MediumHerding Group

Icelandic Sheepdog

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a Nordic spitz-type breed brought to Iceland by Viking settlers in the 9th-10th centuries.

Calculate Icelandic Sheepdog age

Lifespan13 yrrange 12–14

SizeMediumHerding Group

Weight25–30 lb11.3–13.6 kg

Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11

Gallery (3)

About

About the Icelandic Sheepdog

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a Nordic spitz-type breed brought to Iceland by Viking settlers in the 9th-10th centuries. It is Iceland's only native dog breed; the population dropped below 50 dogs in the late 1960s before systematic restoration began.

Aging

How Icelandic Sheepdogs age

Not in RVC VetCompass; breed-standard estimates indicate 12-14 years. Cataracts (2.0%) and congenital hearing loss (2.9%) on OFA screens lead findings; the narrow founding population has concentrated recessives tracked by breed-club testing.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13 yr · range 12–14 Senior careSenior at 7 · geriatric at 11 Common health issues5 tracked conditions

Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight: 25–30 lb(11.3–13.6 kg)
Height: 16.5–18 in(41.9–45.7 cm)
Coat type: Double
Colors: Red & WhiteBlack & WhiteCream & WhiteGold & WhiteGray & WhiteSable & WhiteTan & WhiteWhite Tan & BlackChocolate & WhiteBlackChocolateCream

Temperament

How Icelandic Sheepdogs tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

hardyagilealertcheerful

Energy
4/5
Trainability
5/5
Good with kids
5/5
Good with other dogs
4/5
Shedding
3/5

Health

Common health issues

Full health profile

Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr
Cataracts
Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Low prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr
Elbow Dysplasia
Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Low prevalencetypical onset ~1 yr
Congenital Hearing Loss (Deafness)
Description and veterinary guidance for Congenital Hearing Loss (Deafness) land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.