How do Icelandic Sheepdogs and Norrbottenspets compare?
Since we have both breeds, we are often asked how the Icelandic Sheepdogs and Norrbottenspets compare to each other. While there are certainly individual exceptions, in general, we find the following to be true:
Both Breeds
- low maintenance double coat, low grooming needs
- good medium size – 16-18 inches ideal and about 25-30 lbs
- active but good off switches
- like to bark and like to talk (grumbles, roo roos, whining etc.)
- generally no dog aggression
- funny, quirky, spitz sense of humor
- have been successful at the highest levels in obedience, rally, agility, nosework, barn hunt
Norrbottenspets
- high prey drive, can live with cats and other small animals but likely will chase anything they see outside
- low-key in the house, like to be near you but don’t need to be “on” you
- more aloof with strangers, generally not fearful but will usually give the “I’m better than you” cold shoulder to strange humans and dogs
- less trustworthy off leash, but it can be done
- always piebald and short coated (but variations of closeness of coat)
- more biddable than your average hound or Nordic breed, but not extremely tolerant of repetition, can be slower to learn but tend to have a deeper understanding once they figure it out
- very thoughtful observers, generally non-reactive and quiet in public
- not generally water lovers, some even get offended when it's raining
Visit the American Norrbottenspets Association or Canadian Norrbottenspets Club for additional information.
Icelandic Sheepdogs
- generally low prey drive but many do like to chase moving things including cars, bikes, people, other dogs etc. so this is something that makes impulse control important at a young age
- can be busier in the house but generally good at settling, like to be touching you and must be in same room as you at all times
- super outgoing with strangers that show interest in them, very friendly with people and can be a bit overbearingly excited with other dogs
- good off leash with little training, don’t generally like to roam
- large variety of color and coat type, anything from very short to very long, colors are essentially everything but brindle and merle, with a variety of white patterning
- very biddable but not quite like a border collie, they still want a good reason to do what you’re asking, but they’re pretty easily convinced (bitches tend to be more skeptical than dogs), and love to do “all the things” as long as they are with you
- can be prone to leash reactivity particularly because of frustration at not getting to chase/greet etc.
- typically love water and will seek out ponds or creeks while on a hike, and have been successful at dock diving
Visit the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America for additional information.
Both Breeds
- low maintenance double coat, low grooming needs
- good medium size – 16-18 inches ideal and about 25-30 lbs
- active but good off switches
- like to bark and like to talk (grumbles, roo roos, whining etc.)
- generally no dog aggression
- funny, quirky, spitz sense of humor
- have been successful at the highest levels in obedience, rally, agility, nosework, barn hunt
Norrbottenspets
- high prey drive, can live with cats and other small animals but likely will chase anything they see outside
- low-key in the house, like to be near you but don’t need to be “on” you
- more aloof with strangers, generally not fearful but will usually give the “I’m better than you” cold shoulder to strange humans and dogs
- less trustworthy off leash, but it can be done
- always piebald and short coated (but variations of closeness of coat)
- more biddable than your average hound or Nordic breed, but not extremely tolerant of repetition, can be slower to learn but tend to have a deeper understanding once they figure it out
- very thoughtful observers, generally non-reactive and quiet in public
- not generally water lovers, some even get offended when it's raining
Visit the American Norrbottenspets Association or Canadian Norrbottenspets Club for additional information.
Icelandic Sheepdogs
- generally low prey drive but many do like to chase moving things including cars, bikes, people, other dogs etc. so this is something that makes impulse control important at a young age
- can be busier in the house but generally good at settling, like to be touching you and must be in same room as you at all times
- super outgoing with strangers that show interest in them, very friendly with people and can be a bit overbearingly excited with other dogs
- good off leash with little training, don’t generally like to roam
- large variety of color and coat type, anything from very short to very long, colors are essentially everything but brindle and merle, with a variety of white patterning
- very biddable but not quite like a border collie, they still want a good reason to do what you’re asking, but they’re pretty easily convinced (bitches tend to be more skeptical than dogs), and love to do “all the things” as long as they are with you
- can be prone to leash reactivity particularly because of frustration at not getting to chase/greet etc.
- typically love water and will seek out ponds or creeks while on a hike, and have been successful at dock diving
Visit the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America for additional information.