Icelandic Sheep Dog

By Sophie Kininmonth · 4 Nov 2025 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·6 min read

The Icelandic Sheepdog is Iceland's native herding dog, a small-to-medium spitz that is quick on its feet, bright, and genuinely good company for an active household. They handle cool weather without complaint, settle into family life, and greet people with real warmth rather than suspicion. They are also famously vocal, and that one trait decides whether the breed is an easy fit or a daily grind. If you want a weatherproof, engaged dog and you can live with a herder that barks as part of its job, this is a rewarding breed. This guide covers what they are like to live with, what they need, and what to ask before you commit.^{1, 2}

Breed name: Icelandic Sheepdog

Size: Slightly under medium; ideal height about 46 cm (dogs) and 42 cm (bitches)^{1, 2}

Weight: In proportion to height, commonly around 9 to 14 kg depending on sex and build³

Coat: Double coat, thick and very weather-resistant; short-coated and long-coated varieties^{1, 2}

Colour: Fawn and red shades, grey shaded, chocolate, black; typically with white markings, including pied patterns¹

Temperament: Cheerful, friendly, inquisitive and alert; greets visitors enthusiastically without aggression; barking is part of the breed's working style^{1, 4}

Life expectancy: Commonly around 12 to 15 years³

Health concerns: As with many breeds, orthopaedic and eye issues can occur; responsible screening matters⁵

Exercise needs: Moderate to high; daily movement plus mental work suits them best²

Training needs: Moderate; responds well to consistent, reward-based training and plenty of engagement⁴

History and Origin

The Icelandic Sheepdog was shaped by long days moving stock across rough ground and a life spent close to farms and people. Breed histories commonly link their arrival to Iceland's early settlers, and modern breed standards still describe a tough, agile herding spitz built to work in challenging conditions.^{1, 2}

Appearance and Physical Characteristics

This is a rectangular, slightly under medium-sized dog with prick ears and a curled tail carried over the back. The overall look is spitz-like: alert, light on the feet, and ready to move, with a coat built to shed weather rather than soak it up.^{1, 2}

There are two coat types, short and long, both with a thick undercoat and a coarser outer coat. Low-shedding does not really apply here. The coat is designed to renew itself, and many dogs will drop heavily at least seasonally. Regular brushing keeps the undercoat from packing down and helps you spot skin issues early.¹

Dogs Australia's breed standard allows a wide range of colours, typically with white markings. Grey-shaded and red or fawn dogs may show a dark overlay or a mask, while black and chocolate dogs often carry tan points.¹

Temperament and Personality

The Icelandic Sheepdog is commonly described as cheerful, friendly, inquisitive and unafraid. They are usually social with people, but they are also naturally alert and quick to announce changes in their environment. That is one reason they can feel busy in a quiet suburban house if their needs are not met.^{1, 4}

Barking is the trait most people underestimate. Breed standards explicitly note it as a working feature, which in practice can mean:

They may comment on visitors, movement along the fence line, and unfamiliar sounds.¹
They often need calm, consistent training around door manners and boundary arousal, not harsh corrections.⁴

Is an Icelandic Sheepdog Right for You?

The best match is usually made before you meet the puppy. It is a decision about your household rhythm more than the individual pup. Run through a quick fit check:

Noise tolerance: Are you prepared to train and manage a dog that naturally barks as part of its job?¹
Time budget: Can you provide daily activity and ongoing training, not just weekend exercise?²
Coat reality: Are you comfortable with seasonal shedding and regular brushing?¹

When you talk to a breeder or rescue, ask what health screening is done on the parents (hips, eyes) and whether you can get documentation, what the adults in the line are like in everyday life (barking level, sociability, reactivity to noise), and how puppies are raised in the first 8 to 10 weeks (handling, surfaces, sounds, visitors).

Training and Exercise

An Icelandic Sheepdog does best with daily exercise that uses both body and brain. Long, repetitive runs are not the only answer. They often thrive on variety: walking, sniffing time, short training sessions, and play that mimics their natural move-and-monitor style.²

In practice, enough activity usually looks like:

A decent daily walk plus some off-lead time where safe and legal.
Short, frequent training sessions (recall, loose-lead walking, settle on a mat).
Enrichment that slows them down: scent games, scatter feeds, puzzle toys.

They are smart and generally willing, but can be easily distracted by movement and sound. Reward-based training and clear routines suit the breed's quick, watchful attention.⁴

Health and Lifespan

No breed is problem-free. The practical goal is to understand the patterns seen in dogs generally, then choose a breeder or rescue dog with transparent screening and a track record of soundness.

Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition where the hip joint does not form tightly, which can lead to osteoarthritis over time. Signs can include stiffness, reduced willingness to jump, or lameness that is worse after exercise. Weight matters here, so management often includes weight control, tailored exercise, and veterinary-guided pain relief; some cases require surgery.⁵

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is one example of an inherited eye disease seen across dog breeds. It involves degeneration of the retina and can progress to vision loss. For prospective owners, the most useful step is to ask what eye testing the parents have had and whether results are available in writing.⁶

Grooming and Care

The coat is weatherproof, not dirt-proof. Plan on brushing at least weekly, and more during heavy sheds, to lift dead undercoat and reduce matting behind the ears, around the neck ruff, and through the feathering on long-coated dogs.¹

Bathe as needed rather than on a strict schedule. Over-bathing can strip the oils that help the coat repel water, while under-grooming can trap moisture against the skin.

A Few Things Worth Knowing

The breed is occasionally mentioned in media and breed features, but it is not a fixture of film and television the way some working breeds are. Treat claims linking it to specific major productions as trivia unless a reliable source is attached.
The Kennel Club in the UK granted the breed recognition, effective 1 April 2025.⁷

The Bottom Line

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a compact working dog with a big presence: bright-eyed, weatherproof, and tuned to movement in the environment. In the right home, one that expects a talkative herder and enjoys daily engagement, they can be steady, affectionate companions with plenty of spark.^{1, 4}

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.