Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog is Iceland's only native dog breed — brought to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th century and descended from Nordic spitz dogs.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Iceland
Lifespan
12–14 years
Weight
9–14 kg (20–30 lbs)
Height
38–48 cm (15–19 in)
Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active medium breed.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Icelandic Sheepdog is Iceland's only native dog breed — brought to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th century and descended from Nordic spitz dogs. It has been isolated on the island for over 1,000 years, developing into a distinct breed adapted to the challenging volcanic and glacial terrain of Iceland. Used for herding sheep, cattle, and horses in Iceland's unique open landscape, the Icelandic Sheepdog works by driving the herd from behind and using distinctive barking patterns. The breed nearly went extinct due to a canine distemper epidemic in the 19th century that killed thousands of Icelandic dogs. Shakespeare mentioned "Iceland dogs" in Henry V.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A medium-sized, sturdy spitz with a cheerful, foxy face. Two coat varieties: short and long, both dense and weather-resistant. Typically tan/caramel with white markings. The double dewclaws on the hind feet are a characteristic breed feature.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
High
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Cheerful, friendly, and curious — one of the most cheerful and sociable herding breeds. Excellent with children and other animals. Alert and vocal. The "Viking dog" energy needs substantial daily exercise.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
5/5Protectiveness
2/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Ideal Weather
-15°C to 18°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
50%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
barking (very vocal), herding behaviour, separation anxiety, pacing
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours vigorous exercise daily. Brushing 2–3 times weekly. The double dewclaws on hind legs are a breed characteristic — they should be maintained but are not removed.
Nutrition Notes
Iceland's only native dog. Very healthy. Fish-based diet suits breed. Few dietary restrictions. Moderate calorie needs.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip dysplasia (moderate rates). Luxating patella. Cataracts. Distichiasis. Very few serious genetic issues. Iceland's ONLY native dog breed. Brought by Vikings (874 AD). Nearly went extinct (1950s: fewer than 50 dogs). Extremely cheerful, vocal — barks at everything (herding instinct to bark at birds). 12-14 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
850 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
600 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Patellar luxation. Distichiasis (extra eyelashes causing eye irritation). Cryptorchidism. Generally healthy but the breed went through several extreme population bottlenecks.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Iceland's only native dog. Viking era. Nearly extinct (50 dogs 1950s). India: NOT suited to climate (idealWeatherMaxC = 18°C).
Purchase Price
$1,500 to $3,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $500
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
Shakespeare mentioned the Icelandic Sheepdog in Henry V (1599) — Pistol calls Nym a "pispot of Iceland dog" — making it one of the few dog breeds to receive a literary mention from Shakespeare, reflecting the breed's presence in Elizabethan England as a curiosity from the far North.
The Icelandic Sheepdog has double dewclaws on its hind feet — a feature shared with several mountain and Arctic herding breeds (Great Pyrenees, Briard, Beauceron) that helps provide grip on snow and uneven volcanic terrain.
