Herding Style

Herding Style – The early settlers of Iceland valued their Icelandics because their lives depended on working abilities of their dogs. They were ruthless in maintaining the desirable qualities and would eliminate immediately any dogs that didn’t show these qualities. To survive, the Icelandic, above all, had to have a superior temperament as well as be mentally alert, physically sound, agile and willing and eager to work.

Icelandics were developed as an all-purpose herding dog, bred to gather and drive the flocks of sheep. The shepherd and Icelandic would work in tandem tending the flock. Historically, sheep were let out on the fields of Iceland in the spring. In the fall the sheep in Iceland are gathered and brought down from the mountains and that is when you see the Iceland Sheepdog in its bliss. They work along with people on horseback, and bring the flock home for winter.

Traditionally most of the herding training starts for the young dogs at around 1 year of age. They are usually quite eager to begin with but will soon tire and will then start listening to their handler better. Farmers feel that all Icelandics should have a job. They can herd the cattle, sheep, occasionally horses and other livestock.

Driving the stock often means the dogs work a full, hard day. With no historical land predators of sheep in Iceland, the sheep may be loosely watched or even left alone for much of the grazing season. When commanded by gestures, whistles or verbal instructions, dogs respond with tremendous bursts of speed and activity, forcing movement of the stock away from them in an energetic manner. Usually Icelandic Sheepdogs work behind the herd along with the shepherd. They are upright drivers using their voices instead of their eyes like the Border Collie. The shepherd, using a variety of signals like voice, whistling and hand signals, directs the Islandics to move the sheep without problems. However, most shepherds let the dog use their instincts to work on their own. Dogs constantly keep their eyes on the shepherd and return to him to await the next order. Although clearly subordinate to the shepherd, Icelandics are expected to work on their own initiative. From the earliest records until today, Icelandics seem to herd naturally, keeping the sheep near the shepherd normally without relying on directions from the shepherd.

Farmers today use Icelandics when moving animals. The only problem is that they all want to jump into the truck and go to work all the time! They come in very handy when herding through the pastures, brush and trees and crossing water and other such natural barriers. They cover ground very quickly. Using them in close quarters in like corrals can help but they are better suited to open spaces.

These loyal dogs are very courageous and will not give in easily, even if they get a hoof in the face. During winter when livestock are around the home and an animal gets out in the yard, these dogs, on their own, will move them back where they belong. After a long day of herding the Icelandic Sheepdog will come into the house and quietly lay under the family’s feet.