Although they have thick double coats, they only require minimal grooming. Positive, reward-based training is the best way to go. While for the female it is 25 pounds. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. It’s always worth taking a look at similar breeds before making any final decisions, just to see if any may be a better fit for you and your family. Ask yourself, does my lifestyle correlate with this breed’s traits? Therefore, it’s imperative that you do your utmost to ensure you purchase your Icie from a reputable and trustworthy breeder. Home visits may also occur. Adopting also gives the satisfaction of helping a dog in need. But the potential health risks that it is predisposed to can still severely affect their quality of life. As for the coat colors and patterns that may appear within this breed, many Icies are a single predominating color with white patches. Joint issues such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation have all been found to be at a possible high risk within this breed. Be patient, clear and consistent with your training. For the short-haired variation, the coat is of medium length with a coarse overcoat and a thick, soft undercoat. Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America. Icies have a strong build and carry themselves with an agile gait. Obesity can further increase the risk of the health issues above. When they were not working in the field, they would serve as wonderful companions to their owners and loved ones. They are commonly believed to be generally healthy dogs. In fact, they were on the very brink of extinction just 60-70 years ago. Without proper physical and mental exercise, the Icelandic sheepdog may become destructive, stressed, or develop other behavioral problems. They have a great deal of personality and charisma that is evident in their extensive problem solving capabilities. With such an extensive history as herders, the Icelandic Sheepdog has high intelligence and can easily pick up new commands. They are often quite easy to train, but it is important to approach training correctly to ensure fast and efficient learning. There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. Required fields are marked *. This breed is known to be vocal, mostly barking at other animals. The Icelandic sheepdog should be fed a diet appropriate to the dog's age and activity level. National Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue Alliance, The Genetic Connection: A Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs, Veterinary Medical Guide to Dog and Cat Breeds, Correlated Pedigree and Molecular Estimates of Inbreeding and Their Ability to Detect Inbreeding Depression in the Icelandic Sheepdog, a Recently Bottlenecked Population of Domestic Dogs, Dachshund Gifts: Unique Gift Ideas For Lovers Of Dachshund Dogs, German Shepherd Mix: 25 Popular Mix Breed Dogs (And 6 Unusual Ones), Rare breed, may be hard to find a puppy or adopt, Good with kids and other pets provided they have been socialized from a young age, Highly intelligent and take well to training, Generally very healthy with a low frequency of inherited disorders. Characteristics of the Icelandic Sheepdog, Where to Buy or Adopt an Icelandic Sheepdog, Czechoslovakian Vlcak (Czechoslovakian Wolfdog): Breed Profile, Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie): Dog Breed Profile, The Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Dog Breed Profile, Croatian Sheepdog (Hrvatski Ovcar): Breed Profile. Believed to be loyal companions of ancient Norsemen, who came to Iceland in the early 9 th century, Icelandic sheepdogs are the country’s native breed of dog. A Icelandic Sheepdog with healthy weight will not have any ribs visible. Additionally, they can get along with kids and other pets, provided that they are socialized from a young age. But as with all breeds, it is important to keep an eye on their weight. Raising an unruly puppy into a well-mannered adult can seem like an impossible task for even the most experienced dog owners. Icelandic Sheepdogs do not respond to harsh or negative training methods. The Icelandic Sheepdog’s undercoat sheds twice a year and should be brushed whenever it does so. The head of the Icelandic Sheepdog is quite fox-like: medium-sized, erect ears, a muzzle that is slightly shorter than the skull, and an intelligent and alert expression. You may have to prepare to help deal with these potential issues, especially seeing as the small population of this breed means there may not be a lot of choice on offer. Today, the breed is primarily kept as a companion dog and can be found all over the world. Icelandic Sheepdogs at Crossbreeze Farm These dogs are truly members of our family. Otherwise, they may catch sight of something and sprint headlong into trouble. So if you want to have a smart dog, you might have to reconsider your choice with this breed. A joy to train, you’ll find that the Icelandic Sheepdog is eager to please. This is not a breed that can be left alone for long periods of time. Add intelligence and a willingness to learn, and you’ve got a very trainable breed on your hands. As with any dog breed, proper training is needed for the Icelandic sheepdog. However, be aware that this breed is very active and excessive barking can be normal behavior, which would rule out an apartment as a suitable home. You will be asked about your previous experience with dogs and your current family situation. As the Icie sheds a lot, any tool that can help combat this is a godsend. However, it’s important to avoid strenuous exercise while they are still growing puppies. Thankfully, they succeeded. Icelandic Sheepdogs can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, rally obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events. They help us on the farm with the sheep and horses. As for weight, a healthy number for a male is 30 pounds. They are small to medium dogs, reaching heights of around 18 inches if male and 16.5 inches if female. Along with their coat, remember grooming extends to the nails and teeth of the dog too. Positive rewards-based methods work best with this breed. The Icelandic sheepdog's coat can be short or long, with both lengths having an outer coat and an undercoat. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. These affectionate dogs like to be at the heart … There are no genetic or common health problems known to be directly linked with this breed. FUN FACT: Icelandic Sheepdogs are great at learning things on their own. This gives you the best chance of avoiding the health issues outlined above from being an issue in your new puppy. During these times of extreme shedding, brushing is recommended more often to help manage the excessive hair. This is most likely due to their small population. This is a dog that would really benefit from a secure yard to play in or at least a nearby park. In addition, this breed will enjoy sessions of play. This stems from their background as herders; they used barking to help move the herd and to also alert the farmer to any intruders. Finally, hereditary deafness is a possibility within this breed. Learning more about the breed helps set both your family and the dog up for success. If you are struggling to train your Icelandic Sheepdog, never just give up. The Icelandic Sheepdog should be fed a diet appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior) and activity level. If you do decide to adopt, you will likely be interviewed by staff as to ascertain whether you will be a good fit for the dog in question. When he is outdoors, keep him on a leash or within a secure fence, because he does tend to chase cars. Moderately Easy Training: Icelandic Sheepdogs can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, rally obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events. These settlers brought herding dogs with them for their sheep and other farm animals. Icelandic Sheepdogs generally gain: 2 Pounds per week until 26 weeks old. Bathing is not needed regularly with this breed as the coat is relatively easy to keep clean and healthy with regular brushing. The Icelandic Sheepdog if not being kept as a working dog would be happy to join you for hikes, long walks, jogging, having a romp through some woods, going to a dog park to play doggy games, run free off leash safely and socialize. The Icelandic Sheepdog can have a limitless amount of love and devotion to give to the right family. The Icelandic Sheepdog is the only native purebred dog of Iceland. Icies are Spitz-type dogs who are well-suited to the cold climate that they originate from with their thick and waterproof double coat. The Icelandic sheepdog is a small-to-mid-sized working dog, also known as a spitz (with its characteristic fuzzy and dense coat, pointy ears and muzzle and bushy tail). They are very loving dogs with doable grooming and exercise requirements. Finally, these dogs are best fit for a family that always has someone around the house to keep them company. You should keep up training even after the basics have been mastered, as this dog wants to be challenged with a variety of different training, exercise and play tasks. Icelandic sheepdogs are people orientated, so provide positive social interactions with others. This breed is intelligent, and when trained with consistency and patience, this dog learns quickly. While out on the walk make sure the dog heels beside or behind the person holding the lead, never in front, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Icelandic Sheepdogs continued to be popular exports to Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and were even mentioned by Shakespeare. Female Icelandic Sheepdog dogs can reach a size from 16 inches and weighs between 20 and 25 pounds. Professional CV In 1969, the Icelandic Kennel Club was founded to watch over the breed and promote its place in Iceland’s history. He responds well to positive reinforcement, especially the one that includes food rewards. Training: Icelandic Sheepdogs should be trained firmly but kindly They should be socialized as well. The male Icelandic Sheepdog dog breed’s height is around 18 inches and weighs around 28 and 30 pounds. Icelandic sheepdogs are athletic, active, intelligent, and have a lot of energy, so routine exercise is important. In both variations, their coat is shorter around the face, top of the head, ears and front of the legs. Will this dog be a good fit for my family? If you feel an Icelandic sheepdog is the right dog for you, then start your search with the national breed club for the Icelandic sheepdogs. All the parents have a good show record, and are gentle and fun family dogs. Make sure your dog isn’t overweight. For this breed, a hip evaluation and an ophthalmologist evaluation are recommended. Such places are colloquially named “puppy farms” due to these immoral practices. After the Iceland Sheepdog suffered a bout with distemper and tapeworms in the late 1800s, a ban on all mammals was issued for Iceland. Giving your pet a chance to be with the family and work off excess energy will keep her calmer and happier. Training the Icelandic Sheepdog is not a problem because this dog is eager to please his human and also learns quickly and willingly. This breed is intelligent, and when trained with consistency and patience, this dog learns quickly. This popular… A black face mask may or may not be present. As with any herding breed, they are more likely to chase cars and run after small animals, so you will need to keep the dog leashed or in a fenced yard in areas where cars pass often. Training: The Icelandic Sheepdog is a very smart breed. What do you think of the Icelandic Sheepdog? This can lead to negative behaviors taking place when you are not home. They have almost gone extinct more than once. Harnesses hold a lot of benefits, which you can read about here. Unfortunately, this breed has faced a lot of hardship in the past; they have been near extinction multiple times from famine and disease. Always make sure that they have clean and fresh water that is easily accessible and available. Here are some of the most common color combinations you may see. Regardless, there are still some health conditions that have been found to be at a higher risk within this breed. To keep these pups physically and mentally healthy, try including puzzle toys, agility, scent work, long exploratory walks, runs, and training throughout the life of the dog. The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It’s a small to medium sized dog, weighing up to 30 pounds and growing up to 18 inches as an adult. However, Icelandic sheepdogs are susceptible to certain conditions that affect all dogs, such as: Annual vet visits will help your pet maintain optimum health and prevent and recognize any problems sooner. Weight / Height. Here is a quick summary of the good and bad of this breed. Icies weren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club until June 2010. The Icelandic sheepdog is believed to have been brought to Iceland with the Vikings, who settled there toward the end of the ninth century. The Icelandic Sheepdog is no longer at risk of being extinct. The long-haired variation is the same but simply with a much longer coat and bushier tail. Review how much Icelandic Sheepdog puppies for sale sell for below. This rare dog is also one of the world’s oldest breeds. If you decide you would like to adopt an Icelandic Sheepdog, you will quickly come to the realization that there aren’t many dedicated rescue centers out there for this breed. This is done by teaching what situations warrant a bark and an effective cue for quiet. These traits can make dog training relatively easy. Icelandic Sheepdog History. The cost to buy an Icelandic Sheepdog varies greatly and depends on many factors such as the breeders' location, reputation, litter size, lineage of the puppy, breed popularity (supply and demand), training, socialization efforts, breed lines and much more. However, they still might not fit every family. Frequent walks and play are recommended, and they can be good jogging companions. As a matter of fact, they’re the only dogs native to the country. If you are based within the U.S. or Canada, there is one good rescue center that you may be able to use: the National Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue Alliance. It stems from their origins when they would alert their owners of danger out in the mountains or open plains. Check with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Icelandic Sheepdogs, as their name implies, originated from Iceland. He can also bond closely with his owner and has a strong desire to please. The Piebald pattern may also appear within this breed. Does the dog in your life have a cat in theirs? Personality. You will be pleasantly surprised by how quickly they pick things up. If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out: There are so many amazing dog breeds to choose from, so be sure to check out our other dog breed profiles to find the perfect companion for you and your family. She has been writing about animal care and behavior for 5 years. Coat and color: It has a waterproof double thick coat, which can be short or long, and in a variety of colors: fawn, cream, chocolate, black, and gray. It’s important to remember that this breed likes to bark, and even with training may tend to be very vocal. But their overall numbers still remain small. This is where spots of color appear on an otherwise white-coated dog. The Iceland Sheepdog is an alert and active dog. Has the tendency to be an excessive barker, Chases cars and animals, must keep leashed. However, there are still some concerns with the temperament of this breed that you need to be aware of. They require daily brushing during these times to ensure dead hair is removed before it gets all over your house. There are two distinct types of coat within this breed; a short-haired and a long-haired. It can affect either one ear or both. Play is an important part of exercise for Icelandic Sheepdogs, be that with their owner or other dogs. Hypothyroidism has also been found to occur within the Icelandic Sheepdog, which is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Helpful Dog Training Resource: For help with training your Icelandic Sheepdog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Keep in mind that if you want to teach them any tricks, they understand and memorize new commands in 40-80 repetitions. If you are unsure of what or how much to feed an Icelandic Sheepdog, consult with your vet to create a diet plan. This breed is considered to be one of the most ancient to still exist today. This is a habit to discourage when the dog is a puppy. Grooming tools can also be a good idea. Although time outdoors is a must for the Icelandic Sheepdog, his living space should be indoors with his family. Always use positive reinforcement training to get the most out of your sessions. The Icelandic Sheepdog, is one of the totem creatures of Iceland. All of our dogs are health tested working farm dogs with wonderful friendly temperaments. Finally, markings of various colors may appear within this breed, on top of the coat colors outlined above. Obedience classes and one-on-one help from dog behaviorists and trainers can help you. Therefore, it’s important to avoid these places and to not give them any business. Skipping training leads to negative behaviors and habits forming that are extremely difficult to break later in life. Here are some resources that may help with training. Icelandic sheepdogs are active and need daily exercise. The Icelandic Sheepdog is eager to learn and very intelligent. This breed sheds a lot and goes through two shedding seasons a year. Finally, as we mentioned earlier, the Icelandic Sheepdog loves to be with the owners. Brushing their teeth regularly can stop painful dental diseases from being a problem. and Kristjansson, T., 2008, “Correlated Pedigree and Molecular Estimates of Inbreeding and Their Ability to Detect Inbreeding Depression in the Icelandic Sheepdog, a Recently Bottlenecked Population of Domestic Dogs,” Conservation Genetics, Your email address will not be published. However, due to their heavy attachment to their family, they may suffer from separation anxiety when apart from them. Ultimately, only you can answer that question. This can lead to hair loss, lethargy and weight gain. This hardy, athletic, and intelligent breed was developed to herd livestock in the mountainous regions of Iceland. 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