Icelandic Sheepdog Did You Know?

• The Icelandic Sheepdog is AKC's 166th breed.
• At the October 2009 Board Meeting the Icelandic Sheepdog became eligible for AKC registration, June 30 2010 and was eligible for competition in the Herding Group, effective June 30, 2010.
• At the October 2007 Board Meeting the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America will serve as the AKC Parent Club to represent the Icelandic Sheepdog and was approved to compete in the Miscellaneous Class this became effective July 1, 2008.
• At the May 2006 Board Meeting the Icelandic Sheepdog became eligible to compete in AKC Herding Trial classes as Exhibition Only this became effective September 1, 2006.
• At the October 2005 Board Meeting the Icelandic Sheepdog became eligible to compete in AKC Companion Events this became effective July 1, 2006.
• The Icelandic Sheepdog is also known as: Iceland Spitz, Iceland Dog, Friaar Dog and Íslenskur Fjárhundur
• The breed came to Iceland with the Vikings. It is known as the "dog of the Vikings."
• The Icelandic Sheepdog has been recorded in the Foundation Stock Service since 1997.
• The breed is Iceland’s only native dog.
• In its country of origin, the Icelandic Sheepdog has been portrayed on postage stamps.
• There are two types of coat for the Icelandic Sheepdog: long haired and short haired.
• It is thought to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.