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Icelandic Sheepdog
Puppies for Sale
Icelandic Sheepdog
(Iceland Sheepdog) (Islandsk Farehond)
(Friaar Dog) (Islenkur Fjárhundur) (Icelandic Dog)
Loki fra Oddholi, TT
Owned by Steven and Andrea Barber
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Pronunciation |
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Description |
The Icelandic Sheepdog had a large nose and
black-pigmented lips. The eyes are medium sized and dark brown. The head is
arched with a rather compact muzzle. It has sturdy forelegs and double dewclaws
which are similar to those of a Lundehund. The
Icelandic Sheepdog is a Nordic herding spitz, slightly under medium sized with
prick ears and a curled tail. Seen from the side the dog is rectangular; the
length of the body from the point of shoulder to point of buttock is greater
than the height at withers. The depth of the chest is equal to the length of the
foreleg. The expression is gentle, intelligent and happy. A confident and lively
bearing is typical for this dog. There are two types of coat, long and short,
both thick and extremely weatherproof. There is a marked difference in
appearance between the sexes. |
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Temperament |
The Icelandic Sheepdogs are tough and
energetic dogs. It 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. Most adore children and get alone well with
other dogs and pets. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: 12-16 inches (31-41 cm.)
Weight: 20-30 pounds (9-14 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
Usually a fairly healthy dog |
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Living Conditions |
The Icelandic sheepdog needs a lot of
activity and exercise and needs close contact to the family. Many of these dogs
have "home alone anxiety" problems, because they don't like to be home alone. |
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Exercise |
This is a very active breed that needs to be exercised
every day. This breed needs to be taken
on a daily walk or jog. In
addition, they will enjoy sessions of play. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 12 years |
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Grooming |
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a double coat -
thick and extremely weatherproof. There are two variants: Short haired: The
outer coat is of medium length, fairly coarse, with a thick, soft undercoat. The
hair is shorter on the face, top of head, ears and front of legs, longer on the
neck, chest and back of thighs. The tail is bushy and the hair length is in
proportion to the coat. Long haired: The outer coat is longer than the above,
fairly coarse, with a thick, soft undercoat. The hair is shorter on the face,
top of head, ears and front of legs, longer behind the ears, on the neck, chest,
behind the forelegs and back of thighs. The tail is very bushy and the hair
length is in proportion to the coat. This breed does shed and normally blows its
coat twice a year. It is important to trim the dewclaw nails regularly as
because they have no contact with the ground they can easily become too long. |
Origin |
The Icelandic Sheepdog is Icelands only
native dog. It was brought to Iceland with the first Viking settlers (AD 874 -
930). The Icelandic Sheepdog and its method of working adapted to the local
terrain, farming methods and the hard struggle for survival of the Icelandic
people over the centuries, making it indispensable in the rounding up of
livestock on the farms. The Icelandic Sheepdog s popularity has increased over
the last few decades and, despite the fact the breed is still very small in
numbers, it is no longer considered to be in danger of extinction. It is most likely descended from dogs introduced by Scandinavian
colonists. It is probably a relative of the
Norwegian Buhund. |
| Group |
Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types),
section 3 (Nordic Watchdogs and Herders) |
| Recognition |
FCI, ACR |
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FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
ACR = American Canine Registry |
Photo Courtesy of Elisabet Stacy-Hurley
Photo Courtesy of Elisabet Stacy-Hurley
Photo Courtesy of Elisabet Stacy-Hurley
Photo Courtesy of Elisabet Stacy-Hurley
Photo Courtesy of Elisabet Stacy-Hurley
Photo Courtesy of Elisabet Stacy-Hurley
Icelandic Sheepdog Pictures
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