The Icelandic Sheepdog, is one of the totem creatures of Iceland. If you decide you would like to adopt an Icelandic Sheepdog, you will quickly come to the realization that there aren’t many dedicated rescue centers out there for this breed. It responds well to positive reinforcement with toy and food rewards, a stable routine, and lots of love. Thankfully, they succeeded. While out on the walk make sure the dog heels beside or behind the person holding the lead, never in front, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Icelandic Sheepdogs are intelligent and eager to please which makes them easily trainable. Adopting an Icie over purchasing a puppy from a breeder comes with its pros and cons. Resources to explore include: Before you decide on a dog, be sure to do plenty of research and involve your entire family in the decision. Jan 20, 2017 - Explore Gloria Bling's board "Icelandic Sheepdogs" on Pinterest. As a matter of fact, they’re the only dogs native to the country. Training from a young age can help prevent your Icelandic Sheepdog from barking too much. Positive, reward-based training is the best way to go. You shouldn’t have too much trouble training this breed; As such affectionate dogs, Icies are very motivated to please. Characteristics of the Icelandic Sheepdog, Where to Buy or Adopt an Icelandic Sheepdog, Czechoslovakian Vlcak (Czechoslovakian Wolfdog): Breed Profile, Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie): Dog Breed Profile, The Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Dog Breed Profile, Croatian Sheepdog (Hrvatski Ovcar): Breed Profile. However, due to their heavy attachment to their family, they may suffer from separation anxiety when apart from them. The Icelandic sheepdog's coat can be short or long, with both lengths having an outer coat and an undercoat. mentally at the age of 18 months. Required fields are marked *. Icelandic Sheepdogs continued to be popular exports to Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and were even mentioned by Shakespeare. You will be pleasantly surprised by how quickly they pick things up. At Five-Gait Farm, we breed AKC registered purebred Icelandic Sheepdogs. See below for places to start your search. Icelandic Sheepdogs at Crossbreeze Farm These dogs are truly members of our family. Weight / Height. The Icelandic Sheepdog, or Iceland Dog, is the Iceland's only native breed, and almost Iceland's only breed. Trainability. Training the Icelandic Sheepdog is not a problem because this dog is eager to please his human and also learns quickly and willingly. Although time outdoors is a must for the Icelandic Sheepdog, his living space should be indoors with his family. Positive rewards-based methods work best with this breed. Today, the breed is primarily kept as a companion dog and can be found all over the world. Check with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your dog's weight or diet. The Icelandic Sheepdog can also compete in dog sports like obedience, flyball, agility, and rally. The long-haired variation is the same but simply with a much longer coat and bushier tail. These settlers brought herding dogs with them for their sheep and other farm animals. Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America. Play is an important part of exercise for Icelandic Sheepdogs, be that with their owner or other dogs. Therefore, it’s imperative that you teach your Icie a faultless recall and an emergency recall for urgent situations. Do I have the time in my schedule to provide the physical and mental exercise needs for this dog? We hope to begin training for their new families in areas such as walking on a lead, stairs, potty training and the obedience basics as soon as the youngsters are able. Along with their coat, remember grooming extends to the nails and teeth of the dog too. The white areas are commonly found on the face, chest, collar, legs and tail. Icelandic Sheepdog obey for the first command 30% of the time or better. They have almost gone extinct more than once. Herding breeds are great, but their brains and active traits mean they need a mix of mental and physical exercise to keep them happy. Tabitha has 10+ years of experience working in veterinary medicine and animal rescue. In all other aspects, Icelandic Sheepdogs make excellent family companions – they are obedient, sociable, and only need moderate exercise. This breed sheds a lot and goes through two shedding seasons a year. Harnesses hold a lot of benefits, which you can read about here. If you are looking for a pet, then the Icelandic Sheepdog is a perfectly suitable candidate. If you can fulfill all their daily requirements and provide a great home for them to live, the Icie can quickly become a loving member of the family. If you do decide to adopt, you will likely be interviewed by staff as to ascertain whether you will be a good fit for the dog in question. A black face mask may or may not be present. The main drawbacks are the shedding and a barking problem that may appear due to poor training. The male Icelandic Sheepdog dog breed’s height is around 18 inches and weighs around 28 and 30 pounds. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. However, if you are based somewhere else in the world, or cannot get an Icie from the NISRA, your best bet is to search rescue centers dedicated to covering a large number of breeds. Brushing their teeth regularly can stop painful dental diseases from being a problem. Moderately Easy Training: Icelandic Sheepdogs can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, rally obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events. If you are based within the U.S. or Canada, there is one good rescue center that you may be able to use: the National Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue Alliance. This is done by teaching what situations warrant a bark and an effective cue for quiet. What do you think of the Icelandic Sheepdog? There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. The Icelandic sheepdog is native to Iceland, which is the only breed to have originated there. At this stage, any health or behavioral problems will be immediately apparent, so you know exactly what you may be getting into with any given dog. As a herding dog, the Icelandic Sheepdog is intelligent and able to think for himself. But has some natural insticts to be aware of. This breed might not be a good fit for busy families that leave the house empty for large portions of the day. Icelandic sheepdogs are people orientated, so provide positive social interactions with others. To keep these pups physically and mentally healthy, try including puzzle toys, agility, scent work, long exploratory walks, runs, and training throughout the life of the dog. Finally, hereditary deafness is a possibility within this breed. Look for a breeder that has recognition from reputable breeding societies. However, the Icelandic Sheepdog can certainly make for an amazing and loving companion in the right family. Ackerman, L.J., 2011, “The Genetic Connection: A Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs,” American Animal Hospital Association, Bell, J., et al., 2012, “Veterinary Medical Guide to Dog and Cat Breeds,” CRC Press, Ólafsdóttir, G.A. Such places are colloquially named “puppy farms” due to these immoral practices. The Icelandic Sheepdog is eager to learn and very intelligent. Feel free to mix it up with your training activities. Female Icelandic Sheepdog dogs can reach a size from 16 inches and weighs between 20 and 25 pounds. 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