BREED STANDARD 1990

BREED STANDARD 1990

Hundaræktarfelag Islands - Icelandic Kennel Club
ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG – 1990 GRUPP: A
Homeland: Iceland

General appearance: The Icelandic Sheepdog is a typical Nordic Spitz, having pricked ears and curled tail. Seen from the side while standing the dog is rectangular, longer than high, the ratio depending on individual harmony.
There are two types of coat, but at all times thick and efficiently water-repellent.
The Icelandic Sheepdog is lively, friendly, inquisitive and courageous. The countenance is contented, frequently smiling, and the ears very mobile. Movement is brisk, free and easy, and the breed has very great endurance.
The dog has pronounced herding instincts, but is not very keen on hunting. It is thus a particularly good herding dog, and an excellent guard without being fierce. There is a marked difference in appearance between the sexes.
Head: Wide between the ears, and a somewhat domed skull. The stop is clearly defined, but should not be too pronounced. Cheeks are flat. The bridge of the nose and the skull should be, seen in profile, as parallel as possible. Muzzle is rather short, tapering evenly toward the nose seen both from the side and from above. The nostrils are well developed. Tight lips. The colour of the lips and muzzle shall be black except on chocolate brown and light fawn dogs where brown is permitted.
Eyes: The eyes shall be of medium size and almond shaped. The colour shall be dark, but may be lighter according to the colour of the dog. Yellow is not acceptable. The eyelids shall be black except in the case of chocolate brown and light-coloured dogs when they may be brown.
The expression is lively, intelligent and fearless.
Ears: Firm and erect, triangular, wide at the base, very mobile, reacting sensitively to sounds.
Bite: Scissors-bite
Neck: Of medium length, strong, arched, dry (without any loose skin). The head is to be carried high.
Body: The body shall be rectangular, strong but not coarse. The chest shall be deep with well sprung ribs. The croup is short and rounded, the loin muscular with a slight tuck-up.
Extremities: The forelegs shall be straight, muscular and dry. Well angulated to allow a free front movement. Dewclaws may occur. The hind legs shall be strong, muscular and well angulated to allow a good free and driving action. Dewclaws are mandatory, double dewclaws are desirable.
Feet: The feet shall be oval, with toes close together, and well developed pads.
Tail: Set high, well curled and thickly furred.
Gait: When moving, the dog presents a picture of stamina and endurance, agility and swiftness.
Coat: There are two variants:
a) Medium length. Outer coat of medium length with a thick and soft undercoat, short on ears and front of legs, but longer on neck, chest, withers, buttocks and tail.
b) Longer-haired: Outer coat of good length, whereas undercoat is thick and s0ft. On head and front of legs the coat is short, but long behind the ears and on neck, chest buttocks and hind side of forequarters. The fur on the tail is very bushy.
Color: All colours are permitted, but predominant single colour is preferred. White blaze and white markings on chest, tip of tail, legs and toes frequently occur, and must not be penalized.
Height: Dogs 42-48 cm. Bitches 38-44 cm. The length of the body is slightly greater than the height at the withers.
Faults: Any deviation from this standard is a fault, and shall be judged in relation to the overall impression. Deviations untypical of the breed, and abnormities are disqualifying.