Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club

Top Icelandic Sheepdogs in Canada 2009

2010-06-23T13:17:00.002-04:00

Dogs in Canada Page 45 Top Dogs in Canada July Isssue 2010

Iceland Sheepdog (12)
#1 Greenstone Blackmore Knight BB 6 G4 1 Pts 26
#2 Ch Solhunder Elska Ljosstjarna BB 9 Pts 11
#3 Ch Cira's Valhalla BB 3 Pts 8
#3 Belglen Undri Ari BB 6 Pts 8
#4 Ch Greenstone Rudolph Valentino BB 6 Pts 6
#5 Heimskauts Eydis CGN BB 5 Pts 4
#5 Kersins Midas Touch BB 1 Pts 4

Congrats to all the Breeders, Owners and Dogs on their placements and wins in 2009.

Gold Rush in Valhalla- Group 3rd

2010-05-31T06:01:00.003-04:00

Congrations to Llie Stefanson for handling her lovely boy Gold Rush in Valhalla to a Group 3rd under CKC Judge Leslie Rogers at the Victoria Kennel Club Show, in B.C. Canada.

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies for Sale in Canada Spring 2010

2010-04-25T16:41:00.005-04:00

Spring Litters have arrived, We have Male/Female available puppies at this time (Updated May 18th 2010), please contact us for a puppy application and to find out who is still available for reservation. Kennel is located by Ottawa, Ontario, but will place puppies in approved homes across N.A. Puppies will be ready for their new homes end of June or Early July.

The Pearl Litter has one male and three females, here they are as newborns, watch them grow up on the blog!

The Dream litter has four males and three females, here they are as newborns, watch them grow up on the blog!

Check out our main website for tons more breed info and litter info, including detailed parent information pages.

http://www.icelandicsheepdogs1.com/

Puppy Blog for the most updated photos! and litter information

http://icelandsheepdogpuppie.blogspot.com/

CISC Supported Entries and National Gathering at LMDF 2010 Show

2010-03-12T15:30:00.004-05:00

Calling All Fellow ISD owners.

The CISC will be offering supported Entry Prizes for the Iceland Sheepdog at the LMDF Show in B.C. in Oct 2010. Its time to bring it to the West Coast!

2006-Ontario
2007-Alberta
2008-Ontario
2009-Ontario
2010-B.C.

We are asking anyone to consider sending donations for the prize baskets, or prizes themselves for this event, please email me at icelandicsheepdog1@yahoo.com to get a snail mail addresss or to speak to me about offering prizes.

To date, Prizes that we know of.
1) oil painting of an ISD
2) one Icelandic Sheepskin Rug
3) Handmade Harness's for the dogs
4) Fleese Tug and Training Ropes
5) Canadian Flag Towels

Prize list will be added as more come in and the list continues to grow!

We already have a offer from a local host to hold a lovely dinner for everyone coming out to the events.

To date, we are aware that there will be four days of conformation Shows, ISD supported Entries and Prizes, a dinner gathering, and we will continue to update as more information becomes available.

So far it appears that we have folks coming from across the Western USA, B.C. and Ontario to this gathering.

So start planning for this amazing trip, meeting new friends in ISD, getting to see the dogs in person. Four days of Conformations shows at Canada's largest Dog show! Help us build a five point major in both sex's and the largest CKC Champion Specials class to date in Canadian History!

http://www.lowermainlanddogfanciersofbc.com/

Hope to see you there.

Greenstone (Ontario) has New Spring Litters Coming!

2010-02-15T10:30:00.004-05:00

Lovely Long Coated Black Tricolor Female P:uppy Four Weeks old

Red and White Short Coated Male Puppy Four Weeks Old

Greenstone Kennels is proud to share photos of some their first litter of the year above..They are both reserved at this time.

Greenstone Kennel is pleased to annouce that they have two spring litters coming around the first part of May.

Check out all the info on our website at

http://www.icelandicsheepdogs1.com/IcelandicSheepdogPlannedcominglitters.html

Lots of information on the breed and our kennel at the main site

http://www.icelandicsheepdogs1.com/

We are currently taking Reservations on our spring litters.

Eagle Isle (B.C.) Icelandic Sheepdogs -Puppies are here!

2010-02-15T10:20:00.005-05:00

http://eagleisle.shawwebspace.ca/

A lovely litter of five Icelandic Sheepdog puppies have arrived, four females and one male.

Please Check out all the details on Eagle Isle Website listed above.

Icelandic Sheepdogs Puppies Available B.C.Canada

2009-11-06T06:28:00.004-05:00

Pineridge Icelandics is pleased to offer this Stunning Long Coat Black Tricolor Male called Pineridge Tryggur for adoption, he is looking for his new Family.

He has been raised on a active working farm, with lots of visits from the Grandchildren.

Tyggur's parents are Kolur and Rof, Rof is a very pretty refined black an tan long coat, she has OFA Excellent hips and CERF normal eyes, Kolur is a refined long coated Wheaten and White boy who carried Black Tricolor, Kolur has OFA Good and Cerf Normal eyes. All Health checks on the parents are current.

Health information is available on all the grandparents on this litter.

Kolur is the father and grandfather to some of Canada's top show dogs, This charming boy would be a good choice for a wonderful family pet or could be considered for a show or breeding program.

Pineridge Kennels is willing to place their puppies in N.A. in approved homes.

http://www.pineridgeicelandics.com/

Email: pineice@xplornet.com

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies Available-B.C. Canada

2009-11-06T06:01:00.003-05:00

Pineridge Icelandics is pleased to offer this lovely tan an white socks female short coated puppy called Manadis for adoption, she is ready to find her forver home.

She is a very smart puppy and learning quickly. She has been raised on a active working farm, with lots of visits from the Grandchildren.

Manadis's parents are Gletta and Narri, Gletta is a lovely short coated Red and White Show Marked Pied, she has OFA Good Hips and CERF normal Eyes, Narri is a Tan, amazing Long Coat, he has OFA Fair hips and CERF Normal eyes. All Health tests on the parents are current, Health information is available on all grandparents and on great-grandparents.

This little girl would be a good choice for a wonderful family pet or could be considered to be added to your breeding program. Pineridge Kennels is willing to place their puppies in N.A. in approved homes.

http://www.pineridgeicelandics.com/

Email: pineice@xplornet.com

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Available Puppies -Fall Update.

2009-10-14T10:05:00.004-04:00

Hello Folks

In Western Canada, Pineridge Icelandic has available puppies at this time, please check out their website and the link below for updated photos.

http://www.pineridgeicelandics.com/

In Eastern Canada, Greenstone Icelandics have available slightly older puppies at this time for pet homes only. Check out their website and email for updated photos.

http://www.icelandicsheepdogs1.com/

In Western United States, Valhalla Icelandics has just breed for her fall litter, litter is due in late Nov, and she is currently taking applications. Please check out her website at

http://www.valhallaicelandics.com/

Looking for a puppy in 2010

Lots of folks now like to look far in advance in planning their puppies, so here is the known currently Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club members have planned.

Canadian Breeders planning litters for 2010

Anyone else that are members that are planning litters, please email and let us know to add you to the list.

http://www.pineridgeicelandics.com/

http://eagleisle.shawwebspace.ca/

http://www.icelandicsheepdogs1.com/

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdogs available puppies fall 2009

2009-09-22T08:26:00.003-04:00

Western Canada -Pineridge Icelandic Sheepdogs-B.C.

http://www.pineridgeicelandics.com/

Qoute from Jill, with updated photos of the litters

Litter One- Dam-Raf and Sire -Kolur

These little puppies are becoming more active and less sleepy every day! It's also very interesting to watch the colour changes, particularly the little tan patches coming in. Please contact us if you are interested in any of these puppies. More informatio including all contact info on the Pineridge website.

"Litter Two- Dam Gletta and Sire Narri

We have available puppies at this time, please go to the Puppies page on the website

Eastern Canada -Greenstone Icelandics

http://www.icelandicsheepdogs1.com/

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Booster Results 2009

2009-08-23T17:35:00.002-04:00

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club is proud that for the third year we have offered a yearly Booster for our Fellow Icelandic Sheepdog lovers in Canada

Aug 15th 2009
Thousand Island Dog Show

Judge AKC Levi Marsman

Best of Breed- Greenstone Blackmore Knight
Owner/Handler - Mhairi Brown
Breeder V. Sharp

Best of Opposite Sex -Greenstone Rudolph Valentino
Owner/Handler/Breeder - V. Sharp

Best of Winners- Greenstone Blackmore Knight

Best Bred By- Greenstone Rudolph Valentino

A huge thank you goes out to everyone that was a able to come to the show, it was great to see fellow Breeders an owners from Toronto, and Maureen got the award for traveling the longest, coming up from Maine, USA.

Greenstone Blackmore Knight Show Update- Kars

2009-07-31T13:34:00.007-04:00

Kars Kennel Club-July 17th, 18th and 19th

Valerie Gervais CKC-Greenstone Blackmore Knight-BOB

Dr Robert Smith -AKC -Greenstone Blackmore Knight-BOB

Polly Smith-AKC- Greenstone Blackmore Knight -BOB-Group 4th

Owner/Handler Mhairi Brown

Breeder V Sharp

This is very exciting news, the first Icelandic Sheepdog Group Placement in 2009.

Please Remember if you are showing an Icelandic Sheepdog in Canada, to send in your show results to be shared on the Canadian Club Site.

Coming Litters of Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies

2009-07-31T13:27:00.006-04:00

Pineridge Icelandics Kennel

B.C. Canada

New Litter coming Due Aug 12th

After our breeding disappointment last year, we are delighted to announce an anticipated litter approximately August 12th from Pineridge Gletta and Ofeigur 'Narri' fra Villiskogum. It is a great opportunity to be able to continue Narri's line and Gletta came from the last litter of one of our first Icelandic imports, Lukka fra Keldnakoti bred with Tofra Ljos'alfur', so we are looking forward with great excitement to this litter. For more information and to be put on a waiting list, please contact us at pineice@mail.ocis.net."

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies Available Ontario Canada

2009-07-31T13:21:00.005-04:00

Greenstone Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel

Ontario, Canada

Red an White Available Pet Male Puppies

Check out the litter on the website

http://www.icelandicsheepdogs1.com/

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppes for Sale

2008-07-28T11:22:00.002-04:00

Fun and Fancy Icelandic Sheepdogs

Judy Brown -Calf-USA

Available for Adoption right now- Male Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies

For more informaton contact Judy at jbrown41@charter.net

CKC Rally Obedience Trial -Kingston Show June 21st

2008-07-28T11:02:00.003-04:00

Rally Obedience Information - June 21st

CKC UKC Ch Belglen Roskva CGN TT HIC earned a score of 98 for 2nd place in Trial at the CISC Booster.

A Huge! congrats to Scott and Soley on this wonderful win.

The club provided a lovely photo frame prize for being the highest scoring Icelandic Sheepdog in trial.

Icelandic Sheepdog in Canada CKC Show Report 2008 June 20th, 21st, and 22nd

2008-07-28T10:35:00.006-04:00

Show: Kingston Kennel Club, Ontario

Date June 20th 2008

Judge : Chris Neilson- CKC Allbreed

Ch Greenstone Black Pearl Best of Breed- Group 4th

Greenstone Alexander the Great- Best of Opposite Sex

Greenstone Fire an Ice -Best Puppy in Breed

Date June 21st 2008

Judge : Donna Cole -B.C. CKC AllBreed Judge

CKC UKCCh Belglen Roskva CGN TT HIC -Best of Breed

Greenstone Alexander the Great -Best of Opposite Sex

Solhundur Leika Óskadis- Best Puppy in Breed

Best in Show Bred By - Ch Greenstone Black Pearl -Judge Donna Cole

Date: June 22nd, 2008

Judge: David Eadie -CKC All-Breed

Ch Greenstone Black Pearl -Best of Breed -Group 4th

Greenstone Alexander the Great- Best of Opposite Sex

Solhundur Tindra Oskastjarna- Best Puppy in Breed.

Icelandic Sheepdog in Canada CKC Show Report 2008 May 30th, 31st, and June 1st

2008-06-01T19:46:00.004-04:00

Show: Aurora Kennel Club, Ontario

Date May 30th 2008

Judge : Marilyn Mincey of B.C.- CKC Allbreed

U-Ch Belglen Roskva CGN, TT, HIC- BOB and Group 4th

Solhundur Tindra Óskastjarna - Reserve Winners Bitch, and Best Puppy in Breed

Show: Aurora Kennel Club, Ontario

Date May 31st 2008

Judge : Dr. Everett Mincey -B.C. CKC AllBreed Judge

U-Ch Belglen Roskva CGN TT HIC -BOB

Solhundur Tindra Óskastjarna- Reserve Winners Bitch and Best Puppy in Breed.

Show: Aurora Kennel Club, Ontario

Date June 1st, 2008

Judge: Soile Bister FCI

U-Ch Belglen Roskva CGN, TT, HIC -BOB

Solhunder Tindra Oskastjarna-Reserve Winners Bitch and Best Puppy in Breed

S0lhundur Leika Óskadis

A Huge Congrats to Laura and Scott as U-Ch Belglen Roska CGN TT HIC is now a new CKC Champion as well!! Way to go guys, Belglen Roskva aka Soley has been Handled by Scott to her Championship. What a way to start the year!!

Icelandic Sheepdog in Canada CKC Show Report 2008 March 02

2008-06-01T19:32:00.003-04:00

Show: Calgary Alberta

Date March 02 2008

Judge : Janet Lobb -CKC Allbreed Judge

Heimskauts Skella- BOB, Best Puppy in Breed

Handler-Candise Berard

Ch Lavendels Vindur- BOS

Handler-Scott Berard

Icelandic Sheepdogs Puppies for Sale in Canada

2008-03-31T16:53:00.004-04:00

Black Tricolor Med Coated Six Week Old Icelandic Sheepdog Female Puppy
Chincilla and White Med Coated Six Week old Icelandic Sheepdog Female Puppy
Red and White Med Coated Six Week Old Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy

Chincilla/White and Black Mask Med Coated Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies for Sale in Eastern Canada - Breeder will Ship across Canada and United States - Perfer Homes in Canada- Ideally looking for Pet/Breeding or Show Homes in Ontario or Quebec or Maritimes.

Both Pet Qaulity Puppies and Possable Show Qaulity Puppies Available.

This litter meet the CISC Breeder Guidelines.
Mother: Ch Belglen Runa -OFA- Good, CERF Normal 1/08- Med Coat -16 inchs-24 Pds
Father: Pineridge Vaskur-Pennhip .39/.50 CERF Normal 1/08 - Long Coat- 18 inchs-29 Pds

Please send all futher questions to this email address
puppies@icelandicsheepdogs1.com

Icelandic Sheepdog in Canada CKC Show Report 2008 Feb 21, 22, and 23rd

2008-02-29T18:34:00.004-05:00

Show: Markham Ontario
Date Feb 21st 2008
Judge : Dave Eadie - CKC Allbreed
Greenstone Fire an Ice- BOB BP
Handler-Linda Thompson
Greenstone Black Pearl- Reserve
Handler-Valerie Sharp

Date Feb 22nd 2008
Judge: Fred Gordon-CKC Allbreed
Greenstone Fire an Ice -BOB BP
Handler Linda Thompson
Greenstone Black Pearl-Reserve
Handler-Valerie Sharp

Date Feb 23rd 2008
Judge: Dave Paterson
Greenstone Fire an Ice-BOB BP
Handler- Linda Thompson
Greenstone Black Pearl-Reserve
Handler Valerie Sharp.

Remember if you are paid member of the CISC and you have show results, you need to send them to the club to be included.

Health Information -Rabies Challenge Fund Update on Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Site.

2008-01-31T13:32:00.002-05:00

As all concerned Icelandic Sheepdog owners, this new information is well worth the read and we will update with results as time goes by.

The Rabies Challenge Fund is pleased to announce that the canine rabies challenge studies have begun!!! Permission is granted to post and cross-post the text of our press release below.Regards, Kris L. ChristineFounder, Co-TrusteeThe Rabies Challenge

Fund_http://www.RabiesChallengeFund.org_ (http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/)

CANINE RABIES CHALLENGE STUDIES BEGIN !One of the most important vaccine research studies in veterinary medicine is underway at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison. Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading authority on veterinary vaccines and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, has begun concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies to determine the long-term duration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine, with the goal of extending the state-mandatedinterval for boosters. These will be the first long-term challenge studies on the canine rabies vaccine to be published in the United States.Dr. Schultz comments that: "We are all very excited to start this study that will hopefully demonstrate that rabies vaccines can provide a minimum of 7 years of immunity

."This research is being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund, a charitable trust founded by pet vaccine disclosure advocate Kris L. Christine of Maine, who serves as Co-Trustee with world-renowned veterinary research scientist and practicing clinician, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of Hemopet in California. The Rabies Challenge Fund recently met its goal of $177,000 to fund the studies´first year budget with contributions from dog owners, canine groups,trainers, veterinarians, and small businesses. Annual budget goals of $150,000 for thestudies must be met in the future.Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM states:

"This is the first time in my 43 years ofinvolvement in veterinary issues that what started as a grass-roots effort to change an outmoded regulation affecting animals will be addressed scientifically by an acknowledged expert to benefit all canines in the future."Scientific data published in 1992 by Michel Aubert and his research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination, while Dr. Schultz´s serological studies documented antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years post-vaccination. This data strongly suggests that state laws requiring annual or triennial rabies boosters for dogs are redundant. Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid,joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations.Study co-trustee Kris Christine adds:

"Because the USDA does not require vaccine manufacturers to provide long-term duration of immunity studies documenting maximum effectiveness when licensing their products, concerned dog owners have contributed the money to fund this research themselves. We want to ensure that rabies immunization laws are based upon independent, long-term scientific data."More information and regular updates on The Rabies Challenge Fund and the concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies it is financing can be found at the fund´s website designed by volunteer Andrea Brin at:_www.RabiesChallengeFund.org_

(http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/) .

History of the Icelandic Sheepdog -ISIC Information

2008-01-30T16:23:00.000-05:00

http://www.icelanddog.org/index.html

ISIC is an abbreviation for the Icelandic Sheepdog International Committee.

Member nations are: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

ISIC's main purpose is to help and encourage cross-border cooperation in all matters that will benefit and preserve the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Short history

In 1994 the Icelandic Kennel Club, HRFÍ, and the Icelandic breed-club, DÍF, after many years of work, succeeded in convincing the Icelandic Parliament, the Allthingi, that it was a national responsibility to preserve the Icelandic Sheepdog as an inheritance of Icelandic culture.
Allthingi decided to give the Minister of Agriculture the mission to form a committee in Iceland with the purpose to overlook the future of the Icelandic Sheepdog as a national breed to preserve.

The HRFÍ chairman of that time, Gudrun R. Gudjohnsen, became one of the committee-members. When the majority of the committee thought they were ready for a final proposal, HRFÍ did not agree. According to them, a lot of basic information necessary for the final proposal was missing.

HRFÍ and DÍF looked for support abroad, mainly in Sweden, and with the help of the swedish breedclub, Islandhunden-Sverige, the first international breed-club support was given through a common document to the Nordic Kennel Union in january 1996, signed by breedclubs and representatives from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland and Finland.

This was the real start of official international cooperation between responsible breedclubs/breedrepresentatives and resulted in international seminars in Sweden 1996, Iceland 1997, Holland 1998 and Denmark 1999.

At the seminar in 2007, ISIC elected a board consisting of: Gudrun R. Gudjohnsen (chairman), Hans-Åke Sperne (secretary) and Wilfred Olsen (cashier)

The present day situation
One of the main issues have been to find a common computer programme for the registration of dogs, so that all registered dogs in the member countries can be brought together in a database. This will facilitate the tracking of inherital diseases, as well as making it easier to expand the breeding material and avoid excessive inbreeding.

Much work has been done by Pieter Oliehoek in Holland to get the different databases put together, as well as to analyze the genetic variation in the dog population.

Kayla's Story -Icelandic Sheepdog Summer Newsletter Issue 2002

2008-01-29T14:13:00.000-05:00

KOLTRYNA'S EARLY DAYS
Chase, British Columbia

The arrival of a new litter is always exciting, as it was for us on April 21st, 2001 when the litter from Lukka fra Keldnakoti and Kolur fra Arbakki was born. Four little girls and two little boys. Colour is always exciting too. Our pups that have been either predominantly cream or black, with white, tan and other shades, show very little change to the predominant colouring. However, this is not the case with the other colours, which lighten significantly from the birth colour.

We had a long list of people awaiting the arrival of this litter. Initially we had planned to exchange two of these puppies with two breeders in Holland, but the Raad van Beheer in Amsterdam would not recognize Miscellaneous CKC registration and wanted the papers issued with full breed recognition, so unexpectedly we then had two puppies to place that we already thought had a home.

We are very thorough in checking new owners and the home they will be able to provide for our puppies. Based on an earlier experience, we now send a notice with each pup leaving here requesting first refusal should a new owner find themselves in a position where they can't keep their puppy.

One family had expressed a very keen interest in a puppy for their daughter over quite a long period of time and we had had a considerable amount of contact with them. When they were selected to receive a puppy, they were delighted and decided to fly from Minnesota to pick up Koltryna, rather than have her take a long air cargo flight.

We thought Koltryna was a very lucky little puppy to have such care and planning going into her transportation. The family flew to Vancouver, rented a car and drove to our farm to pick up their puppy - spent some time here and left happily with Koltryna.

We ask people to keep in touch with us and I was surprised that I didn't hear how the journey home had gone. I e-mailed to enquire and didn't receive a reply. I e-mailed a second time and still didn't hear anything. This is unusual.

The next thing I received was an e-mail enquiry from someone who had chosen a puppy from the Humane Society nearest to them, and as Koltryna had also been left with the Canadian Sheepdog Puppy Book, the new owner had read it, seen a picture of who she thought was her puppy (and it was), seen our name and contacted us to see if we were the breeders.

Needless to say we were dumbfounded. Apparently the reason given for surrendering Koltryna to the Humane Society was that one of the owners was allergic to dogs. We couldn't believe that these owners, who were prepared to go to so much trouble to come and get her, couldn't go to the trouble of making a phone call to us, telling us what had happened and asking if we could take her back. We had many people who would have loved to have her.

Very luckily for Koltryna, she has found a new owner who has offered a loving home and has offered a home to many dogs who have found themselves at the Humane Society for one reason or another. We are very grateful to her for rescuing Koltryna and getting in touch with us.

We sincerely hope that all future owners of our puppies will contact us if something unforeseen arises that prevents them from keeping their new puppy.

We have asked Koltryna's new owner if she will write a short article telling the story from when she found her at the Humane Society.

MY RESCUE DOG
Minneapolis, Minnesota

On July, 23, 2001 I had to put my beloved Rusty to sleep. He had a stroke and no longer had a comfortable quality of life. He has been my friend for fifteen years. I was thoroughly devastated.

So, on Saturday, July 28, 2001, I found myself again at the Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley, Minnesota, "just looking". From past experience, I knew better than to go to the shelter "just looking", as I knew I would not return home alone. Of course, I did not.

I adopted an Icelandic Sheepdog, about eleven weeks old. She was not the first dog I looked at that day. What attracted me to her was her outstanding personality. She is extremely intelligent, outgoing, very friendly and exceptionally alert. After spending just a few minutes with her, I knew I had to have her. I named her Kayla even before I had signed the adoption papers.

I was told she is a purebred Icelandic recently purchased from a professional hobby breeder. She apparently was given up for adoption two weeks after purchase due to the new owner having allergies to dogs. After my veterinarian had found a tattoo in Kayla's right ear, I became curious as to her origins.

When adopting Kayla, I was provided with a copy of the Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club's Puppy Package which featured dogs from Pineridge Icelandics along with other CISC members dogs. She looked so much like Pineridge Koltryna, I emailed this breeder requesting information. Jill Fike contacted me immediately, both by telephone and email. I was so excited to find out Kayla really is Pineridge Koltryna. Jill and I have been corresponding periodically since then regarding Kayla's care.

Kayla has made some very interesting choices for her favorite toys. I do not know if this is something particular to Icelandics, but Kayla's favorite treats are ice cubes. She has great fun when I give her a large non-spill bowl full of them. I even freeze her beef bones before giving them to her. She gets along very well with my other rescue dogs, Buster and Skye. Watching them all play together is most entertaining.

For me, adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment. I choose rescue dogs because they are most in need of loving homes. There is no greater return on my investment of the heart than the unconditional love of a new canine companion.

2008 Update, Kayla continues to be a much loved member of her new family and both her breeder and the Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club continue to get yearly updates on this adored Icelandic Sheepdog.

Juding and Critiques by Monika Karsdottir Iceland -Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Fall Issue 2007

2008-01-28T11:24:00.002-05:00

CISC Eastern Fun Match – July 27, 2007
(Note: not a CKC event)

Judging and Critiques by Monika Karlsdottir, Iceland

Greenstone Blue Swude Shoes
Junior Male #1 Third place male. Best Eyes.
Excellent red and white junior. 41 cm, very small in size. Good proportions. Nice triangular head with good proportions. Beautiful almond shaped eyes of nice colouring. Good pigmentation. Good ear placement, nice small ears. Correct bite. Missing one P1 on top right side. Good shoulder. Correct front angulation, a little bit open in rear. Good tail. Good coat texture but in summer coat. Would like more bone. Good movement.
Excellent rating.

Ch Belglen Riddari
Open Male #2 Fourth place male.
Red and white, 2 years old. Excellent type. 45.5 cm. Good proportions. Nice triangular head with good proportions. Good ears. Full dentition, correct bite. I’d like slightly darker eyes but good eye shape. Good pigment. Slightly upright in shoulder. Good angulation in upper arm good. Lacking in chest. Needs more forechest, more depth and more spring of rib. Looks leggy because of missing chest but proportions are okay. Acceptable angulation in rear. Turns out slightly in rear. Good tail. Good coat texture but lacking in undercoat (summer coat). Double dewclaws in back. Good bone. Good movement from side. Moves close behind. Slightly out at elbow. Excellent temperament.
Very Good rating.

Greenstone Alaxander the Great
Open Male #3. First place male. Best Male, Best of Opposite Sex. Best Dewclaws.
Excellent Black tri. 46 cm ideal size. Excellent proportions. Correct proportions in head. Nice Triangular shape. Full dentition, correct bite. Good pigmentation. Ears correct with good placement and of good size. Beautiful almond-shaped eyes. Good dark colour. Nice Icelandic smile. Good layback of shoulder. Upper arm could be slightly longer. Could have slightly more depth of chest. Good back. Slightly slanted in croup. Croup is a bit long so tail is a little low set and drops when standing. Tail is fine in movement. Excellent curled tail with strong hook. Second thigh should be shorter. Feet turn out slightly in back. Excellent double dewclaws, strong attached bone with slightly smaller weaker second. Slightly close behind. Fine in movement. Happy demeanour, friendly temperament very expressive of mood with ears and tail. Excellent coat texture, in summer-coat. Wonderful Icelandic expression.
Excellent Rating.

Tofra Hroi Grettir
Open Male #4. Second place male. Best Smile. Best Medium Coat.
Excellent deep rich red masculine male on the smaller side 43.5 cm. Excellent proportions. Correct proportions in head. Nice strong skull, triangular shaped head. Wonderful short muzzle. Missing P1 bottom left and right. Correct bite. A little exaggerated smile. Good ear placement and size. Correct eye shape and color, good dark eye. Excellent front. Well laid back shoulder. Good chest, good body. Could use a little more substance but acceptable. Good deep chest, comes just below elbow. Slightly weak in pastern. Strong back. Good rear angulation. Slightly toed out in rear. Good double dewclaws. Flat croup. Good tail set. Nice curl to tail. Excellent bone. Excellent coat texture, quite good undercoat for this time of year. Good movement. When he’s moving he looks slightly higher in back because pasterns are weak. Excellent temperament, friendly demeanor but a little stressed.
Excellent rating.

Ch Greenstone Ajay.
Champion Male #5. Fifth Place male.
Red sable with black mask of excellent type. A bit big, 47 cm. Good proportions overall. Good proportions in head but slightly lacking in type and would like a fuller skull. Full dentition (missing tooth due to accident), good bite. Wonderful almond shaped eyes, dark pigmentation. Slightly snipey in muzzle. Smiling expression. Slightly high set ears. Slightly upright in shoulder, good upper arm. Good front feet. Elbows come out a little bit because of lacking chest. Good forechest. Would like more depth of chest. Strong back. Open angulation in rear. Would like shorter lower thigh. Excellent dewclaws with one bone attached. A bit long in loin. Good croup. Good angulation in hock. Slightly turned out in rear. Excellent coat structure. Good coat for time of year. Good tailset and good curl to tail. Good bone. Good movement but slightly close behind. Good friendly temperament.
Very good rating.

Greenstone Black Pearl
Junior Female #6 First place Junior female. Second place female. Best Junior
Excellent feminine black tri junior. Slightly under-sized, 40 cm. Good proportions and wonderful type. Beautiful triangular shaped head. Excellent ear placement and size. Excellent almond eyes and dark coloring. Good pigment. Full dentition and correct bite. Nice topline, nice neck. Slightly upright shoulder. Underarm nicely angulated. Nice angulation in front and back. Good forechest. Slightly long in loin. Back a little soft. Good croup. Good angulation in rear. Good hock. Double dewclaws. Excellent tail. Slightly toed out in rear. Good front. Toeing out right front (possible injury?). Coat soft in texture, missing undercoat (summer coat). Would like a coarser coat. Very happy expression. Refined overall – bone fits head and body. Good movement. Excellent temperament.
Excellent rating.

Greenstone Black Magic Woman
Junior Female #7 Second Place junior female. Fourth place female.
Feminine. Correct size 42 cm. Excellent type and proportions. Good proportions in head. Full dentition, correct bite. Good ear placement and size, excellent mobility, a little too prominent stop. Eyes a bit too rounded and too light in color. Nice smile. Good pigment. Well laid back shoulder, good upper arm. Good chest and body. Her correct depth of chest contributes to the impression of substance during movement. Good back. Good croup. Correct angulation, good hock. Excellent tail with nice curl. Excellent harsh structure of coat. Missing undercoat (summer coat). Double dewclaws. Excellent movement. Slightly soft in temperament. Good bone, fits her size.
Excellent Rating.

Folda CGN, HI, TPOC
Open Female #8 First place female. Best of Breed.
Red og white female. Excellent type and proportions. Slightly under ideal size, 41.5 cm. Beautiful head. Correct ear placement and size. Beautiful dark almond eyes. Good pigmentation. Missing P3 and a P1 on right upper side. Good proportions in head, nice triangular shape. Good shoulder, good upperarm, good forechesst. Nice wide front. Would like a little deeper chest. Good strong back, good croup. Excellent angulation in back, good hock. Excellent tail with a good hook. Good coat structure. Good undercoat for time of year. Nice ruff. Double dewclaws. Excellent bone. Toes out slightly at back. Good movement from side. A little close behind. Turns front feet out slightly when moving. Stands a bit wide in back. Excellent skirt. Excellent temperament with smiling expression.
Excellent rating.

Ch Belglen Runa of Greenstone
Open Female #9. Third place female.
Light sable, excellent type and proportions, a bit refined and very feminine. 42 cm. Good proportions in head, good stop. Nice triangular shape. Good ear placement and size. A little bit round in eye. Would like more filling under cheeks. Would like slightly darker eye color. Excellent pigment. Missing a P1 on right upper side, correct bite. Slightly upright in shoulder. Good upper arm. Would like more depth of chest and more forechest. Good back. Slightly long in loin, good croup. Good angulation in back, good hock. Toes out slightly in back. Double dewclaws on right. Single with two nails on left. Good bone for size. Excellent tail with slight hook. Excellent coat structure but could be a little longer. Good undercoat for this time of year. Excellent temperament, friendly expression. Nice Icelandic smile. Excellent mover.
Excellent rating.

Pineridge Vaskur
Veteran Male #10. Best Tail.
Excellent type, black tri long hair. Slightly under ideal size 45 cm. Excellent head and eyes. Good proportions in head. Full dentition, correct bite. Good ear carriage and size. Excellent pigment. Slightly upright shoulder. Good upper arm. Would like more depth of chest. Slightly out in elbows because of lack of chest. Acceptable forechest. Good neck. Excellent angulation front and back. Double dewclaws. Excellent tail with hook. Excellent bone. Turns out slightly in back. Excellent front dewclaws. Good straight front. Excellent undercoat. Would like a little thicker overcoat. Excellent ruff and tail and pants. Could be slightly coarser. Moves a little close behind. Excellent mover with good drive. Good temperament but could be more settled around other males.
Excellent rating.

Tofra Tobba Traustadottir
Veteran Female #11 Best Long coat. Best Opposite Sex Veteran
Red sable with black mask. Slightly over ideal size 42.5 cm. Excellent type. Could be a little more feminine. Beautiful strong head, good proportions, excellent muzzle size and length. Beautiful almond shaped eyes and good color. Good ear placement but slightly tall. Missing P1 on top right and bottom right side. Excellent shoulders, good upper arm, excellent depth of chest. Good forechest. Slightly weak in pastern. Strong back. Good croup but a little flat making tail crush on back. Excellent angulation front and back. Good hock, excellent bone. Good tail, but lies a bit on the back (hairs could stand out more). Outstanding long coat. Nice smiling expression, excellent temperament. Single high set dewclaws.
Excellent Rating.

Greenstone Born in a Storm
Male #12 Best Ears
Excellent type, slightly under ideal size 45.5 cm. Good proportions. Excellent head, nice triangular shape but would like a little more fullness of cheeks. Good proportions of head, slightly round eye, good color. Full dentition, correct bite, Excellent ear placement and size. Well laid back shoulder. Slightly short upper arm. Would like a deeper chest. Forechest okay. Slightly long in loin. Good croup. Little bit too long in lower thigh. Good hock. Good bone. Single dewclaws. Good coat structure, out of coat. Excellent ruff and tail. Slight hook on tail. Beautiful back movement, crossing a bit in front. Pasterns are weak, turns out a little in front. Excellent movement from the side with good drive.
Excellent Rating.

Greenstone Ada
Female #13 (judged July 28, 2007)
Excellent Type, slightly big at 43 cm. Excellent proportions, Red and White, Long coat with lack of length to guard hairs. Good Proportions to head. Would like slightly wider skull. Correct dark almond shaped eye. Very expressive. Missing P2 on bottom left. Would like a slightly shorter muzzle. Ear set slightly low, good size of ears. Good pigment. Slightly upright shoulder, nice upper arm. Strong back. Good forechest, lacking in depth of chest. Excellent bone. Feet slightly too flat and long, slightly weak in pastern. Good straight front. Excellent angulation in rear. Good hock. Very nice parallel back legs but toes out slightly Excellent double dewclaws with attached bone. Excellent tail with loose hook. Friendly, good temperament. Excellent movement in rear. Good reach and drive.
Excellent Rating

Ch Belglen Roskva
Female # 14 (judged July 28, 2007)
Red sable and white female with black mask. Long hair. In summer coat, missing undercoat. Full dentition, good bite. Excellent type and excellent proportions. Good proportions in head, good stop. Nice expression and smile. Eyes could be slightly darker. Good ear placement and size. I would prefer a more triangular shape to the ears. Excellent angulation front and back. Nicely laid back shoulder, good upper arm. Good forechest. Would like slightly deeper chest and more substance. Could have a bit stronger back. Good croup. Good hocks. Her feet are slightly flat. Pasterns okay. Single dewclaws in rear, slightly stronger on right side. Good tail with moderate hook. Nice plumage on tail. Good bone. Very feminine. Coat could be a little bit coarser.
Excellent movement coming and going. Excellent rear. Good front. Excellent breed-typical movement. Friendly, open, typical Icelandic temperament with extremely happy demeanour, with mobile ears. Nice filled-in cheeks and a good smile.
Excellent rating.

Cooking for Dogs -Fall 2007 -Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club

2008-01-28T11:22:00.000-05:00

Cooking for Dogs -Fall 2007
by Valerie Sharp

Homemade Kibble
Canine Kibble by Back Home Staff, Issue July/Aug 2007
3 cups Hot Water
2 cups uncooked Oatmeal (not Instant)
1 Stick Butter
2 low Sodium Bouillon cubes
1 and half cups powered milk or buttermilk
2 eggs beaten
5 cups of whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rye Flour
1/2 cup wheat Germ
1 teaspoon Garlic Salt

In a Large Mixing bowl pour hot water over oatmeal, butter and bouillon. Let stand five min. Stir in Powdered milk, cornmeal and eggs. Add remaining ingredients a little a time until well blended. Knead Dough with dough hook or by hand until its smooth and Shiny. Divide in two and spread each on oil-sprayed cookie Sheet, pushing with fingers to the edges , score Deeping into tiny 1 inch or less squares. Bake one and half hours, Cool , when cold and hard, break apart, makes about 4 pounds, place in zippered bag..

So here is the New version.

Fish Kibble
3 cups Hot Water
2 cups uncooked Oatmeal (not Instant)
1 cup olive oil
1 and half cups powered milk or buttermilk
6 eggs beaten
6- 8 cups of whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rye Flour
1/2 cup wheat Germ
3 grated whole apples
One large can of Herring (mashed well)

Follow the directions above, depending on the size of your eggs and the size of the fish can, you might need more flour..

Chicken or Rabbit Stew
6 pds of white meat
2 tablespoons Food-Grade Bone Meal Powder
8 cups Cooked Brown Rice
4 cups oatmeal
6 eggs beaten
1/2 cup of Olive oil
2 Sweet Potatoes or Turnip or one large can plain Pumpkin
2 or 3 broccoli stems cut up or one can of green beans1 large bag of Spinach or the tops of any greens available in your garden, including Dandelions or Pigweed.

Add your meat to large pot and cover with water to simmer, if at all possible, please make sure your meats still have bone in, you want all the goodness in the bones to leach into the broth. I like to simmer that for at least 2 to 4 hours.

Then take the meat and bones out, and take out the bones and the meat.

At the rest of the stew into the left over broth with any added water required, and then cook all together until its soft and mushy.

Cool and Bag into 1 or 2 cup containers (yogurt is a great size, and that way you can recycle to boot).

The dogs and cats LOVE IT, its a lot of work to me, but I had a total of 100% happy JOY-JOY rubs from this dish so that is a 4 paws up dish.

I made mine with Rabbit but Chicken legs could be used instead and often go on sale.

Health/Genetics Report Fall Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club 2007

2008-01-28T11:19:00.003-05:00

Health/Genetics Report
by Sharon Schaefer

During the past few weeks an interesting email arrived which changed the focus of my article this issue from Persistent Pupillary Membrane (eye issues have already been covered in a general way) to the "possible S" gene series for white. Dr. Sheila Schmutz researcher and author/co-author of many of the recently published discoveries in gene codes for dog colours (Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan) contacted me for more DNA swabs from certain of my dogs. The kit just arrived and will be mailed back this week in mid-November.

Her page on Spotting was updated November 12, 2007 with two very recent breakthroughs by two separate research groups so we are right in the middle of exciting times. Quoting directly from her website: "The first gene that causes at least some spotting patterns in dogs has now been identified and published in 2007. Furthermore potential mutations causing some forms of spotting have been identified in this gene. This gene is MITF, microphthalmia associated transcription factor. MITF is a critical gene in the pigmentation pathway."

Note that she says ‘causes at least SOME spotting patterns’. Almost a year ago, I attended a seminar on Genetics & Dog Breeding presented by Sheila and her husband, Dr. Joe Schmutz. At that time she cautioned breeders to not make assumptions based on other species or even other breeds as the exploding area of gene mapping is proving that many conditions which appear phenotypically the same can be unique to only one breed or a few related breeds.

The discoveries so far involving white patterns support this cautious approach. While the MITF gene is involved in more than one breed and in producing various white patterns, there are so far two separate mutations discovered in this gene and in some white patterned dogs they do not both occur. More breeds are being examined, including Iceland Sheepdogs so we should have some solid breed related feedback sometime in 2008.

For example, English Springer Spaniels might look like they have the same colour patterns as Collies but until several are checked at the DNA level we are jumping to conclusions which could be wrong. At this point in time, checking DNA in one breed when a colour pattern has not been proven to occur at that particular mutation site could be both a waste of money and a mistake. Once a selection of breeds have all been checked and confirmed as having the same mutations associated with particular colour patterns then assuming that the remaining breeds’ DNA will also follow the rules becomes much more likely! At the speed of research and communications today we might be at that point by the end of this year or the new information might raise new questions instead of supporting the current hypotheses.

Boxers were one of the studied breeds which identified the MITF gene and both mutations so far identified. However Boxer colours behave phenotypically as though ‘Solid’ and ‘White’ are co-dominant which is very different from some other breeds. Remembering our high school biology, roan cattle resulted from a co-dominant solid white cow and solid red bull or pink flowers from a white and a red parent flower so too ‘flashy or Irish pattern Boxers’ are heterozygous.

Researchers are still searching for other causative gene locations for the occurrence of white spotting in dogs. Many locations common in other species have been eliminated as not involved. It will be very interesting and rewarding if our dogs can contribute to this effort.
http://homepage.usask.ca/~schmutz/dogcolors.html
http://homepage.usask.ca/~schmutz/dogspots.html

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Booster Fall Issue 2007

2008-01-28T11:17:00.001-05:00

CISC 2007 Booster – Alberta Kennel Club Show
By Sharon

CISC’s first Booster was held in conjunction with the Alberta Kennel Club’s four days of shows from August 3rd-7th, 2007 . An entry of 8 males and 6 females plus some dogs entered for exhibition only gave show attendees a wonderful exposure to Icelandics. Eight different families brought dogs and breeders from Canada , USA , and Iceland were represented in the ring.
The weekend began on Friday with Lavandel’s Vindur going Best of Winners and Best of Breed to finish his CKC Championship under Swedish judge Annika Ullveit-Moe. Congratulations Scott and Candise Bedard of Foothills Kennel and Vindur’s breeder, Laurie Ball-Gisch, Lavandel Kennel. Woolfarm’s Sasha owned by Xania Moreno was selected for Winners Female and Best Opposite Sex with Greenstone’s Black Pearl, bred and owned by Valerie Sharp of Greenstone Kennel winning Best Puppy. Friday’s show was followed by a wine & cheese meet and greet where pictures and books were passed around and much doggie lore shared.

The booster day was Saturday, judged by esteemed AKC Judge Richard Beauchamp and Belglen Riddari went Best of Winners and Best of Breed, completing his Championship. Congratulations to breeder/owner Sharon Schaefer, Belglen Kennel. Winner’s Female and Best of Opposite Sex was again Woolfarm’s Sasha (way to go Xania) with Greenstone’s Black Pearl again winning Best Puppy. The prizes were spectacular – overflowing baskets of very nice dog-related items for BOS, BP, and Winners while BOB was a Candise Bedard oil painting of the lovely Iceland CH Hektor. Thank you Candise for so generously donating your time and talent. Prizes were also available Saturday for Obedience but the only Icelandic entered was not able to compete (unfortunately suffering some travel sickness).

Our Fun Match, judged by Daphne Bowering, was Saturday evening and included everything from Best Ears to Best Dewclaws, not leaving out Best Tail and Best Coat, Long and Medium. Daphne clearly explained all her selections and enjoyed playing with the puppies present (two 3-6 month olds were stealing hearts). Kersins Midas Touch took Best of Breed with Belglen Roskva picked as Best Opposite Sex. Greenstone Black Pearl was Best Puppy and Pineridge Laski Best Veteran.

Many special thanks to our president, Valerie Sharp and her mum Mavis who did a wonderful job shopping to balance off the baskets – all items donated by members - and make sure there were prizes for every category at the Match.

On Sunday, under CKC Judge Thomas Nesbitt, CH Belglen Riddari was Best of Breed, Belglen Risna owned by Judy Brown was Winner’s Female and Best Opposite Sex and Winner’s Male was Kersin’s Midas Touch owned by Margaret Gimblin. Greenstone’s Black Pearl was Best Puppy. On Monday, under CKC Judge Darle Heck, CH Lavandel’s Vindur was Best of Breed, Woolfarm’s Sasha was Best of Winner’s and Best Opposite Sex, and Kappi owned by Audur Valsdottir was Winner’s Male. Greenstone’s Black Pearl took Best Puppy for the fourth day in a row. It’s good to note that on Friday we had no Specials entered and by Sunday there were two!
Special mention needs to be made of the contribution that club member Judy Brown and her Doberman Pinscher Ruby made to the safety of a missing dog. Judy and Ruby are a Search & Rescue Team and when a lost dog call went out they responded and became part of the official search. Ruby successfully tracked the dog out of the showgrounds and located it safely. Ruby was also competing in obedience and Rally obedience so we made her an honorary Icelandic for the day!

Old Fashioned Toys -Summer Issue for the Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club 2007

2008-01-28T11:13:00.004-05:00

Old Fashioned Toys
Reprinted with Permission from the Yeoman Farms and Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel

Every year, before Christmas the shelves in the local feed store fill with boxes of plastic animals for kids to Aplay farm@. I have bought a few of these as gifts for our grandchildren and other younger friends. Every time I do, I think of the times when I, myself, Aplayed farm@. My animals were not made in Taiwan, Hong Kong or China like the ones that now are used. Mine were the same as what my ancestors had played with for hundreds of years the same as all kids in Iceland in the past had played with. The bones of the sheep.

My Sheep
Certain bones had certain roles. Every Fall at slaughtering time the farmers brought home from the slaughterhouse boxfulls of horns, mostly ewe and weather horns. These were the children's treasured sheep. And it fitted beautifully that after being kept for a whole winter, the bone inside the horn came loose and the ewe was lambing. The occasional rams horn was brought home and these were naturally the rams. To put the sheep out to graze we stuck the harpe end of the horn into the ground and stood them up that way. There were two ways that I remember putting the sheep to graze, one was that the sheep were put into enclosed areas that represented the home fields. Then we always took the time to stick the Ahead@ into the ground. In the evening the sheep were herded home into either home corral, usually made from small stones, or into the sheep shed usually made from mud and stones with removable roof so we could put the sheep on the mangers to eat. The other way was when we Alet them go to the mountains@. Then we threw them as far as we could in every direction. Then we saddled up our horses and went out to round the sheep up. Then it was important to know exactly how many horns, oops! I mean sheep, one owned. Because if one was not found the farm dog was just as likely to find it and that usually was the end of that Asheep

My horses and dog

The horses we saddled up were the leg bone of the sheep. For some the front leg bones were mares and the hind leg bones were geldings. The knee end has a round bone that was the head. We tied a string around that end and were ready for our riding. If we were so lucky to ever get a leg bone from a horse or a cow we had a stallion!! But those bones were hard to come by so those were particularly well looked after. Most kids had a good stable of horses and these were usually kept at home. The horses were also used to go and visit our friends that had a farm on the other side of whatever (the house, barn or big rock etc.).

My Cows

The third of the most common animals was the cow. The lower jaw bone of the sheep was the cow. It was cut at the front teeth making two cows from each jawbone. When grazing the cows we stuck the front teeth into the ground as well as the other end. The molars were of course the teats and to milk we pulled on these. The cows were always kept on the home fields and the cow barn was the same as the sheep barn with a removable roof. The same applied here as with the horses, a bull was a jaw bone from either horse or a cow.

One more animal everybody had to have. That was the dog. There are two small bones in the pasterns and these were the dogs. Often we tied the dog to the horse so as to let the dog follow.

The Vala

When taking about the bones as playthings one must mention the AVala@. The meaning of the word AVala@ is Oracle, and that is just what the Vala is. The Vala bone is the knee bone (Tibial tarsal) and one can ask it a question and the answer depends on how the Vala drops. This bone has four possibilities as how it could land, it could give you Ayes@ A no@, Adon=t know@ and won=t tell@. The way I was taught to use it was to roll it on the top of my head and say this verse: @Vala, Vala, soothsayer; Answer my question; If you tell me the truth: I will gladden you with gold: I will feed you silver; But if you lie to me; I will burn you in the fire or throw you in the chamber pot.@ Then I asked my question and let the Vala drop on the floor. If the hollow side came up the answer was ANo@ but the other side meant AYes@ ( I might be wrong, I don=t think I was ever quite sure which side meant what). If it landed on its sides (which was not so often) then one side was Adon=t know@ and the other was Awon=t tell

I don't know if children in Iceland still play with these bones. I suspect that the Hong Kong made plastic animals have taken over. But I doubt that those new version of the farm animals give any more pleasure than the old version gave.

In my memory there is a certain warmth associated with the memories of playing with my Alegs and horns

Herding with Icelandic Sheepdogs -Obervations and Training -Summer Issue for Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club 2007

2008-01-28T11:10:00.002-05:00

HERDING with Icelandics: Observations and Training
By Sharon Schaefer

Observations
We’ve had sheep since 1991 and grazed or moved them using our home bred Belgian Shepherd Dogs (I had Belgians from 1976-2003). Our dogs made our sheep enterprise possible. We could graze ditches or other areas when the pastures were not yet ready in the spring or too dry in the summer. We could graze the sheep on alfalfa safely because with the dogs we could take them off it in 20-30 minutes when it was too lush and would cause them to bloat, which can be fatal. Over the years I had attended several herding clinics in different styles. When Ima, our first Iceland Sheepdog, arrived I’d already been researching the breed for over 3 years and was very interested in learning how their herding instincts worked. At that time we had about a hundred mature sheep (medium flocking instinct). Ima’s primary role was to be our herding dog and companion, secondly if she passed health checks to have some puppies.

The first winter we used Ima for yardwork, I spent a lot of time just trying to observe what she wanted to do with the sheep in order to understand ‘her Icelandic instinct’. Once we had introduced her on leash a couple of times to the routine, I was allowing her (within our need to have each pen of sheep move to the hydrant for water then back to their pen) to get the sheep any way she wanted. One thing became immediately clear, she was much more interested in going back into pens to look for more sheep than she was in being with the sheep she had moved out. They might be hiding behind the round bale, or the windbreak, or other places she imagined could hide a sheep. She was completely bored by standing waiting for them all to drink and we had to put her on leash for that part or she would start pressuring them (she was quite young still).

That spring when we started grazing sheep she was completely bored again – ‘tending’ a line by trotting along it was not in her repertoire (the Belgians did this). We could walk along the edge of the graze on leash and sit or lay down to wait for a sheep stupid enough to try to cross, when she would fly into action and put it back. Getting the sheep to MOVE and a good sense of where they were and were not allowed to be were both in her instinctive package. Ima and I still graze sheep in this manner – we walk along the edge once then sit back and relax until someone gets too hungry or curious and then she flies into action. Each of my Icelandics responds the same way to this grazing setup.

In the summer (from very late May until September) our sheep are in 10 acre paddocks between 1/4mile (1/2km) and ½ mile (1km) from home. We originally established these to be a longer rotational graze system for 150-200 ewes with their lambs. Unfortunately we expanded our flock right into 2 years of drought and had to get rid of 80 ewes with lambs at foot, find grazing elsewhere for another 20 ewes plus lambs, and have never got back to those numbers. Our smaller flock now grazes about 2-3 weeks in each 10 acres, we cut some for hay, and sometimes, as now, we move them in and out of other 10 acre spots on a daily basis. Each 10 acres is hilly, has willow and aspen poplar bush interspersed with the grass, and without our three livestock guardian dogs would be predator picnic sites (coyotes in this area). Because of the smaller sheep numbers, our grass is frequently taller than Ima and sometimes even taller than the sheep. Her herding bark is very useful in those situations as the sheep just need to hear her and start heading back whether or not we can see them.

Training
If you find a trainer willing to work with a ‘herding bark’ you will be very fortunate. Most Icelandics will bark as part of their herding behaviour. This is not a frantic out of control issue but their working style. If they are moving the sheep in a careful way and listening to you if you ask them to ‘Get back’ or ‘Down’ don’t try to stop any barking. Instead observe when your dog barks and learn what it means. Put it on cue so as you progress through herding you can use it to your team’s advantage (if the sheep recognize the meaning of a bark). If the sheep you are working with are not familiar with a barking dog they will probably just ignore it. Upright breed trainers (eg Australian Shepherds) will be more familiar with the needs of an Icelandic learning to herd but many border collie trainers also work successfully with other breeds.

The sheep are an important consideration. Well trained (so-called ‘dog-broke’) sheep make a beginning dog’s and handler’s experience much more positive. Groups of 3-5 sheep which will stick to the shepherd, without running wild give the dog an opportunity to make correct choices and be rewarded. They also give the novice handler time to learn to walk backwards while wielding a rake or crook without falling in the mud! Most Icelandics have enough gathering style to participate in and benefit from these typical training situations involving 3 sheep. The breed of sheep is not critical but it is very unlikely you will find any dog trainers using Icelandic sheep as this breed has a very low flocking instinct – they’d be in three different corners of the pen!

Icelandics have both driving and gathering instincts and each individual will have a slightly different balance between these. From my own experience and anecdotal information from other owners another strong component is a ‘need for speed’ – both their driving and their gathering was, and still is, done on quite wild sheep in mountains and they want their animals to MOVE (see photo of Dart). Building in early control in a wide variety of situations will help your dog respond better when they are expected to begin actually working stock.

Dogs should not be expected to really herd before about 18 months to 2 years of age. If they are city dogs, they will do best if they are introduced to some livestock by about 4 months of age in a controlled meeting – don’t let them either maul the ducks or be butted by a ewe but they could briefly ‘play’ with a lamb, touch noses with a horse, sniff some chicks. They can also practise their control skills of sits, stands, or downs near livestock.

If you have livestock do take your puppy for chores but be prepared to put them away during chore time at some point in their first year of development because they have ‘turned on’ to stock and are frantic idiots. Not all dogs go through this stage but most do.

Dogs growing up on farms need to practise their control skills too but during adolescence, which varies by individuals, they may need to practise them a long way away! Every couple of weeks, test how close you can work the young dog and bring them back into more normal routines when they have some self control. My dogs spend a fair bit of time waiting outside enclosures for me and I set up a waiting spot farther away (sometimes it’s in the house!) during this stage. In the photo, 11+ month old Boogie (Ima’s grandson) is participating in driving the sheep to a pasture. He’s been back in the field for only about 2 weeks after a few months away because he couldn’t control his barking or attempts to chase. This is a daily routine and these sheep know where they are going and will go steadily on their own (another version of trained sheep), allowing me to ask Boogie to down or to wait and letting him experience moving quietly with the flock. He is not ‘really herding’ yet (the 18 months threshold will give him much more power). Driving can be taught simply and directly through this process by cueing movements to the right and to the left if someone wants a driving dog. I recommend using a harness for all herding work to avoid injury to the dog.

Whether you own livestock or not, herding concepts are first introduced with no animals around. The first things puppies need to learn are taught using toys or other situations. In the last Newsletter, Part 2 of Sue Ailsby’s Clicker Seminar introduced shaping a dog to go around a cone or post. This behaviour put on cue for both directions – traditionally ‘Come by’ and ‘Away to me’ - is a basic herding requirement. By gradually adding distance, changing locations, and changing the item to go around, you will have a dog that has some skills already. Puppies or dogs need to have control in a variety of situations so any training helps. A ‘Get back’ game is popular as it mimics the focus and movements of herding. Using a favourite ball or toy and your crook (any cane or rake or stick will do), stand over the toy, crook in front of you and ask the dog to lie down in front of the crook. "Yes" or click and kick the toy to them as reward. Repeat but instead of asking them to lie down, push them a bit back with the crook (don’t touch them with it, bang it on the ground as firmly as needed and block them with it) and push them with your body, "Yes" and kick the toy to them. Repeat several times over a few days sometimes asking them to down before the push back. Slowly increase the distance and as the dog starts to come around you aiming for the toy "Yes" and kick them the toy. By the 100th time say ‘Get back’ as you are pushing them back with the crook. In this game both of you learn about the crook and about circling both directions and getting back.

If you are a novice team, signed up for your first herding clinic or class, be prepared for one of two extremes: your dog will ignore the sheep or your dog will turn into a barking idiot. If your dog is a little older, or been carefully trained not to chase cars, not to chase cats, or has a serious obedience type background with lots of eye contact to you they are more likely to ignore the stock at first. Sometimes letting someone else handle the dog gets them more involved in their environment and they will begin to notice the sheep. For the other behaviour, they might get over it by moving them far enough away that you can do some simple obedience or tricks cues. Then move briefly closer to the sheep, then move them far enough away again for some work and then asking for a down closer to the sheep. Move away again, then ask for the down right in the pen with the sheep before you start to work. This might take one hour or several. If they are particularly persistent, follow Sue Ailsby’s advice (article ‘Song and the Sheep’ on her website www.dragonflyllama.com) and spend your clinic time sitting reading a book until the dog is quiet when you can get up and enter the sheep pen (this will take several back and forths as they bark as soon as you take a step toward the pen so you return to your book). Requiring them to be in control of their behaviour before you enter the sheep pen will be time and money very well spent as they will be listening to you and learning when working the sheep.

Herding is one avenue of dog sport involving other creatures. Think carefully about asking your dog to chase other animals – this instinct might not go away once you awaken it. Choose your trainer carefully if you live where there are choices available. Then if you decide to proceed, observe and appreciate your dog as they enjoy their heredity.

Cooking for Dogs - Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club - Summer 2007 Issie

2008-01-28T11:08:00.002-05:00

WELCOME to COOKING FOR DOGS: Summer 2007 Issue
By Valerie Sharp

In Keeping with our Herding Issue, here is a Recipe that is good for both the owner and if there is any left-over, it is very healthy for your Icelandic Sheepdog as well. If you are concerned about the onions, you can pick them out, but for that little bit, I personally don't worry about it, as they don't often get a treat like this.

Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients:1 pound ground Icelandic Lamb if Possible, Beef if not.
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion sliced into rings or chopped into small pieces if you prefer (if just for dogs, no onion)
1 clove garlic chopped
1/4 cup Gravy made from dippings of a roast (if possible)
4- 6 large potatoes boiled, mashed with salt, butter, savory and milk
.2 cups corn or 2 cups peas or 2 cups mixed veggies (to cover the meat)
Salt, pepper, thyme, savory and paprika to taste

Directions:
In a frying pan that can go in the oven, saute the onions and the garlic until wilted, remove. Add the beef to the pan and cook it until done. Remove the fat. Return the onions and the garlic, add salt, pepper and thyme, add the gravy and stir evenly. Cover the whole thing with corn. Spread the hot mashed potatoes on top of the corn, making grooves. Put little dashes of butter all over and sprinkle some paprika all over. Set in the oven about 1 hour at 300F or until the potatoes are all brown and crispy all around the rim. We use an iron frying pan and it's just great. The longer you leave it in the oven, the better because all the flavours marry and it is just nice. You can lower the heat in order to leave it in longer if you would like.

The other thing that all good Shepherds need is a cool drink when they come in from working..

Sparkling Rhubarb Juice (yes, I checked, Rhubarb does indeed grow in Iceland)
Take four to six cups of Fresh or Frozen Rhubarb (fresh is best)
add half a cup to a cup of sugar depending on the Rhubarb.
1/2 to a 1 cup of water and simmer for ten minutes or until the rhubarb is cooked and soft, then strain though a couple layers of cheese cloth, the less you swish it, the clearer the juice, and put in a glass jar and into the fridge..

When ready to serve, pour Ginger Ale over Ice and add 1/3rd of the glass with the rubarb juice, its a delightful fresh drink that on a hot summer day is perfect and its packed full of Vitamin C.

Have a great summer.

Casual Herding - Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Summer 2007 Issue

2008-01-28T11:06:00.000-05:00

Casual Herding
by Laurie Ball-Gisch

We initially got our first Icelandic sheepdog because I needed help herding our sheep. We've been raising purebred Icelandic sheep since 1999 in mid-Michigan (USA). Our flock size is around 50 ewes and a dozen rams; during the summer months that doubles with each spring lamb crop. We graze our sheep "rotationally" moving them through paddocks that average 1-2 acres in size, for a total of about 17 acres being grazed. Coming from winter and hay feeding, the sheep are very reluctant to leave the lush new pasture (which they can "bloat" on) and we needed a dog to convince them to come in from the fields. Our family has so fallen in love with the dogs that we now have our own little "herd" of Icelandic sheepdogs.

Our first Icelandic sheepdog, "Belle," proved to be the most amazing dog we had ever had. I started taking Belle out into the field with me when she was just eight weeks of age. The first few times in the field she wanted to stay right with me, at first more interested in nipping at my heels, as I ran around flapping my arms and yelling, but pretty soon she realized the sheep might be more interesting than I was. Soon she would run up behind the sheep, nipping at their heels and barking, driving them forward. Amazingly, she was not intimidated by the llama (who must have appeared huge to this 10 lb. puppy). Surprisingly, the llama deferred to her, and moved along with the flock, as she urged them all forward.

Belle soon proved she was also smart enough to help around the farm in other ways. At one point during that first summer, I was working in some smaller paddock areas. I was feeding and watering the chickens and angora rabbits and going in and out of some gates. I turned around and discovered a ewe lamb had followed me out the gate into our unfenced backyard. It’s always tricky trying to move escaped animals back into fenced areas, because you have to open gates to guide them in, but at the same time, you risk other sheep coming out. In the moment that I saw the ewe, she bolted; I ran around some shrubs and all of a sudden, Belle darted out (I had forgotten she was outside playing). She ran right at the ewe lamb and stopped at her front legs and stared her down. I ran around, opened the gate and yelled "bring her in Belle" and to my amazement, that young dog charged and barked and the lamb turned and ran through the gate for me, Belle right at her heels. That puppy earned her keep that day.

Since Belle, we have added more Icelandic sheepdogs to our lives. (Warning: these dogs are addictive and you usually can't have "just one"). Some of the dogs we love now live with friends and family so that we can have a more diverse breeding program. Currently we live with Belle (who is now 5 years old) and her 9 month old daughter, "Kyssa" out of Stjornulosa Rodi. Reykjadals Stikla Run (she answers to "Rosie") joined our family in 2004 directly from Iceland; we have kept Rosie's daughter "Lilja" (10 weeks old) out of Hofshesta Gloi. In April of 2007 we imported a male from Sweden. Arperla Bjarki is now 5 months old.

Like Belle, Rosie loves to herd the sheep. I have a friend who is a herding instructor. She took Rosie home with her for two weeks to test her and work with her in the manner that she formally trains her border collies. She started with a round pen and a long lead. When I went to watch them work, I was amazed to see that Rosie had very quickly adapted to the training and was working the sheep silently, like the border collies do. Here, when our dogs work "naturally," their instinct is to bark and drive the sheep forward from behind, sometimes nipping at the heels. They are also very good at going into the far corners and rounding up the stragglers, bringing them into the main group. They then will follow the sheep from behind, barking as they go. But in the two weeks of working with the border collies, Rosie had stopped barking at the sheep and imitated the border collies, crouching as she ran. I had intended to follow through with training Rosie here at our farm, but I did not have a round pen and I realized I also did not have any sheep that I could let my dogs chase. We produce primarily breeding stock, so our sheep are foundation animals that we cannot afford to stress by working a dog on them. I was told that if I really wanted to train our dogs in the manner of formal herding, I would need to build a round pen and I would need to set aside a group of sheep to let them chase. So instead, I let our dogs work in their natural instinctive style, and only when we need to move the sheep, which suits us fine here. I call it "casual" herding.

We have found over the years that our male dogs - for the most part - are more shy around the sheep than the females are. For instance, while Bjarki likes to accompany me around the farm, when I take him into the field off-leash, as soon as he sees the sheep, he usually heads for home. Vinur (who lives with my father-in-law now) used to sit outside the fence and bark encouragement to Belle, while she did all the work! He had no interest in actually running to herd them himself. Now Vinur spends much of his day outside with the sheep, but when it's time for them to be herded, he pretty much lets Lavandels Kolur (his buddy and roommate) do the "round-up" work, while he walks alongside next to the sheep. When Hofshesta Gloi was here (he now lives with friends), he worked in an interesting way. He didn't necessarily have a "need" to "herd" the sheep home. But instead, he liked to accompany me into the fields as I was moving amongst the sheep. In the months when we don't have pasture and are feeding out hay bales, he would keep the rams away from me while I loaded hay into the feeders. He would go up to the rams, stare them down and "hold" them in place. He would not release them until I called to him and was near to a gate. I never taught him to do that! He just started doing it while I was working amongst breeding groups of sheep. I was so amazed that he was being protective of me.

This summer I am taking Lavandels Kyssa and Lavandels Lilja out with me as I walk the pastures or work around the barnyards. They are trained well off-leash (and come when called) and they follow fairly close to me. I have found it best to have my pups get used to working with me and the sheep during the quiet times, when we are not rounding them up. First and foremost, each dog must learn its name and to "come" when called. I use my own "code" which is "with me" as a voice command and they stay at my side off leash while we are out amongst the sheep in the field or barns. I really feel with this breed, that basic obedience and learning voice and hand signals is about all you need to do. The dogs are so smart and instinctive that they usually figure out the rest on their own. When it is time to bring the sheep in, I will put a pup on a leash and take her into the field with me. Then I release her from the lead and start clapping my hands and calling "home sheep." The sheep start moving then and I will start moving behind them, with the pup next to me. I then encourage her to run next to me and usually they will get excited and we follow the sheep in. If there are stragglers I will run back to them and have the pup follow me. This has worked fairly well for us here. I know it's totally informal and I'm sure goes against all rules of herd dog training. But what I love the most about the Icelandic sheepdog is that they are so flexible and so willing to please, that you can train them to do anything you want. Since I am not trained in formal herding myself, I am not able to train my dogs formally. But with their native instinct, and their willingness to please me and watch me for direction, they end up developing a way of working the sheep that suits our sheep and our farm set up.

The Icelandic sheepdogs are also the perfect family pet. They are a most devoted companion and are so trustworthy around children. About the only discipline "problems" we have to deal with are them jumping on people and barking. The jumping up isn't helped by the fact that most people who come here encourage the dogs to jump on them! So as we work with our pups, we try to make sure they sit quietly for "petting," rather than to receive attention for jumping. And yes, barking is a trait of the Icelandic sheepdog, which can be annoying. Our dogs love to bark at birds and planes that fly overhead. And they do like to bark at the sheep that come close to fences they are next to, when it's not "work" time. In spite of these two sometimes annoying habits, we wouldn't trade our little "herd" of Icelandic sheepdogs for any other breed of dog.

The Icelandic Sheepdog - Summer Issue of Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Newsletter 2007

2008-01-28T10:58:00.004-05:00

THE ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG
by Linda Rorem (this article originally appeared inThe Shepherd's Dogge magazine)
Reprinted with permission from Linda Rorem

The Icelandic Sheepdog, or Iceland Dog, came to Iceland with Vikings settlers in the ninth century. There are references to the dogs in many of the Icelandic Sagas, dating from 900 to 1300, and further references in 1400's and 1500's.

This lively, inquisitive dog is a quick learner, sociable and willing, with a cheerful spirit. It thrives on close human companionship and also enjoys being with other animals, especially horses. The Iceland Sheepdog has a quick and easy way of moving and great endurance. It is an excellent watchdog but not aggressive. Sheep-working tendencies are strong and there is little inclination to hunt game. The Icelandic Sheepdog is adaptable to family life in the city or the country.

The Icelandic Sheepdog is 14 to 18 inches in height and weighs around 25 to 30 pounds, with the body slightly longer than the height. The tail is lightly curled over back, falling to one side or the other. The thick, double, coat, in longer and shorter varieties, is weather-resistant and easy to care for, The coat is longer on the neck, shoulders, thighs and tail, short and smooth on the head and legs. The Icelandic Sheepdog may be self-colored, in which case *there should be* a little white on the chest, or may have white markings on the head, neck, feet and tail. The most common colors are golden sable, red, light sandy yellow (all of which may have black shadings in the coat and/or black markings on the muzzle), black and white, and black/white/tan. Double dew- claws on the hind legs are common. Eyes usually are brown. Ears are triangular and erect. Nose and lips are black.

Some authorities indicate that originally there were several types of Icelandic dogs, ranging from a dog similar to the Norwegian Buhund to one resembling the Greenland Husky, but the most prevalent type of the earlier days is dominant in the modern Iceland Sheepdog and there has only been one type for a long time. The breed has undergone little change through the centuries.
It is likely that the Scandinavian herding spitzes of Icelandic Sheepdog type figured strongly in the ancestry of the herding dogs of Britain, many parts of Britain having been heavily settled by the Vikings. There appear to have been later importations as well.

The Icelandic Sheepdog was well known in England in Shakespeare's time, and in 1650 Sir Thomas Brown wrote: "To England there are sometimes exported from Iceland . . . a type of dog resembling a fox . . . . Shepherds in England are eager to acquire them!" (All About the Spitz Breeds, by David Cavill.) The Icelandic Sheepdog is featured in the Natural History of Count de Buffon published in France in 1755, where a drawing shows a black and white dog very similar in type to a Border Collie, with semi-erect ears and a curved but not curled tail; the height at the shoulder given as 14 inches. A photo of a black and white Icelandic Sheepdog which appears in a book of dog breeds printed in 1915 shows a dog of strikingly similar appearance. Most Icelandic Sheepdogs have had erect ears, but there have been several such references to semi-erect ears in the past.

In late 19th century, working collies from Scotland were imported to Iceland and interbred with the native dogs in an attempt to "improve" the breed and produce a dog with the more refined herding abilities of the British sheepdogs. This effort was largely unsuccessful, because farmers in Iceland did not use and train their dogs in the same way that the British hill dogs are used and trained.

In Iceland, gathering sheep was (and still is) accomplished by men on foot or on horseback going out to round up the sheep, with the Icelandic Sheepdog providing useful assistance by helping to find the sheep, gather and move them, and going after and bringing back any sheep which try to leave the flock. This is similar to the original practice in Shetland, and in some parts of Shetland the sheep are still rounded up this way. For their herding work, the dogs weren't given particular training, the farmers simply relying on the dogs' natural abilities. The dogs were also used to guard the sheep, keep watch over the farmstead at night, and drive off stray animals from the fenced area around the farm. Some were also used for hunting birds and foxes.

Life could be harsh. In the earlier days, dogs might be left to their own devices to find food and shelter. There was no systematic breeding. The dogs would multiply, and outbreaks of disease on occasion would decimate their numbers. A dog tax in 1890 also had the effect of diminishing the dog population. Towards the end of the 19th century, after an epidemic of distemper, it was said that one true Iceland Dog was worth one horse and two sheep. In The Faroes and Iceland, published in 1905, Nelson Annandale writes of the Icelandic Sheepdog: "Dogs are an absolute necessity in Iceland; without them it would be impossible to gather the sheep or herd the ponies." When working sheep, "Their duty is not so much to marshal a flock of sheep as to single out individuals which stray from the others and to bring them in by seizing hold of them. They are trained not to bark when the sheep are being collected; but at other times they have a wonderful nose for strangers and act as very efficient protectors of a house, so far as making a noise can go. They are also able to trace the sheep which have got covered up with snow and to dig them out. In Iceland they are employed in herding horses on a journey. When a man is traveling with a train of pack ponies he drives them on in front of them; but they take every opportunity of running away, unless there is a dog to bark at their heels and keep them in single file." Another account mentions that when fording a stream, the dog might be allowed to sit on a horse's back behind its owner.

Annandale's account mentions that the dogs of the Faroes were somewhat different from those of Iceland, there formerly having been three types, one of which was similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog. He provides an interesting story of herding on Suderoe in the Faroes, commenting that while in most of the Faroes the terrain made it impossible to gather sheep on horseback, according to an earlier writer, Debes, writing in 1670 of Suderoe: "When therefore they go about their sheep, they ride, and their dogs follow them, they knowing how to ride with their horses up hills and down dales in a full gallop, through moors, and over rocks and stones, so that the horses care for nothing when they hunt after sheep, and where the place is too difficult to ride over to pursue them, the man leaps from his horse in the midst of his course, and takes his best advantage against the sheep, the horse running after him till he leaps upon it again; in the mean time the dogs follow also, till they have driven the sheep into the retten (sheepfold). A part of the horses are also so taught, that the man over-reaching the sheep on horse back, the horse graspeth the same between his forelegs, till the man takes it up."

By the early 20th century the true Icelandic Sheepdog had greatly diminished in numbers. Many of the dogs left were crossbreds. An Englishman, Mark Watson, who traveled in Iceland in the '30's, 40's and '50's, noticed the decline of the breed and began a search for the pure Icelandic Sheepdog. He carefully selected dogs from areas where the original breed had remained in its purest form, *finding most of his dogs in eastern Iceland and some in the north.* His efforts were instrumental in the preservation of the true Icelandic Sheepdog. Mark Watson eventually took the dogs he had collected to California and established Wensum Kennels in Nicasio where he published "A Research on the Iceland Dog" in 1956. Unfortunately, his dogs were lost in a kennel fire. Two of the dogs he had collected, however, had remained behind in Iceland and made an influential contribution to the reestablishment of the breed there.
As early as 1898, a standard for the breed had been recognized in Denmark, and in 1905 the breed had been recognized in England, although only a few were imported to England at that time and numbers there remained very small. In 1970 Icelanders formed an association to protect and sponsor the breed, and in 1972 international recognition was achieved.

Today in Iceland there are between 300 to 400 Icelandic Sheepdogs. They are outnumbered there by other breeds such as Labradors, Irish Setters and English Setters. Many farmers use Border Collies or Border Collie mixes for herding, but some farmers are starting to use the Icelandic Sheepdog again because of its endurance and suitability for local conditions.
Iceland is very rural and sheep farming differs to some extent from other countries. The sheep are driven up to the hills and mountains, and in the fall the farmers take their horses and herding dogs to bring the sheep back to the lowlands. Many farmers have one or two dogs, which are used to seek out and gather the sheep from the hills. The Icelandic Sheepdog doesn't tend to group up the sheep at a distance and keep them in a flock like the Border Collie, but the farmer can walk in the bottom of the valley and send the dog up the hills on both sides, the dogs finding and bringing down any sheep that might be there. The Icelandic Sheepdog will run longer distances than other breeds as it seeks sheep in the harsh, bare terrain. *After the sheep are gathered, the dogs push them along in front of the farmers, barking.* As in earlier times, most farmers don't train their dogs to any great extent. Icelandic Sheepdogs can also herd horses, although they are not used for that as much. The breed is very hardy and able to handle bad weather, sleeping contentedly in the snow with its nose under its tail while imported dogs are freezing.

A few Icelandic Sheepdogs have been brought to North America from Iceland, Denmark, England, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. *A Montana rancher who has started her Icelandic Sheepdogs on stock comments that the dogs have shown good instinct and, although at first inclined to chase, will bunch and hold cattle. They are upright workers, preferring to remain on their feet, and tend to move stock by body movement, barking and, if necessary, gripping. They may move fast and dive in on the outrun, but they balance naturally and will fetch and hold stock to the handler, and at times have given evidence of some eye.*

Agnes Yr, a breeder in Iceland, notes that Icelanders have for many centuries looked at the dog as one of the farm animals and not cared so much about breeding, but thankfully this has changed. The Icelandic Sheepdog is now becoming popular with urban horse-lovers in Iceland, who keep horses for their leisure time and have fallen in love, again, with this wonderful dog. Here is a top working breed that adjusts well to urban life -- a happy, proud, intelligent dog that takes joy in pleasing its people.

Thank you to Bill Cordingly, Bolstad Kennels; Agnes Yr, Kennel Yrar; Stefania Siguradardottir; and Anne Milkovich for their assistance with this article.

The Icelandic Sheepdog - Summer Issue of Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Newsletter 2007

2008-01-28T10:58:00.003-05:00

THE ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG
by Linda Rorem (this article originally appeared inThe Shepherd's Dogge magazine)
Reprinted with permission from Linda Rorem

The Icelandic Sheepdog, or Iceland Dog, came to Iceland with Vikings settlers in the ninth century. There are references to the dogs in many of the Icelandic Sagas, dating from 900 to 1300, and further references in 1400's and 1500's.

This lively, inquisitive dog is a quick learner, sociable and willing, with a cheerful spirit. It thrives on close human companionship and also enjoys being with other animals, especially horses. The Iceland Sheepdog has a quick and easy way of moving and great endurance. It is an excellent watchdog but not aggressive.

Sheep-working tendencies are strong and there is little inclination to hunt game. The Icelandic Sheepdog is adaptable to family life in the city or the country.

The Icelandic Sheepdog is 14 to 18 inches in height and weighs around 25 to 30 pounds, with the body slightly longer than the height. The tail is lightly curled over back, falling to one side or the other. The thick, double, coat, in longer and shorter varieties, is weather-resistant and easy to care for, The coat is longer on the neck, shoulders, thighs and tail, short and smooth on the head and legs.

The Icelandic Sheepdog may be self-colored, in which case *there should be* a little white on the chest, or may have white markings on the head, neck, feet and tail. The most common colors are golden sable, red, light sandy yellow (all of which may have black shadings in the coat and/or black markings on the muzzle), black and white, and black/white/tan. Double dew- claws on the hind legs are common. Eyes usually are brown. Ears are triangular and erect. Nose and lips are black.

Some authorities indicate that originally there were several types of Icelandic dogs, ranging from a dog similar to the Norwegian Buhund to one resembling the Greenland Husky, but the most prevalent type of the earlier days is dominant in the modern Iceland Sheepdog and there has only been one type for a long time. The breed has undergone little change through the centuries.
It is likely that the Scandinavian herding spitzes of Icelandic Sheepdog type figured strongly in the ancestry of the herding dogs of Britain, many parts of Britain having been heavily settled by the Vikings. There appear to have been later importations as well.

The Icelandic Sheepdog was well known in England in Shakespeare's time, and in 1650 Sir Thomas Brown wrote: "To England there are sometimes exported from Iceland . . . a type of dog resembling a fox . . . . Shepherds in England are eager to acquire them!" (All About the Spitz Breeds, by David Cavill.) The Icelandic Sheepdog is featured in the Natural History of Count de Buffon published in France in 1755, where a drawing shows a black and white dog very similar in type to a Border Collie, with semi-erect ears and a curved but not curled tail; the height at the shoulder given as 14 inches. A photo of a black and white Icelandic Sheepdog which appears in a book of dog breeds printed in 1915 shows a dog of strikingly similar appearance. Most Icelandic Sheepdogs have had erect ears, but there have been several such references to semi-erect ears in the past.

In late 19th century, working collies from Scotland were imported to Iceland and interbred with the native dogs in an attempt to "improve" the breed and produce a dog with the more refined herding abilities of the British sheepdogs. This effort was largely unsuccessful, because farmers in Iceland did not use and train their dogs in the same way that the British hill dogs are used and trained.

In Iceland, gathering sheep was (and still is) accomplished by men on foot or on horseback going out to round up the sheep, with the Icelandic Sheepdog providing useful assistance by helping to find the sheep, gather and move them, and going after and bringing back any sheep which try to leave the flock. This is similar to the original practice in Shetland, and in some parts of Shetland the sheep are still rounded up this way.

For their herding work, the dogs weren't given particular training, the farmers simply relying on the dogs' natural abilities. The dogs were also used to guard the sheep, keep watch over the farmstead at night, and drive off stray animals from the fenced area around the farm. Some were also used for hunting birds and foxes.

Life could be harsh. In the earlier days, dogs might be left to their own devices to find food and shelter. There was no systematic breeding. The dogs would multiply, and outbreaks of disease on occasion would decimate their numbers. A dog tax in 1890 also had the effect of diminishing the dog population. Towards the end of the 19th century, after an epidemic of distemper, it was said that one true Iceland Dog was worth one horse and two sheep.

In The Faroes and Iceland, published in 1905, Nelson Annandale writes of the Icelandic Sheepdog: "Dogs are an absolute necessity in Iceland; without them it would be impossible to gather the sheep or herd the ponies." When working sheep, "Their duty is not so much to marshal a flock of sheep as to single out individuals which stray from the others and to bring them in by seizing hold of them. They are trained not to bark when the sheep are being collected; but at other times they have a wonderful nose for strangers and act as very efficient protectors of a house, so far as making a noise can go. They are also able to trace the sheep which have got covered up with snow and to dig them out. In Iceland they are employed in herding horses on a journey. When a man is traveling with a train of pack ponies he drives them on in front of them; but they take every opportunity of running away, unless there is a dog to bark at their heels and keep them in single file." Another account mentions that when fording a stream, the dog might be allowed to sit on a horse's back behind its owner.

Annandale's account mentions that the dogs of the Faroes were somewhat different from those of Iceland, there formerly having been three types, one of which was similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog. He provides an interesting story of herding on Suderoe in the Faroes, commenting that while in most of the Faroes the terrain made it impossible to gather sheep on horseback, according to an earlier writer, Debes, writing in 1670 of Suderoe: "When therefore they go about their sheep, they ride, and their dogs follow them, they knowing how to ride with their horses up hills and down dales in a full gallop, through moors, and over rocks and stones, so that the horses care for nothing when they hunt after sheep, and where the place is too difficult to ride over to pursue them, the man leaps from his horse in the midst of his course, and takes his best advantage against the sheep, the horse running after him till he leaps upon it again; in the mean time the dogs follow also, till they have driven the sheep into the retten (sheepfold). A part of the horses are also so taught, that the man over-reaching the sheep on horse back, the horse graspeth the same between his forelegs, till the man takes it up."

By the early 20th century the true Icelandic Sheepdog had greatly diminished in numbers. Many of the dogs left were crossbreds. An Englishman, Mark Watson, who traveled in Iceland in the '30's, 40's and '50's, noticed the decline of the breed and began a search for the pure Icelandic Sheepdog. He carefully selected dogs from areas where the original breed had remained in its purest form, *finding most of his dogs in eastern Iceland and some in the north.* His efforts were instrumental in the preservation of the true Icelandic Sheepdog. Mark Watson eventually took the dogs he had collected to California and established Wensum Kennels in Nicasio where he published "A Research on the Iceland Dog" in 1956.

Unfortunately, his dogs were lost in a kennel fire. Two of the dogs he had collected, however, had remained behind in Iceland and made an influential contribution to the reestablishment of the breed there.

As early as 1898, a standard for the breed had been recognized in Denmark, and in 1905 the breed had been recognized in England, although only a few were imported to England at that time and numbers there remained very small. In 1970 Icelanders formed an association to protect and sponsor the breed, and in 1972 international recognition was achieved.
Today in Iceland there are between 300 to 400 Icelandic Sheepdogs. They are outnumbered there by other breeds such as Labradors, Irish Setters and English Setters. Many farmers use Border Collies or Border Collie mixes for herding, but some farmers are starting to use the Icelandic Sheepdog again because of its endurance and suitability for local conditions.
Iceland is very rural and sheep farming differs to some extent from other countries. The sheep are driven up to the hills and mountains, and in the fall the farmers take their horses and herding dogs to bring the sheep back to the lowlands. Many farmers have one or two dogs, which are used to seek out and gather the sheep from the hills. The Icelandic Sheepdog doesn't tend to group up the sheep at a distance and keep them in a flock like the Border Collie, but the farmer can walk in the bottom of the valley and send the dog up the hills on both sides, the dogs finding and bringing down any sheep that might be there.

The Icelandic Sheepdog will run longer distances than other breeds as it seeks sheep in the harsh, bare terrain. *After the sheep are gathered, the dogs push them along in front of the farmers, barking.* As in earlier times, most farmers don't train their dogs to any great extent. Icelandic Sheepdogs can also herd horses, although they are not used for that as much. The breed is very hardy and able to handle bad weather, sleeping contentedly in the snow with its nose under its tail while imported dogs are freezing.

A few Icelandic Sheepdogs have been brought to North America from Iceland, Denmark, England, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. *A Montana rancher who has started her Icelandic Sheepdogs on stock comments that the dogs have shown good instinct and, although at first inclined to chase, will bunch and hold cattle. They are upright workers, preferring to remain on their feet, and tend to move stock by body movement, barking and, if necessary, gripping. They may move fast and dive in on the outrun, but they balance naturally and will fetch and hold stock to the handler, and at times have given evidence of some eye.*

Agnes Yr, a breeder in Iceland, notes that Icelanders have for many centuries looked at the dog as one of the farm animals and not cared so much about breeding, but thankfully this has changed. The Icelandic Sheepdog is now becoming popular with urban horse-lovers in Iceland, who keep horses for their leisure time and have fallen in love, again, with this wonderful dog. Here is a top working breed that adjusts well to urban life -- a happy, proud, intelligent dog that takes joy in pleasing its people.

Thank you to Bill Cordingly, Bolstad Kennels; Agnes Yr, Kennel Yrar; Stefania Siguradardottir; and Anne Milkovich for their assistance with this article.

Herding Temperment Test for Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies -Summer 2007 Issue for Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club

2008-01-28T10:55:00.001-05:00

Herding Temperament Test for Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies!
By Valerie Sharp

When I got my Icelandic Sheepdogs I was very excited that they were a herding breed, my grandfather on my mothers’ side had bred, raised, trained and used Collies on his farm for years, and his dogs were most sought after. I can still remember Grandpa explaining what made a good dog, and I have to admit that I, to this day, still look for those very same things in my own dogs.
On my father's side of the family, they owned a huge thousand-head of sheep farm in southern Alberta and Border Collies were the dogs of choice, so I was familar with both the more upright style of herding that a Collie will use and the more traditional Border style of working sheep but the first question I asked was "what does an Icelandic Sheepdog herd like?"

In keeping with this, I called Iceland and talked to different owners of dogs that lived and worked the dogs on both sheep/horses, I also called and visited with Icelandic Breeders and owners in both Canada, and the US, that had both Icelandic Sheep and Icelandic Sheepdogs on their farms, and was surprised to no end, when in a nut shell, I was informed by both in Iceland and across North America that the dogs didn't really herd. The first thing that surprised me was how little time is spent herding or even driving sheep in Iceland with the dogs, this is because the sheep are a) low flocking, and b) turned out into the mountains to graze etc, in fact it became clear that they were used more on the horse throughout the year then they were used on the sheep at this time in the breeds’ history.

But what did come out clearly was this a) they are natural herders, they are not normally trained per se in Iceland, b) they had for hundred of years been used as natural boundary tenders, as fences have only appeared in the last while in Iceland and so the dogs were used to keep the hay meadows clear of the sheep and horses etc and would drive them back up into the hills. c) that they are a natural driving breed, and are what is in North America called a loose eyed, upright barking breed.

I have attended a number of single-day and even one three-day herding clinics with my Icelandics over the past years. I belong to my local herding club, and find the help and encouragement from the group a great asset.

Every year on our little farm, I use the dogs for boundary tending, I walk with my Icelandic and show her the line, and then we sit and write or read a book or in Jason's case, he will often take his laptop out, and we just hang out while the sheep graze, until someone gets too close to the "line" and my ISD will look at me, and I say, Go push them back and they are up like a flash and drive the herd back into the center of the hay pasture and then back to me to lay down in the shade of the chair, until needed again.

I think the second thing I use them for most is very close work in the barn, moving the sheep from pen to pen, moving them past the gate that they know has the grain feed in it, and also to help split the flock up, in case I need to check or work with one of the sheep. It is such a pleasure to be able to open the front door and say to my dog or dogs, Sheep, Barn, and by the time I have walked to the barn from the house, the dogs will have gone to the field, got the sheep, and driven them into the barn and into their back pens and will be waiting for me to close the gates.

I can see why a good sheepdog was worth its weight in gold, I have heard from many folks in Iceland that the dogs can be used to find lost sheep under snow, I believe this totally, as they often help me find, but not hurt, my new chicks in the barn, they will also let me know if anything is new in the barn by finding and trailing the scent, I know that some folks say that an Icelandic would not hurt anything small. I can't agree, my dogs learn what is part of the farm, and leave it alone, but mice, moles, rats, and wild birds are fair game, and the dogs will hunt the hay fields like a fox would, I have spoken to other breeders in Iceland and they confirm that their Icelandics also hunt the barns for mice, so I believe that this is something that is likely to be seen in our dogs here in Canada.

In keeping with this, if you go to a training center, if and when asked what they herd like, I have learned to say, they are most Australian Shepherds in terms of what breed they herd like.
While I had brought in Icelandics directly imported from Iceland who had working parents, I really wanted to work my own dogs and I also wanted to make sure that I kept the breed’s natural herding drive and ability alive in my kennel, so from my very first litter, I have done herding tests on the puppies with the ducks, I still remember introducing Greenstone Ada to the ducks at ten weeks old and being amazed to watch her show off her natural abilities, since then I have created a much more formal test for my kennel’s records.

I would never recommend that you test six to ten week old puppies on anything other then ducks, I have heard that one lady did bring a well dog-broke mini goat to the breeders home in the US to see which of the puppies had the most natural drive. You need to be careful and make sure that those first intro's are done in a safe and controlled manner.

So I have a round pen that is 20 feet across, and here is the test that I do:
Puppy Herding Test. Tester ______________________________ Date__________
Name of Puppy ____________________________ Age of Puppy _____________________
Parents of the Puppy ________________________________________________________
Round pen is ________ feet, Ground is flat and ducks are well dog Broke
Number of Ducks used __________
Test One
Put the puppy in the pen with duck, Puppy comes into the ring on leash
a) Does the Puppy Notice Ducks Yes______ or No _________
b) Does Puppy Move forward towards the ducks Yes ________ or No __________
Test Two, Puppy is let off-leash
Ducks move away from Puppy (either the puppy moves them ______ or human does______)
a)Does Puppy Give Chase Yes______ or No ________
b) Does Puppy Give up? Yes ______ or No _________ How long? _________________
c) Does Puppy Split ducks? Yes _____ or No ________
d) Does Puppy Bunch ducks? Yes _________ or No ________
e) Does Puppy Bark at ducks? Yes ________ or No _______
f) Does Puppy find balance to ducks? Yes ______ or No _______
g) Does Puppy circle ducks? Yes ______ or No ______
h) Does Puppy bit a duck? Yes _____ or No _______ Why? __________________________
i) Does Puppy respond to human in ring? Yes________ or No ___________
Test Three- Puppy is called back to person
Come when called. Yes _________ or No _________
Repeat test twice, with at least one day inbetween.

I have had my import/foundation Icelandic Herding Instinct tested with the CKC Herding Program and I have two generations of Puppy Herding Temperament tests done to date, so this means that so far, I have three generations of tested ISD's and I am looking forward to the fourth generation being born in the near future.

What has been very interesting to me personally is that the puppies that have tested out as a natural herding puppy at eight weeks, has proven to get the same results when tested out as adults, so it does appear that to date that it is very accurate, and I look forward to when Greenstone Kennel has another five generations of results in the future, and we will continue to look for any patterns or results.

Greenstone Icelandic Puppies that have tested out well in the puppy herding test have gone on to do well in both Arena style herding trials as well as working actively on sheep farms, and I also have one dog in Alberta that works with horses. Greenstone Icelandics on my own farm work with ducks, sheep and I even have one Icelandic, Ch Belglen Runa of Greenstone that can move my turkey flock for me.

I train all my dogs in regards to boundary tending, and I have found that it is one of the most natural and easy things to teach my dogs, so if you have any reason to get to teach this skill to your dogs, I think you will find it a worthwhile and fun thing to do.

Old Breed Qoutes from 1863 -Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Summer Newletter Issue 07

2008-01-28T10:53:00.000-05:00

"The dog is of the Esquimaux type, with ruff around its neck, head like a fox, and tail curled over its back. It is of great use to the farmer in keeping his flocks together, and defending his tun or home-meadow, from the inroads of cattle. "

"The Icelandic dog (Canis familiaris Islandicus) has been already briefly I described in the Introduction: its head is just like that of a fox; it is small, has sharp eyes, short legs, a profusion of hair, a ruff round the neck, a tail curled over the back, and it is generally of a white, dappled, or tawny colour."

Sabine Baring-Gould, 1863, Iceland: It’s Scenes and Sagas

Cooking for Dogs Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Spring 2007 Newletter Issue

2008-01-28T10:50:00.001-05:00

WELCOME to COOKING FOR DOGS Spring 2007 Issue
By Valerie Sharp

Tiny Clicker Training Treats.

Well, I have been busy in the kitchen trying to make a treat that is for clicker training, now we all know that they sell little plastic tubs of single tiny bites for training at the different clubs and on-line, but its proven to be difficult for me to figure out how to get the same tiny treat, I tried putting the dough though a grinder, with the idea of cutting it off in tiny spots as it came out, and it didn't work, at least not for me. . .

So then, I tried making softer cookies, so that I could break off tiny pieces, not bad but still not the same . . . so tried cutting them in strips and then moving them over to the baking sheet, yikes what a load of work and still not really what I was after, I wanted even smaller pieces . . .

So this is what I have figured out, and here is my latest Doggy Treats.
4 hotdogs
1 or 2 med clove of Garlic (or half a teaspoon of dry Garlic powder)
1/4 cup cold pressed oil (if possable use a healthy oil, like sunflower etc.)
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup oatmeal (non-quick cook kind)
1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
up to 1/2 cup flour extra

So in a food processor, chop up your hotdog and garlic together, then slowly add oil till a beaten mush, then add water and oatmeal, chop again, then add one full cup of whole wheat flour, mix, add up to another half cup of whole wheat flour till it forms a soft ball.

Take out and knead like bread dough, keep adding a bit more flour till you have a soft dough but not sticky, then roll out very thin, 1/8th of inch is perfect, try to roll it out to be a sheet the same size as your cookie sheet. Then carefully fold it over and pick up and slide onto your cookie sheet, then carefully take your pizza cutting wheel, and start cutting lines, very narrow strips, once you are done one way, cut the other way, each of my cookie sheet made about 350-400 tiny bite size peices, This recipe made enough for both large cookie sheets, I cooked both at the same time. Do not break apart, just cook the cut with lines in in a 350 oven for 15 min and then turn oven off and let sit for four hours or overnight to harden . . .

When done, take off cookie sheet and whack the pieces and they will come apart on the lines, and yahoo! about 600 to 800 tiny bite size pieces of very yummy training treats, I know that this recipe calls for more oil than I normally use, but I wanted them very crisp, but if you wanted to make the cookies with less calories, you could use apple sauce instead.

Well, everyone of my dogs loved them, so given them a try, and let me know if yours loved them to.. They should be kept in the fridge as all homemade cookies should be, but they will keep in a cool dry spot on the counter for at least a week, but as for longer, I don't know, I have never had any left :)

Barks,

Icelandic Sheepdogs and their Amazing Intuitive Abilities -Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Spring 2007 Newsletter

2008-01-28T10:39:00.001-05:00

Icelandic Sheepdogs and their amazing intuitive abilities
By Jill Fike

We have been amazed at the seemingly innate ability of Iceland sheepdogs when visiting those who are sick, wherever they might be. I think particularly of three instances which illustrate this so well, and have permission of two of the authors of their stories, the third was an experience of my own.

The first story comes from Monika Karlsdottir and it happened when she was living in Norway. I will quote her story.

I used both Frigg and Freyja as companion dogs at an old age home in Oslo. This had not been used as therapy there yet so we were guinea pigs of a sort. I had no idea what to expect and I started out doing it as therapy for Frigg because she needed socialising that she lacked her first two years. Unfortunately I only got to go about half a year or so because Frigg and Freyja had litters and soon after that we moved back to Iceland. I do know that it seemed to work so well that a few other dogs (a golden retriever among others) took over when we left. I will never forget the difference in their "approach" and it seemed they always knew best. Dogs never cease to amaze me. Frigg had her special friends that she had to visit and Freyja had different friends that she felt needed her special attention. And they seemed to go directly in the direction of their own different "friends" each time we arrived. The first time I took Freyja she got to visit a lady who was bedridden and couldn´t talk clearly so never talked much at all. She had very shakey hands as well and I had not visited her with Frigg so I didn´t know how I was to go about letting Freyja "talk" to a bedridden woman because the bed was so high up that it was difficult for her to get at her to be able to pet her.

Well Freyja KNEW how to approach this case and before I could blink she had hopped up into bed with the woman lied down and started licking her hand. I gasped and the woman started crying hysterically, right away I tried to tell Freyja to get off the bed. At that the woman talked to me for the very first time and said "please let her stay!" I realised that the reason she was crying was because she felt the love from Freyja and she missed her dog that she had to leave when she got sick. I let Freyja stay on the bed and the two of them had a special time together, the woman spoke endlessly to Freyja and petted her with her shaking hand. The nurses were amazed! This was a moment I will never forget and I learned that sometimes we have to just let the dogs do their work without human interferance. That day it was hard to leave. I thought how I would so love for someone to bring a dog to visit me if I were in that situation.I encourage anyone who can, let your dog be a therapy dog. They do so much good that it can never be measured but I know it´s true because I have felt it firsthand. The second story came from someone in Arizona who had two of our puppies and then arranged for one to go to her husband's family.

Again I will let Leslie tell the story.

I wanted to let you know how much John's sister, Jan, has been enjoying Kria. Unfortunately in August Jan's husband passed away of cancer. So Jan is taking care of the two kids (12 and 15) and a small printing business. But Kria has just been such a wonderful comfort. She was right there withMike through the worst of it, lying next to him on the couch when he was very ill at home. Then every night that Mike was in the hospital, Kria would go to bed in their bedroom on her doggie bed, and then get up in the middle of the night to sleep at the top of the stairs and wait for Mike. They brought Mike home at the end, and they were careful to keep Kria back because they were afraid she'd jump all over him, but she just came up to his bed and would put her head where Mike could reach it. Mike passedduring the night, then, after he got home. Kria seemed to know and never went back to the bed. Then the next night Kria got up on the bed and slept next to Jan, which she had never done before, and she didn't get up in the night, but remained there. And she's been sleeping with Jan ever since.She also acts like this little cheerleader when the kids get home from anything or when things seem too quiet in the house. It really is remarkable the way she has helped during this difficult time. I'm so
glad we have our dogs and were able to get another one from you for Jan.

The last story is one that I witnessed.

One of my friends at the coast had often looked after our puppies as they were en route to various destinations in The States. On this occasion I happened to be at the coast too and the particular puppy's flight was delayed. I had worked at SFU with Judi and her mother for many years so when Judi was getting ready to visit her mother in a Care Residence with Thor and Frekja, she suggested we also take the puppy, which we did.

It had been years since Judi's mother had spoken, as she was suffering from Alzheimer's, she used to sit quietly smiling in her chair, off in her own world, but always responded with great affection when Thor and Frekja came to visit. On this occasion we then put the puppy on Norma's lap, and she played with it and then it must have playfully nipped her finger and we suddenly heard "Don't you do that!" We couldn't believe it - not only did Norma speak for the first time in several years, but the sentence was relevant.

When we left, I put the puppy on her lap and she looked up at me and said "You won't let him go will you." And then went back into her own world of silence, but it was such an astounding thing to witness that when you think thought processes might not still be there, you never know what might trigger them.

I hope you enjoy these very moving stories of the ability of the Iceland sheepdog to make an amazing difference in the lives of people who are having a very difficult time.

New UKC Show Update for the Icelandic Sheepdog in Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club

2008-01-27T17:23:00.000-05:00

UKC Texas Classic shows in Hutto, TX.

Dogs Name : Valhalla's Golden Reign
Owner's Cindy Tumiel and Margaret Gimblin

Jan 26, 2008 -Show One - Judge Deborah Allen -Herding Group
Group 4th and Best of Breed - Valhalla's Golden Reign

Jan 26, 2008 -Show Two - Judge Pamela Moore -Herding Group
Group 4th and Best of Breed - Valhalla's Golden Reign

Icelandic Sheepdog on TV! -Support your Breed-Tune in to Animal Planet

2008-01-24T10:05:00.000-05:00

Hello Folks

Tune into to the Animal Planet broadcast will be at 8 PM Eastern Time on February 10, and again at 11 PM Eastern Time. Rebroadcast at the same times on February 13, to watch the Icelandic Sheepdogs compete with the big dogs in the AKC Agility Nationals.

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies for Sale- Available Washingston USA and Ontario, Canada

2008-01-21T12:31:00.000-05:00

The CISC is Proud to bring you a monthly member update on Available Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies/an in Canada and United States.

Valhalla Icelandic Sheepdog has three older puppies available for Adoption at this time.

For more information please go to Valhalla's Website at http://www.valhallaicelandics.com/

In Canada, Greenstone Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel has one older Male Icelandic Sheepdog puppy available for adoption, he is a long hair dark tan and white pied, he is available to just the right family.

Greenstone Kennels is also proud to annouce that they are expecting a new litter due Feb 18th, out of Ch Belglen Runa of Greenstone (OFA-Good, CERF Normal) by PineridgeIcelandic Vaskur (Pennhip .39/.50, OFA Prelim Good, CERF Normal and Heart Certified). We are expecting Show/Performance and Pet Qaulity puppies in this litter.

Please contact isdpuppies@hotmail.com for more information.

Top UKC Icelandic Sheepdogs for 2007

2008-01-17T20:26:00.000-05:00

Top UKC Icelandic Sheepdog 2007 - as per the UKC Site

A special remark goes out to Canadian Born Ch Pineridge Kolperla owned by CISC Member Donna McDermott.

The number behind the owners names is the amount of dogs defeated thoughout the year, one point per dog defeated.

Icelandic Sheepdog
01. CH Sand Creek Maeja Cheryl L Shelton 8
01. CH Vesturhlithar Loki Cheryl L Shelton 8
03. CH Gunnar Of Sherwood Forest Christine Vowles 6
03. CH Pine Plains Elska Jerry L Costa 6
05. CH Hnuks Breki Jerry L Costa 3
06. Vesturhlithar Tisla Mary Lou Engert or Les Schmertzler 2
06. Vinlands Urthur Christine Vowles 2
08. CH Pineridge Kolperla Donna R Mc Dermott 1
08. Kersins Kolrassa Krokridandi Donna R Mc Dermott 1

Icelandic Sheepdog CERF Results for 2008

2008-01-07T19:11:00.000-05:00

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club CERF Results

Results to date, will continue to update thoughout the year. - Updated Jan 31th 2008

The Eye Health of the Icelandic Sheepdog overall is excellent, and the CISC breeder and Icelandic Sheepdog Owners have done an amazing Job at testing their dogs and puppies. Last year alone 43 Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Member's Dogs and Puppies were tested.

41 were CERF normal, 1-Cateract, and 1- PPM. This is wonderful news indeed and speaks very well for our breeds eye health in the future.

Arplerla Bjarki-Normal- 1/08
Belglen Runa of Greenstone-Normal-1/08
Belle-Normal-1/08
Folda -Normal-1/08
Lavendel's Kyssa -Normal-1/08
Lavendel's Lijia-Normal-1/08
PineridgeIcelandics Vaskur - Normal- 1/08
Reykjadals Stikla Run -Normal -1/08

A huge thank you goes out to our CISC Breeders and ISD owners for freely giving their results of their test to the CISC, and we will continue to gather the information for the international reports and to share with the public though the club.

The effort you guys make is wonderful and as always the Candian Icelandic Sheepdog club shares this information with interested folks.We believe that the information should be available to the public to search and that it should not belong just to the club based database, where you must request the information per dog from the club.

Enjoy our Open Databases and as always, Thanks for Iceland in leading the way with their wonderful DIF public breed Database, once you find the dogs in canada, the odds are good that you will be able to track overall family lines using the public DIF Databases, Finland has now made all their Data publish as well, hopefully more clubs will continue to follow suit.

If you would like to see the 2007 or early data, just clink on this link.

http://canadianicelandicsheepdogclub.blogspot.com/search/label/CERF%20Results%20for%20Icelandic%20Sheepdogs

Icelandic Sheepdogs on TV-Canadian TSN

2008-01-07T06:19:00.000-05:00

Hello Folks,

TSN is broadcasting the Lower Mainland Dog Show on Feb. 9 at 1pm EST and Feb. 10 at 11:30 am EST. We are thrilled and honored to have an Icelandic Sheepdog at the show, and so to my knowledge, this will be the first Canadian Show on TV that will have an Icelandic Sheepdog in the Herding Group, so tune in your TV's and watch if you have the time.

For those of us without cable, if anyone would be willing to tape it, and share the tape with CISC, we would be so grateful.

Happy Viewing.

Sigridur Petursdottir honored in Iceland for her work with the Icelandic Sheepdog

2008-01-01T13:42:00.000-05:00

She was presented with a medal of honour (fálkaorða) at the President’s home at Bessastödum today. Every year they give this honor to individuals in the community who have made a difference. I think this is so awesome! Congratulations Sigridur, family and the Icelandic Sheepdog community worldwide!

http://www.mbl.is/mm/frettir/innlent/2008/01/01/ellefu_saemdir_heidursmerkjum/

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Awards for 2007

2007-12-30T10:43:00.000-05:00

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Awards for 2007
By Valerie Sharp, Published in CISC Winter Newsletter 2007

Congrats to all the Dogs, Owners and Breeders of these outstanding Iceland Sheepdogs.

Top Male Iceland Sheepdog in CISC 2007
Ch Belglen Riddari

Bred/owned by Sharon Schaefer of Belglen Kennels

Handled by Sharon Schaefer and Linda Thompson

Top Female Iceland Sheepdog in CISC 2007
Greenstone Black Pearl Bred/Owned by Valerie Sharp of Greenstone Kennels

Handled by Linda Thompson(Eastern Canada) and Lori-Ann Fischer (Western Canada)

Top Iceland Sheepdog Puppy in CISC 2007
Greenstone Black Pearl
Bred/Owned by Valerie Sharp of Greenstone Kennels

Handled by Linda Thompson(Eastern Canada) and Lori-Ann Fischer (Western Canada)

2007 Data for Shows

In total 16 Icelandic Sheepdogs have been shown across Canada, (Icelandics were shown in Ontario, Sask, Alberta, and B.C.), These dogs were shown at 96 Shows in CKC.

We were pleased to see a few of the dogs from Last year out in 2007, but even more exciting was the most of the dogs shown were new ISD in 2007, and the club is aware of at least six up and coming show dogs due to come into the CKC show rings in 2008, so we are looking forward to seeing the amount of dogs shown reach over the 20 mark and lets hope that we can get over the 100 shows mark in 2008!! So lets all have fun and get out to the shows this year!

Into the Canadian Breed History Books, we have earned our First Female Group Placement, and our First Best Puppy in Group in CKC 2007.

2006 Data for Shows

In total 14 Icelandics have been shown in Canada since we were allowed in the CKC Show Ring as of March 1st 2006. They have been shown a total of 94 times across Canada (Ontario, Sask, and Alberta)

The Club could not be more pleased to see this many ISD out into the show rings across Canada.

Into the Canadian Breed History Books, we have earned our First Male/Female Championships, and our First Group 3rd (2) and 4th placements with a Male Icelandic in 2006.

Once again the Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club is proud to being you our Therapy Dog of the Year, it is a wonderful example of how good our breed's temperment is that we have a number of active new Therapy Dogs each year to choose from. Pineridge Kolperla has been involved with working with children/Teenagers since she was a puppy and she continues her good works as a adult.

Here is her Therapy Page on her owners website

http://www.island--dog.com/page13.html

Therapy Dog of 2007
U Ch Pineridge Kolperla TDI, CGC
Bred by Pineridge Icelandics, owned by Donna McDermott

National Booster in June -Donations Welcome

2007-12-06T10:11:00.000-05:00

Last year the call to our members for prizes to help create some winners baskets was amazing and we are starting to look forward to our show in Ontario in June. We are looking for prizes, anything you can think of, we will be happy to have it..

Do you knit? Maybe something with Icelandic Sheep Wool??

Do you sew? Maybe some Beds for the dogs, last year the bag holders were wonderful. -Thank you to Fun and Fancy Kennels for that donation

Can you braid? Plush Braided Tug Toys are always a hit with the dogs -Thank you to Belglen Kennels for the wonderful dog Harness's.

Can you paint? or Draw? We are always looking for artwork as prizes. Thank you to Ryan Schmidt/ Foothills Kennels /Tofra Kennels /Verla Sharp for the orginal artwork.

Can you shop? Anything found at the stores is a wonderful idea -Thanks to everyone for all the little gifts! The Canadian Flag Towels went over really well, everyone wanted to win one of those- Donated by Greenstone Kennel/Mavis Hickford

Can you declutter? Maybe you have some dog books that are in good condition that you don't read anymore..

Did you find the cutest mug with a doggy, or maybe a doggy photo frame and the ideas are endless.. Thank you to Verla Sharp, Ken and Mavis Hickford, and many others.

Or maybe something for the human part of the team- Last years Chocolates were so tasty.. Thank you to Glacier Kennels

Or maybe you would like to sponser the Club Ad in the Catalog -Thank you to Solhunder Kennels for last years donation

If you would like to help out, we would be so grateful for anything you would like to donate to the club.

If you are coming to the show, then you can drop them off at the Greenstone Moterhome on Thursday or Friday, if you would like to support our Nationals but can't come this year, please consider sending something by mail, in which case, please email isdpuppies@hotmail.com for instructions on how to do so.

So our First donated Itam is the lovely pencil drawing of an Icelandic Sheepdog signed DJ Rogers. Donated by Greenstone Icelandics

Happy Holidays- Tips for keeping your pets safe.

2007-12-03T13:15:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays

During the Holidays, there are many new hazards for our pets.
Here's a quick reminder to ensure that you and your pets have a safe and joyous time.

* Holiday Food- Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis and gastrointestinal issues. Chocolate, coffee, and onions are toxic to dogs and cats. Rising dough on a counter top is irresistible to some pets, and can cause serious problems. Don't forget that wrapped food gifts under or on the tree can be easily consumed by dogs, cats, birds and small pets. Not only are the food items a problem, but those wrappers are impossible to digest.

* Holiday Plants- Many lilies are deadly to cats. Mistletoe, poinsettias and holly cause gastrointestinal upset for all critters. Christmas tree water can be filled with chemicals or bacteria and pine sap is dangerous if ingested. Secure your tree to the wall so your pets can't knock it over.

* Decorations- Tinsel, ribbon, ornaments and hooks are attractive play things for many small animals. If swallowed they may cause internal blockages requiring surgery. Broken glass ornaments can cut paws and mouths. If your pet likes to play with things on the tree, decorate the lower third with unbreakable wood or plastic ornaments.

* Candles- Put burning candles in places that are inaccessible to your pets. They could set themselves on fire or tip the candle over and start a fire in the house.

* Batteries- Don't leave batteries for those Christmas toys lying around. They are fun to play with, but contain corrosives. If ingested, they can cause mouth ulcerations and intestinal issues.

Handler/Grooming Seminar by Linda Thompson for the Icelandic Sheepdog

2007-12-02T11:22:00.000-05:00

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club is Proud to be bring you a two hour Mini-Seminar at our 2008 National Icelandic Sheepdog Gathering in June of 2008.

Host: Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club

Date: June 20th at Kingston

Time: After Best in Show

Guest : Linda Thompson - Bio Pending

Seminar One -One Hour on Grooming your Icelandic Sheepdog for the Show Ring
Seminar Two -One Hour on Handling your Icelandic Sheepdog for the Show Ring

Cost - Ten dollars per Seminar or both for Fifteen dollars.

We will accept pre-registeration or registeration on the day of the event, please contact as at
icelandsheepdog1@yahoo.com for a registeration form to be mailed out to you.

AKC Agility 2007 - An Icelandic Sheepdog North American First!

2007-12-01T19:18:00.000-05:00

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club would like to give our congratulations to the dogs that were invited to the AKC National Agility 2007

Those Dogs and owners are Sandi Dunn with her lovely ISD Perla, and Kathryn Ananada-Owens with her very perky ISD Viva.

To bring this closer to home in Canada, Perla is from Pineridge Kennels in B.C. and Viva is the Granddaughter of Pineridge Elska..

For full details check out

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/agility_invitational/2007/results/ALLCumByQual.pdf

For Saturday Congrats goes to Viva and Kathryn Ananada-Owens, who had a great run for a score of 100 with a time of 31.25 which earned her the score of #24 th out of 109!! in Round One.

Round Two, on Saturday Viva and Kathryn Ananada-Ownens had a wonderful run for a score of 100 with a time of 45.49

Saturday Combined Total Pointes 200 Time 76.73 To earn Place #18 out of 109!! Way to go!!!

Sunday Round 3 had a great run for a score of 100, Time, 46.04, Round 4, 100 Points with a time of 35.35 and that put her into the Finals!!

And in Finals she got a score of 100 with a time of 40.47 with means that Viva and Katheryn finished #7 out of 109

Viva also took FIRST place in the combined Misc and Foundation Stock all jump heights classes!

That is amazing, for the first time that Icelandics were allowed into the AKC Agility finals and to Finish #7, the girls must be floating on cloud nine.

Sandi and Perla did great as well, Sunday was clearly their day and they finished in the top 100 of the 16 inch height.

Way to go girls, what a great way to show off what the ISD's can do! in North America Agility Rings.

To see Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club article by Katheryn, please go here.

http://canadianicelandicsheepdogclub.blogspot.com/2007/03/agility-event-report-summer-issue-2006.html

Icelandic Sheepdogs - Breed info in Canada

2007-11-23T18:01:00.000-05:00

CKC Formal Results on the Icelandic Sheepdog, published in Dec Offical Section 2007

Litters Registered in 2006 - One Litter
Dogs Registered in 2006 -14 dogs

Litters Registered in 2007 - Ten Litters
Dogs Registered in 2007 -39 Dogs

New Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Stud-Reykjadals Odinn

2007-11-22T11:22:00.000-05:00

Name: Reykjadals Odinn

Born in 2004.

To learn more about his breeder, please check out her website at

http://notendur.centrum.is/~borg1/english/

Color : Black Tri -Full Tan Pigment

Coat: Med Coat

Dewclaws: Single on one front leg, Double on the other front Leg, and Double on both Rear Legs.

Tail : Curl and Half

Pigment: Black

Eyes: Dark Brown

CERF Normal

Pennhip .44 for Both Hips

Living in Alberta, but all contact info in regards for stud Service, please send to Greenstone Kennel at isdpuppies@hotmail.com

FCI Pedigree, Born in Iceland, will be CKC registered, and will be available for Stud to approved FCI or CKC registered Icelandic Sheepdog Females.

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies -Available in Ontario, and Wshington State

2007-11-15T13:50:00.000-05:00

Photo of one of the Males available above.

Hello Folks

Valhalla Icelandic Sheepdogs still have two wonderful White Male, Pet Qaulity Puppies available.

For more information please go to the website listed below.

.http://www.valhallaicelandics.com/IcelandicSheepdogPuppiesforSale.html

Greenstone Icelandic Sheepdogs has one amazing long hair Red/Pied male available for Adoption. This lovely young male is available as a pet or as a possable show/breeder.

For more information, please check out the website at www.icelandsheepdog.blogspot.com

Planned Litter for Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies 2007-2008

2007-11-08T12:37:00.000-05:00

Hello Fellow Icelandic Sheepdog Lovers - Updated Nov 8th 2007

Are you looking for a Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy in Canada or the United States? Want to learn what Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Breeders are planning litters in the coming year? Well this is the place for to see what is happening. Keep an eye on this page, as litters come and go, we will continue to update this page.

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club believes that its important that you, the planned Puppy owner contacts the breeders and learn more about their dogs and planned litter. All Kennels are Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club members but its up to you to talk to the breeders and learn if these dogs or their puppies meet your needs.

If you are a member of the Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club and you are breeding two CKC registered Icelandic Sheepdog, then please give us your litters information and we will add it to our list.

Glacier Point Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel is planning a late 2007/Early 2008 Litter out of Ch Woolfarm Sasha, Stud to be annouced in the future. Glacier Point Kennel is located in Calf, USA and you can talk to Sasha's owner at this contact information.

Kennel Name : Glacier Point
Owner : Xania Moreno
Contact information: seacliff@sti.net

Fun 'N Fancy Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel is planning a late 2007/Early 2008 Litter out of Ch Belglen Risna, Stud to be annouced in the future. Fun 'N Fancy Kennel is located in Calf, USA

Kennel Name : Fun' N Fancy
Owner : Judy Brown
Contact information: jbrown41@charter.net

Valhalla Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel is planning a late 2007/2008 Litter out of Skin-Deep's Katina bred by Surtsey's Eik Efni. Valhalla Kennel is located in Washington USA.

Kennel Name : Valhalla
http://www.valhallaicelandics.com/
Contact Information: mgimblin@msn.com

Pineridge Icelandic Sheepdogs Kennel is planning a late 2007/Early 2008 Litter out of Pineridge Gletta, Stud to be annouced in the Future. Pineridge Kennel is located in B.C. Canada, Worldwide Shipping available

Kennel Name: Pineridge
Website address
http://www.pineridgeicelandics.com/

Contact Information: pineice@mail.ocis.net

Belglen Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel is planning a late 2007/Early 2008 Litter out of Fronar Ima of Belglen, Stud to be annouced in the Future. Belglen Kennel is located in Sask, Canada, Worldwide Shipping Available.

Kennel Name : Belglen
http://www.belglen.sasktelwebsite.net/

Email contact information: belglen@sask.ca

Greenstone Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel is planning Two Late 2007/2008 Litters out of Ch Belglen Runa of Greenstone bred by Pineridgeicelandics Vaskur, and Folda, Stud to be annouced in the Future. Greenstone Kennel is located in Ontario, Canada, Worldwide Shipping Available.

Kennel Name: Greenstone

http://www.icelandsheepdog.blogspot.com/ or www.canadianicelandicsheepdogpuppies.blogspot.com

Email contact Information: isdpuppies@hotmail.com

Lavendels Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel is planning one late 2007/Early 2008 litter out of Reykjadals Stikla Run, Stud to be announced in the future. Lavendels Kennel is located in Michigan USA.

Kennel Name: Lavendels

http://www.lavenderfleece.com/

Email : lavenderfleece@charter.net

Tofra Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel is planning two late 2007/Early 2008 litters out of Hólmfríður frá Olafsfjördur by Vaskur and Tofra Bista Freyja by Stjörnuljósa Mána Snarpur

Tofra Kennels is located in Iceland but will ship her puppies World Wide.

Website :http://www.tofradogs.com/english.htm

Email:tofra@simnet.is

Eyjahunda Icelandic Sheepdog Kennel is planning one Early 2008 Litter with UKC CH Pineridge Kolperla, stud to be announced.

Website : www.island--dog.com

Email addres : eyjahunda@yahoo.com

Please Remember if you are a CISC member and are planning a CKC Registerable litter for 2008, please let us know and we will be happy to post your information.

Volunteer Opportunities with the Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club

2007-11-06T16:55:00.000-05:00

Volunteer Opportunities

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Do you have a special talent to share with Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club? We need your help. Are you a graphics specialist, computer nerd, photography nut, frustrated writer, bookkeeper, administration whiz, good at organizing and planning, an undiscovered artist or a lawyer? Or do you just have some spare time and are willing to help out with any task?

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club needs your assistance!

We are a volunteer run organization and we couldn’t do it without volunteer help. Consider volunteering -- it not only benefits the Club but you’ll make a ton of new friends who all love dogs!

Contact us at icelandsheepdog1@yahoo.com and tell us all about your talents.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

National Booster and Awards Committee

Contact us at the information above if you are interested in volunteering for the specific positions advertised above. We are always looking for volunteers so if you’d like to donate your time don’t wait, send us a note now!

Show Report Updates- Glacier Point Kennel

2007-11-02T14:47:00.000-04:00

Show: Abbotsford Oct 25, 26 27th and 28th 2007

Show Photos Coming.

Valhalla Cera of Glacier Point Kennel, Took Best of Breed Three out of the Four days as the show, Oct 26th, 27th and 28th.

Woolfarms Sasha of Glacier Point Kennel, Took Best of Breed Once, on Oct 25th.

It was a wonderful turn out to the Abbotsford Show in regards to numbers, and we are thrilled to say that on the weekend the show was taped and will be show across Canada at a future date on the OLN. It will be a great pleasure to see an Icelandic Sheepdog shown in the ring along with the rest of the herding class.

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club - The Icelandic Sheepdog Video Available

2007-10-26T15:46:00.000-04:00

The Icelandic Sheepdog Video

The Icelandic Kennel CLub was founded on 4th of Sept by a group of people concerned wit the perservation of the Icelandic Sheepdog and with the intention of Saving the Icelandic Sheepdog from Extinction and keeping the breed pure.

DIF and the Icelandic Kennel club created this wonderful 12 min Video of the Icelandic Sheepdog in Iceland, they go over the FCI Breed Standard and show the dogs working Sheep and horse's in their native Country.

A must have for the ISD Lover and highly recommend for breeders, Makes a great Gift for your Icelandic Sheepdog owner.

Please contact icelandsheepdog1@yahoo.com to order your copy now.

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club's 2008 Membership Drive

2007-10-26T15:37:00.000-04:00

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Membership Drive for 2008

The CISC memberships run from the end of Dec to Dec regardless of when you join the club, the club membership renewal application is published four times a year in the CISC newsletter at the end of Club business, it is also posted once a month on the Yahoo Chat Group as well as being available on the club website at

http://canadianicelandicsheepdogclub.blogspot.com/2007/03/cisc-membership-application.html

It has been noted at this time that a number of folks have not renewed their 2008 club memberships yet and this would mean that without renewal, no more wonderful CISC newsletters will be arriving in your mail box, nor would you be eligable to earn CISC club awards or titles. We encourage everyone to consider renewing their memberships.

As of Dec 31st 2007, if you have not renewed your membership all club listings on the website will be removed, Starting March 1st of 2008, we will be using the three months mark as a cut off period for renewals from there on in. If you do not renew within the first three months of the new year, your membership will be considered new.

The board would like to consider putting forth the idea of a pet membership for ten dollars canadian, that means the members get all newsletters and can send in all their brags and dog photos etc, but are not voting members, we also think this is a great offer to be used for our club breeders, this would allow you to get a years membership for your puppy owners at half price if you desire.

It has recently come to our attention that in the future, when we move forward to earn formal CKC national club status, (which at this time is not possable until we have membership within more of the official regions of Canada, that all our club members at that time must have CKC membership as well. At this time, we do not require our regular members to also have CKC membership. However in the future when the time does come to move the breed forward, membership will either need to join CKC in order to be a member of the CISC or they will need to let their membership laspe.

The CKC considers having all club members part of the CKC, a move of good faith on behalf of the club, its our understanding that after we get full approve, that the club will again have the option of allowing memberships without needing them to have CKC memberships.

It is a exciting year ahead of us in the CISC, and we look fowrard to sharing it with you.

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Booster for 2008

2007-10-26T15:07:00.000-04:00

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club 2008 Booster and Events

We are looking forward to the show year of 2008, Last year we had a Fun Match and Gathering in Eastern Canada and the CISC first National Booster in Western Canada. It is normal for a National Breed Club to host a min of one Booster per year for the breed, as we continue to grow, we can look forward to more Boosters per year. The norm for National Breed clubs is to move the Club events both around and back and forth across the country. Last year was in Alberta, and this year it will be in Ontario, we are hoping to look at B.C or Sask for 2009.

Our eastern Gathering will take place in Kingston, Ontario, this is very close to the US Border for anyone wanting to come up from the US to the events. It will be the Third weekend of June, Fathers Day weekend. The Show is a Three day event, 20th, 21st, and 22nd.

You are welcome to come for the whole three day event or just for the big Saturday events.

The Show is being held at the the Rideau Acres Campground to learn more about the campground please visit their website. One of the perks of this show is that its held in a wonderful campground, and its very reasonable to stay for the whole weekend, and there is a ton of water and power hookups available.

http://www.rideauacres.com/

We will have a 10 by 10 Icelandic Sheepdog Booster Booth within sight of the Show rings for folks to gather and visit.

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club will be offering Prizes for the following, Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Best Puppy, Best Bred By, Best of Winners, Winners Male, Winners Female. The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club will be offering Prizes for all puppies entered in 6 to 9 month class, 9 to 12 month class and 12 -18 month class.

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club will be offering a Prize for the highest scoring Icelandic Sheepdog in CKC Rally on June 21st.

The Premium is not out yet, but when it is ready it will available at the C & E Show site.
http://www.ca-showservices.on.ca/

Judges Profile : Mrs. Donna M. Cole (Canada)Mrs. Donna M. Cole is a retired nursing administrator. She has bred boxers from 1967 to 1997 and Boston Terriers since 1988. She was a proud owner of a Top Dog in All Breeds, 1976 - a boxer who produced 101 Champions in 5 countries.

She obtained her Canadian Kennel Club All Breed Judge’s License in 1990. Currently, she is the President of Lower Mainland Dog Fanciers of B.C (which hosts Canada’s largest dog show). Aside from that, she was the President of Boston Terrier Club of Canada from 1990 to 2000 and was re-elected on year 2002.

She also held position as co-chairman of Judge’s Education Group and Lower Mainland Director of the Canadian Dog Judges Association. Mrs. Donna Cole is also an instructor for conformation handling classes with 22 years of experience under her belt.

There is no doubt that Mrs. Donna Cole has extensive experience in judging conformation shows. Over the years she was invited to judge at 26 countries, which include:
Canada
United States
Mexico
Brazil
Argentina
Japan
Thailand
Philippines
Taiwan
Australia
Germany
India
Peru
Holland
New Zealand
Columbia
Denmark
Hong Kong
Sweden
Puerto Rico
Costa Rica
Indonesia
Chile
Uruguay
Ireland
Ecuador

She has also awarded C.C.’s to Boxers in England and Pedigree Award-Conformation Judge of the Year at 2001. She judged Bassett Hounds, Havanese, Labrador-males and the breed at the 2002 World Show in Amsterdam, Holland. Mr. Donna Cole have judged Boxers and a Group final at FCA International Dog Show and Samoyeds, Siberian Husky, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever at FCI Americas and Caribbean Dog show held with the 2005 World Show in Buenos Aires, Argentina – where she also judged breeds such as Old English Sheepdog, Jack Russell terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Welsh Terrier, English Springer Spaniel and Boston Terriers.

New Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Litter in Ontario- Solhunder Kennel

2007-10-26T14:56:00.000-04:00

Solhunder Kennel is pleased to annouce the arrival of five healthy newborn Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies. If you would like more information on this litter please check out Laura and Scotts Puppy Blog at http://icelandsheepdogpuppies.blogspot.com/

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Clubs Fall Magazine

2007-10-26T14:19:00.000-04:00

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Clubs Fall Magazine is now taking photos, stories brags, new titles information on any members dog. Please email icelandsheepdog1@yahoo.com with your information or photos.

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Clubs Magazine is always looking for interested folks that would like to be a regular writer in our E- Magazine. Whatever your passion in dogs, be it Herding, Flyball, Aglity, Grooming, Showing, Rally-O, Tracking etc. If you have a interest in writing, please feel free to let us know.

CISC Board

Valhalla Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies Available!

2007-10-15T13:44:00.000-04:00

Valhalla Icelandic Sheepdog Puppies are Available Now!

A wonderful litter of Six Icelandic Male Puppies have arrived in Washington, USA, Both Parents are CKC registered and all Six Puppies are eligable for CKC or AKC-FSS or UKC registeration.

These wondeful males have had their temperment test and CERF exams.

They are ready to go to their home now! Both Show and Pet Qaulity Icelandic Sheepdogs Puppies available out of this litter.

For more information please go to the Valhalla website listed below.

http://www.valhallaicelandics.com/IcelandicSheepdogPuppiesforSale.html

Availlable Greenstone Puppies

2007-10-15T13:27:00.000-04:00

Greenstone Icelandics, Ontario, Canada has Three Show/Breeder Puppies Available at this time.

To learn more Contact Greenstone Kennel at isdpuppies@hotmail.com

All three puppies are looking for Show and or Breeding homes, you do not need to already own Icelandic Sheepdogs, Will consider any homes across Canada, would perfer Eastern Canada but for the right home will look at Western Canada as well.

Alberta Kennel Club Booster -Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club's Western Event for 2007

2007-08-26T13:08:00.001-04:00

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club held its first National Booster (with international support) at the Alberta Kennel Clubs Dog Show in Calgary, Alberta on Aug 4th.

We were honored to have well respected Judge Richard Beauchamp, of the U.S

Best of Breed - Ch Belglen Riddari

Best of Opposite Sex- Woolfarms Sasha

Best Puppy- Greenstone Black Pearl

We are so pleased to say that Ch Belglen Riddari, breed/owned/showed by Belglen Kennels of Sask, Ca was Best of Breed winner for the first CISC National Booster.

We are pleased to say that Best of Opposite Sex, is Woolfarms Sasha, breed by Woolfarms Kennel USA and owned/showed by Xania Moreno of Glacier Point Kennel, of Cal, USA

We are pleased to say that Best Puppy went to Greenstone Black Pearl, Breed/owned by Greenstone Kennels, Ontario, Ca.

The Icelandics were out in Force over the weekend, and we are pleased to bring you the results .

Friday Aug 3rd

Best of Breed - Ch Lavandels Vindur
Best of Opposite Sex - Woolfarms Sasha
Best Puppy- Greenstone Black Pearl

Saturday Aug 4th

Best of Breed-Ch Belglen Riddari
Best of Opposite Sex- Woolfarms Sasha
Best Puppy- Greenstone Black Pearl

Sunday Aug 5th

Best of Breed- Ch Belglen Riddari
Best of Opposite Sex - Belglen Risna
Best Puppy- Greenstone Black Pearl

Monday Aug 6th

Best of Breed- Ch Lavandels Vindur
Best of Opposite Sex- Belglen Risna
Best Puppy-Greenstone Black Pearl

It was a great weekend for Canadian Icelandic Sheepdogs, Lavendels Vindur earned his Championship title on Friday Aug 3rd.

Ch Lavendels Vindur Breed by Lavendels Kennel and owned and handled by Scott and Candise Berard of Foothills Kennel.

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Eastern Fun Match and Event

2007-08-26T12:45:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks

July 27th was the big Eastern CISC Fun Match and Event at Misty Morning Farms. Judge was Monika Karlsdottir from Iceland. A huge thank you goes out to Laura Ford for all her help, as well as everyone else who helped make the show a success.

Dogs at the show were

Folda CGN, TPOC, HI

Pineridge Vaskur

Tofra Tobba Traustidottir

Ch Belglen Runa

Ch Belglen Riddari

Ch Greenstone Ajay

Greenstone Alexander the Great

Greenstone Ada

Greenstone Black Magic Women

Greenstone Black Pearl

Greenstone Blue Suede Shoes

Tofra Hroi Grettir

With Write ups but not in the show itself.

Greenstone Born in a Storm

Belglen Roskva

Best in Show -Folda CGN, TPOC, HI

Best Winners Female -Folda CGN, TPOC, HI

Best Opposite Sex -Greenstone Alexander the Great

Best Puppy-Greenstone Black Pearl

Best Veteran- Pinridge Vaskur

Best Veteran Opposite Sex- Tofra Tobba Truastidottir

Full write ups on each dog will be posted shortly and also in the coming fall newsletter.

Dog Show Results- July 22

2007-07-23T17:07:00.000-04:00

Show: Kars, Ontario, Canada

Date : July 22nd

Best of Breed-Belglen Riddari
Reserve Male -Greenstone Alexander the Great
Best of Opposite Sex -Greenstone Black Pearl
Best Puppy of Breed -Greenstone Black Pearl

Wonderful movement photo of Belglen Riddari, will put this up again in a different format for Judges and Breeders to look at, in terms of a well built ISD in Movement.

A very nice Show Win Photo of Belglen Riddari, Belglen Riddari was Handled by both Linda Thompson and Valerie Sharp over the weekend in both Kars and Kingston.

Dog Show Results- July 21st

2007-07-23T16:58:00.000-04:00

Show: Kars, Ontario, Canada

Date : July 21st

Best of Breed - Belglen Riddari

Best of Opposite Sex -Greenstone Black Pearl

Best Puppy in Breed - Greenstone Black Pearl

Reserve Male - Greenstone Alexander the Great.

The photo above is of a 11 month old Black Pearl, clearly in Summer coat :) and it was a hot day but happy to be out and about.

Show Updates for UKC, July 8th 2007

2007-07-09T17:42:00.000-04:00

Show : UKC, Washington Classic

Date : July 8th, 2007

Pineridge Kolperla

Best of Breed and Group 2nd in Herding.

Congrats to Donna and Kol on their wins.

Dog Show Results - June 24th

2007-06-25T12:09:00.000-04:00

Show: Rockton, Ontario, Canada

Date : June 24th

Judge : Virginia Lyne

U-Ch Belglen Roskva CGN TT took Best of Breed in the Icelandic Sheepdog Class.

Mrs. Lyne remembered Roskva from the Purina Dog Show, in March..

As always lots of folks came up to meet a Icelandic Sheepdog in person.

Training your Dog- Sue Ailsby Clicker Training Seminar

2007-06-21T14:04:00.000-04:00

TRAIN YOUR DOG: Sue Ailsby Clicker Training Seminar - Part 2
By Sharon Schaefer

In Part One I covered the mechanical skills of clicker and treat delivery; dogs targeting fingers or pens; and starting hand or counter zen (respecting food not belonging to them). Sue no longer "charges the clicker" because she wants the dog’s first learning to be that they control the click which equals the treat. The click is never independent of the dog’s prior behaviour. Good trainers give information to the dog five times faster than poor ones so practise the skills, become faster, and never start until your treat is ready to deliver.

The click is also NEVER given without the treat. If you click accidentally still give them a treat, no matter what their actual behaviour might have been. They need to know in the core of their being that click IS treat (c/t). You can treat without clicking whether deliberately (eg. a dog who needs some calming) or accidentally (food which falls before they’re reliably progressed on ‘zen’). Don’t panic – cover it with your foot if you can or just let them eat it unless it’s your Sunday roast and you need to rescue it!

Sue starts with target because it gives immediate, frequent, positive feedback to the dog and most traditionally trained dogs and people can still engage with these requests. The dog targets my fingers or my pen and gets a click/treat – if they want another treat most dogs within three attempts will have learned how to control my behaviour so that I will deliver the treat. Hand zen and counter zen are introduced early because this lifeskill is very important to most people living successfully with a dog.

Training is all accomplished by shaping, capturing, or luring and most training is a combination of all three. Like us dogs also process experiences while they sleep and so apparent lack of progress one day or several can be followed by leaps in understanding both for the dog and for the owner!

Luring is the quickest means to an end behaviour in many cases (eg. luring a sit is quicker to the second sit than either shaping or capturing but after a few lured sits let the dog offer them without the lure – capturing the behaviour instead strengthens the learning). The lure needs to be faded quickly so the dog does not rely on it unless the lure mimics a cue/hand signal in which case that cue can continue sometimes (if you always use it the dog will not offer the behaviour unless lured) as training progresses. When you reach the stage of wanting a stand, a nice one can be lured by planning to have the dog back into it – lure from end if nose along mid-jawline below to throat so they are tucking head and backing up.

Shaping a dog to a particular behaviour means c/ting closer and closer approximations in the dog’s behaviour. Begin with baby steps so you both can succeed. If you want the dog to go around a post (or stool or wastebasket or whatever is handy) sit yourself down, toss a treat towards the pole from a foot or so away (a bit of a lure) then c/t while they are moving in that direction, and toss another treat towards or in front of them; c/t several times while they are in area of pole and in motion; then let them come back to you or wherever (no reward) but keep c/ting every time they take any step towards the pole – the direction (clockwise/counterclockwise) doesn’t matter. A 10-20 second session (8-16 kibbles) to begin is best to be really effective. Keeping sessions short will prevent you becoming frustrated! For most dogs who have never been rewarded for taking initiative, shaping requires a constant stream of reinforcement. However, 2-10 minutes after your 10-20 second training session you can do it again; and again; and again. When the dog is offering to go around the pole, click three quarters of the way around and drop the treat at your feet. Let them do this a few times then move your chair back a couple of feet and see if they will still offer the behaviour. After they’ve offered it 100 times you’re ready to add the cue word immediately after the click (if you will be doing herding the cue will probably be different than if you’re into agility). Read Sue’s Levels Training for the means of progressing with distance, direction, and additional posts.

Anything which the dog frequently does in daily life, such as sit and lie down, are easiest (not fastest necessarily) to train by capturing it. You are ready with clicker while you watch TV and the dog happens to lie down so you c/t immediately by tossing the treat so the dog will get up. Then they need to think about what they did that made you c/t; stay still and keep your arms crossed so they can’t target. Be very patient – whether they repeat the down quickly or not they are thinking. Eventually they will get tired and lie down again – immediate c/t. This is one case where you are not rewarding frequently until they start offering the behaviour so don’t do this before a mealtime.

Formal training times should be brief – 2 seconds to 10 minutes is sufficient! It will take you longer to set up the room until you get comfortable with the process. Early on you could have stashes of kibble and cheese around the house and on your body so you can always deliver a treat when needed. The dog will tell you if a reward is good – the behaviour will increase. If a desired behaviour decreases then that is not a reward to this dog at this time or the reward is not frequent enough (about 8 treats in 10 seconds for beginning a new behaviour) or there is something in the environment which is punishing the desired behaviour. Perhaps the dog is not hungry or is too distracted in which case you need to change times or locations. The half hour before the dog’s mealtime is precious training time (treat with their meal kibble) and you can use the bathroom as the first training centre.

The focus is to catch them doing it right – over and over and over again. Food is always the primary motivator/reward because in a training session, if you are going to use a toy as a reward, then the dog needs to be given a minute to actually play. As your partnership progresses, learn what else is rewarding for your particular dog in different circumstances so you can vary the rewards and opportunities to interact. Teach your dog to play with a wide variety of toys both independently and with you. Some dogs might love to tug with you but only in private. Some dogs will retrieve a certain size or feel of ball better than other types. Some dogs will kill every squeaky toy and others will carefully save them to cuddle. Destroying a certain type of toy is a reward to some dogs so plan to give them the chance sometimes!
Lifestyle rewards: going out into the backyard is a reward – ask (by luring) them to target a pen or to sit (not sit/stay yet just one thing at a time) before you open the door. Anything that the dog wants to do can be a training opportunity: jumping up on the couch or going for a walk or getting breakfast are all chances to catch them doing something right then REWARD by allowing the behaviour.

Sue’s oldest dog spends time each evening playing a completely new shaping game as she solves problems for other service dog owners/trainers, her younger dog plays sometimes. These behaviours are never named; they are problem-solving exercises and practise thinking sessions for her and the dogs. When requested to demonstrate she shaped first 10 year old Scuba, then 1 year old Stitch to spin a wheel on a dolly which had been turned on its side and placed across the room – Scuba worked up to solidly spinning the wheel and repeated the behaviour several times in less than two minutes. Sue’s Levels are designed to develop you and your dog into a thinking team that can learn most new behaviours in three minutes. Putting it on cue takes longer.
If anyone wants to compete in any dog sport, including conformation, or simply to develop a better relationship with their partner-dog, I would strongly recommend attending any of Sue’s seminars.

Sue has authored a Training Levels book which is available in three different formats for free download at her website www.dragonflyllama.com.

Cooking for Dogs Spring 2007 Newsletter Issue

2007-06-21T14:03:00.000-04:00

WELCOME to COOKING FOR DOGS Spring 2007 Issue
By Valerie Sharp

Tiny Clicker Training Treats.

Well, I have been busy in the kitchen trying to make a treat that is for clicker training, now we all know that they sell little plastic tubs of single tiny bites for training at the different clubs and on-line, but its proven to be difficult for me to figure out how to get the same tiny treat, I tried putting the dough though a grinder, with the idea of cutting it off in tiny spots as it came out, and it didn't work, at least not for me. . .

So then, I tried making softer cookies, so that I could break off tiny pieces, not bad but still not the same . . . so tried cutting them in strips and then moving them over to the baking sheet, yikes what a load of work and still not really what I was after, I wanted even smaller pieces . . .

So this is what I have figured out, and here is my latest Doggy Treats.
4 hotdogs
1 or 2 med clove of Garlic (or half a teaspoon of dry Garlic powder)
1/4 cup cold pressed oil (if possable use a healthy oil, like sunflower etc.)
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup oatmeal (non-quick cook kind)
1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
up to 1/2 cup flour extra

So in a food processor, chop up your hotdog and garlic together, then slowly add oil till a beaten mush, then add water and oatmeal, chop again, then add one full cup of whole wheat flour, mix, add up to another half cup of whole wheat flour till it forms a soft ball.

Take out and knead like bread dough, keep adding a bit more flour till you have a soft dough but not sticky, then roll out very thin, 1/8th of inch is perfect, try to roll it out to be a sheet the same size as your cookie sheet. Then carefully fold it over and pick up and slide onto your cookie sheet, then carefully take your pizza cutting wheel, and start cutting lines, very narrow strips, once you are done one way, cut the other way, each of my cookie sheet made about 350-400 tiny bite size peices,

This recipe made enough for both large cookie sheets, I cooked both at the same time. Do not break apart, just cook the cut with lines in in a 350 oven for 15 min and then turn oven off and let sit for four hours or overnight to harden . . .

When done, take off cookie sheet and whack the pieces and they will come apart on the lines, and yahoo! about 600 to 800 tiny bite size pieces of very yummy training treats, I know that this recipe calls for more oil than I normally use, but I wanted them very crisp, but if you wanted to make the cookies with less calories, you could use apple sauce instead.

Well, everyone of my dogs loved them, so given them a try, and let me know if yours loved them to.. They should be kept in the fridge as all homemade cookies should be, but they will keep in a cool dry spot on the counter for at least a week, but as for longer, I don't know, I have never had any left :)

Genetics Report -Dewclaws Information, Spring Issue 2007

2007-06-21T13:59:00.000-04:00

Genetics Report: Breeding for Dewclaws (or how I lost an important breed characteristic in two easy steps)
Sharon K. Schaefer

In our breed dewclaws must be present on all four legs. When I purchased my first Icelandic I searched for a puppy with not just rear dewclaws but double rear dewclaws. When her six grand puppies were born here last year, two had no dewclaws at all on one hindleg. Two others had singles on both hindlegs, and on one of these they were quite weak. I didn’t truly understand what a good or poor double dewclaw looked like.

By failing to focus hard on the conformation of good dewclaws on every leg and individual differences between both legs and dogs I had lost a critical characteristic of the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Given the low numbers of Icelandics that most of us have met in real life and the small gene pool of our breed in Canada I hope that this article will prevent other breeders from unknowingly (note: I may still have chosen to do this mating) reproducing this event.

I would especially like to acknowledge the efforts and information shared by Monika Karlsdottir in the articles, drawings, and charts on her website - I had access to these before this mating but difficulty in downloading and my own lack of knowledge about their importance prevented me from persevering to study them more thoroughly ahead of time.

Front single dewclaws are normal for canids and polydactyly is common in dogs. Removal of front and/or rear dewclaws at birth is a routine procedure for most North American purebred dogs. Rear dewclaws are essentially unknown in wild canids and have been taken to mean hybridization with dogs had occurred.

This theory has recently been supported by molecular comparisons of some Italian wolves, a few of which had rear dewclaws. More than six FCI breeds require rear dewclaws, usually double, and several more breed standards either prefer or allow double dewclaws. As a generalization, the trait is preferred in breeds working on snowy or uneven ground requiring extra grip. Some breed standards such as for Briards and Norwegian Lundehunds include detailed drawings of both varying correct toe structures and foot placement as well as unacceptable ones.

Dr. Sheila Schmutz indicated last year that the genetics of dewclaw structures was unknown at that time and I was unable to locate any genetic studies on the inheritance of dewclaws in dogs other than Monika’s. This is not a trait likely to warrant scientific research. As a multifactorial trait, and since Briard pups are still being born without the correct bony attachments, we can anticipate that despite our informed efforts lack of correct dewclaws will continue to be one source of pet puppies in our breed!

In people, there are several forms of isolated polydactyly (occurring on its own and not as part of a larger syndrome) which are caused by an autosomal dominant gene with varying degrees of both penetrance and expressivity. In these cases a family may have two normal appearing (one of whom carries the gene but without expression) parents, so there is a 50% chance of the children carrying the gene. One or more children may exhibit different expressions of polydactyly: a normal appearing extra digit, a stub, or two extra digits. One chromosome has been mapped and they are working at comparing phenotypic occurrences with genotype. In cats(early Maine Coon and Ernest Hemingway’s cats), polydactyly also occurs as an autosomal dominant gene with about 50% of the population exhibiting the trait.

A similar genetic basis would fit the occurrence of rear dewclaws and double dewclaws in our dogs. Monika Karlsdottir in her detailed articles and charts proposes that as many as 12 genes (12 different loci or gene locations on the chromosomes) would fit the phenotypic expression occurring in Icelandic Sheepdogs. Monika refers to this as a threshold trait where a dog needs a certain number of the dominant genes present in order to develop rear dewclaws.

For development of double rear dewclaws the number of dominant genes required is larger to get over the threshold. An Icelandic without rear dewclaws still quite probably carries some of the dominant genes required, just not enough of them. An Icelandic with good strong rear double dewclaws has enough of the dominant genes present but we still have no way of determining their genotype. As we can’t test for the presence of these genes we have to guess based on our knowledge of their parents’ dewclaws, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, etc. As they produce puppies we learn more about the probable genetics of each sire and dam but it is still educated guesswork! As this is one of the notable features of Icelandics and one of the few disqualifying factors for showing the guesswork becomes important. The greater the number of loci (maybe 12!) determining a trait, the more continuous the variability: strong low claws forming a broader foot, strong low claws, strong not so low claws still with bony attachments, strong low single claw, weak but double claws, one strong and one weak claw forming the double, single attachment with two claws, weaker single attachment with two claws, or it could be millimetres of difference in location on the leg. Then there is the other hindleg!!!

For breeding purposes, I now classify my dogs based on the attachment to the leg. The photos with this article illustrate the dewclaws of some offspring and the parents - both classified single left rear dewclaw for breeding purposes.

There are also some wonderful pictures of dewclaws on Tofra Puppy pages. www.tofradogs.com/English/Articles.htm
http://article.pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca (Paolo Ciucci, Vittorio Lucchini, Luigi Boitani, and Ettore Randi)
www.briard.com
http://cat.inist.fr
www.cfainc.org
http://en.wikipedia.org
www.hmc.psu.edu
http://library.thinkquest.org

Doctors’ Schmutz Genetics Seminar – Part 2 will be in the next Newsletter but I will again refer you to the Colour Genetics site authored by Sheila and which is very frequently updated as new research knowledge becomes available worldwide. There are also links to other genetic sites of interest.
http://homepage.usask.ca/~schmutz/dogcolors.html

Rainbow Bridge - Lukka of Pineridge

2007-06-21T13:58:00.000-04:00

Memories of Lukka by Jill Fike of Pineridge Kennels

Lukka and Una duly arrived in Canada while probably thinking they were still in Iceland as they came with a charter flight of 70 Icelandic horses! This was in the summer of 1996. We just had Eric at that time, so there was huge excitement for him, seeing two little Icelandic puppies arriving.

Lukka was a feisty little puppy right from the start, while Una was a little older and much more laid back. They had lots of room to run and had a happy time growing up together. We put Lukka in with our sheep and she always enjoyed moving them around.

When she was older, we were re-doing our fence between our farm and our neighbours' farm and frequently their herd of cows came to visit! With virtually no training except for verbal encouragement, she soon became adept at rounding up Bob and Bonnie's cows and returning them to quite a distance beyond the fence line! On occasion, with no verbal encouragement, she also decided to move our horses for us!

Lukka was just an exemplary mother - she just loved her puppies. The most memorable litter was the one where we had seven people on a waiting list for little girls and she had seven little boys! This was the largest litter we've ever had. Suffice to say nobody had been planning to breed and as I think most people will agree, Icelandic little boys are every bit as affectionate as little girls, the little boys went to the little girls waiting families!

Sadly our vet diagnosed Lukka with cancer and said it would be very painful surgery for her and as she was no longer a young dog, it would be kinder to let it take its course. Aside from one more vet trip about a year ago, she showed no signs of not feeling and behaving as she always had until Easter weekend, when she wasn't quite her normal self. I spent some time with her before we both went to bed on the Saturday night and she didn't wake up on the Sunday morning.

Lukka's legacy is still living on in various places in North America and we thank her for her contribution to many families' happiness. She will always have a special place in our hearts as a loyal, loving friend and companion.

Rainbow Bridge - Greenstone Honey Child

2007-06-21T13:57:00.000-04:00

In Memory of Greenstone Honey Child

I will lend to you for awhile a puppy,
For you to love her while she lives
and to mourn for her when she is gone.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
Or maybe for a day or two or three.
But will you, till I call her back,
Take care of her for me?

Should her stay be brief
you'll always have her memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise that she will stay,
since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.

But should I call her back
much sooner than you've planned
Please brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.

Show Results - June 15th, 16th, and 17th

2007-06-18T07:53:00.000-04:00

Photo of Belglen Riddari, in Group Seven on June 16th. To see Riddari on the move, check out his show video on the down and back, link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQhA2LaWCS0

Show : Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Date : June 15th

Judge: Mr. Morley Thornton

Best of Breed - Belglen Roskva
Best Opposite -Belglen Riddari
Best Puppy in Breed- Greenstone Black Pearl

Date : June 16th

Judge : Ms. Denise Cornelssen

Best of Breed- Belglen Riddari
Best of Opposite- Belglen Roskva
Best Puppy in Breed- Greenstone Black Pearl

Date : June 17th

Judge: Mr. Donald Duncan

Best of Breed : Greenstone Black Pearl
Best of Opposite: Belglen Riddari
Best Puppy in Breed: Greenstone Black Pearl

Congrats to the Icelandic Sheepdogs on their wonderful wins..

Dog Show Results for June 9th/10th -Regina

2007-06-10T10:44:00.000-04:00

Show : Regina, Sask, Canada

Greenstone Belglen BoogieMan took Best of Breed under CKC All-Breed Judge Skip Stanbridge on June 9th.

Greenstone Belglen BoogieMan took Best of Breed under CKC All-Breed Judge Rick Fehler

There is a Show photo coming and we are waiting for results for today's show, Good luck, and we will update as more information continues to come in.

Great to see the ISD's shown across Canada and wonderful for all those visiting dog folks to get to meet and see a Icelandic Sheepdog in person.

New Title for U-Ch Belglen Roskva CGN is now

2007-06-10T10:36:00.001-04:00

U-Ch Belglen Roskva CGN TT

Roskva (aka Soley) took and passed the Temperament Test administered by the Canadian organization, Temperament Test Associates on June 9th.

Proud owner Laura Ford and Breeder Sharon at Belglen Kennels are so very pleased with Roskva's new titles.

Don't forget to check out more info on Roskva on her kennels website. Roskva has a planned litter this fall, to learn more please check out the website link below.

http://www.sundogwalks.ca/solhundur/Certificates.html

Greenstone Thunder -New Herding Title -JHD

2007-06-06T11:47:00.000-04:00

Dog: Greenstone Thunder

Title: JHD -AHBA

Congrats to Deb, Doug and Gwen, Co-owners with Valerie Sharp(Breeder) of Greenstone Thunder for his new herding title JHD.

Great to see a Icelandic Sheepdog doing what it was breed to do in terms of function.

CISC FCI Style Fun Match July 27th- Judge Monika K

2007-06-02T10:09:00.000-04:00

Date : July 27th
Time: 1pm to 4 pm
Place: Misty Morning Farm
Event: FCI style Fun Match for Iceland Sheepdogs.
Judge: Monika K from Iceland
Fee: Ten dollars

Each Dog will be judges by the FCI/CKC Standard, and will be given a write up on themselves from Monika.

Extra's, This is not a socal event per sa, there is no lunch or dinner planned, There is plenty of room for parking and grooming tables to be set up for the four hours the event is being held, there will be limited access to the washroom in the house, and the rest of the house is off limit, It is to be treated like any other dog show, each person should bring their own water/food, gear etc.

CISC fundraiser coolor of cold pop/water/Hotdogs for sale, with limited selection.

This will be a pre-registered event only, not open to the public, if you wish to book in, please contact isdpuppies@hotmail.com for a registeration form.

Fee's will be split between the Judge and CISC.

Hip Test Results- OFA or Pennhip for Canadian Dogs- Born in Canada or Import Dogs

2007-06-02T09:36:00.000-04:00

Please note we will continue to update as new results come in, and we will also continue to back fill each year as we track down more information and get the results in a offical manner.

Last Update June 22, 2007 , please check back often for more updates thought the year. Canadian Born dogs will have their Parents names in brackets, Import dogs do not.

CSIC HD Rates for 2006-2007

Pineridge Gletta (Alfur X Lukka) - OFA- Good 5/07
Pineridge Vanadis (Alfur X Lukka) -OFA Good 4/07
Belglen Riddari (Alfur X Ima) -OFA Good 6/07
Belglen Risna (Alfur X Ima)- OFA Good 6/07
Belglen Roskva (Kolur x Hnuk’s Pila) -OFA Hips Good (Prelim) 1/07
Narri Fra Villiskogum -OFA -Fair 6/07

CISC HD Rates for 2005-2006

Penn Hip Tests Reports

Lavendel Vindur Pennhip results of L0.58 and R0.58

.Kersins Odinn Pennhip results of L0.37 and R 0.40.

Skin Deep Katina: Pennhip results of L0.47 and R.0.41

Please note that there is no way to cross the Pennhip test results against OFA results period.The lower the Pennhip number the best, the higher the number the more likely the dog will develop HD in the future.

OFA Test Reports

Skin Deep Katina OFA- Excellent
Loki frá Oddhóli, TT, CGC, TDI OFA- Good
Tofra Ljosalfur OFA -Good

OFA Prelim Tests Done (HD Free) but tests must be redone when the dogs are two years plus.

Belglen Riddari (Alfur X Ima)

Belglen Runa (Alfur X Ima)

Greenstone Born in a Storm (Tobba X Putti)

Test Results 2004

Tofra Hroi Grettir IS-42F25M-PI Hips Sept 1 2004- Fair

Fronar Ima Belglen
IS-47G26F-PI HIPS Dec 8 2004 - Good
IS-EL20F26-PI ELBOW Dec 8 2004 -Normal

Test Results 2003

TOFRA LAGSI IS-23F24M-PI March 4th 2003 - Fair

GRIMSNES' ROF IS-31E27F-PI HIPS Aug 20 2003 - Excellent

Test Results 2002

Pineridge Ala IS-16F27F-NOPI HIPS Mar 13 2002 -Fair

Test Results 2001

U-Ch Belglen Roskva earned new Title- Proud to annouce she has her CGN

2007-05-27T19:34:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks

Congrats to Scott, and Laura on U-Ch Belglen Roskva's new CGN title.. Way to go guys..

Icelandic Sheepdog Seminar- Sunday Aug 5th 2007- Alberta Kennel Club Show Grounds

2007-05-24T09:33:00.000-04:00

ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG SEMINAR

Sponsored by the Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club

Sunday, August 5th, 2007

Alberta Kennel Club Show Grounds

1/2 Hour After Best in Show

In order to ensure receiving "hand-outs"

Please contact Judy Hunt, huntcj@telus.net if you will be attending

The CISC is hosting a four day Iceland Sheepdog Breed Event at the Alberta Kennel Club August 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, 2007 shows. They have ISD's coming from across Eastern and Western Canada, as well as from across the U.S. including breeders and CISC members from as far as California, USA.

If everyone is able to come that has said they will, they expect a turn out between 30 to 40 ISD. The largest Gathering in N.A. History to date.

The CISC feels that this would be a great opportunity to present the breed to the judges in Southern Alberta.

The CISC hosted a Iceland Sheepdog seminar last year, with Jill Fike (Pineridge Kennels, in B.C.) This year, Valerie Sharp (Greenstone Kennel) hosted a seminar for the Iceland Sheepdog in Ontario,.

The whole CISC board will be coming from across Canada, with the top CKC Show ISD's for the national booster, CGN Test and Gathering.

They have a full breed standard with drawings that is copyrighted to the CISC, and are interested in providing copies to all interested participants.

They would be honoured if you or anyone else would like to come to the CISC Gathering at the AKC show to meet their dogs.

If anyone would like a Icelandic Sheepdog Seminar done for their area of Canada, Please let the CISC know and we would be happy to work with you to have one hosted in your area.

Dog Show Results for May 19, 20, 21st

2007-05-21T10:04:00.000-04:00

Kitchener Show, Ontario, Canada

U-Ch Belglen Roskva took best of breed under AKC Judge Judith Goodin. Judges Comments, " they look like a wonderful breed, and that she has seen one other ISD before" on May 19th.

U-Ch Belglen Roskva took Best of Breed under Thomas Burke (PEI), on May 20th.

U- Ch Belglen Roskva took Best of Breed under Dorothy Welsh on May 21st.

Hope that everyone had a great time, and its wonderful that all those new folks and judges got to see the Iceland Sheepdog in the show ring.

Dog Show Results -May 12 and 13 th Arnprior

2007-05-13T09:37:00.000-04:00

Show: May 12th Arnprior, Ontario, Canada

CKC Judge Joe Lobb -Ontario

Best of Breed : Greenstone Black Pearl
Best of Opposite Sex: Greenstone Alexander the Great
Group 4th in Herding : Greenstone Black Pearl
Best Puppy in Group: Greenstone Black Pearl

This was a amazing show for the Icelandic Sheepdog, the first female Group placement, and the first Best Puppy in Group for the breed.

Show May 13th Arnprior, Ontario, Canada

CKC Judge B McDonald- Alberta
Best of Breed : Greenstone Black Pearl
Best of Opposite Sex : Greenstone Alexander the Great
Best Puppy in Breed : Greenstone Black Pearl.

Icelandic Sheepdog Chat Groups in Canada

2007-05-08T07:13:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks

The Icelandic Sheepdog club of Canada, has a number of different Yahoo Chat groups available to its members at this time.

Open to the public, anything Icelandic Sheepdog related, cute stories and photos etc, if you just want to learn more about our breed, this is a great place to ask questions. No question to small to be asked, a friendly place, and it is moderated, so that its is always family friendly.

Candianicelandicsheepdogclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

For our general Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club members we have a yahoo group for all paid members, this site is more for club related matters, it tends to be fairly quiet most of the time.

IcelandicSheepdogCanada-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

This yahoo group is for the Icealndic Sheepdog Club of Canada's kennel and breeders of Icelandic Sheepdogs only. This site is for talking about breeding/health matters, as well as any other breeder related items.

IcelandicsheepdogCISC-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Temperament Test Results from 2004-2007

2007-04-29T15:13:00.000-04:00

The Temperament Test Results will continue to be updated thoughtout the year.

Temperament Test Results for CISC Litters 2004-2007

The CISC and its breeders have been active in trying to learn more about our dogs natural temperaments. A good understanding of your breeds temperament is not only vital for keeping the breed correct but also is a great help in correctly placing your puppies into the right forever home.

So far, 12 litters with a total of 47 puppies have completed the test.

Test One
Social Attraction (Degree of Social Attraction, Confidence or Dependence)
1 Came Readily, Tail up, Jumped, Bit at hands 0 Puppies
2 Came Readily, Tail up, Pawed, Licked at Hands 9 Puppies
3 Came Readily, Tail up 30 Puppies
4 Came Readily, Tail Down 4 Puppies
5 Came Hesitantly, Tail Down 1 Puppy
6 Didn’t Come at all 1 Puppy

Test Two
Following ( Degree of Following Attraction. Not Following indicates independence)
1 Followed readily tail up, got underfoot, bit at feet 0 Puppies
2 Followed readily, tail up, got underfoot 9 Puppies
3 Followed readily, tail up 34 Puppies
4 Followed readily, tail down 3 Puppies
5 Followed hesitantly, tail down 0 Puppies
6 No follow or went away 1 Puppy

Test Three
Restraint ( Degree of Dominant or Submissive tendency, How it accepts stress with socially/physically dominated)
1 Struggled fiercely, flailed, bit 0 Puppies
2 Struggled fiercely, flailed 9 Puppies
3 Settled, Struggled, settled with some eye contact 19 Puppies
4 Struggled then settled 17 Puppies
5 No Struggle 2 Puppies
6 No Struggle, straining to avoid eye contact 0 Puppies

Test 4
Social Dominance ( Degree of acceptance of Social Dominance. Pup may try to dominate by jumping and nipping or is independent and walks away)
1 Jumped, pawed, bit, growled 0 Puppies
2 Jumped, pawed 12 Puppies
3 Cuddles up to tester and tries to lick face 20 Puppies
4 Squirmed, licked at hands 11 Puppies
5 Rolled over, licked at hands 3 Puppies
6 Went away and stayed away 1 Puppy

Test 5
Elevation Dominance ( Degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control)
1 Struggled Fiercely, bit, growled 0 Puppies
2 Struggled Fiercely 1 Puppies
3 No Struggle, relaxed 22 Puppies
4 Struggled, settled, licked 24 Puppies
5 No struggle, licked at hands 0 Puppies
6 No Struggle, Froze 0 Puppies

Test 6
Retrieving ( Degree of willingness to work with human. High correlation between ability to retrieve and successful guide dogs, obedience dogs, field trail dogs)
1 Chases object, picks up object and runs away 6 Puppies
2 Chases object, stands over object, does not return 15 Puppies
3 Chases object and returns with object to tester 17 Puppies
4 Chases object and returns without objec to tester 4 Puppies
5 Starts to chase object, loses interest 5 Puppies

Test 7
Touch Sensitivity ( Degree of sensitivity to touch)
6-10 counts before response 24 Puppies
6-7 counts before response 9 Puppies
5-6 counts before response 10 Puppies
2-4 counts before response 3 Puppies
1-2 counts before response 1 Puppy

Test Seven
Sound Sensitivity ( Degree of sensitivity to sound)
1 Listens, locates sound, walks towards it barking 1 Puppies
2 Listens, locates sound, Barks 1 Puppies
3 Listens, locates sound, shows curiosity and walk toward sound 32 Puppies
4 Listens, Locates the sound 11 Puppies
5 Cringes, backs off, hides 0 Puppies
6 Ignores sound, shows no curiosity 1 Puppies

Test Eight
Sight Sensitivity ( Degree of intelligent response to strange object)
1 Looks, attacks and bites 9 Puppies
2 Looks, barks and tail up 2 Puppies
3 Looks curiously, attempts to investigate 33 Puppies
4 Looks, barks, tail tuck 3 Puppies
5 Runs away, hides 0 Puppies

Note, on this test, eight of the 1’s are out of two litters from the same bitch, she appears to be passing on a very high prey drive to her offspring.

Overall, most of our CISC puppies are solid 3’s, with the normally one two and one four within each litter. As four’s are good for quiet homes, three’s are ideal family dogs for most people, and two’s are ideal working dogs, it’s a very nice mix.

Things of note: Links we have seen between the puppy tests when looking at the adult dogs. Those with good retrieving skills as a puppy have turned out to be amazing herding and agility dogs. Most of the four’s have turned out to be therapy dogs. Most of the two’s are way to much dog for most families and those with a combined 1 in the sight sensitivity (prey drive) rating, have to placed carefully in their homes. This is an area where we would have concerns if folks started breeding for this higher rating, as it appears to push the dogs over into the much more intense “typical herding dog behaviours” .

Temeperment Test Results -Litter one 2007

2007-04-29T15:05:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks

The CISC encourages their breeders to temperment test their puppies to help in their placement of puppies.

Litter one for 2007 results are here. The litter meets the requirements to be included in the CISC temperment test results for the breed.

Puppy one, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 1, 3, 3, 3 Good
Puppy two 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 1, 3, 3, 3 Good
Puppy three 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3 Good
Puppy four 3, 3, 4, 3, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 Good
Puppy five 2, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 1, 6, 3, 3 Fair

A nice even litter of mainly three's, all good family dogs.

Judges Seminar -April 28th 2007

2007-04-29T10:47:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks

The Judges were interested, the hosts were wonderful and a good time was hopefully had by all.

The Icelandics attended a Judging Seminar in Southern Ontario, Four Dogs were brought out to the judges, including U-Ch Belglen Roskva, Ch Greenstone AJay, Pointed Greenstone Alaxander the Great, and Pointed Greenstone Black Pearl. We were pleased to bring the judges, Two males, two females, Two med coated, two long coated, Two Black tris and two yellow Gene dogs, dogs with a bit of white, and dogs with the most typical white markings for the breed.

We also gave out a breed standard with drawings, and had the color poster, and a number of other Icelandic Sheepdog books and the DIF and Iceland Kennel clubs Breed Video there.

We were very pleased to have been given the chance to present to the judges and hope that we were able to answer some of their questions for the breed.

So happy showing folks!

AKC Icelandic Sheepdog -Judging Update on Four Day Gathering

2007-04-27T07:47:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks

Just got our Judges conformation from AKC for the four days.

In Herding, and in Icelandics we have

Friday
Annika Ulltveit-Moe -Sweden

Saturday
Richard G. Beauchamp-USA

Sunday
Thomas E. Nesbitt- Canada

Monday
Darle M. Heck -Canada

So we have a great mix of Judges, one FCI, One AKC, and two CKC Judges for the long Weekend.

More information to become available the week of May 14th, and also have Rally-o and Obedance judges information and will get that up soon.

Please note this was mailed to me, but is not quite yet up on the AKC site, but will be soon.

Alberta Kennel Club-Website updates starting

2007-04-26T10:54:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks

As most of you know the CISC is having a four day Icelandic event centered on the Alberta Kennel Club show for Aug 3, 4, 5, and 6th in Calgary of 2007. (for all details, check out the link CISC boosters-Dog Shows) In 2008, we will be having both a Eastern Booster(national Gathering) and a Western Booster (National Gathering).

The early bird and regular entry dates have now been posted for the AKC show.

I have emailed my contact, to find out if I can get a copy of their regular premium list to post for you, in order to help everyone find their information to be able to get their entries in.

Earlybird Entries Close: 15 June 2007 9PM MDT

Entries Close: 6 July 2007 9PM MDT

If you are still waiting for your CKC numbers to come though for all the folks that are coming up from the states, you have till the July 6th deadline to enter but the AKC also has many helpful information directly on their website, including how to get a ERN number to hold you over while the paperwork is processed.

They also have a great write up for all the first time dogs show folks that are bringing their dogs and crossing the border. Please refer to their website, link provided below.

http://www.albertakennelclub.org/showtrials.html

CISC Board.

Updates to follow as they become available.

Dog Show Results for 2007- April 21/22

2007-04-25T13:39:00.000-04:00

Four UKC Shows held at St. Helens OR. USA

Show one : Judge Matthew Proctor : Pineridge Kolperla finished her UKC Championship with a First Place, BB and BOB (wo competition), Herding Group 1st.

Show two: U Ch Pineridge Kolperla took BOB and Herding Group 1st, she took BIS reserve.

Show Three : U Ch Pineridge Kolperla took BOB and Herding Group 1st.

Show Four: Judge Butch Bennett BOB (w/o Competition) 1st in Group and Reserve BIS

A huge Congrats to U-Champion Pineridge Kolperla,
Owner and Handler Donna McDermott.
Breed by Jill Fike and Norm Fox of Pineridge Kennels.

Dog Show Updates for 2007 -April 21st Results

2007-04-22T18:51:00.000-04:00

Show : Fergus CKC Show -Ontario, Canada

Judge: L.T. Haverstock

U-Ch Belglen Roskva was shown on April 21st, she went BOB, Winners Bitch, and 1st in Class.

A Thank goes out to CKC Judge Haverstock for taking the time to bring out the Iceland Sheepdog, the Dutch Sheepdog and Berger Picard and introducing them to the crowd as newly recongized Breeds and welcoming them to the CKC Shows.

Happy Showing Folks, Keep up the good work and keep the results coming!

Dog Show Updates for 2007-April 14th and 15th

2007-04-17T21:10:00.000-04:00

Show Updates for CISC members across North America in 2007

International All Breed Canine Association

Hosting Club: 2007 Southland Spring Sieger

Date April 14th and 15th

Woolfarm Sasha earned her National title under Mr Alberto Berrios USA/INT

Woolfarm Jewel earned her International Title under Ms. Juliann Kowalsky USA

Woolfarm Jewel took Group 1st in Herding under Mr. Juliann Kowalsky USA

Both Girls are owned by Xania Moreno of Glacier Point Kennel is Cal, USA.

Congrats to Xania on her girls wonderful new titles.

Dog Show Updates for 2007- April 14th and 15th Results

2007-04-17T11:35:00.000-04:00

Show Updates for 2007

Show: Petawawa, Ontario, Canada

Date : April 14th and 15th

Dogs : Greenstone Alaxander the Great : Handler V Sharp

Greenstone Black Pearl : Handler Linda Thompson.

Saturday under CKC Judge Mr T Alexander: Greenstone Black Pearl went Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed, Greenstone Alaxander the Great went Best Opposite.

Sunday under CKC Judge Mrs. A Gaudin: Greenstone Alaxander the Great went Best of Breed, and Greenstone Black Pearl went Best Opposite and Best Puppy in Breed.

It was a good show, and the hosting club was very welcoming,

As there were only two ISD's entered, and no group placements.

The Best of Breed Winner on each day earned one CKC championship point.

Newsletter coming up- We would love to hear from you

2007-04-17T10:38:00.000-04:00

The Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Newsletter Spring issue is getting close, Do you have anything to send in?

Any new litter annoucements, Rules are the litter must be CKC registerable to be listed.
Any new Import Annoucements? Send in a Brag about your new Puppy!
Any new Titles on your dogs- Show, Herding, Agility, Rally-o, CGN - We want to share them with the world! Go Icelandics Go!
Any new Health Checks done? We are interested in CERF, OFA or Pennhip information, as well as BAER or Heart Tests done.
Any Pet Icelandics finish their training classes, and would like to share with everyone, send in your photos and information
Taken a very cute photo, send it on in, Next issue we are looking for Herding photos, so think about getting some new herding photos for the summer issue
Do you have a question about the breed? Send it in and we will do our best to answer it in the coming or the next newsletter.
Have you lost your beloved Icelandic, please consider writing a in memory of article.
Any Heart warming stories to tell folks that are looking and learning about our breed.
Have you got any question or concerns with regards to the club, send them in and we will do our best to address them in the newsletter in a postive way.

Don't forget to vote in the coming issue for the new newsletter naming contest!

Send your information to isdpuppies@hotmail.com or to lford@rogers.com and we will be happy to help you.

Have a great day and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Membership Renewals Due for 2007

2007-04-11T12:38:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks

The CISC memberships run from the end of Janurary to the end of Dec regardless of when you join the club, the club membership renewal application is published four times a year in the CISC newsletter at the end of Club business, it is also posted once a month on the Yahoo Chat Group as well as being available on the club website.

It has been noted at this time that a few of folks have not renewed their 2007 club memberships and this would mean that without renewal, no more wonderful CISC newsletters will be arriving in your mail box, nor would yoube eligable to earn CISC club awards or titles.

We encourage everyone to consider renewing their memberships.

As of April 30th, if you have not renewed your membership all club listings on the website will be removed!

Starting March 1st of 2008, we will be using the two months mark as a cut off period for renewals from there on in. Ifyou do not renew within the first two months of the new year, your membership will be considered new.

All Breeder listings must have a current and paid membership to have their dogs listed.

The board would like to put forth the new club membership of a "pet owner membership" for ten dollars canadian, that means the members get all e-newsletters and can send in all their brags and dog photos etc, but are not voting members,

We also think this is a great offer to be used for our club breeders, this would allow you to get a years membership for your puppy owners at half price if you desire. Breeders are also welcome to get the full 20 dollar single voting membership if they perfer.

It has recently come to our attention that in the future, when we move forward to earn formal CKC national club status, (which is not possible until we have membership within more of the CKC's official regions of Canada, anyone out there in Altantic Canada, looking at our breed, please contact our breeders and we would love to help you get a wonderful ISD into your home and lives) that all our club members at that time must have CKC membership as well.

At this time, we do not require our regular members to also have CKC membership. However in the future when the time does come to move the breed club forward, membership will either need to join CKC in order to be a member of the CISC or they will need to let their membership lapse during the accreditation process.

The CKC considers having all club members part of the CKC, a move of good faith on behalf of the club, its our understanding that after we get full approval, that the club will again have the option of allowing memberships without needing them to have CKC memberships.

It is an exciting year ahead of us in the CISC, and we look forward to sharing it with you. Please come out and Support our Four Day Icelandic Sheepdog Gathering and Booster event in Calgary, Alberta in Aug of 2007.

Respectfully the CISC Board

CISC Board and Committe members 2007

2007-04-11T12:07:00.000-04:00

Canadian Icelandic Sheepdog Club Board/Committees 2007

President
Valerie Sharp
mailto:Sharpisdpuppies@hotmail.com

Vice President
Sharon K Schaefer
belglen@sasktel.net

Secretary
Laura Ford
lford@rogers.com

Treasurer
Jason Sharp
sharpj@inac-ainc.gc.ca

Board Members at Large

Jike Fike
pineice@mail.ocis.net

Hello Folks, The CISC is actively looking for folks to join and work on our different Committee's, Requirements are CISC member, with a CKC membership in good standing, a keen interest in working with CKC registered Purebred Icelandic Sheepdogs. The CISC works with ISIC with regards to the breed on a international level for the betterment of the breed world-wide. Please contact anyone on the committee you are interested in.

Heath and Breeding Committee

Valerie Sharp
isdpuppies@hotmail.com

Margaret Gimblin
mgimblin@msn.com

Monika Karlsdottir
tofra@simnet.is

Sharon K Schaefer
belglen@canada.com

Newsletter Editor
Laura Ford
lford@rogers.com

Breedline Editor

Sharon K Schaefer
belglen@canada.com

Rescue Committee
Verla Sharp
verla.sharp@just.gov.ab.ca

Health Research and Fund Raising Committee

Valerie Sharp
mailto:Sharpisdpuppies@hotmail.com

Margaret Gimblin
mgimblin@msn.com

Gift Memberships available

2007-04-10T15:26:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks,

Looking for a great gift for a Icelandic Sheepdog Lover? How about a years membership to the CISC, our newletter is jammed full of amazing information for all kinds of folks, we try hard to have things of interest for pet folks, as well as for Show and Breeders.

Interested in Showing, then you will want to be a member to compete for Top Icelandic Dog Awards.

Looking for a bit more in the dog Sports end of things, don't worry the club also has awareds for Therapy dogs, and Top Dogs in all events.

Club Breeders, consider giving a years club membership with your new puppies, its a wonderful way to introduce your new owners to the world of Icelandic Sheepdogs in Canada.

The club has created a very cute gift card, and I did it in a program to be sent by email so that the club breeders will be able to print it off and include in the puppy packages, or in a stocking or Birthday card, basket with flowers, you get the idea.

Club memberships run from Jan 1st to the end of Dec per year. Renewal notices are sent in the newsletters and on the yahoo chat group.

Please contact me for futher information if required at isdpuppies@hotmail.com

CISC New Litters for 2006-2007

2007-04-08T14:38:00.000-04:00

Litters to date, Will continue to update thoughout the year. Last Update Dec 07

Greenstone Fire an Ice
Greenstone Marcus Aurilius
Greenstone Imperitritsa Maria
Greenstone Empress of India
Greenstone Marquesa Esmeralda
Greenstone Ruff Diamond
Greenstone Cool Hand Luke
Greenstone Cleopatra Jones
Greenstone Foxy Brown
Greenstone Outlaw Josey Wales
Greenstone Honey Child
Pineridge Alfadis
Pineridge Bjartur
Pineridge Djarfur
Pineridge Gjola
Pineridge Katur
Pineridge Leika
Solhundur Frida Tofradis
Solhundur Galdur Kolgrimur
Solhundur Leika Oskadis
Solhundur Ljufa Ljosstjarna
Solhundur Tindra Oskastjarna
Vahalla Golden Reign
Vahalla Golden Satori
Vahalla Golden Allure
Vahalla Gold Rush
Vahalla Gold Victor
Vahalla Gold Standard

Litters Information to date for 2007

Litter 1 - Six puppies
Litter 2- One puppy
Litter 3 - Six Puppies
Litter 4- Six Puppies
Litter 5-Five Puppies (one StillBorn)
Litter 6 -Five Puppies

Total puppies = 29

Average number of puppies for 2007 litters to date : 4.8

Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy Available- Tofra Kennel

2007-04-04T14:46:00.000-04:00

Hello Folks

Are you looking for a new Icelandic Sheepdog Puppy to adopt.. Well Tofra kennels has five lovely Icelandic Sheepdog puppies in their litter and four out of the five are spoken for, the final choice on homes will be made as the puppies get older. Three females and two males.

These are some very cute and well breed Icelandics, Tofra Kennels is located in Iceland but don't let that stop you, Monika is a great help to new owners, having shipped her much loved Icelandics to both Europe and N.A. before.

For tons of more information on the litter, the parent dogs and Tofra kennel, please check out the Tofra website at