Faiths Dog Information Blog

The Iceland Sheepdog

There are many dog breeds to choose from. You have to know everything there is to know about a dog in order to understand if they will fit into your home. There are many dogs that are not going to fit with children or small pets because of their instinctual behaviour. It is important to know everything you can to make a sound decision. You will find below information regarding the Iceland Sheepdog and whether they are a great pet for you.

First of all the Iceland Sheepdog originated in Iceland as far back as 874 A.D. The Viking settlers were the first to have these dogs in their homes. They used the sheepdog as hunters, farmers, and herders. They are also thought to be related to the Norwegian Buhund. The Iceland sheepdog is very close to extinction because of the small numbers. For this very reason there are breeders out their looking to re-establish the breed and hopefully the dog’s popularity.

The Iceland sheepdog is usually a smaller breed of sheepdog. They are still about medium size. You will find they are typically 12 to 16 inches and weigh about 20 to 30 pounds. They have a medium length fur that is often easy to take care of and brush. Their ears are going to point up and sometimes back when they are listening. Their head is relatively small, but the muzzle is a little longer than the head. The tail will also curl back on the body. You will find they are usually brindle, white, fawn, red, and black in colour with white markings.

The Iceland Sheepdog is going to be one of the best dogs to have for working. They are going to be sturdy, and very energetic. You will also find they are intelligent, agile, and hardy. They tend to be friendly, curious, and very playful. This makes them a great pet for the right person. You may not want to have the dog around small children, but they usually adore any child. They are also going to be very kind to strangers rather than aloof. This makes them one of the best dogs you could ever have. They can have strong hunting instincts so training in obedience is necessary. You should also be careful around small pets.

Typically the Iceland Sheepdog is going to need a home with a yard. They are very active and cannot handle being cooped up. They love to be in a family atmosphere and around a family, but they still need a daily walk for about an hour with play. They are a great dog for most types of weather, but especially the colder climes.

You will find that grooming is relatively easy as the double coat they have is weather proof and they usually keep it fairly clean themselves. You will find that a brushing twice a week or daily will remove the dead or loose hair. You will also find that they need their toenails clipped. They don’t usually require professional grooming as long as you make sure there are no mats or tangles forming in the fur. If they do have knots or matting you can simply cut them out. You also shouldn’t need to give them baths. They love to play in the water so this can help keep them clean. They are an average shedder with the medium coat so keeping your home clean can be a little difficult during certain seasons.