Kersins Kata

Having only one Icelandic is virtually impossible. Like peanuts, popcorn, potato chips, they are addicting and you have t be very careful. I tell people who have just discovered this breed if dogs, that two Icelandics, one male and one female, is probably the ideal number. I have not followed my own advice. This discovery came too late for me.

There is an enormous diversity in the breed. There are many colors and color patterns. There are various fur textures and lengths. There is even quite a difference in size. The standard dictates that the height at the withers (shoulders) should be 16.5 inches for females and 18 inches for males. The vast majority of Icelandics in the US are the prescribed height. Some are,however, slightly smaller or slightly larger.

Males are much more wolf-like in appearance than females and look much larger. Females have been described as more fox-like. Several call names for Icelandics reflect this look like Ulfur, Ylfa, Toa, Tofa, Rebbi,Tofi, Taefa. Most breeders and owners encourage the use of Icelandic names for ther dogs to honor their country of origin.

Kata came to me about a year after I got Huld and from my good friend Helga Gústavsdóttir of Kersins Kennel in Iceland.

She's a very sprightly dog and still enjoys chasing chipmunks and squirrels. Kata has earned her Companion Dog, Canine Good Citizen and rally Novice from the AKC. She loves people, as do all of my Icelandics. They would rather entertain company than eat.

Although there is great diversity in Icelandics, they all share a love for human companionship. They love people. Their temperament (personality) is what endears them to all who know them.