The Icelandic Sheepdog is a very clean dog. After a long walk they can look awful but once they have dried up they will shake all the sand and mud of themselves and they will wash themselves because of which we hardly ever have to wash the dogs. They don’t have the particular “dogsmell”. A light brush once a week is enough. In the shedding period you have to remove all the undercoat with a special brush or comb.

The nails of the dewclaws have to be cut regularly. They don’t touch the ground and will grow too long that way. If that’s the case the dog has the risk of tearing the dewclaw. That’s why it’s really necessary to keep the nails trimmed. Don’t let the vet remove the dewclaws. They are a typical trait of the Icelandic Sheepdog.

The Icelandic has a double coat and is well protected against the sun, he often enjoys sleeping on a sunny place. Always give him the opportunity to stay in the shadow as well and offer him enough fresh water.

The Icelandic is a healthy dog. A dog that is well taken care of, often visits the vet only once a year for his annual vaccinations and will stay vital until a high age. Dogs that are getting 15-18 years old are no exceptions. Most important thing for the Icelandic will always remain the amount of exercise he gets. He needs at least 1 to 2 hours of running around each day to stay happy and healthy.
More information about the healt of the Icelandic Sheepdog: click here

The dog on the picture above is Skjalla frá Fuglatorgi, the great-grandmother of Elska. We copied the picture with permission of Anita de Geus, from kennel Frá Fuglatorgi.

Elska is trying to follow her great-grandmother’s steps.