Islandhund engl.

Around 870 the Vikings brought the Icelandic Sheepdog to Iceland. It's not clear how these dogs looked like at that time. Due to the isolation of the island a special primitive breed similar to the Nordic Spitz has developed. In the 19th century the dog faced a high risk of extinction due to several epidemics. The Englishman Mark Watson got aware of this rare dog during his excursions and has probably impeded that it disappeared. At that time there were presumably not more than 8 purebred Icelandic Sheepdogs. The entire stock of today is based on these 8 animals..

The Icelandic Sheepdog is the National Dog of Iceland. The import of dogs from abroad ha been prohibited for a long time. Therefore the breed remained pure which makes the Icelandic Sheepdog unique! Until the end of the 60s the dog was a rather uncared breed. In 1969 Icelandic dog friends and kynologists founded the Icelandic Kennel Club with the aim to maintain and develop this herding dog. The Club was acknowledged in 1972 by the FCI.

Appearance

Not one Icelandic Sheepdog looks like an other. Most of them are two or three coloured whereby one colour must be predominant. White may not be the main colour but every Icelandic Sheepdog has at least one little white spot. Their ears are erect and their bushy tail is curled over and touches the back. The hair length varies from short to long and is always eked by a thick undercoat. The longhaired type needs a little more care; however its coat easily cleans itself. The size of the Icelandic Sheepdog is between 38 and 48 cm with a weight of 9-18 kg. Dewclaws on the hindfeet are requested by the standards, double dewclaws are desirable. The Icelandic Sheepdog looks like an adult pretty soon. Nevertheless it needs 2 years to complete its physical development. This fact has to be considered when doing sports with the dog.

Watchdogs and herding dogs

In its home country the Icelandic Sheepdog is a working dog. As a herding dog it is accepted by all animals on the farm and helps the farmers to drive home sheeps and horses which often graze far away from the farm. The work with horses and sheep is in its nature. Even without any instructions it precisely knows what to do. The Icelandic Sheepdog is agile and does not fear neither severe cold nor wetness.

The dog also likes to guard its farm and welcomes strangers and friends with a loud bark. It often watches the sky and freightens away ravens which try to edge up to lambs and fish peged up for drying.

All these tasks are done independently, reliably and with a lot of eagerness. The dog likes the variety, therefore it prefers to be together with the children of the farm. So a very devote and man related dog has developed with an uncomplicated being.

However, the Icelandic Sheepdog is not a frugal dog! Its Nordic pighead needs a clear and consequent leadership.Rigorousness and strictness are not appropriate, however. The dog needs meaningful activities and tasks it may do. A bored Icelandic Sheepdog will yelp and stray often, destroy the garden and may heavily get on the owner's nerves. Even hunting may become a welcomed change.

Sportsdog

Icelandic Sheepdogs love sporting activities. They participate almost everywhere with pleasure, i.e. trace searching, agility, as emergency or avalanche dog. They also like to work as therapy dogs, because they want to be together with humans. They very much like long walks, rides with horses and the swimming in lakes and rivers. On the other hand, the Icelandic Sheepdog can not be used for protective measures because the acrimony has specifically been eliminated over the years.

Dispersal in Switzerland

In 1975 the first Icelandic Sheepdog came to Switzerland. Arnoi, born 03.08.1975 was the father of the first Icelandic Sheepdog litter, who was born 1985 in the kennel "Laresch" in Brienz. From 1987-89 three further litters were born in Bildtannen.Then it took 13 years until Icelandic Sheepdogs were bred again in Switzerland. From 1985-2006 there were totally 8 litters with 35 pups (18 males, 17 females). Today 5 Icelandic Sheepdog breeds are registered in Switzerland, a sixth one is announced. "Vom Schönbüel" had the first litter in November 2002, "Gwynt" had litters in February 2005 and in April 2006, "Gantroppas" in April 2006 as well.

It's very enjoyable that sporty families or active dog sportsmen get the longer the more enthusiastic about this gladsome working dog thereby helping to propagate the Icelandic Sheepdog in Switzerland.