ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG FCI Breed Standard

FCI-Standard No. 289/29.11.2000/GB
Translated by Helga Andresdottir

ORIGIN:      Iceland

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD: 24.06.1987

UTILIZATION:    Herding dog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.   Group 5
  Spitz and primitive types.

 Section 3
 Nordic Watchdogs and Herders.

Without working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The Icelandic Sheepdog is Iceland's only native dog.  It
was brought to Iceland with the first Viking settlers (AD 874 - 930). The Icelandic
Sheepdog and its method of working adapted to the local terrain, farming methods and the
hard struggle for survival of the Icelandic people over the centuries, making it indispensable
in the rounding up of livestock on the farms. The Icelandic Sheepdogs popularity has
increased over the last few decades and, despite the fact the breed is still very small in
numbers, it is no longer considered to be in danger of extinction.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Icelandic Sheepdog is a Nordic herding spitz, slightly under
medium sized with prick ears and a curled tail.  
Seen from the side the dog is rectangular; the length of the body from the point of shoulder
to point of buttock is greater than the height at withers.
The depth of the chest is equal to the length of the foreleg.
The expression is gentle, intelligent and happy.  A confident and lively bearing is typical for
this dog. There are two types of coat, long and short, both thick and extremely
weatherproof.  There is a marked difference in appearance between the sexes.

BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT: The Icelandic Sheepdog is a hardy and agile herding
dog which barks, making it extremely useful for herding or driving livestock in the pastures,
in the mountains or finding lost sheep.  The Icelandic Sheepdog is by nature very alert and
will always give visitors an enthusiastic welcome without being aggressive. Hunting instincts
are not strong. The Icelandic Sheepdog is cheerful, friendly, inquisitive, playful and unafraid.

HEAD: Strongly built with close fitting skin.  Skull slightly longer than muzzle.  Triangular
when seen from above or the side.

CRANIAL REGION:
Skull:
 Somewhat domed.
Stop: Clearly defined though neither steep nor high.

FACIAL REGION:
Nose:
Black, dark brown in chocolate brown and some cream dogs.
Muzzle: Well-developed, nasal bridge straight. Muzzle slightly shorter than skull.  Tapering
evenly towards the nose to form a blunt triangle when seen from both above and from the
side.
Lips: Black, close fitting, dark brown in chocolate brown and some cream dogs.
Bite: Scissor bite.  Complete dentition.
Cheeks:  Flat.
Eyes: Of medium size and almond shaped.  Dark brown.  Slightly lighter in chocolate brown
and some cream dogs. The eye-rims are black.  Dark brown in chocolate brown and some
cream dogs.
Ears: Erect and of medium size.  Triangular with firm edges and slightly rounded tips. Very
mobile, reacting sensitively to sound and showing the dogs mood.

NECK: Moderately long and muscular with no loose skin.  Slightly arched and carried high.

BODY: Rectangular and strong.  The length in correct proportion to height and in harmony
with general appearance.
Back: Level, muscular and strong.
Loins: Broad and muscular.
Croup: Moderately short and wide, slightly sloping and well muscled.
Chest: Long, deep and well sprung.
Belly: Only a slight tuck up.

TAIL:  High set, curled over and touching the back.

LIMBS:

FOREQUARTERS:
When seen from the front the forelegs are straight, parallel and strong.
Normal angulation.
Shoulders: Oblique and muscular.
Dew claws: May be double.
Forefeet: Slightly oval toes well-arched and tight, with well-developed pads.

HINDQUARTERS: When seen from behind the hindlegs are straight, parallel and strong
Normal angulation.
Thighs: Broad and well muscled.
Dew claws: Well-developed double dewclaws are desirable.
Hindfeet: Same as forefeet.

GAIT: Displays agility and endurance with good driving action covering the ground
effortlessly.

COAT: Double coat, thick and extremely weatherproof.

HAIR: There are two variants:
- Short haired: The outer coat is of medium length, fairly coarse, with a thick, soft
undercoat.  The hair is shorter on the face, top of head, ears and front of legs, longer on the
neck, chest and back of thighs.  The tail is bushy and the hair length is in proportion to the
coat.
- Long haired: The outer coat is longer than the above, fairly coarse, with a thick, soft
undercoat.  The hair is shorter on the face, top of head, ears and front of legs, longer behind
the ears, on the neck, chest, behind the forelegs and back of thighs.  The tail is very bushy
and the hair length is in proportion to the coat.

COLOUR: Several colours are permitted but a single colour should always be predominant.
The predominant colours are:

: Various shades of tan, ranging from cream to reddish brown.
: Chocolate brown.
: Grey.
: Black.

White always accompanies the predominant colour.  The most common white markings, which
are often irregular, are a blaze or a part of the face, collar, chest, socks of varying length
and tip of tail.  Lighter shading often occurs on the underside of the dog from throat to tip
of tail.  On tan and grey dogs a black mask, black tips to the outer hairs and even occasional
black hairs often occur.  Black (tricolour) dogs have a black coat, white markings as
mentioned above and traditional markings in any of the various tan colours on the cheeks,
over the eyes (eyebrows) and on the legs.
Patches of the above colours on a white background (pied) are permitted.  White should not
be totally predominant.

SIZE: Ideal height is: Dogs 46 cm (18 in.). Bitches 42 cm (16.5 in.).

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its
degree.
: A solid black mantle or saddle on any of the various tan coloured dogs.

SERIOUS FAULTS:
: Lack of dewclaws.
: Yellow eyes
: Round protruding eyes.

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the
scrotum.
Icelandic Sheepdog ~ FCI Breed Standard