About 1,100 years ago, Norse settlers sailed west across the Norwegian Sea to Iceland. These seafaring pioneers established a new Scandinavian society on the previously uninhabited island. Among the cultural touchstones they brought from Norway were the Nordic language and a taste for epic literature. Another was the spitz-type dogs they used to manage livestock.
These early dogs became the foundation of the modern Icelandic Sheepdog, a breed developed to handle Iceland’s rugged terrain and demanding climate.
An Icelandic Dog Admired Across Europe
Historical references to Icelandic Sheepdogs begin appearing in European writings during the 16th century. Swedish clergyman Olaus Magnus described thick-coated white or light-colored Icelandic Dogs that were popular among members of Sweden’s upper class, particularly women and priests.
Interest in the breed extended beyond Scandinavia. In 1570, British humanist John Caius noted that the British aristocracy also favored these dogs.
Abraham Fleming provided one of the most detailed early descriptions of Icelandic Sheepdogs in his 1576 tract Of English Dogges, the Diversities, the Names, the Natures and the Properties. He wrote:
“Iceland dogs, curled and rough all over, which, by reason of the length of their hair, make show of neither face nor of body. And yet these curs, forsooth, because they are so strange, are greatly set by, esteemed, taken up, and made of, so many times, instead of the spaniel gentle or comforter.”
Translator and satirist Thomas Brown later observed that Icelandic Sheepdogs were exported to Britain as family pets and were also valued by sheep farmers.
Not every historical reference was flattering. In Act II, Scene I of Shakespeare’s Henry V, the character Pistol appears to consider the dog’s origins a suitable epithet to hurl at someone: “Pish for thee, Iceland dog! Thou prick-eared cur of Iceland!”
Despite the occasional criticism, references to Icelandic Sheepdogs appeared regularly in naturalists’ writings and travel accounts from the 1600s through the 20th century.
According to the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America (ISAA), “The descriptions vary somewhat, but it is clear that a distinct dog is being described. The dogs are said to be found in the countryside; they guard the fields, herd sheep, round up ponies, and find sheep lost in snowdrifts.”
An Essential Partner in Rural Iceland
For centuries, Icelandic Sheepdogs played a vital role in agricultural life. Their versatility made them indispensable to farmers, who relied on them to manage sheep, gather ponies, and help locate livestock during severe winter weather.
The breed’s future became uncertain in the mid-19th century, however. A tapeworm infestation prompted the Icelandic government to impose a tax on dogs, significantly reducing the country’s canine population. Distemper and other diseases further diminished Icelandic Sheepdog numbers.
Even as the population declined, the breed gained formal recognition. Three Icelandic Sheepdogs were exhibited at Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens in 1897, marking the breed’s first appearance at a dog show. Denmark’s kennel club officially recognized the breed in 1898. The Kennel Club in England registered the breed in 1905, entering a single dog into its registry, and published a breed standard the same year.
How the Breed Was Saved
By 1950, Icelandic Sheepdogs had become rare throughout most of Iceland, surviving primarily in remote regions.
Breed enthusiast Mark Watson exported some Icelandic Sheepdogs to California and also bred the dogs in his native England. His efforts helped preserve valuable bloodlines at a critical time.
Meanwhile, Icelanders Páll A. Pálsson and Sigríður Pétursdóttir launched a breeding program in the mid-1960s. To increase genetic diversity, Pétursdóttir imported two puppies from Watson’s breeding program.
By 1969, the Icelandic Kennel Club had been established, in part to preserve and promote the Icelandic Sheepdog. These coordinated efforts played a major role in ensuring the breed’s survival.
The Icelandic Sheepdog Today
Recognized as a member of the AKC Herding Group in 2010, the Icelandic Sheepdog remains a sturdy, agile, and hardworking breed.
The breed is just under medium size, standing about 18 inches tall for males and 16.5 inches tall for females. Icelandic Sheepdogs have prick ears, a curled tail, and a slightly rectangular outline, with the body measuring longer than the height at the withers.
Bred to work outdoors in harsh climates, the breed has a thick, weather-resistant double coat. An Icelandic may have either a short-haired or long-haired coat type, but both varieties feature soft, dense undercoats for insulation and protection.
Accepted coat colors include tan, chocolate brown, gray, and tricolor, accompanied by white markings that commonly appear on the face, collar, chest, feet, and tail tip. Tan is the most common coat color, followed by tricolor.
The breed’s head is strongly built and triangular when viewed from above or in profile. Medium-sized almond-shaped eyes contribute to an expression that is gentle, intelligent, and cheerful.
Preserving a National Treasure
The Icelandic Sheepdog is known for its confident, lively temperament and agile movement, qualities that reflect centuries of work as a farm and herding dog.
Breed enthusiasts remain committed to preserving the breed’s traditional characteristics. As former ISAA president Spike Williamson explains:
“We hope the Icelandic Sheepdogs will remain like they are. We are guardians of a national treasure of Iceland, and they should be maintained and shown in accordance with their home country’s desires and requirements. We Americans … must guard against creating our own version” of this breed.
Key Takeaways
- The Icelandic Sheepdog descended from spitz-type dogs brought to Iceland by Norse settlers more than 1,100 years ago.
- Icelandic Sheepdogs spent centuries helping farmers herd sheep, gather ponies, guard property, and locate livestock in harsh weather.
- Disease outbreaks, government dog taxes, and population declines nearly drove the Icelandic Sheepdog toward extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries.
- International breeders and Icelandic preservation programs played critical roles in saving the Icelandic Sheepdog and rebuilding its population.
- The Icelandic Sheepdog remains both a capable herding dog and an important cultural symbol of Iceland today.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What were Icelandic Sheepdogs originally bred to do?
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Icelandic Sheepdogs were originally bred to help Icelandic farmers herd sheep, gather ponies, guard property, and locate livestock that became lost in difficult weather conditions.
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Did Viking settlers bring the ancestors of the Icelandic Sheepdog to Iceland?
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Yes. Historians believe the Icelandic Sheepdog descended from spitz-type dogs brought to Iceland by Norse settlers during the 9th century.
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Why did the Icelandic Sheepdog nearly become extinct?
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The Icelandic Sheepdog population declined because of disease outbreaks, including distemper, as well as government policies that reduced dog ownership following a major tapeworm problem.
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When did the Icelandic Sheepdog become recognized by the AKC?
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The American Kennel Club recognized the Icelandic Sheepdog as a member of the Herding Group in 2010.