaakso, Pouta explored the unfamiliar surroundings, curiously sniffing the forest scents, while Nalle’s nose skillfully found the pocket where dog treats were kept. Later, in front of the grill hut, Nalle decided that Pouta didn’t need to come near the people—just in case any treats might come his way from the table. Though Nalle isn’t particularly territorial, he is quite food-motivated. Younger Pouta respectfully backed away, and the situation remained calm.
On rare occasions, if Nalle finds himself in a challenging situation during a wrestling match with another dog, his solution is amusing: he simply turns around and sits on the troublemaker. That’s likely the intelligence that the breed standard refers to.
At Someron Koirametsä, dogs have the chance to be themselves—moving freely in nature, immersing themselves in the forest atmosphere, and meeting friends. Finnish Lapphunds remind us of the importance of giving dogs the opportunity for natural play and social interaction. Thank you, lovely Pouta, for your visit, and to all our wonderful dog visitors who fill Someron Koirametsä with joy and warmth!
Learn more about Someron Koirametsä
In the Dog visitors’ stories series, we share heartwarming and fun stories from visitors to Someron Koirametsä. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to share your dog’s adventures in the dog forest!