Thought to be one of the oldest recorded breeds, the Icelandic Sheepdog’s history is a richly woven tapestry filled with enough journeys, triumphs and tragedies to rival the Sagas of their Viking Masters.

In 874 a.d. settlers from Viking nations braved the frigid waters of the Atlantic to colonize the Isle of Iceland. They brought with them Nordic traditions, sturdy horses, multipurpose sheep and a lively, intelligent herding spitz. These canines were loyal companions and tended to the flocks while their masters carved out a new life on this island of fire and ice.

Together, the Island and the Icelandic People shaped a breed over the centuries that seems possessed of the soul of the land and the spirit of it’s people. As times were tough and rations meager only the most fit, intelligent and good tempered dogs could be kept. The breed sports a coat that can withstand the gale force winds and frigid temperatures while easily repelling snow and water. Their build and gait allowed them to cover the rugged terrain in a tireless and effortless manner for their long treks through the mountainous countryside. Their intelligence and problem solving skills allowed them to work independently and in tandem with the shepherd while tending the flocks of sheep or moving herds of horses through the hills and valleys to new richer pastures.

Aggression was not tolerated by these Viking pioneers, only the most stable of dogs was allowed to be bred. The dogs spent long cold winters in a tiny sod house with the early settlers, only the gentlest of dogs would be raised along side their children. They developed into a friendly gregarious breed, tremendously adaptable and intelligent, incredibly agile and hardy breed with a good working drive.

As the centuries passed it was said a good dog had the same value as a horse and rarely was an Icelander seen without a dog at his side. Dogs for many were essential to survival, and were frequently needed to guide their master home when faced with a sudden blinding storm. They even attracted the interest of the famous bard, William Shakespeare in his play Henry V as he wrote for Pistol, Act 2, Scene 1 “Pish for thee, Iceland dog! Thou prick ear’d cur of Iceland”.

But, as with any Viking Saga, the main character must struggle through adversity and the Icelandic Sheepdog has had it’s share. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, famine and disease had taken their toll on the breed in the early 1800's. Then, as often happens, newer modern breeds began to be imported to work the sheep, and the dogs of the Vikings began to fall from fashion. The new imports also brought with them new diseases when in the late 19th century more than 3/4's of the canine population were destroyed by a canine distemper outbreak. This brought about Iceland’s ban on the importation of animals to protect it’s domesticated population. A law still in place today.

Those Icelandic Sheepdogs that survived these tragedies were the hardiest and most adaptable.  These Viking herders may have become just a footnote in history if not for the efforts of a few. In the 1960's these dogs were on the endangered species list. It is said that there were just 17 examples of the breed being kept in remote villages and farms in the Icelandic countryside.

Sir Mark Watson, an English Nobleman, who was a frequent traveler to Iceland discovered these ancient dogs plight. He collected 8 of the best specimens of the breed, then began a breeding program in Northern California. He eventually abandoned the venture but Sigridur Petersdottir, a native Icelander was inspired by Watson’s efforts and made it her goal to save the dogs of her forefathers.

Could they be just the hero and heroine our Viking Saga needs?

Sigridur collected 9 of the remaining dogs from these remote areas and was allowed a permit to import some of Watson’s dogs. She gave them all official names and adopted the Kennel name of Ólafsvöllum. She went to Great Britain to learn Animal Husbandry techniques and began her breeding program. Her plan was to never use the same breeding pair twice, thereby diversifying and expanding the gene pool so that all of the unique genes in the breed could be represented in the future. Then with incredible foresight, she sent breeding groups to other European countries to establish populations of the breed. This was to guard against another canine population crash in Iceland so that there would always be genetic material to draw from.

Today there are more than 4,000 Icelandic Sheepdogs Worldwide thanks to the efforts of Lord Watson and Sigridur Pétursdóttir. The breed was described in The Journal Tour of Iceland in the Summer of 1809 by William Jackson “It is rather below middle sized, well proportioned in its parts, having a short sharp nose, much resembling that of a fox and small erect ears .....The hair is coarse, straight and thick, very variable in color, but most frequently of a grayish brown, the tail is long and bushy and carried curled over the back” This description is just as true to the breed today, males are 18 inches at the shoulder and between 35 and 45 pounds while females are 16 inches at the shoulder and between 22 and 30 pounds. They come in a long or medium coat in colors such as tan, yellow, cream, red-gold, red, chocolate, black and white and chocolate or black Tri-color, with an assortment of white markings on their head, chest, feet, collar and tip of tail.  Most sport strong double dew claws on the rear feet although doubles on the front are also possible. This adaptation allowed the Icelandic sheepdog to climb rocky outcrops easily.

The Saga of the Icelandic Sheepdog doesn’t end here, just like any Viking Saga our main Character has many journeys and they don’t stop in the New World. Fourteen years ago, Elisabet Stacy - Hurley, of Boonsboro Maryland traveled to visit family in Iceland. Her mother, a native Icelander, had often spoken of the marvelous dogs she had grown up with but they were never able to find any in the breed books available here in the United States. While staying with her cousin in Iceland Johanna Hardardsdottir, she soon learned of the dogs her mother had spoken of, her cousin Johanna had just had a litter of Icelandic Sheepdog puppies. Convincing Elisabet to take home a little female, Asa Grima, was the real beginning of the Icelandic Sheepdogs adventure in the United States.

Elisabet was charmed by Grima and devoted herself to establishing the breed in the United States. Later she imported Virkis Tyri and soon she had her first litter of Icelandic Sheepdog puppies. Not knowing then how to record this litter she contacted the AKC and got the puppies accepted into the AKC-FSS ( AKC Foundation Stock Service) a service the AKC provides for rare breeds, she then began the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America (ISAA), the parent club for the breed recognized by the AKC. Until this time, Icelandic Horse or Icelandic Sheep owners sporadically would import an Icelandic Sheepdog into the United States but without a network of like minded owners to work with that is where the dogs lineage ended. With the club in place, Knox Rhine of Newton Kansas, eventually stepped up as President and with his leadership the membership has grown to more than 275 members and 600 Icelandic Sheepdogs in the United States. Elisabet has remained on as Vice-President to aid in the guiding of the future of the breed in the United States.

This year marks the tenth Anniversary of the ISAA and full acceptance into the Miscellaneous Class is slated for 2008. The breed has been allowed to compete in the AKC companion events such as obedience, agility, flyball and herding since July 2006. This year (2007) there are hopes to see the first [two] Icelandic Sheepdog[s] in competition at the AKC Agility Nationals in Long Beach, Ca.

Icelandic Sheepdog owners worldwide still are tremendously dedicated to preserving the hardy dog the Vikings developed more than a 1000 years ago. Each country’s breed club has health testing criteria for the sire and dam for health problems such as Hip dysplasia or inherited eye disease. Looking to an Icelandic Sheepdog Breed Club website is a good place to begin shopping for an Icelandic sheepdog puppy, as all litters listed will have complied with the testing criteria that the club sets forth.. The breeders who list on these sites, more often refer to themselves as Kennel Moms and Dads are very concerned about the future of their puppies.

Icelandic Sheepdog owners want you to know that they are wonderful family dogs and a great addition. They also excel in canine performance events such as obedience, agility, flyball and herding. Their gentle friendly nature makes them great therapy dogs to be used in hospices, nursing homes and as “reading dogs” with children. Their confidence and intelligence makes them very capable search and rescue and tracking dogs.

As wonderful as this breed is they may not be for everyone. They are an active working dog who do need exercise, they also are very attached to their people, they don’t do well left alone for long periods of time crated. After 1000 years of working side by side with their masters it’s hard for them to break the connection. Being herders they use their voice to drive the sheep so they can be a bit vocal, if you live in an area where barking may be a problem, it may be a breed to steer clear of. They also do shed about twice a year.

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