Appearance

Icelandic Sheepdogs have sturdy, medium-sized Spitz-like frames covered in thick coats that can be either short- or long-haired. Their arched heads have strong, compact muzzles, dark eyes, black noses and prick ears. Its strong neck and rectangular body lead down to a curled tail. The Icelandic Shepherd can be found in black, gray, chocolate and various shades of tan.

History

The Icelandic sheepdog very much resembles dogs found in graves in Denmark and Sweden from about 8000 B.C. Dog imports to Iceland were limited and from 1901 even forbidden. Plague and canine distemper destroyed over 75% of the breed in the late 19th century, leading to a ban on the importation of dogs to Iceland. The purebred Icelandic sheepdog was again bordering extinction in the late 20th century and in 1969 the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association ( HRFÍ) was established to preserve the breed, among other aims.