Icelandic Sheepdog

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{{Infobox Dogbreed | akcfss = part of the akc fss | akcgroup = Herding (FSS) | akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/icelandic_sheepdog/index.cfm | altname = Icelandic Spitz
Iceland Dog
Íslenskur fjárhundur
Islandsk Farehond
Friaar Dog
Canis islandicus | ckcgroup = Miscellaneous Class | note = The CKC "miscellaneous class" is for breeds working towards full recognition by the CKC. | ckcstd = ? | country = Iceland | fcigroup = 5 | fcinum = 289 | fcisection = 3 | fcistd = http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:oo2Fxap5oS4J:www.fci.be/uploaded_files/289gb2000_en.doc+site:www.fci.be+%22289+/++29.+11.+2000%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 | image = Ulfur.jpg | image_caption = The Icelandic Sheepdog. | name = Icelandic Sheepdog | ukcgroup = Northern Breeds | ukcstd = ? }} The Icelandic Sheepdog is a breed of spitz dog originating from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. Later, dogs were taken from Iceland to the British Isles and became the basis for Border Collies and Corgis. In the Shetland Islands, it was crossed with the Norwegian Buhund and became the Shetland Sheepdog.

1 Appearance
2 History
3 Miscellaneous
4 External links

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Appearance

The Icelandic Sheepdog's distinct features are pointy ears and a curly tail. It is of medium height, and is commonly golden, reddish, black, or grey combined with white. The coat may be long or short.

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History

Plague and canine distemper destroyed over 75% of the breed in the late 19th century, leading to a ban on the importation of dogs. The purebred Icelandic sheepdog was again bordering extinction in the late 20th century and in 1969 the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association (HRFÍ) was established, which had among other aims to preserve the breed.

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