BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
The Icelandic Sheepdog is Iceland’s only
native dog. It was brought to Iceland with the
first Viking settlers (AD 874 - 930). The Icelandic
Sheepdog and its method of working adapted to
the local terrain, farming methods and the hard
struggle for survival of the Icelandic people
over the centuries, making it indispensable in
the rounding up of livestock on the farms. The
Icelandic Sheepdog’s popularity has increased
over the last few decades and, despite the fact
the breed is still very small in numbers, it is
no longer considered to be in danger of extinction.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a Nordic herding spitz,
slightly under medium sized with prick ears and
a curled tail. Seen from the side the dog is rectangular;
the length of the body from the point of shoulder
to point of buttock is greater than the height
at withers. The depth of the chest is equal to
the length of the foreleg.
The expression is gentle, intelligent and happy.
A confident and lively bearing is typical for
this dog. There are two types of coat, long and
short, both thick and extremely weatherproof.
There is a marked difference in appearance between
the sexes.
BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT:
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a hardy and agile herding
dog which barks, making it extremely useful for
herding or driving livestock in the pastures,
in the mountains or finding lost sheep. The Icelandic
Sheepdog is by nature very alert and will always
give visitors an enthusiastic welcome without
being aggressive. Hunting instincts are not strong.
The Icelandic Sheepdog is cheerful, friendly,
inquisitive, playful and unafraid.
HEAD: Strongly
built with close fitting skin. Skull slightly
longer than muzzle. Triangular when seen from
above or the side.
Skull: Somewhat domed.
Stop: Clearly defined though neither steep
nor high.
Nose: Black, dark brown in chocolate brown
and some cream dogs.
Muzzle: Well-developed, nasal bridge straight.
Muzzle slightly shorter than skull. Tapering evenly
towards the nose to form a blunt triangle when
seen from both above and from the side.
Lips: Black, close fitting, dark brown
in chocolate brown and some cream dogs.
Bite: Scissor bite. Complete dentition.
Cheeks: Flat.
Eyes: Of medium size and almond shaped.
Dark brown. Slightly lighter in chocolate brown
and some cream dogs. The eye-rims are black. Dark
brown in chocolate brown and some cream dogs.
Ears: Erect and of medium size. Triangular
with firm edges and slightly rounded tips. Very
mobile, reacting sensitively to sound and showing
the dog’s mood.
NECK: Moderately long and muscular
with no loose skin. Slightly arched and carried
high.
BODY: Rectangular
and strong. The length in correct proportion to
height and in harmony with general appearance.
Back : Level, muscular and strong.
Chest: Long, deep and well sprung.
Loins : Broad and muscular.
Croup : Moderately short and wide, slightly
sloping and well muscled.
Belly: Only a slight tuck up.
TAIL: High set,
curled over and touching the back.
LIMBS:
FOREQUARTERS: When
seen from the front the forelegs are straight,
parallel and strong. Normal angulation.
Shoulders: Oblique and muscular.
Dewclaws: May be double.
Forefeet: Slightly oval toes well-arched
and tight, with well-developed pads.
HINDQUARTERS: When
seen from behind the hindlegs are straight, parallel
and strong Normal angulation.
Thighs: Broad and well muscled.
Dewclaws: Well-developed double dewclaws
are desirable.
Hindfeet: Same as forefeet.
GAIT:
Displays agility and endurance with good driving
action covering the ground effort.
COAT>:
Double coat, thick and extremely weatherproof.
There are two variants:
*Short haired:
The outer coat is of medium length, fairly coarse,
with a thick, soft undercoat. The hair is shorter
on the face, top of head, ears and front of legs,
longer on the neck, chest and back of thighs.
The tail is bushy and the hair length is in proportion
to the coat.
*Long haired:
The outer coat is longer than the above, fairly
coarse, with a thick, soft undercoat. The hair
is shorter on the face, top of head, ears and
front of legs, longer behind the ears, on the
neck, chest, behind the forelegs and back of thighs.
The tail is very bushy and the hair length is
in proportion to the coat.
COLOUR:
Several colours are permitted but a single colour
should always be predominant.
The predominant colours are:
Various shades of tan, ranging from cream to reddish
brown.
Chocolate brown.
Grey.
Black.
White always accompanies the predominant colour.
The most common white markings, which are often
irregular, are a blaze or a part of the face,
collar, chest, socks of varying length and tip
of tail.
Lighter shading often occurs on the underside
of the dog from throat to tip of tail. On tan
and grey dogs a black mask, black tips to the
outer hairs and even occasional black hairs often
occur.
Black (tricolour) dogs have a black coat, white
markings as mentioned above and traditional markings
in any of the various tan colours on the cheeks,
over the eyes (eyebrows) and on the legs.
Patches of the above colours on a white background
(pied) are permitted. White should not be totally
predominant.
SIZE:
Ideal height is:
Dogs 46 cm.
Bitches 42 cm.
FAULTS:
Any departure from the foregoing points should
be considered a fault and the seriousness with
which the fault should be regarded should be in
exact proportion to its degree.
A solid black mantle or saddle on any of the various
tan coloured dogs.
SERIOUS FAULTS:
* Lack of dewclaws
* Yellow eyes
* Round protruding eyes
N.B.:
Male animals should have two apparently normal
testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
