Overview
The Icelandic Sheepdog arrived with the Vikings and has worked sheep and ponies on Icelandic farms ever since. It is a small to medium spitz with a thick coat, pricked ears, a curled tail and often double dewclaws on the hind legs. In Britain it is uncommon but increasingly seen, usually in active homes.
The character is open and friendly. They love people, including strangers, which is unusual among farm dogs, and they are rarely shy or snappy. The flip side is a tendency to bark and a herding instinct that may show up as nipping at heels or circling in play.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day of varied activity keeps most Icelandic Sheepdogs content. They enjoy a brisk walk, a game of fetch and something to think about, and they take well to agility and scent games. They are hardy in cold, wet weather and less keen on summer heat.
Puppies have plenty of bounce; two shorter outings are better than one long trek while they grow.
On the walk
- Barking: This breed alerts to birds, bikes, other dogs and anything it finds interesting. It is not aggression but it is persistent. Reward quiet moments.
- Recall: Generally reliable because they want to stay close. Still worth checking before trusting it near roads.
- Other dogs: Friendly and playful, happy in groups. Watch for herding behaviour that some dogs find irritating.
- Birds and wildlife: In Iceland they were used to keep birds off fields, and many retain a fascination with them. Expect some bouncing after pigeons.
Tips for professional walkers
- Give the dog a task on the walk: carry a toy, find a hidden treat, learn a new behaviour on the way round.
- Keep walks interesting with new routes; they get bored with repetition.
- Dry the thick coat after wet walks and check the dewclaws, which can catch on things.
- Choose quieter routes if the owner is working on barking.
What to ask the owner
- Does the dog have any herding habits, such as nipping at heels or running circles, that you are managing?
- How is barking handled at home, and is there a cue the dog knows for quiet?
- Does the dog have double dewclaws, and do they need any special care?