Icelandic Sheepdog
Breed Information |
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|---|---|
| Popularity |
2022: #132 2021: #138 2020: #154 2019: #132 2018: #155 2017: #144 2016: #153 2015: #140 |
| Name | Icelandic Sheepdog |
| Other names | Icelandic Spitz, Iceland Dog, Íslenskur Fjárhundur, Islandsk Farehond, Friaar Dog, Canis Islandicus |
| Origin |  Iceland |
| Breed Group | Herding (AKC:2010 & UKC) |
| Size | Small |
| Type | Purebred |
| Life span | 12-15 years |
| Temperament |
Agile Alert Cheerful Energetic Hardy Inquisitive |
| Height | 12-16 inches (31-41 cm) |
| Weight | 20-30 pounds (9-14 kg) |
| Colors |
Black & White Chocolate & White Cream & White Fawn & White Gold & White Gray & White Red & White |
| Litter Size | 4-8 puppies |
| Puppy Prices |
Average $1000 - $1500 USD The Icelandic Sheepdog is still a very rare breed to this day but it is increasing in popularity. The average price for a puppy will be somewhere between $1,000 - $1,500 per puppy. It could be more or it could be less, depending on the breeder, where the breeder lives, shipping costs, and the genetics of the puppy. |
Breed Characteristics |
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|---|---|
| Adaptability |
5 stars |
| Apartment Friendly |
2 stars The Icelandic Sheepdog needs a lot of activity and exercise and needs close contact to the family. Many of these dogs have "home-alone anxiety" problems, because they don't like to be home alone. |
| Barking Tendencies |
5 stars Frequent |
| Cat Friendly |
3 stars |
| Child Friendly |
5 stars Good with Kids: This is a suitable breed for kids and is known to be playful, energetic, and affectionate around them. |
| Dog Friendly |
3 stars |
| Exercise Needs |
3 stars This is a very active breed that needs to be exercised every day. This breed needs to be taken on a daily walk or jog. |
| Grooming |
3 stars Moderate Maintenance: Grooming should be performed regularly to keep its fur in good shape. Professional trimming or stripping needed. |
| Health Issues |
2 stars Hypoallergenic: NoUsually a fairly healthy dog. |
| Intelligence |
2 stars Ranking: # Full Ranking List |
| Playfulness |
4 stars |
| Shedding Level |
3 stars Moderate Shedding: Brush the Icie’s coat once or twice a week to remove loose fur and reduce the amount of hair you find floating around the house or attached to your clothes. Be sure you have a good vacuum cleaner to keep your home tidy. Icie lovers say he doesn’t shed as much as you might think, but don’t get this breed thinking that he is a low shedder. |
| Stranger Friendly |
4 stars |
| Trainability |
3 stars Moderately Easy Training: Icelandic Sheepdogs can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, rally obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Icelandic Sheepdogs that exhibit basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials. |
| Watchdog Ability |
3 stars |
Icelandic Sheepdog Names |
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|---|---|---|
| Rank | Boy Names | Girl Names |
| 01 | Max | Bella |
| 02 | Cooper | Lucy |
| 03 | Rocky | Sadie |
| 04 | Jackson | Chloe |
| 05 | Duke | Luna |
| 06 | Bruno | Penny |
| 07 | Oscar | Luna |
| 08 | Buster | Ellie |
| 09 | Marley | Annie |
| 10 | Dexter | Piper |
| 100 Cute Puppy Names › | ||
Overview |
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The Icelandic Sheepdog is a slightly under medium-sized Spitz type dog, with a triangle-shaped head, prick ears, and a thick double coat. Seen from the side, the dog is rectangular. The length of body from point of shoulder to point of buttocks is greater than the height measured at the withers. The depth of chest is equal to the length of the foreleg. The tail is carried in a loose curl over the back. There are two types of coat, long and short, and both are thick and extremely weatherproof. There is a marked difference in appearances between the sexes. The Icelandic Sheepdog should be evaluated as a herding and drover dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work. Icelandic Sheepdogs are tough and energetic. Hardy and agile, they are extremely useful for herding and driving livestock or finding lost sheep. However, the dogs are not known for hunting. They are very alert and always give visitors an enthusiastic welcome, without being aggressive. Friendly and cheerful, the Icelandic Sheepdog is inquisitive, playful, and unafraid. They generally get along well with children, as well as other pets. |
History |
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Iceland was settled in the late 9th century A.D. by Nordic people. These early settlers brought sheep, horses, and the ancestors of the Icelandic Sheepdog, Iceland’s only native breed. Over the centuries, these dogs adapted to the harsh terrain and the needs of Icelandic farmers and shepherds. By the early 20th century, however, farming in Iceland declined and the number of Icelandic Sheepdogs was so drastically reduced that the breed was in danger of extinction. In recent years, efforts by Icelandic and international breeders have increased the numbers, particularly in Iceland, where this working breed has become newly popular as a family companion. The Icelandic Sheepdog was recognized by the AKC in 2010. |
