Related breedAfghan Hound1000 to 1800 · AfghanistanIcelandic Sheepdog at a glance
- Origin
- Iceland
- Appeared
- 874 CE to 1969 (likely)
- Family
- Nordic Spitz
- Type
- Herding dog
- Size
- Medium
- Life span
- 12 to 14 years
- Recognised by
- FCI, AKC, KC
- Status
- Living
- FCI standard
- No. 289
- DNA clade
- Nordic Spitz (Parker 2017)
The name. Translation of Íslenskur fjárhundur; brought by Viking settlers.
Same familyCane Corso1000 to 1996 · ItalyFamily and relatives
Sister breeds
Same family: Nordic Spitz
Finnish Lapphund, Finnish Spitz, Norwegian Buhund, Norwegian Elkhound, Norwegian Lundehund, Swedish Vallhund
Same time, same continent
Bloodhound, Cane Corso, Greyhound, Kuvasz, Norwegian Buhund, Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Close by DNAGreyhound800 CE to 1850 · United KingdomClosest relatives by shared DNA
- American Eskimo Dog14.6 Mb
- Swedish Vallhund13.8 Mb
- Keeshond12.4 Mb
- Toy Manchester Terrier12.3 Mb
Source: Parker et al. 2017, shared haplotypes in megabases.
Same eraLhasa Apso800 CE to 1934 · ChinaPlace in time
The Icelandic Sheepdog appears 874 CE to 1969 (likely), in the Early Middle Ages, when 79 breeds first appeared.
A full article on the Icelandic Sheepdog is coming. Meanwhile, the Border Collie shows what every breed page will hold: see the Border Collie.






