Icelandic Sheepdog

The Icelandic Sheepdog is an affectionate and lovable herding breed that hails from the cold and rocky environs of Iceland. There are many interesting facts about its history. It was first brought to the uninhabited island by the Norse seafaring adventurers around 900 AD. The dog’s primary purpose was to herd sheep and track down lost members of the flock.

Facing the potential of extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries, this breed was rehabilitated by enthusiast organizations and breeders around the world. Their efforts came to fruition when the breed gained full recognition from the American Kennel Club in 2010. Although this is still an obscure and underappreciated breed, it is a very eager, friendly, and lovable companion for the entire family.

The Icelandic Sheepdog shares many characteristics in common with other Spitz-type dogs. It has a fox-like face, pointed ears, and a bushy tail that curls over the back. It also has two dewclaws on each hind leg. The dense double coat, which consists of a long outer coat and softer undercoat, is covered in white fur with black, cream, fawn, gold, gray, red, tan, chocolate, or sable mixed in.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Size and Weight

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a small to medium-sized breed with an athletic frame.

Common Health Issues

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a very healthy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 14 years. The biggest problems it suffers from are cataracts, patellar luxation (a loose kneecap), and hip dysplasia, in which the joint can slip loose from the socket, causing lameness and pain. Cancer is also a leading cause of death in most dogs. National breed clubs will generally insist on subjecting dogs to hip and eye evaluations. Good, trustworthy breeders will test their stock for these types of issues. You can ask them to provide proof of the stock’s good health. You should also keep in mind that dogs will need regular appointments at the vet to check for health problems.

Temperament

The Icelandic Sheepdog is an incredibly devoted and loving companion that wants to be at the center of family activities. With its immense energy levels and upbeat temperament, this dog is a whirlwind of activity. It needs plenty of games, exercise, and socialization throughout the day, or else it might resort to destructive and unwanted behavior. If you need to leave your dog alone for a few hours, then make sure it has plenty of toys and activities to keep it occupied. Because of the space it needs, this breed is probably not a great choice for apartments or other compact living arrangements.

Care

The Icelandic Sheepdog takes quite a lot of care, but as long as you’re willing to devote the time and effort, this breed will yield some excellent results. Its happy, upbeat disposition helps a lot with making even difficult dog care tasks quite enjoyable. It’s probably not a great choice for novice owners, however, unless you’re willing to learn the nuances of this breed’s care and maintenance.

Best Dog Food

Although this breed is rather healthy, every dog owner wants the best for their canine companion. So the Icelandic Sheepdog probably needs around two to three cups of high-quality dog food per day, with the exact amount depending on the dog’s size and activity level. However, if it starts to show signs of weight gain, then owners should limit calorie intake and treats.

Maintenance and Grooming

The Icelandic Sheepdog has two annual shedding seasons in the spring and fall. Daily brushes in the shedding season, as well as weekly brushing throughout the rest of the year, should be sufficient to remove loose hair and dirt. Tangles can be worked out with a slicker brush or a metal comb.

Because of its weatherproof coat, this breed shouldn’t need baths very often. However, the nails will need to be trimmed regularly, perhaps once a month, to prevent discomfort and pain. The ears should be checked for signs of infection and then cleaned out with a simple cotton swab and solution. The teeth will need to be brushed regularly as well to maintain proper gum and dental health.

Training

The Icelandic Sheepdog is generally intelligent, amiable, and eager to please. Unlike many breeds, this dog will be an active and engaged participant in its training. Positive reinforcement methods involving treats and praise are highly recommended. They don’t respond very well to overly harsh or disciplinary training methods.

Exercise

With its enormous energy levels, the Icelandic Sheepdog may need up to an hour of exercise every day. Long walks, hikes, and playtime should be enough to keep it happy. This breed also excels at herding, tracking, agility, and obedience challenges. Because of their strong herding instincts, however, it might be a bad idea to let them roam free around the neighborhood. It’s highly recommended that you have a large yard with a big fence to prevent these little escape artists from absconding.

Puppies

Despite their friendly and upbeat personality, Icelandic Sheepdog puppies still need thorough training and socialization to instill some discipline and prevent bad behavior as adults. Puppy training classes are a great way to learn from an expert and meet new dogs and people. You should never miss an opportunity to socialize your dog; take it out of the house and introduce it to new people often.

Crate training, while not mandatory, can be a great way to solve some housebreaking and behavioral issues with puppies as well. For any questions about vaccines, neutering/spaying, and microchipping, you should talk with your vet.

Children

A well-trained Icelandic Sheepdog should get along with children of all ages. It’s loyal, protective, and very affectionate. Adults should nevertheless supervise all interactions between dogs and younger children.

Similar Dogs

• Norwegian Buhund: This all-purpose farming dog from Norway is the closest living relative of the Icelandic Sheepdog. A cheerful and active breed, it is characterized by a square profile, wedge-shaped head, curled tail, and dense coat of wheaten or black.
• Swedish Lapphund: This affectionate and lively Spitz-type herding dog originated many centuries ago. It has a fascinating history and many intriguing facts. The ancestor of this breed was developed by the Sami people to herd and guard reindeer. It is characterized by a very dense coat of black fur.
• Swedish Vallhund: This small Swedish breed, whose name translates to mean herding dog, was originally bred more than a thousand years ago to drive and herd cattle. It is characterized by short legs, pricked ears, and a dense double coat of grayish brown, red, or yellow fur.