What is an Icelandic Sheepdog?
The first website to refer to is the official Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America's webpage which has a wealth of information.
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a slightly smaller than medium sized dog of the Nordic Spitz-type with erect prick ears and a curled tail. There are two coat types, short and long, both of which should be thick and weatherproof. Icelandic sheepdogs have a very happy demenour in general and a wide 'smile' that captivates and enchants.
Icelandic sheepdogs are very much family dogs - they adore children in particular and are happiest doing - whether that be quietly napping at your feet, doing chores around the farm or learning agility, rally or obedience routines.
I must stress that this is not a dog for everyone!
If you don't want to deal with a dog that barks (remember, Icelandic sheepdogs use barking as a herding behavior and to alert to strangers or changes in environment), don't even consider adding an Icelandic sheepdog to your home. I CAN tell you that it is possible to train them not to be barking nuts :) - they are smart dogs and quickly understand which behaviors are desirable and which are not. The key is consistent and gentle handling.
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a slightly smaller than medium sized dog of the Nordic Spitz-type with erect prick ears and a curled tail. There are two coat types, short and long, both of which should be thick and weatherproof. Icelandic sheepdogs have a very happy demenour in general and a wide 'smile' that captivates and enchants.
Icelandic sheepdogs are very much family dogs - they adore children in particular and are happiest doing - whether that be quietly napping at your feet, doing chores around the farm or learning agility, rally or obedience routines.
I must stress that this is not a dog for everyone!
If you don't want to deal with a dog that barks (remember, Icelandic sheepdogs use barking as a herding behavior and to alert to strangers or changes in environment), don't even consider adding an Icelandic sheepdog to your home. I CAN tell you that it is possible to train them not to be barking nuts :) - they are smart dogs and quickly understand which behaviors are desirable and which are not. The key is consistent and gentle handling.
Characteristics of the Breed - the good
In general, the following is true of most Icelandic sheepdogs:
- LOVE water - and that includes the water in the water bowl!
- Minimal grooming and if the coat type is correct, dirt just falls off (if you have a farm, you love, love, LOVE this!)
- Low to non-existent prey drive - very important if you have a farm or cats.
- Wonderful with children and other pets - we have 2 indoor cats and the dogs groom the cats and play with them.
- Extremely intelligent and easy to train from a young age.
- Travel extremely well.
- Never get that horrible doggie smell, even when wet - a HUGE plus in my book.
- The biggest plus for me is that they are liked by people who don't like dogs!
Characteristics of the Breed - the bad
- LOVE water - it's annoying mopping the floor after you just refilled the water bucket!
- Barking - they CAN be trained.
- Dislike being left alone - but seem to be welcome most places due, not doubt, to their sunny natures and big wide smiles.
General
Icelandic sheepdogs are tireless herders who bark. Barking is their primary mechanisms to use when moving stock and unlike other herding breeds, they herd from behind WITH the shepherd, instead of the shepherd being in front. Extremely agile, they can balance easily on their hind legs in order to better see the sheep, and they can do so for quite a long period of time.
They have been trained to assist with search and rescue, autistic children, as well as locating the eggs of endangered bird species. Our Kweeba's dam and grandam were both trained in rare egg retrieval and they passed this instinct on to Kweeba - very useful when trying to find duck eggs! I have noted with great interest that Kweeba's puppies have retained this instinct as well so I are encouraging this behavior so they will find the eggs that the chickens and ducks like to hide from me. Good job Kweeba!
They have been trained to assist with search and rescue, autistic children, as well as locating the eggs of endangered bird species. Our Kweeba's dam and grandam were both trained in rare egg retrieval and they passed this instinct on to Kweeba - very useful when trying to find duck eggs! I have noted with great interest that Kweeba's puppies have retained this instinct as well so I are encouraging this behavior so they will find the eggs that the chickens and ducks like to hide from me. Good job Kweeba!