The Icelandic Sheepdog temperament is extremely intelligent and willing. Hypoallergenic: NoUsually a fairly healthy dog. It’s actually pretty funny – and fun – to watch! The Icie likes to stick close to his master while exercising, which is why a long walk or a hike is ideal. Their outer coat is long while their undercoat is dense and short. Shetland Sheepdogs tend to be a peaceful breed that get along well with other dogs. Like their heritage, the Icelandic dog still loves to watch – and bark at – birds in the sky. Temperament. The Icelandic sheepdog is a popular family dog, they are gentle and kind dogs, friendly and have no aggression, not hyperactive, they love company, to relax and enjoy life, or to play and hike when their people are doing fun stuff. Along with separation anxiety comes destructive or otherwise unwanted behavior, like chewing, digging, or barking. The Icelandic Sheepdog is a Nordic herding spitz with typical pricked ears, a curled, bushy tail, and a double, stand-off coat. However, despite being great watchdogs, they’re not great at being guard dogs. The agile, inquisitive, and cheerful Icelandic Sheepdog temperament makes them the ideal family dog, thanks to their love for almost anyone. Icelandic Sheepdogs known for being friendly dogs. He does not fear strangers, rather he sees everyone as a friend. The breed has two coat types, long and short. They easily gets along with other dogs. Icelandic Sheepdogs have an ample coat. Many of these dogs have "home-alone anxiety" problems, because they don't like to be home alone. However, you should still supervise playtime between the Icie and children, especially children who are still very young. Breeders should also ask you questions to determine whether the Icelandic Sheepdog is the right breed for you. Life expectancy of this breed is 12 – 15 years. Temperament & Personality. You may be able to train him out of it, but you have to start when he’s incredibly young, and it may take a lot of hard work to get him there. The Icelandic Sheepdog is a slightly under medium-sized Spitz type dog, with a triangle-shaped head, prick ears, and a thick double coat. The depth of chest is equal to the length of the foreleg. It loves to be in the crowd and hates loneliness for a longer period. The Icelandic Sheepdog is fairly healthy, but they are prone to specific health conditions such as: Note: Few things are more important than our Health. Energetic. The cost to buy an Icelandic Sheepdog varies greatly and depends on many factors such as the breeders' location, reputation, litter size, lineage of the puppy, breed popularity (supply and demand), training, socialization efforts, breed lines and much more. Icelandic Sheepdogs require weekly brushing – daily brushing during shedding season – to remove dirt and loose hair. These features all help insulate this breed against frigid weather. The Icelandic Sheepdog is a Nordic herding Spitz, slightly under medium sized with prick ears and a curled tail. Icelandic Sheepdogs for adoption will cost between $200-$500, depending on the rescue organization as well as location. The dog is 42 to 46 cm tall. It weighs around 9.1 – 14 kg. These dogs are patient and gentle, making them an ideal family pet. Expect your Icelandic Sheepdog to greet everyone they meet with a smile and don’t be surprised if you find them playing with children for hours on end! The Icelandic Sheepdog is a friendly, cheerful, affectionate, and curious dog. Icelandic Sheepdog puppies are cute, but do you have the time to train and socialize a puppy? The Icelandic Sheepdog was used to watch and herd sheep, cattle, and horses in Iceland. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. A well-socialised Icelandic Sheepdog will be everyone’s friend, ready to play with children and other dogs. Cheerful. Seen from the side, the dog is rectangular. This dog does well at obedience, agility, and other training activities. He’ll tell you someone’s nearby, but then he’ll leave it up to you to deal with it. It's not a substitute for your vet but help you quickly understand and recognize symptoms before they become a serious problem for your dog. For instance, their coats can be combinations of white and black, fawn, cream, gray, gold, or chocolate. If you’re ready to add a puppy to your family, you can find Icelandic Sheepdogs for sale through the AKC Marketplace as well as the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America. For this reason, you should always supervise your Icie if you have a pet bird. The Inner Icelandic Sheepdog Temperament. He loves to chase cars in particular, or anything with a motor really (though he’ll chase bikes too). In fact, when he’s really young, he’s like a child in that he’s like a sponge – he’ll absorb everything you’re trying to train him, and relatively quickly too! Wanderlust potential of the Finnish Lapphund is strong enough to escape from home. However, the dogs are not known for hunting. Over the centuries, these dogs adapted to the harsh terrain and the needs of Icelandic farmers and shepherds. Particularly for the farmers who need to herd their sheep, horses, or cows in enormous open fields in any climate! The Icelandic Sheepdog is a people-oriented dog who is friendly, cheerful, and loving. Loves to Watch Birds. Icelandic Sheepdog Temperament The Icelandic Sheepdog is usually a very affectionate and happy dog. It does have strong protective instincts and is a fearless dog so will act to defend you and the home. They also love to go for the occasional swim! Just a note, you can be an ISAA member but not an Approved Breeder. You can easily find Icelandic Sheepdog puppies for adoption through the National Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue Alliance. They generally get along well with children, as well as other pets. They greet every person they meet in hopes of making a new friend. When looking for a puppy always ask about health testing and if hips and eyes been done prior to breeding. They are tough dogs, as they needed to be to do their work in a country as rugged as Iceland, and they are highly energetic. Puppies from a champion bloodline will be far more expensive than those without. First, consider your lifestyle. It's no different with our Dog's Health. It is of similar type to the Norwegian Buhund, the Shetland Sheepdog, and the Welsh Corgi. The Icelandic dog is alert and outgoing – but they are not aggressive or pushy. Should You Train Your Dog In A Dog Exercise Wheel? What Are Dog Withers And Why Do You Need To Measure Them? So, if you have the kind of schedule that keeps you away from home at hours at a time, the Icie is probably not a good match for you. Icelandic Sheepdog puppies are friendly, playful and loves children. If you’re ready to add this lively family dog do your pack, it’s time to find the perfect one. Because they are so smart and enthusiastic, you should always present them with training that challenges and stimulates them. Both are double, thick, and waterproof with a fairly coarse outer coat and thick, soft undercoat. The Icie is all bark, no bite. Temperament: The Icelandic Sheepdog 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. Always use positive reinforcement training to get the most out of your sessions. So, you might as well build up both of your confidences in this whole training thing and start small, then work your way up to the more challenging tasks later. Even when you’re spending time inside, he’ll be resting at your feet or next to you on the couch. They come from a history of barking to alert its owners of trouble after all. The Icie needs a large yard in which he can perform his daily exercise. Don’t be surprised if the Icie wants to be friends with everyone they meet. Icelandic Sheepdogs are tough and energetic. He won’t be happy unless he can exhaust you right along with himself! In fact, Icies do exceptionally well with children. Review how much Icelandic Sheepdog puppies for sale sell for below. In fact, they have the lowest mean score of the 11 breeds in this study! Nicknamed the “Icie”, the Icelandic Sheepdog is a fairly rare breed in the United States today. There is a marked difference in appearances between the sexes. Owing to their strong and versatile nature, they were capable of working with ease in the rough terrain of Ireland, gathering the sheep grazing on the hills and returning them safely to their masters. This breed is loyal, cheerful, attentive and hardy with plenty of energy to play. Shetland Sheepdogs score much lower than average on dog-directed aggression. He also does not do well if you have to leave him alone for long periods. While there are dedicated Icelandic Sheepdog rescues, contact your local rescue or shelter and ask if they have any available. The breed was used to protect flocks – particularly lambs – from becoming prey for large birds. Icelandic Sheepdog Temperament and Personality, A Brief History of the Icelandic Sheepdog Breed, Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos, National Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue Alliance, Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America. Expect the Icelandic Sheepdog to shed quite a bit – especially during shedding season. The average lifespan for an Icelandic Sheepdog is 12-15 years. The Icelandic Sheepdog price depends on location, breeder availability, and bloodline. Body. We follow the guidelines of the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America(ISAA) and ISIC in our breeding practices. Moderate Maintenance: Grooming should be performed regularly to keep its fur in good shape. Keep training sessions short and ever-changing. Want to Get to Know the Skye Terrier Temperament? HunterBliss / Getty Images Like their heritage, the Icelandic dog still loves to watch – … Temperament. It is a lively, cheerful, curious and entertaining dog. This hardy Nordic breed is said to have come to Iceland on the longboats of early Viking settlers. Moderately Easy Training: Icelandic Sheepdogs can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, rally obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events. Professional trimming or stripping needed. Copyright © 2011 – 2020 DogTemperament.Com All Rights Reserved, unless otherwise noted. Not only are you able to find puppies available for adoption, but you can also find Icelandic Sheepdog mixes available. How Do I Stop My Dog From Licking His Blanket? In 1969, the Icelandic Kennel Club was founded to watch over the breed and promote its place in Iceland’s history. They are extremely instinct at herding livestock and finding lost sheep. They don’t do well being left alone for long periods of time and, as a result, can develop separation anxiety. The Icelandic Sheepdog temperament is often described as happy-- the expression often makes it seem like they are smiling at you, hard-working, and devoted. If you’re looking for an energetic, hardy, alert family dog, the Icelandic Sheepdog is perfect for you. At the same time, they are affectionate and ready to cuddle with their family. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. They usually welcome guests but may bark during the first approach. There are two types of coat, long and short, and both are thick and extremely weatherproof. The AKC Marketplace also allows you to search based on bloodline and litter availability. The only breed to originate from Iceland, the Icelandic Sheepdog temperament is inquisitive, energetic, and cheerful. However, be aware that this breed is very active and excessive barking can be normal behavior, which would rule out an apartment as a suitable home. Interestingly, the male Icie tends to be more cuddly and relaxed than the female. They are very alert and always give visitors an enthusiastic welcome, without being aggressive. Previous post: Want to Get to Know the Skye Terrier Temperament? You may want to keep him close to you when you’re outside with him because he’s a chaser. Therefore, they may not make the best apartment dogs. Overall, the Icelandic sheepdog is very friendly, playful, affectionate, an enthusiastic learner, and makes a great companion. Friendly and cheerful, the Icelandic Sheepdog is inquisitive, playful, and unafraid. This is a dog that is alert and makes a great watchdog. Their sense of smell was so profound that they w… Choose several breeders you’d like to visit and prepare a list of questions. This sweet-faced beauty comes in both long and short-haired varieties and several coat colors. You can’t just stick him in the backyard and hope he’ll run himself ragged. They make perfect companions for active families, especially those who enjoy long walks or hikes. These dogs are very sociable and need plenty of interaction with their owners; they can suffer from separation anxiety without adequate attention. Icelandic Sheepdog information including pictures, training, behavior, and care of Icelandic Sheepdogs and dog breed mixes. He is … Hardy and agile, they are extremely useful for herding and driving livestock or finding lost sheep. Moderate Shedding: Brush the Icie’s coat once or twice a week to remove loose fur and reduce the amount of hair you find floating around the house or attached to your clothes. Alert. They have a personality that will make them fit right in as a … They have no qualms about giving strangers and enthusiastic greeting. In fact, the Icie has a nickname (among his many other names): “Dog of the Vikings.”. Don’t assume Icelandic Sheepdog rescue is only for adults. Therefore, the Icie gets along well with other dogs and pets. My Dog is Wheezing After Surgery, Should I be Worried? The length of body from point of shoulder to point of buttocks is greater than the height measured at the withers. Its lively character, noisy bark, and thick coat make it the perfect ally for any Icelandic rancher. Although they excel at farm duties such as hunting down pests like rats and guarding flocks, they are now employed as search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs and family companions. Character & Temperament. Icelandic Sheepdogs are tough and energetic. He’s too friendly to even venture into aggressive territory – even to protect his family – and he doesn’t fear strangers in the least. The Icelandic Sheepdog should be evaluated as a herding and drover dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work. Both websites have the option to search for Icelandic Sheepdog breeders based on location and gender. They are commonly used to herd sheep in the Icelandic countryside. However, it’s not so fun if you actually have a pet bird. This is a very active breed that needs to be exercised every day. You get from your training sessions what you’re willing to put into them. A severe outbreak of canine distemper suitable breed for you rather he everyone... While females are 16.5 ” tall other training activities or negative training.... Chest is equal to the adverse weather conditions in Iceland ’ s.! 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