Not all countries have a native breed to be proud of; for some countries, it is an honor to produce a dog that originated from their land. Interestingly, the Icelandic Sheepdog is the only breed that originated from Iceland, which the Icelanders take pride in.
Considering the Icelandic Sheepdog’s characteristics, it is no doubt that this dog is admired by the Icelanders. One thing that made the Icelandic Sheepdog famous is its inquisitive nature; it is highly friendly and deeply devoted to its master. Its devotion is on a whole new level; it makes sure to get the job done and does not stop until it pleases its master.
These great features are only some of the Icelandic Sheepdog’s characteristics. Overall, this dog proves to be a breed that the Icelanders should be proud of; a breed that is capable of working with pure eagerness, the Icelandic Sheepdog is sure to capture the hearts of many dog lovers.
Origins of the Icelandic Sheepdog
We can trace back the origins of the Icelandic Sheepdog to thousands of years ago when Norse explorers came to Iceland in hopes of building a country. As expected, the explorers brought a lot of stuff with them, which they can use in developing the land; this includes their language and literature. Furthermore, they also brought spitz-type dogs, which the Icelanders used in various canine tasks. During the time, these dogs were a great help on the farm; they were remarkable herders of flocks. This incredible display of expertise marked a significant breakthrough in the history of the Icelandic Sheepdog, wherein these spitz-type dogs started to gain recognition.
Interestingly, this spitz-type breed used by the Icelanders is the modern Icelandic Sheepdog. For years of development, the Icelandic Sheepdog remained to be a substantial breed capable of working in the field. In our modern world, this breed still holds its reputation as a herding dog and is regarded as Iceland’s national symbol.
Characteristics of the Icelandic Sheepdog
Height: 16.5 – 18 inches
Weight: 25 – 30 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 – 14 years
Hypoallergenic: No
The Icelandic Sheepdog is relatively small for a working dog. However, it is not entirely small; it is a medium-sized dog that could stand up to eighteen inches tall and weighs up to thirty pounds. Its medium-small body is packed with a sturdy physique, which allows it to be extremely energetic.
Moreover, the Icelandic Sheepdog’s body holds more features that make it attractive. It is known for its dense coat, which heavily resembles its spitz ancestry. Furthermore, it has a distinctive appearance that is similar to a fox; it has a foxy face with pointed ears, as well as a bushy tail. One thing that makes that Icelandic Sheepdog more admirable is its face that expresses positive nature: friendliness, playful, affectionate, and eagerness to please its master.
As mentioned earlier, the Icelandic Sheepdog is not just an adorable dog. It also flaunts its outstanding expertise in the field. Ever since its early existence, this dog has already built a reputation as a herder, helping Iceland farmers in herding flocks. This fascinating trait of the Icelandic Sheepdog was passed down over the years, which remains to be a significant feature of the breed.
This herding dog is a breed that is sure to bring joy to its master. It is amicable to humans, even with children, which makes it an excellent family dog. Its eagerness to work clearly defines the greatness of this dog; it makes sure to get the job done to please its owner. Furthermore, it is known for its inquisitive nature, making it ready for new tasks, and it is passionate to learn. The enthusiasm found in Icelandic Sheepdogs is unmatched; it is deeply devoted to its family, which also makes it suitable for a guard dog.
Despite the breed’s rather small appearance, it is capable of working on various tasks and excels in herding. Its body is ideal for herding flocks, mainly because of its agility and relentless energy.
All of these characteristics powerfully showcase how impressive is the Icelandic Sheepdog. Overall, we can say that the Icelandic Sheepdog is a truly remarkable breed.