Icelandic Sheepdog Dog Breed Information

Group

Herding

Weight

9-13kg

Height

40-45cm

Lifespan

14-15 years

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About the Icelandic Sheepdog

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

These working dogs were seemingly brought to Iceland by the first Viking settlers, and now they are considered to be Iceland’s only native dog breed.

If you want to find out more about this rare breed, such as its grooming needs, trainability, and history, then our comprehensive guide has you covered, and it won’t be long before you figure out whether the Icelandic Sheepdog is the right breed for you.

What is the history & origin of the Icelandic Sheepdog?

The Icelandic Sheepdog breed is believed to be over 1000 years old, which makes it one of the oldest dog breeds around, but, despite this, the American Kennel Club only decided to recognise the breed in 2010.

The breed has stayed unchanged for so many years owing to the fact that when the invading Vikings brought these dogs with them, there were no other dogs on the island for them to breed with.

Unsurprisingly, the Icelandic Sheepdog was used to protect flocks of sheep, as its name suggests. However, they primarily protected these sheep from birds of prey instead of other land predators, so don’t be surprised if you catch one looking up at the sky!

They fended off birds of prey by chasing them and barking at them, so the breed is often known for having a rather piercing voice that they won’t hesitate to use.

Throughout the 1800s and 1900s, Icelandic Sheepdog numbers dwindled, and many feared that the breed would become extinct, but, thankfully, some fans of the breed used the remaining dogs to kickstart its numbers once again.

While these fans of the breed brought the Icelandic Sheepdog back from extinction, it is still an extremely rare breed, and you will be unlikely to see one unless you contact or join a breed club like the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association.

What is an Icelandic Sheepdog breed?

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog that hails from Iceland. Icelandic Sheepdogs often sport a thick double coat that is waterproof in order to protect them from the harsh Icelandic climate.

Their coats come in a variety of colours, such as tan, reddish-brown, cream, chocolate brown, grey or even black. All of these coat colours generally also come with white markings.

Icelandic Sheepdogs fall under the category of herding dogs, according to the American Kennel Club, but they are more commonly kept as companion dogs these days.

Who is an Icelandic Sheepdog best for?

Like many other working dogs, Icelandic Sheepdogs need an extensive amount of exercise and space for them to run around. They are not known to do well in apartments, so those who live in houses without a yard or apartment complexes should generally not choose to keep an Icelandic Sheepdog as a pet.

These dogs require at least a few hours of exercise every day and plenty of mental stimulation. These dogs are a full-time commitment, as they love to spend all their time being active with their families, so they need to be looked after accordingly, or they can begin to act out and misbehave.

When trained, exercised, and stimulated properly, Icelandic Sheepdogs make excellent pets for active families. They do well with children and can learn to do well with other pets and dogs if they are trained properly.

Fans of dog sports will struggle to find a better canine companion to compete with, as Icelandic Sheepdogs are known to do exceptionally well in herding trials, agility competitions, and other dog sports disciplines.

If you decide to get an Icelandic Sheepdog, it’s also important for you to have a fenced yard and keep your dog on a leash at all times if you are out on a walk, as the breed is known to chase cars and small animals owing to their livestock herding heritage.

Icelandic Sheepdog Grooming & Shedding

If you aren’t a fan of dog hair, you should probably look elsewhere, as the Icelandic Sheepdog has a thick coat that sheds year-round. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs tend to shed the most in Spring and Autumn, as this is considered to be their shedding season.

For this reason, these dogs should be brushed once or twice per week to remove loose fur that will have built up. In shedding season, they will likely need to be brushed daily, so owners should be aware of this.

They will also ideally need to be bathed and have their nails trimmed once a month, and their ears should be checked for infection and cleaned once a week.

Do Icelandic Sheepdogs bark a lot?

The Icelandic Sheepdog is known for being extremely vocal, so if you are not able to tolerate barking, it would be best to look elsewhere.

Icelandic Sheepdog owners would do well to teach their dogs a “quiet” command as early on as possible, as this could help to limit nuisance barking.

Icelandic Sheepdogs may also start a habit of nuisance barking if they are frequently left alone for too long, not exercised properly, or do not receive enough attention. If this is the case, you should be sure to exercise and stimulate your dog more and not leave them at home alone for long periods.

You should then go about training them to stop barking as quickly as possible, as it will be hard to stop once it has become a habit.

What is the average weight & height of an Icelandic Sheepdog?

Icelandic Sheepdogs are a medium-sized dog breed, so they generally measure between 40 and 45cm tall.

They usually weigh between 9 and 13kgs.

Are Icelandic Sheepdogs easy to train?

These purebred dogs are known for being extremely intelligent, which is why they often excel at dog sports.

Training your Icelandic Sheepdog basic commands should be a walk in the park so long as you use positive reinforcement like treats and encouragement.

This breed can be quite sensitive, so harsh training methods will generally not get you very far with your Icelandic Sheepdog.

How do Icelandic Sheepdogs behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Icelandic Sheepdogs are friendly dogs with loving natures and do not make good guard dogs for this reason. They are extremely loyal companions and will do anything to please their owners.

They often like small children and will be able to get along with other dogs and pets if they are well socialised. However, they will likely chase smaller animals like rabbits, so it is not a good idea to bring one into your home if you already have smaller animals.

Does the Icelandic Sheepdog have any common health issues?

While the Icelandic Sheepdog is generally a healthy breed, it is predisposed to a few health problems, such as:

Elbow and hip dysplasia are caused by abnormal growth. These conditions are genetic but often occur in larger dog breeds. If these conditions are left untreated, they could eventually become osteoarthritis, which could further damage the hip and elbow joints.
Patellar luxation occurs when the patella slips out of place. This can cause a lot of pain and damage to the knee joint if it is not addressed properly, so you should be sure to take your dog to the vet if you notice your dog limping or licking its knee.

What is the lifespan of an Icelandic Sheepdog?

This ancient breed lives quite long for a medium-sized dog, as they have a lifespan of around 14 to 15 years.

How much does an Icelandic Sheepdog need to be fed?

You should generally feed your Icelandic Sheepdog two meals of high-quality dry food per day.

You should consult with your vet regarding portion size, as this will depend on the size of your dog and its level of activity.

How much can you expect to pay for an Icelandic Sheepdog in Australia?

You will likely struggle to find a purebred Icelandic Sheepdog in Australia due to how rare this breed is, but a puppy will normally cost you around $1500.

It is also unlikely that you will find a rescue in Australia, but if you do, it is always better to adopt rather than shop.

Icelandic Sheepdog FAQs

Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs?

Icelandic Sheepdogs are great dogs for active families, as they are loving, affectionate, and very good with children.

However, your family should ideally have an active lifestyle, as these dogs require an extensive amount of exercise to be happy.

Do Icelandic Sheepdogs bark a lot?

The Icelandic Sheepdog was originally bred to protect and herd sheep, so they are known to bark quite a lot.

This behaviour can be trained out to some degree; however, these dogs will always be somewhat vocal.

Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed?

The Icelandic Sheepdog tends to shed quite a bit, as they have thick coats, so you will likely need to do a lot of grooming.

Is an Icelandic Sheepdog good for first-time owners?

The Icelandic Sheepdog is generally not a great dog for a first-time owner, as their intense exercise requirements may be overwhelming for a first-time dog owner.