ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG — BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION Breed Description / Health Issues / Breed Standards / Grooming / Training / Additional Information Breed Description
Breed Registries:	Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) - Herding Note 1 American Kennel Club (AKC) - Accepted for recording under the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Program - Miscellaneous Class Note 2 Note 3 United Kennel Club (UKC) - Northern Breeds Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) Note 4 - Standard No. 289
Note 1: — Effective 25 October 2005, the breed is recognized for registration purposes in accordance with the CKC policies governing recognition. Effective March 1, 2006, the breed will also be eligible to compete in CKC approved events. The FCI Standard is used as the official CKC Standard for the breed. For further details, see the CKC News Article: Update: Recognition of New Breeds (11 November 2005). Note 2: — The breeds currently eligible to participate in the Miscellaneous Class are still enrolled in the AKC Foundation Stock Service®. FSS® enrollment is maintained until the AKC Board of Directors accepts the breed for regular status. The breed has been recorded in the Foundation Stock Service since 1997. The Icelandic Sheepdog has been assigned the Herding Group designation. Note 3: — From the October 2009 AKC Board Meeting - the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America is the official parent club for the Icelandic Sheepdog and to accept the Icelandic Sheepdog into the AKC Stud Book on June 1, 2010. The breed will be eligible to compete in the Herding Group beginning June 30, 2010. Note 4: — The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is the World Canine Organisation, which includes members (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 332 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees. Note: The breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may also be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.
Origin:	Iceland
Height:	15 to 19 inches (38-48 cm)
Weight:	25 to 35 lbs (11.5-16 kg)
The Icelandic Sheepdog, or Iceland Dog as he is also known, is believed to be a descendant of small herding dogs brought to Iceland during the time of colonization by the Vikings. He is an intelligent, lively and affectionate dog and, like most Nordic Spitz breeds, he enjoys the outdoors and regular exercise. He has great self-esteem, determination and endurance, capable of solving many tasks. Used as a guard dog and protector of sheep and lambs from birds of prey, he has excellent eyesight and characteristically observes and barks at everything that approaches from above. Because of his non-aggressive and friendly nature, however, he is not a guard dog but rather a very good watchdog who will always bark an alarm to protect everything that he considers his territory, including property and small animals. He has a triangular muzzle, erect ears and the typical Spitz tail which curls and touches the back. His coat is water resistant, thick and coarse either wheaten, wolf-sable, black or off-white and often with white markings and a black mask. TOP Health Issues: The Icelandic Sheepdog is known to be a very healthy and long lived breed with average life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. However, like all breeds of dogs, the Icelandic Sheepdog is known to have some health problems, including: Hip Dysplasia Distichiasis — This is thought to be a hereditary eye disorder. Distichiasis occurs when a hair or hairs grow in the band of the eyelid causing irritation to the cornea. If you are considering the adoption of a Icelandic Sheepdog puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances, this should include hip x-rays and eye clearances for all breeding stock. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.) Health Resources: Health and Nutrition — Canada's Guide to Dogs growing section on several health and nutrition related issues. Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip) QuickCare Pet Insurance Programs TOP Breed Standards: CKC Breed Standard AKC Breed Standard (Effective 1 July 2008) UKC Breed Standard (Revised 1 January 2008) FCI-Standard No. 289 / 20.06.2007/ GB FCI-Standard No. 289/29.11.2000/GB TOP Grooming: Grooming — See this section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for additional information, tips and articles on Grooming as well as listings of Groomers from across Canada. TOP Training Resources: Training Tools & Equipment Choose from a wide variety of items from Dogwise.com Training — For information on training your Iceland Dog, see this growing section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada. TOP Additional Information: Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your Iceland Dog. (Note: Breed specific clubs can be found under the Breed Clubs secton.) Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of Canada's Guide to Dogs provides information and listings of organizations who are involved in various jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.