Fast Facts

Fast Facts

"Pish for thee, Iceland Dog! thou prick-eared cur of Iceland!"

Shakespeare's Henry V, Act II, Scene I

The favorite chamber dogs for English ladies during the fifteenth century, the Iceland Sheepdog is one of the rarest and oldest pure breeds in the world. Threatened by extinction, it has survived for over 1,100 years.

The Iceland Sheepdog belongs to the Spitz group, which embraces roughly fifty distinct varieties of dogs (Huskies, Laikas, etc). It is the national dog of Iceland where, for many years, the importation of dogs into the country was rigidly refused. This has led to the distinctiveness of the breed.

Emigrating with the first settlers, this ancient breed is part of Iceland's history. Besides being used for sheepherding, guarding the homestead, rounding up horses and warning farmers of the approach of strangers, the Iceland Sheepdog was used to keep pack-horse trains on the path.

The Iceland Sheepdog is an intelligent and affectionate companion. A unique treasure from Iceland to be valued.

The Iceland Sheepdog

The Iceland Sheepdog is one of the oldest breeds in the world. It is descended from the ancient Nordic Spitzdogs and was taken to Iceland by the Vikings, together with their sheep and horses, more than 1,100 years ago. The dogs were of vital use to them, thus demanding the utmost in character, frugality and health in their breeding.

Today only about 450 purebreds remain in Iceland, but the breed is well represented in Germany, Switzerland, Holland and France. It is still rare in North America. It is recognized by Kennel Clubs in Europe and has been through all the stages for recognition by the Canadian Kennel Club, now needing approval of 25% of their membership to satisfy the Department of Agriculture Pedigree Act.

In Iceland the dog is a working dog, used for the sheep roundup in the Fall, as well as working with horses. It is very watchful, barks at strangers, but never bites. It will bark at running animals, which is part of its herding nature. It is very intelligent and easily trainable. It learns quickly and remembers well. It does well in obedience and agility programs.

The Iceland Sheepdog is extremely healthy and strong. There are two types, longhaired and shorthaired. Their coat is thick, therefore water repellant, which has helped it survive Iceland's harsh nature. It keeps its vitality up to a high age, 15 years is not an uncommon lifespan.

Average height is 16"-20"; weight about 25 lbs. Its ears should be erect; its tail very bushy and carried over its back. It is mature at approximately 18 months and requires close contact with humans to mature fully.

It is a very sensitive and extremely affectionate dog. It is also very sociable, making it a very devoted and ideal family dog. It gets along well with other animals and is especially good with children. It prefers to be with children.

It has a good mothering instinct. Average litters 3 - 5. It has a wide range of colours; grey, black and silver with white, light tan and a reddish brown with white being the most frequent colours.

Standards

Iceland Sheepdog

Homeland:	Iceland
General Appearance:	The Iceland Sheepdog is a typical Nordic Spitz, having pricked ears and cruled tail. Seen from the side while standing the dog is rectangular, longer than high, the ratio depending on individual harmony. There are two types of coat, but at all times thick and efficiently water-repellent. The Iceland Sheepdog is lively, friendly, inquisitive and courageous. The countenance is contented, frequently smiling, and the ears very mobile. Movement is brisk, free and easy, and the breed has very great endurance. The dog has pronounced herding instincts, but is not very keen on hunting. It is thus a particularly good herding dog, and an excellent guard without being fierce. There is a marked difference in appearance between the sexes.
Head:	Wide between the ears, and a somewhat domed skull. The stop is clearly defined, but should not be too pronounced. Cheeks are flat. The bridge of the nose and the skull should be, seen in profile, as parallel as possible. Muzzle is rather short, tapering evenly toward the nose seen both from the side and from above. The nostrils are well developed. Tight lips. The color of the lips and the muzzle shall be black except on chocolate brown and light fawn dogs, where brown is permitted.
*Eyes:*	The eyes shall be of medium size and almond shaped. The color shall be dark, but may be lighter according to the color of the dog. Yellow is not acceptable. The eyelids shall be black except in the case of chocolate brown and light colored dogs when they may be brown. The expression is lively, intelligent and fearless.
*Ears:*	Firm and erect, triangular, wide at the base, very mobile, reacting sensitively to sounds.
*Bite:*	Scissors-bite.
*Neck:*	Of medium length, strong, arched, dry (without any loose skin). The head is to be carried high.
*Body:*	The body shall be rectangular, strong but not coarse. The chest shall be deep with well sprung ribs. The croupe is short and rounded, the loin muscular with a slight tuck-up.
Extremities:	The forelegs shall be straight, muscular and dry. Well angulated to allow a free front movement. Dewclaws may occur. The hindlegs shall be strong, muscular and well angulated to allow a good free and driving action. Dewclaws are mandatory, double dewclaws are desireable.
*Feet:*	The feet shall be oval, with toes close together and well developed pads.
*Tail:*	Set high, well cruled and thickly furred.
*Gait:*	When moving, the dog presents a picture of stamina and endurance, agility and swiftness.
*Coat:*	The are two variants: a) Medium length: Outer coat of medium length with a thick and soft undercoat, short on ears and front of legs, but longer on neck, chest, withers, buttocks and tail. b)Longer-haired: Outer coat of good length, whereas undercoat is thick and soft. On head and front of legs the coat is short, but long behind the ears and on the neck, chest, buttocks, and hindside of forequarters. The fur on the tail is very bushy.
*Color:*	All colors are permitted, but predominant single color is preferred. White blaze and white markings on chest, tip of tail, legs and toes frequently occur, and must not be penalized.
*Height:*	Dogs 42-48 cm. Bitches 38-44 cm. The length of the body is slightly greater than the height at the withers.
*Faults:*	Any deviation from this standard is a fault, and shall be judged in relation to the overall impression. Deviations untypical of the breed, and abnormalities are disqualifying.