Icelandic Sheepdog

Icelandic Sheepdog
Other names
  • Icelandic Spitz
  • Iceland Dog
  • Íslenskur Fjárhundur
  • Friaar Dog
  • Canis islandicus
OriginIceland
Traits
Height Males
46 centimetres (18 in)[2]
Females
42 centimetres (17 in)[2]
Weight
9–14 kg (20–30 lb)[1]: 120 
Coat thick, double
Colour tan, black, chocolate-brown or grey, all with white markings[3]: 120 
Life span 12–15 years
Kennel club standards
Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Icelandic Sheepdog (Icelandic: Íslenskur fjárhundur, pronounced [ˈistlɛnskʏr ˈfjaurˌhʏntʏr̥]), is an Icelandic breed of dog of Nordic Spitz type. It derives from dogs brought to Iceland by Viking settlers in the ninth century; it is both similar and closely related to the Buhund of Norway and the Vallhund and Norrbotten of Sweden, which derive from the same ancestral stock.

It is the only dog breed indigenous to Iceland. Its traditional uses include herding of both sheep and horses.[4]: 122 

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference dk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference fci2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference dk2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference david was invoked but never defined (see the help page).