Is is a Match?

Is It A MATCH?

Icelandic's are so handsome, sweet, smart and devoted. What a great dog! Want one? Can't live without one? Well, if you are considering adding an Icelandic Sheepdog to your family, spend some time being sure that this is the right breed for you.

Here are some common reasons for wanting an Icelandic:

I saw one, or a picture of one, and it was the most beautiful dog that I have ever seen!

While it's true that they are a handsome breed, remember that this breed has a lot of dogs that are of pure blood but do not look alike. There is a wide range of dominant colours to choose from: black, grey, and chocolate brown and various shades of tan, (ranging from cream to reddish brown) with white always accompanying the predominant colour. Then comes the hair; while all are double coated, they WILL shed, and need REGULAR brushings and trimmings. They come in short, medium, and long-haired varieties. Each has a slightly different look, and will allow you to choose which suits you better. The other thing to consider is, did you see a male or female? There is a marked difference in the sexes when it comes to looks. You may want a female but your dream dog could easily have been the male. Check and make sure


I want a dog that's good with children.

While it's true that a well-trained adult Icelandic sheepdog is a fantastic children's companion, that does not mean that you do not have to teach the children how to behave around a dog. Nor does it mean that you will not have to make sure that the dog feels comfortable and safe as a pup around them. It is far too easy to hurt a young dog, and make them hand- or children-shy, if handled improperly. That said, I have not heard of or seen an Icelandic that didn't adore kids!!


I love that mellow easy-going temperament!

Most Icelandic's are naturally easy-going, gentle, calm and quiet in the house. Some are a bit more talkative than others, but consistent, steady training will give you a dog that you can live with for many years. I have heard it said that breeders can tell if the pup is going to be a talker or not, so talk to your breeder, and be honest about what you want. If you are in town, perhaps a naturally quiet female would work better for you than an active, dominant male that you might be looking at. Or, if you are on a farm and want a good watchdog, you can ask for a more talkative pup.


I love their wonderful coats!

This is true - a well-groomed Icelandic is the best cuddle dog that you will ever find - but an ungroomed Icelandic will have mattes and clumps. Keeping an adult Icelandic groomed will take several hours a month. It must be done every month without fail. The good news is that the Icelandic normally does not need many baths to smell clean. They are an arctic breed, which means that they keep themselves clean, and if you are bushing regularly so that the oils are moving though the coat then you will have a lovely looking dog. Do keep in mind that there will be a spring and fall blow-out of coats. Lovely tuffs of soft undercoat will fall like snow, think about it?

They're awfully expensive, but if I save up, I can just afford to buy one…

The purchase price is only the tip of the iceberg. Vaccines, routine veterinary care, food, leashes, brushes, obedience classes, fences, and beds will be several hundreds of dollars in the first year alone. Ensure that you can afford these necessities as well as the initial purchase price, before you make a commitment.


I like that they're so devoted. I have always wanted a dog that loves me the most in the whole world!

Icelandic's are very devoted dogs, and they will love you to bits, but they will also suck up to strangers or go willingly with the kids down the block. They are wonderful family dogs, and although they will always have the special person in their life, they do like to share themselves around. If you want a one-person dog, this is not the right breed for you.


I'm very active. I love to hike, and camp, and I keep in shape by running every day.


Icelandic Sheepdogs are great little work dogs. They are bred to have stamina, but they need to grow up, and stress on the growing bones can be a leading cause of Hip Dysplasia (HD). Remember that they should not have forced walks or runs while their bones are growing, and should not be jumping until they are between one and two years old. If your pup was born to HD-free parents, and you allow them to grow slowly, feed them the correct amount of food, and keep them lean, the odds are good that you will have an active partner for 10 to 15 years. Just let them grow into it!


I hear they are good housedogs. I want my dog in the house with me all the time.


It is true that the Icelandic's are wonderful housedogs, they are smart, clean and, I have found, easy to train with a fair but firm hand. They are shadows that go wherever you are.
However if what you mean is that you want them in the house from 8 till 6 while you work, you are asking for a problem. While it is possible to train some pups from an early age, with someone coming to let them out and play at lunch, most times you will end up with a very unhappy, barking dog. Icelandic's are people dogs; they were bred to go with their owners EVERYWHERE, so although they will do alright if it's for a couple of hours a day, they are NOT a good 9 to 5 work dog.


They are rare, and they cost a lot. I can buy a female, breed her, and make lots of money!


Not so. I know that, mathematically, three to five pups, at a price of hundreds of dollars each, adds up to a large amount. However, after everything is said and done (vet bills, stud charges, etc), you will NOT make your fortune breeding dogs. IF, however, you really love the breed, and would like to have a litter or two, you should discuss this with the breeder, before you buy your pup. Most people think that because it's a rare breed, all pups should be bred; nothing could be further from the truth. As a breeder of Icelandic's, I would be thrilled to see and help someone who has the love of the breed at heart, but you need to pick your breeding stock very carefully