Pastoral group · Iceland
Icelandic Sheepdog
Also called Icelandic Spitz, Islenskur Fjarhundur, Iceland Dog.
What makes them remarkable
Iceland’s native breed arrived with Norse settlers more than a thousand years ago.
- Friendly
- Playful
- Inquisitive
- Hardy
- Cheerful
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 11 to 14 kg25 to 30 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 14 years
- Energy
- High
- Trains
- High
- Barks
- High
Training
Training an Icelandic Sheepdog
Pastoral breeds. Give the brain a job or it will find one. Chasing, nipping and fixating are the breed doing its work.
Barking Breed
Start here
Vocal breed that barks as part of herding style, teach quiet command early.
Eager Student
Enthusiastic learner that responds well to positive, upbeat training.
Social Needs
Very people-oriented, does not do well left alone for long periods.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Icelandic Sheepdog and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to herd and guard livestock. Watchful, responsive, and wired to control movement.
Gets on with
- ChildrenVery High
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersHigh
- CatsHigh
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 1-1.5 hours daily. Active play and outdoor activities.
- Grooming
- Moderate to heavy shedding. Regular brushing, daily during coat blow.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Double coat, Medium or Long, WaterproofTan, Red, Chocolate, Grey, Black, All with White Markings
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint condition requiring screening
Cataracts
Moderate
Eye condition affecting vision
Where they come from
History
Iceland's only native dog breed, brought by Vikings over 1,000 years ago. Used for herding sheep, horses, and protecting farms. Nearly went extinct but was saved in the 20th century.
Similar breeds
All breeds
Norwegian Buhund
Its history is tied to Viking farm life, where spitz-type dogs herded livestock and guarded homes.
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Samoyed
These Siberian dogs worked with reindeer, pulled sleds and shared warmth with the people who kept them.
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Bearded Collie
A post-war revival helped save this shaggy Scottish cattle and sheep herder from disappearing.
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Finnish Lapphund
The Sami people developed this northern dog to work with reindeer.
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