The expression "the black beauty of Norrland" is very often attributed to the Swedish lapphund, which is most likely one of Sweden's oldest breeds.

The breed falls under the mitochondrial DNA sub-clade referred to as d1 that is only found in northern Scandinavia.

It is the result of a female wolf-male dog hybridization that occurred post-domestication.

[1][2] Subclade d1 originated "at most 480–3,000 years ago" and is found in all Sami-related breeds: Finnish Lapphund, Swedish Lapphund, Lapponian Herder, Jamthund, Norwegian Elkhound and Hällefors Elkhound.

[4] Like all spitz dogs in general, the Swedish lapphund demands a stable upbringing and both regular mental and physical stimulation to perform at its best.