The Icelandic Sheepdog, Iceland's only native dog breed, is a charmingly friendly and faithful all-around herder of small-to-medium size. A densely coated Nordic spitz-type breed, Icelandics are enthusiastically devoted to their humans, with a gentle, intelligent, and happy expression.
Descending from the dogs brought to Iceland by the original Viking settlers in the ninth century, the Icelandic Sheepdog is a hardy and agile herding spitz that barks, making it extremely useful for herding and driving sheep and other livestock.
One Thousand Years of History
The Icelandic Sheepdog is one of very few breeds for which claims of ancient origin are demonstrably supported by both archaeological and written evidence. It derives from dogs brought to Iceland by Viking settlers from 874 onward — spitz-type dogs the Icelanders used for herding sheep and rounding up ponies, thought to be from the same ancestral stock that gave rise to the modern Buhund of Norway and Vallhund of Sweden. These dogs became indispensable in rounding up livestock and in daily farm work.
As a result of commerce with Iceland in the Middle Ages, the dog became fairly well known in other European countries. An early description dates to 1492, and it was mentioned by John Caius in his writings on dogs in 1570 and by William Shakespeare in Henry V, thought to date from about 1599. Swedish clergyman Olaus Magnus wrote in the mid-16th century that Icelandic Sheepdogs were popular among the Swedish upper class, especially women and priests.
Tragedy struck in the late nineteenth century, when plague and canine distemper destroyed over 75% of the breed, leading to a ban on the importation of dogs to Iceland. A tapeworm infestation in the mid-19th century had also caused a burdensome tax that significantly reduced the country's dog population. Three Icelandic Sheepdogs were exhibited at a dog show at Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens in 1897 — the first such exhibition — and Denmark's kennel club recognized the breed in 1898, with the Kennel Club of England following in 1905.
By 1950, Icelandic Sheepdogs were almost nowhere to be seen in Iceland except in remote areas. In an effort to save the breed, enthusiast Mark Watson exported some Icelandics to California. Meanwhile, Páll A. Pálsson and Sigríður Pétursdóttir started a breeding program in the mid-1960s, and the Icelandic Kennel Club was established in 1969, in part to preserve and advance the breed. Today's Icelandic Sheepdog, recognized as a member of the AKC Herding Group in 2010, is no longer in danger of extinction — though it remains an uncommon breed.
A Sturdy, Fox-Like Nordic Spitz
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a Nordic Herding Spitz, slightly under medium size, sturdy, with erect ears and a curled tail. Seen from the side, the dog is rectangular, with the length of the body from shoulder to buttock exceeding the height at the withers. There is a marked difference in appearance between the sexes.
The head is strongly built with a triangular shape when viewed from above and in profile, with medium-sized, almond-shaped dark brown eyes and black eye-rims. The ideal height at the withers is 46 cm (18 in) for males and 42 cm (16.5 in) for females, weighing 9 to 14 kg (20–30 lb).
The thick, weatherproof double coat comes in two types — short-haired and long-haired — and may be tan, black, chocolate-brown, or grey, with white markings generally on the face, collar, chest, feet, and tail tip. Tan is the most common coat color, followed by tricolor. The dog has a confident and lively bearing, with an agile gait showing endurance and good driving action.
Cheerful, Friendly, and Devoted
The Icelandic Sheepdog is by nature very alert and will announce the arrival of visitors without being aggressive. The breed is cheerful, friendly, inquisitive, playful, and confident with a gentle temperament. They greet strangers as old friends, are not known to be fearful or anxious, and are deeply affectionate — loving and patient with small children, making them an excellent family dog.
Icelandics want nothing more than to be by their humans' side, and may be unhappy if regularly left on their own for long periods. Their herding history carries over today: they chase cars and neighborhood wildlife, so they must be supervised in a fenced area or on a leash, and they bark a lot, as barking was a form of communication when herding livestock — making them excellent watchdogs that are all bark and no bite.
Exercise and Activity
Icelandic Sheepdogs have a high energy level and need an active household to be happiest. Long walks and hiking are two of their favorite activities, and they love being outside in all weather — this is a breed bred to work in harsh climates.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for this Nordic herding spitz.
Training an Icelandic Sheepdog
Affectionate and smart, Icelandic Sheepdogs are considered easy to train. Always use positive reinforcement methods and keep sessions engaging — these dogs enjoy entertaining their loved ones and receiving rewards for good behavior. Leash training is especially important, and the barking instinct can be curbed by training puppies when it's appropriate to bark.
The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming an Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a thick, weather-resistant double coat that needs regular brushing, typically once or twice a week, with more frequent brushing during seasonal shedding. Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 3–4 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a spitz double coat.
Feeding an Icelandic Sheepdog
An Icelandic Sheepdog should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level, typically in two meals per day. As an active herding breed, sound nutrition supports daily exercise.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1/2–1 cup | Use a good-quality puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1–1.25 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Icelandic Sheepdog typically lives 12 to 15 years and is considered a generally healthy dog. Responsible breeders screen for conditions seen in the breed, including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and eye disorders.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Eye and ear health checks | Discuss with your vet | Part of the annual vet review |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a social dog that prefers to be with its owners as much as possible, doing best with active and outdoorsy pet parents. They are deeply affectionate family dogs, gentle and patient with children, and well-behaved around other pets when socialized. Their cheerful, friendly nature makes them a beloved symbol of Icelandic culture.
If you're weighing whether an Icelandic Sheepdog fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning an Icelandic Sheepdog means committing to a vocal, high-energy herding breed that chases cars and wildlife, barks frequently, and prefers not to be left alone for long periods. They need regular brushing to manage their thick coat and daily exercise to stay content.
Yet for the right owner, the Icelandic Sheepdog is incomparable — a cheerful, friendly, devoted companion with more than a thousand years of history behind it.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Cheerful, friendly, and devoted
- Excellent with children
- Easy to train with positive methods
- Great watchdog (all bark, no bite)
- Hardy and agile — thrives in all weather
- One of Iceland's cultural symbols
Disadvantages
- Very vocal breed — barks a lot
- High energy — needs an active household
- Chases cars and wildlife
- Regular grooming needed for thick coat
- Prefers not to be left alone
- Uncommon breed outside Iceland
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Icelandic Sheepdogs get? Males 18 in; females 16.5 in; weight 20–30 lb.
How long do Icelandic Sheepdogs live? Typically 12 to 15 years.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs? Excellent — loving and patient with children.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs easy to train? Yes — affectionate and smart with positive methods.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good with other pets? Yes, when socialized.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs rare? Yes — uncommon, though no longer endangered.
Do Icelandic Sheepdogs bark a lot? Yes — a very vocal herding breed.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good apartment dogs? No — they need active, outdoorsy owners.
Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed much? Moderate-to-heavy seasonal shedding.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs the only native Icelandic breed? Yes — Iceland's only native dog breed.
What were Icelandic Sheepdogs bred to do? Herding sheep and rounding up ponies.
What health problems do Icelandic Sheepdogs have? Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and eye disorders.