Icelandic Sheepdog

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a tough and energetic dog with an intelligent, happy expression. It is used to herd sheep and find lost cattle. It has a compact muzzle, curly tail and stands a little under the medium size. The tail always touches its back and its triangular ears are always erect. Its non- aggressive nature makes it a good house pet. They have a lifespan of about 12 years. The coat color can vary from tan, reddish brown, chocolate, grey to black with white markings. Solid color is a fault.

This breed carries its head high and its belly is only slightly tucked. They have a well balanced, clean gait. The Icelandic Sheepdogs have a double coat but vary in the length. One is the long haired whereas the other is the short haired one. Here the length of the outer coat varies and both the types have a thick and waterproof coat. The undercoat is thick in both cases and soft. The maintenance required will include trimming the dewclaws.

As they are used to barking when the herding doesn’t work with the sheep, this habit can be seen even now when they want something. They can be made to remain quite with a little training. The friendly, playful nature of this breed makes it a favorite among children and adults alike. They are not aggressive and don’t attack strangers which is important when they are kept as a house pet. Training this breed will require patience and consistency but them being intelligent, learn tricks quickly.

In spite of the thick coat, they are not high maintenance dogs and only require brushing to remove dirt and debris and invigorate the skin. Brushing keeps its coat shiny and prevents mats. Shaving irritates the dog’s skin and it will find it difficult to regulate its body temperature. Checking the ears weekly and keeping them clean can prevent odor. Nail care is of extreme important and clipping should be done once every two weeks.

The Icelandic Sheepdog requires regular exercise as it is an active dog. When you take this breed for a walk make sure they stay behind you. It is only then that they will recognize you as the leader and obey your commands. They still retain the habit of barking at birds as their ancestors used to protect the lamb from birds of prey. They can be trained to alert the owners when strangers come by which makes them good watch dogs as well.

They can be happy and quite indoors and hence make ideal house dogs. They are extremely loyal and need constant human company. They can become anxious if left alone at home. They get along well with other pets at home. They obey rules which have to be consistent. The commands given should be firm but not harsh. It is affectionate and outgoing with both humans and other animals. Its eagerness to please makes it easy to train this dog and make it learn new tasks.