The Icelandic Sheepdog

Íslenski fjárhundurinn 

The Icelandic Sheepdog is Iceland´s only native dog.  It is part of Iceland's national heritage and a treasure which should be safeguarded and bred to the FCI/AKC standard keeping it true to Iceland no matter what country it resides in.  It came to Iceland with the Viking settlers and has over the centuries adapted to Iceland's climate and rugged terrain and the hard struggle for survival. It is loyal, cheerful and friendly, an ideal family-dog.

The Iceland Sheepdog is a typical Nordic Spitz, having pricked ears and curled tail.  Seen from the side while standing the dog is rectangular, longer than high.  There are two types of coat, long and short, but always thick and water-repellent.  When seen from behind the hind legs are straight, parallel and strong.  Thighs are broad and well muscled.  Well-developed double dewclaws are highly desirable.  The Icelandic Sheepdog is lively, friendly, inquisitive and courageous.  Their expression is gentle, intelligent, and happy.  The ears are very mobile and movement is brisk, and the breed is known for its endurance.  

The dog is a hardy and agile herding dog which barks, and is extremely useful for herding or moving livestock to and from pastures.  In Iceland the dog is very adept at finding lost sheep in the mountains. The Icelandic Sheepdog is by nature very alert and will always give visitors an enthusiastic barking welcome without becoming aggressive. The Icelandic Sheepdog is cheerful, friendly, inquisitive, playful and unafraid.  This dog will get easily attached to the family and to individuals, and will follow their people everywhere if they can   They are extremely clever and trainable.  They learn quickly, remember well, and love to show their tricks. 

The Icelandic Sheepdog came to Iceland with Viking settlers in the ninth century.  There are references to the dogs in many of the Icelandic Sagas, dating from 900AD.  By the middle ages, the Icelandic Sheepdog had become a sought after export, mostly going to England.  The aristocracy and ruling classes there found the dog a favorite as a family pet.

The Icelandic Sheepdog appears in English literature such as William Shakespeare's Henry V ("Pish for thee, Iceland Dog! Thou prick-eared cur of Iceland!"; Act II, Scene I). In 1650, Sir Thomas Brown wrote: "To England there are sometimes exported from Iceland... a type of dog resembling a fox.... Shepherds in England are eager to acquire them!"

In the beginning of the 20th century the Icelandic Sheepdog was almost extinct, but a group of breeders worked together to save this breed.  Thanks to them the breed is not in danger anymore of becoming extinct.

The Icelandic Sheepdog does very well in canine performance such as obedience, agility, flyball and herding, they are also being used as therapy dogs and for rescue and tracking.

Although the Icelandic Sheepdog is a wonderful dog, it is not a dog for everyone.  They use their voice (Bark) quite a bit, they are working dogs and need plenty of exercise, they don't do well left alone they have a strong need for companionship.  This is not a breed that does well when crated for long periods of time.  If you have the time to spend with them, and the room for them to run, you will have a very special friend.

Photo credit: Ágúst Ágústsson.

To read more about the History of the Icelandic Sheepdog, please visit Eyjahunda Icelandic Sheepdogs.
Donna McDermott had an Interview with Sigríður Pétursdóttir, International Judge and the savior of the
Icelandic Sheepdog.  Please Click Here for the Interview and the Icelandic Sheepdog History

• FCI Breed Standard
  
  FCI-Standard No. 289/20.06.2007/GB Translated by Helga Andrésdóttir
• AKC Breed Standard
  
  Approved October 2009, Effective June 30, 2010
• A living piece of Icelandic Art
  
  "A living piece of Icelandic Art" This is how beautifully an Icelander once described the Icelandic Sheepdog, and he's so right: "The dog fits, in every way, perfectly into the nature of Iceland and naturally becomes a part of it." This love and admiration for the breed spurred my call for cooperation in order to preserve the Icelandic Sheepdog in its original form. By Guðrún R. Guðjohnsen
• Short History
  
  Article by Mark Watson, about the Icelandic Sheepdog
• intelligent
  
  To the people of Iceland I would say that you have in your ancient little breed of dog a real treasure - part of your history. You should prize and value the Iceland Dog, for he is unique and to be cherished. - Jean Lanning -
• ISD Stories
  
  Some thoughts from owners, maybe some words of warning and few of the reason why some of us can't live without this wonderful breed.
• Do they bark
  
  Temperament: The Icelandic Sheepdog is a hardy and agile herding dog which barks, making it extremely useful for herding or driving livestock in the pastures, in the mountains or finding lost sheep. The Icelandic Sheepdog is by nature very alert and will always give visitors an enthusiastic welcome without being aggressive. Hunting instincts are not strong. The Icelandic Sheepdog is cheerful, friendly, inquisitive, playful and unafraid. A confident and lively bearing is typical for this dog.