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AKC: Icelandic Sheepdog breed overview

Herding group · Iceland

Icelandic Sheepdog

Also called Íslenskur fjárhundur, Iceland Dog

The only dog native to Iceland, brought by Viking settlers and still herding with its voice more than its eyes.

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized spitz, around 9 to 14 kg (20 to 31 lb), that arrived with Norse settlers over a thousand years ago. It is friendly, curious and vocal, with a curled tail, pricked ears and double dewclaws on its hind legs. Its survival today owes a lot to a handful of determined enthusiasts.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

9 to 14 kg

20 to 31 lb

Height

40 to 48 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 14 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

14 months

approximate model input

Life with a Icelandic Sheepdog

When Norse settlers crossed to Iceland between roughly 874 and 930, they brought small spitz dogs with them. For the next thousand years those dogs were the island's only breed, working sheep, horses and cattle on open hillsides, finding lost sheep in snow and fog, and barking to warn the farm of approaching riders or birds of prey near the lambs.

The breed came close to vanishing. In the late 1800s outbreaks of disease killed a large share of the country's dogs, and later restrictions on keeping dogs in towns cut numbers further. In the 1950s the British enthusiast Mark Watson took dogs to California and drew attention to the breed's plight, and in 1969 Icelanders founded a breed association to protect it. Numbers have grown since, but the population is still small by modern standards.

What you get today is a friendly, cheerful herding dog that likes everyone, including strangers and children. It is not a guard dog in the sense of being suspicious; it simply reports everything it notices, loudly. Families who enjoy the outdoors and do not mind a talkative dog usually find it an excellent companion.

A great match for

active households in cool climates
families with children of all ages
owners who enjoy hiking and dog sports
people who want a sociable, non-aggressive dog

Think twice if

a strong urge to bark at anything unusual
heavy seasonal shedding
struggles in hot weather
unhappiness when left alone for long

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much an Icelandic Sheepdog eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	11 kg	570 kcal	155 g (1.5 cups)
Female, typical pet	11 kg	650 kcal	175 g (1.8 cups)
Male, typical pet	13 kg	740 kcal	200 g (2 cups)
Male, very active	13 kg	930 kcal	250 g (2.5 cups)

Full Icelandic Sheepdog feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Icelandic Sheepdog

FeedingA typical adult of 12 kg (26 lb) eats around 170 to 220 g of dry food a day, roughly 2 cups, split into two meals. Very active working dogs or those living outdoors in cold weather need more, while a pet walked for an hour a day often needs the lower end.Read more Puppy growthIcelandic puppies grow quickly for the first six months and reach close to adult height by about 10 to 12 months. They keep broadening in the chest until around 14 to 18 months, and the full adult coat, especially in long-coated dogs, can take two years to come in.Read more ExerciseAn adult needs about 60 to 90 minutes of activity each day, and mental work matters as much as mileage. Hiking on varied ground, herding lessons, agility, nosework and trick training all suit the breed.Read more GroomingA weekly brush with a pin brush and an undercoat rake is enough for most of the year. Twice a year, often in spring and autumn, the undercoat comes out in handfuls for two to three weeks, and daily raking during that period saves a lot of vacuuming.Read more TrainingIcelandics are eager to please and quick to learn, and they do best with warm, reward-based handling. They were bred to think while working, so they enjoy problem-solving tasks more than endless repetitions of sit.Read more HealthMost Icelandics are sturdy, healthy dogs, but the breed is known to be prone to hip dysplasia, retained testicles in males, eyelash problems such as distichiasis, cataracts and slipping kneecaps. Because the population descends from relatively few dogs, breed clubs encourage breeders to watch genetic diversity closely, alongside hip scoring and eye examinations.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Arrived in Iceland with Norse settlers between about 874 and 930
2Hind legs carry double dewclaws, a feature the breed standard requires
3Nearly died out in the late 1800s after disease swept through the dog population
4Iceland celebrates the breed every year on 18 July
5Herds by barking and circling rather than by staring down livestock

Icelandic Sheepdog questions

Why do Icelandic Sheepdogs have double dewclaws?

Double dewclaws on the hind legs are a traditional feature of the breed, and the standard asks for them. They may have helped on rough, icy ground, though the real function is debated. Because they do not touch the ground, they need regular trimming, or they can grow round into the skin.

Do Icelandic Sheepdogs bark a lot?

Yes, it is one of the more vocal breeds. On Icelandic farms they moved sheep and warned of visitors by barking, and that instinct is still strong. Training can reduce it a great deal, especially rewarding quiet and teaching a stop cue, but this is not a breed for owners who need near silence or have close neighbors sensitive to noise.

Should I choose a short-coated or long-coated Icelandic Sheepdog?

Both coats are thick, double and weatherproof, and both appear in the same litters. The long coat looks more dramatic and needs a bit more brushing, especially behind the ears. The short coat is easier to keep clean after muddy walks. Temperament is identical, so choose based on the grooming you are happy to do.

Can an Icelandic Sheepdog live in a hot climate?

It can, with careful management, but it is not ideal. The breed evolved for cool, windy weather and struggles with heat and humidity. In warm regions you will need air-conditioned indoor space, exercise only in early morning or late evening, and constant access to shade and water. Never shave the coat to cool the dog down.

Are Icelandic Sheepdogs rare?

They are uncommon outside the Nordic countries, and there may be waiting lists for puppies from health-tested parents. The world population is a few tens of thousands at most. Breed clubs keep in close touch internationally to protect genetic diversity, so expect a good breeder to ask you plenty of questions.

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