Icelandic Sheepdog Breed Guide
Quick Summary
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a joyful, energetic, and highly vocal companion that thrives on close human companionship and family involvement. As Iceland’s only native dog breed, these medium-sized spitz herders are incredibly social and eager to please, making them an outstanding match for active families who do not mind daily barking and seasonal heavy shedding.
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Quick Facts
- origin countryIceland
- breed groupHerding Group (AKC)
- sizeMedium
- weight range20 to 30 pounds (9 to 14 kg)
- height range15 to 18 inches (38 to 46 cm)
- lifespan12 to 15 years
- coat typeDense, weather-resistant double coat (available in short and long varieties)
- common colorsTan, reddish-brown, chocolate, grey, or black, always with white markings
- other namesÍslenskur Fjárhundur, Icelandic Spitz, Dog of the Vikings
- recognized byAKC, UKC, FCI
Caring for a Icelandic Sheepdog
In my years treating this breed, I have found that living with an Icelandic Sheepdog is a highly interactive experience; they are true ‘shadow dogs’ that want to participate in every family task. They require a daily investment of 45 to 60 minutes of physical exercise alongside mental stimulation to keep their active minds sharp. Because they are highly social animals bred to work alongside humans, they do not tolerate being left isolated in a backyard or home alone for long workdays.
Is a Icelandic Sheepdog a good family pet?
Yes, they make exceptional family pets due to their gentle, loving, and patient demeanor with children. In my practice, I frequently see them thrive in bustling households where they are treated as central members of the family unit.
Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed a lot?
They are heavy shedders that blow their dense double coats completely twice a year, typically in spring and autumn. During these seasonal blowouts, daily brushing is required to manage the massive volume of loose undercoat flying around your home.
Is a Icelandic Sheepdog good for first-time owners?
They can be a wonderful fit for dedicated first-time owners because they are highly intelligent and eager to please. However, novices must be fully prepared to proactively train them to manage their natural instinct to bark at everything.
Temperament & Personality
The Icelandic Sheepdog is characterized by an incredibly happy-go-lucky, friendly, and non-aggressive temperament. Unlike many other Spitz breeds that can be aloof or highly independent, these dogs greet visitors and strangers with enthusiastic, welcoming barks and wagging tails. In my clinic, they are the patient patients, always eager to lick my face and receive head scratches from our veterinary technicians.
Is a Icelandic Sheepdog good with other pets?
Generally, yes. Their herding style relies on boundary control rather than predatory drive, meaning they cohabitate beautifully with other dogs and can easily live with indoor cats when socialized early.
How much attention does a Icelandic Sheepdog need?
They require a significant amount of daily personal interaction and emotional engagement. Leaving them alone for 8 to 10 hours daily often leads to clinical separation anxiety, manifested as self-directed chewing, howling, and destructive digging.
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Training & Behavior
Training this breed is a highly rewarding endeavor because of their keen intellect and deep-seated desire to cooperate with their handlers. However, as sentinel herders, their default setting is to bark at anything novel, which requires patient, consistent guidance from puppyhood. I always tell owners to focus heavily on teaching ‘quiet’ cues and redirecting their natural watchfulness before it turns into nuisance barking.
Training Tips
- Use strictly positive, reward-based training techniques; harsh corrections will shut down their sensitive, cooperative spirit.
- Introduce a robust ‘quiet’ cue during puppyhood to manage their natural instinct to alert-bark at visitors.
- Incorporate crate training and brief structured absences early on to build independence and prevent separation distress.
- Keep training sessions brief, physically engaging, and highly varied to prevent their clever minds from getting bored.
Fun Activities
- Agility trials
- Scent work and tracking
- Herding trials
- Flyball and disc dog
- Trick dog training
- Hiking and trail running
Is a Icelandic Sheepdog easy to train?
Yes, they are highly trainable and respond beautifully to positive reinforcement and clicker training. Their natural agility and desire to work in partnership with humans make them standout pupils in obedience and dog sports.
Icelandic Sheepdog Health Issues
As a veterinarian, I consider the Icelandic Sheepdog to be an exceptionally robust, healthy, and structurally sound breed with a diverse gene pool. However, like all purebred dogs, they are genetically predisposed to a few specific hereditary conditions that owners and prospective buyers must monitor.
Hip Dysplasia
A genetic malformation of the hip joint where the femur does not fit securely into the pelvic socket, leading to progressive arthritis and joint pain. I advise purchasing puppies only from parents with passing OFA or PennHIP clearances.
Patellar Luxation
A condition in which the kneecap slips out of its normal anatomical groove, causing temporary lameness. This is relatively common in active, medium-sized breeds and can range from mild cases managed with joint supplements to severe cases requiring surgery.
Distichiasis
The growth of extra eyelashes from the oil glands along the eyelid margin, pointing inward and rubbing against the delicate cornea. Chronic irritation from these hairs can cause painful corneal ulcers and scarring if left untreated.
Hereditary Cataracts
An inherited opacity within the lens of the eye that blocks light from reaching the retina, eventually leading to partial or complete blindness. Annual CAER eye exams are crucial for all breeding dogs to prevent passing this on.
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Double Dewclaws (Anatomical Trait)
While not a medical condition, Icelandic Sheepdogs typically possess double dewclaws on their hind legs, which were historically used for traction on steep mountains. These claws must be carefully monitored as they do not wear down naturally.
How long do Icelandic Sheepdogs typically live?
With proper nutrition, regular exercise, and preventive veterinary care, Icelandic Sheepdogs typically enjoy a long, active lifespan of 12 to 15 years, with many remaining highly mobile well into their early teens.
What to Feed a Icelandic Sheepdog
Icelandic Sheepdogs are active dogs that require nutrient-dense food to fuel their daily energy levels and maintain their thick, luxurious double coats. However, because they are highly food-motivated, they can easily become overweight if their daily caloric intake is not carefully managed.
Best Diet
I recommend feeding a high-quality, age-appropriate dry kibble formulated for active, medium-sized herding breeds. Look for diets that feature named animal proteins as the primary ingredients and contain balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health.
How to Feed
Divide their calculated daily food allowance into two equal meals, feeding once in the morning and once in the evening. Avoid free-feeding, as this breed’s keen appetite will almost certainly lead to overeating and subsequent joint stress from obesity.
How Much to Feed
On average, an adult Icelandic Sheepdog requires roughly 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry kibble per day, split into two portions. However, this varies significantly based on individual metabolism, age, and activity levels, so always consult your veterinarian to establish a precise caloric target.
Nutritional Tips
Supplementing their diet with high-quality marine sources of EPA and DHA (such as wild-caught salmon oil) can greatly improve coat quality and support joint health. Always count training treats as part of their total daily caloric limit to prevent stealth weight gain.
Icelandic Sheepdog Grooming Guide
Their dense double coat is naturally dirt-resistant, weather-proof, and lacks a typical ‘doggy’ odor, making daily maintenance surprisingly manageable outside of shedding season. Regular grooming is essential, however, to keep their undercoat from matting and to maintain healthy skin.
Coat Care
Brush your dog thoroughly once or twice a week using an undercoat rake and a high-quality slicker brush to remove loose, dead hair. During their bi-annual shedding seasons, increase this routine to daily brushing to prevent severe matting and control the tumbleweeds of hair in your home.
Skin Care
Bathing should only occur every 6 to 8 weeks, or when they get exceptionally muddy, as frequent washing strips the natural, water-repellent oils from their coat. Always ensure they are blown completely dry down to the skin after a bath to prevent painful hot spots.
Eye Care
Wipe the inner corners of their eyes weekly with a damp, soft cloth to remove minor tear debris and prevent staining.
Ear Care
Inspect their ears weekly for signs of redness, wax buildup, or a sweet, yeasty odor, gently cleaning them with a vet-approved ear cleanser if debris is visible.
Nail & Dental Care
Trim their nails every 3 to 4 weeks, taking extra care to trim the prominent hind double dewclaws which can otherwise curl back and pierce the pad. Brush their teeth at least three times a week using a dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste.
Considerations for Pet Parents
Pros
- Extremely affectionate, joyful, and loyal family companion
- Highly intelligent, eager to please, and responsive to training
- Excellent with children and highly social with other household pets
- Naturally robust and healthy breed with a long, active lifespan
- Vigilant and alert, serving as an exceptional watchdog
- Naturally clean, dirt-resistant coat that lacks a strong doggy odor
Cons
- Highly vocal with a loud, high-pitched alert bark
- Prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods
- Heavy seasonal shedding requires significant vacuuming and grooming
- Can be difficult to source due to the breed’s relative rarity
Best For
An active family, outdoor enthusiast, or work-from-home professional who wants an affectionate ‘shadow’ companion and is fully prepared to manage and train a naturally vocal herding breed. They are perfect for households where someone is home most of the day to provide companionship.
Not Recommended For
Apartment dwellers with strict building noise rules, or individuals who must work long hours away from home. Those who cannot tolerate routine shedding, vacuuming, or a dog that naturally uses its voice to communicate should look elsewhere.
Cost
- purchase price$1,500 to $2,500
- monthly cost$100 to $200
- initial setupExpect to spend $500 to $1,000 initially on high-quality grooming tools (undercoat rake, slicker brush), a durable crate, puppy vaccinations, microchipping, and essential puppy gear.
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Icelandic Sheepdog FAQs
Do Icelandic Sheepdogs bark a lot?
Yes, barking is a deeply ingrained breed characteristic. They were developed as sentinel herders to alert farmers to predators, stray livestock, and approaching visitors. While you can train them to stop barking on command, you cannot fully train the instinct out of them.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs aggressive?
No, aggressive behavior is highly uncharacteristic of this breed. They are historically known for their friendly, welcoming nature, greeting strangers with an alert bark followed immediately by a wagging tail. Proper socialization ensures they remain confident and friendly.
How much exercise does an Icelandic Sheepdog need?
They require a moderate to high level of daily exercise, averaging about 45 to 60 minutes of active play, walking, or running. Mental stimulation, such as interactive puzzle toys or regular obedience training games, is just as important as physical exertion to keep them calm indoors.
Do Icelandic Sheepdogs have a high prey drive?
No, their historical herding style is based on herding and boundary keeping rather than predatory chase. They generally get along fantastic with smaller animals like cats, though they may occasionally try to gently corral them with a bark.
Can Icelandic Sheepdogs live in apartments?
While physically small enough to adapt to apartment living, their tendency to bark loudly and frequently can pose a major challenge with close neighbors. If you live in an apartment, you must commit heavily to intensive mental stimulation, behavioral training, and daily outdoor exercise.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs hypoallergenic?
No, they are not hypoallergenic. They possess a thick, double coat that sheds continuously throughout the year and blows heavily twice a year, releasing a significant amount of dander and loose fur into the home environment.
Do they handle cold weather well?
Yes, they are exceptionally well-suited for cold climates thanks to their dense, water-repellent double coat and thick undercoat, which developed to protect them from harsh Icelandic winters. Conversely, they can easily overheat in hot, humid weather and require air conditioning, fresh water, and plenty of shade.
How do they handle being left alone?
They handle isolation poorly. Because they were bred to work closely alongside their human partners, they are prone to severe separation anxiety, which can manifest as destructive chewing, frantic digging, and non-stop howling if they are left alone for hours at a time.
Why do Icelandic Sheepdogs have double dewclaws?
Double dewclaws on the hind limbs are a traditional, functional physical trait of the breed. Historically, these extra claws provided better traction, stability, and grip when navigating Iceland’s steep, rocky, and slippery terrain.
Are they prone to any skin issues?
While their skin is generally healthy, their dense undercoat can trap moisture if they are not dried thoroughly after swimming or bathing. This trapped moisture can quickly lead to painful, localized bacterial skin infections known as hot spots.
At what age do Icelandic Sheepdogs reach full size?
Most Icelandic Sheepdogs reach their full skeletal height by about 10 to 12 months of age. However, they will continue to fill out, gain muscle mass, and grow their full, mature adult double coat until they are roughly 2 years old.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good watchdogs?
They are excellent watchdogs in terms of alerting you to visitors, passing cars, or unusual sights with a loud, clear bark. However, because they are naturally friendly and lack protective aggression, they make terrible guard dogs and will likely welcome an intruder once inside.
What eye problems should I look out for?
The breed is predisposed to hereditary cataracts and distichiasis (inward-growing eyelashes). I recommend that owners purchase puppies only from breeders who have their breeding dogs’ eyes cleared annually by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.
Can they participate in dog sports?
Absolutely, they excel in a wide variety of canine sports including agility, obedience, flyball, scent work, and herding trials. Their high intelligence, agility, and deep desire to work in tandem with their owners make them fantastic competitors.
Sources & Further Reading
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- PetMD