Colors of Icelandics

There has always been much discussion about colors in Icelandic Sheepdogs.

Here is what the current FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) breed standard for Icelandic Sheepdogs written by the home country says:-
"COLOUR : Several colours are permitted but a single colour should always be predominant. The predominant colours are:
• Various shades of tan, ranging from cream to reddish brown.
• Chocolate brown.
• Grey.
• Black.
White always accompanies the predominant colour. The most common white markings, which are often irregular, are a blaze or a part of the face, collar, chest, socks of varying length and tip of tail. Lighter shading often occurs on the underside of the dog from throat to tip of tail. On tan and grey dogs a black mask, black tips to the outer hairs and even occasional black hairs often occur. Black (tricolour) dogs have a black coat, white markings as mentioned above and traditional markings in any of the various tan colours on the cheeks, over the eyes (eyebrows) and on the legs. Patches of the above colours on a white background (pied) are permitted. White should not be totally predominant." (translated by Helga Andrésdóttir, October 25, 2000- )


Here is what the AKC standard says about color: -
"Color
Several colors are permitted, with a single predominant color. The predominant colors are: shades of tan, ranging from cream to reddish brown, chocolate brown, gray, black. White markings should always accompany the predominant color. The most common white markings, which are often irregular, are a partly or completely white face, a blaze, a collar or part collar, irregular chest markings, socks of varying lengths, tail tip. On tan and grey dogs a black mask, black tips to the outer guard hairs some black or sable hairs scattered on the back or body often occur. Black tricolor or chocolate tricolor dogs have white markings as mentioned above and may exhibit traditional tan colors over the eyes (eyebrows), on the cheeks, and/or on the legs. Pied dogs are white with patches of any of the above colors. "

Tan shade and white dogs are permitted. Chocolate brown and white dogs are allowed. Grey and white dogs are allowed. Black and white dogs are permitted. Black tricolor dogs (black,white and tan) are allowed. The FCI standard does not specifically mention chocolate tricolor (chocolate-brown, white and tan) dogs but I assume that they are allowed like black tricolored dogs are allowed.

Please note that it does not currently say anywhere in either standard that a dog must have three colors.

Of course color may be important in order to do well in the Conformation ring. It is not important, however, for herding sheep. A solid tan Icelandic can herd sheep as well as a black tricolored dog. A solid red dog may not fit the standard as far as color is concerned but its bone structure and general conformation can be as good as (or as bad as) a dog of any other color or colors.

There are some Icelandics that are one solid color and they seem to do OK in the conformation ring. I suspect that at least some judges are looking for more important things than color.

At least one expert has said that a dog with an unacceptable color is only one generation away from an acceptable color if bred to the right mate.