Icelandic Sheepdog Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: Iceland
The Icelandic Sheepdog is Iceland's only native dog breed, descended from dogs brought to Iceland by Viking settlers over 1,000 years ago. It is a sturdy, medium-sized spitz-type herding dog known for its cheerful nature, curled tail, and expressive almond-shaped eyes.
| Breed | Icelandic Sheepdog |
| Size | Medium (20–30 lbs) |
| Height | 17–18 inches |
| Lifespan | 12–14 years |
| Temperament | Friendly, Playful, Inquisitive |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | Moderate |
| Training | Very Good |
| Shedding | Heavy |
| Best For | Beginners & Families |
🐕 Icelandic Sheepdog Overview
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a lively and affectionate breed that thrives in active households where it can participate in daily activities alongside its family. Originally bred to herd sheep and horses across Iceland's rugged terrain, this breed has extraordinary stamina and a strong work ethic paired with a friendly, sociable temperament. It gets along well with children, other dogs, and even cats when properly socialised, making it a versatile and joyful companion.
📜 History & Origin
The Icelandic Sheepdog traces its roots to the Norse settlers who arrived in Iceland around 874 AD, bringing their spitz-type herding dogs with them. Over centuries of isolation on the island, the breed developed into a distinct type perfectly adapted to Iceland's cold climate and challenging landscape, where it was used to drive sheep and horses and locate lost livestock. The breed nearly went extinct in the 20th century due to disease and a government dog tax, but dedicated Icelandic breeders and international enthusiasts revived the population, and the AKC officially recognised it in 2010.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 20–30 lbs (9–14 kg)
- Height: 17–18 inches (43–46 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 18–25 lbs
- Height: 16–17 inches
Coat type: Double coat, medium length, with a thick, soft undercoat and a straight or slightly wavy outer coat
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Icelandic Sheepdogs are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Icelandic Sheepdogs are high-energy dogs that require at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Icelandic Sheepdog)
- Daily amount: 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food split into two meals of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Brush 2–3 times per week to manage shedding and coat condition.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Icelandic Sheepdog lifespan is 12–14 years. Smaller breeds often live longer than larger breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Active Families
- Experienced Dog Owners in Rural Settings
- Owners Who Enjoy Outdoor Activities
- Excellent with children
- Suitable for first-time owners
❌ Cons
- Apartment Dwellers
- Owners Who Are Away Long Hours
- Those Intolerant of Heavy Shedding
- Requires significant daily exercise
- Heavy shedding — regular vacuuming needed
🆚 Icelandic Sheepdog vs Other Breeds
✅ Icelandic Sheepdog wins at
The Icelandic Sheepdog tends to be more openly affectionate and sociable with strangers, making it an easier fit for busy family households.
✅ Norwegian Buhund wins at
The Norwegian Buhund is slightly more compact and often considered a touch more adaptable to smaller living spaces than the Icelandic Sheepdog.
✅ Icelandic Sheepdog wins at
The Icelandic Sheepdog is far more eager to please and openly friendly, making it easier to train and better suited for first-time dog owners.
✅ Shiba Inu wins at
The Shiba Inu requires less daily exercise, sheds slightly less during non-seasonal periods, and adapts better to apartment living.
🏠 Who Should Own a Icelandic Sheepdog?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Active Families
- Experienced Dog Owners in Rural Settings
- Owners Who Enjoy Outdoor Activities
- A family with children
- A first-time dog owner
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- Apartment Dwellers
- Owners Who Are Away Long Hours
- Those Intolerant of Heavy Shedding
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Icelandic Sheepdog good for families?
Yes, the Icelandic Sheepdog is an excellent family dog known for its gentle, playful nature with children of all ages. It is sociable and rarely aggressive, getting along well with other pets in the household when introduced properly. Its devoted and energetic personality means it thrives in active families who can give it the attention and outdoor time it needs.
How much does a Icelandic Sheepdog puppy cost?
In the UK, an Icelandic Sheepdog puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 1,200 and 2,000 GBP, reflecting the breed's rarity outside Iceland. In Pakistan, prices generally range from around 80,000 to 150,000 PKR, though the breed is very uncommon and may be difficult to find from health-tested breeders. In India, expect to pay between 60,000 and 120,000 INR, and prospective buyers should exercise caution and verify the breeder's credentials carefully given the breed's scarcity in the country.
Is Icelandic Sheepdog easy to train?
The Icelandic Sheepdog is generally easy to train thanks to its high intelligence and strong desire to please its owner. It responds well to positive reinforcement methods such as praise, play, and food rewards, and picks up new commands quickly. Early socialisation and consistent training from puppyhood are recommended to channel its herding instincts and vocal tendencies in a positive direction.
What food is best for a Icelandic Sheepdog?
A high-quality dry kibble formulated for medium-sized, active breeds is a solid foundation for an Icelandic Sheepdog's diet, providing balanced protein, fat, and essential nutrients. Adults typically do well on 1.5 to 2 cups of food per day split into two meals, though exact amounts should be adjusted based on the individual dog's age, weight, and activity level. Fresh water should always be available, and owners should avoid overfeeding as unnecessary weight gain can put pressure on joints in this active breed.
Does Icelandic Sheepdog bark a lot?
Yes, the Icelandic Sheepdog is known to be a vocal breed that will bark to alert its family to strangers, unusual sounds, or anything it finds interesting in its environment. Consistent training from an early age can help manage excessive barking, but prospective owners should expect this breed to use its voice as a natural form of communication.
Can a Icelandic Sheepdog live in an apartment?
The Icelandic Sheepdog is not ideally suited to apartment living due to its high energy levels, herding drive, and tendency to bark, which can disturb neighbours in close-quarters settings. This breed is happiest in a home with a securely fenced garden where it can move freely and expend its considerable energy throughout the day.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Icelandic Sheepdog is an excellent choice for first-time dog owners and experienced owners alike. With a lifespan of 12–14 years, high energy demands, and moderate grooming requirements, the Icelandic Sheepdog is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Icelandic Sheepdog will reward you with years of loyal companionship.