Icelandic Sheepdog

Breed Group: herding

"I melt hearts wherever I go!"

Breed Profile

Icelandic Sheepdogs are Nordic herding dogs. Their smarts, endurance, and loud voices create a perfect combination for moving large groups of livestock. They are playful, happy dogs that enjoy being with people and other pets.

Behavior

Icelandic Sheepdogs are perceptive and typically have their ears perked up to take in what’s going on around them. They are not a fearful breed, though, and will offer strangers a warm welcome. These herding dogs enjoy being around their family and other pets. When they are not, they can have some separation anxiety. Daily intensive exercise can help lessen their restlessness. Overall, Icelandic Sheepdogs make cheerful, fluffy family companions.

Coat

With a fluffy tail that arches over their back, Icelandic Sheepdogs can have a long or short coat. Both are waterproof, though, allowing them to weather any storm or terrain. Their dense coats do shed, and you might see an increase in hair around the house twice a year, but weekly brushing helps.

Lifestyle

Icelandic Sheepdogs thrive in rural settings, especially ones where they can herd sheep or other livestock. They also have an outside voice when working or playing, so having some room between you and your neighbors is certainly nice to have. Icelandic Sheepdogs are herders and instinctively try to manage situations, so some consistent training helps remind them who the real pack leaders are. Icelandic Sheepdogs are playful, affectionate companions of people, children, other dogs. They do well with most pets, too, if raised together.

Activity

Icelandic Sheepdogs like to be kept on their toes mentally and physically. They are happy when given a job an are even happier when they get more than two hours of exercise per day. Harness their herding instincts in an agility competition or flyball, which is a game that combines a tennis ball flung from a mechanical box and a race to the finish line.

Characteristics

Space Needs

Activity Needs

Intelligence

Playfulness

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Watch Ability

Dog-friendliness

Child-friendliness

About the Icelandic Sheepdog

Originally from Iceland with ancestry dating back to the Vikings, Icelandic Sheepdogs are herders. They are able to manage tough environments such as mountains, water, rocky pastures, and more. Their loud voices come in handy for directing and driving large groups of animals. Needless to say, this takes a lot of smarts and energy, and these medium-sized dogs sure have both. As herders, these dogs are used to being around people and animals and are very social. With their distinctive markings and curled, fluffy tail, they tend to look as happy on the outside as they are on the inside.