- History of Icelandics 9

'The Icelandic Sheepdogs (also known as Iceland Dogs), "Langa of the Borgarfjord" and "Hvita of the Borgarfjord", were offcially registered by Mrs. Wingfield Digby of Sherborne Castle, Dorset, England at the Kennel Club (England) in 1923.

'NOTE: by M.W. (Mark Watson):

'Mrs. Wingfield Digby has for many years owned the famous Van Zaandam Kennels and is a well known breeder of Keeshonds.

'Mrs. Wingfield Digby, while on a fishing trip to the Borgarfjord district of Iceland, acquired "Langa of Borgarfjord" and brought him to England in 1921. He was a black and white dog and highly intelligent.

'"Langa of Borgarfjord" was shown by Mrs. Wingfield Digby at a show in England held under the auspices of the Kennel Club (England) in 1923. He was in "Any Other Variety" class.

'"Hvita of Borgarfjord" (bitch) which Mrs. Wingfield Digby imported from Iceland in 1923 was black with light tan markings. She was also entered in shows under the auspices of the Kennel Club (England).

'Unfortunately "Langa of Borgarfjord" died shortly after "Hvita of Borgarfjord" came out of quarantine so they were unable to be bred.'

N. B. - This is the first reference to a tricolor dog (black with light tan markings) although black and white dogs had been mentioned for centuries.

(From The Iceland Dog 874 - 1956, Mark Watson )

(Top to bottom: Kani, Brana and Hringa. Click on photos to enlarge them.)

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From the National Dog Show catalog, 14th and 15th November, 1923, Bingley Hall, Birmingham, England.


1263 - Mrs. G. Wingfield Digby. Langa of Borgarfjord (Iceland Sheepdog). b. (born) June, 1921, BR: (breeder) Mr. E. Einarson. Pedigree unknown.


1263 - Mrs. G. Wingfield Digby. Hvita of Borgarfjord (Iceland Sheepdog). b. (born) July, 1922, BR: (breeder) Mr. A.Sigurdsson. Pedigree unknown.

(From The Iceland Dog 874 - 1956, Mark Watson )


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Dogs for Sport and Pleasure - In Search of Novelty, by A. Croxton Smith, Daily Telegraph, (London), December 31, 1923

"They are small-at least, they seem very small for a sheep dog, although, of course, everything up there is smaller than the rest of Europe-exceedingly alert, active, and very fast, well built, with curly tail, broad chest, fine-drawn legs and muzzle, look very shiny and well kept. The dogs does that for himself. If they come in dirty, they clean themselves in about ten minutes. In Iceland I have seen men work these dogs over the rivers at a great distance from themselves by waving their arms. We noticed they were absolutely devoted to their masters and some of them simply could not bear us-strange sort of people they had never seen before-coming anywhere near their belongings. When their masters sat down the dogs immediately came and sat down and leant against them. A curious fact is that they are never allowed in the house in Iceland. I suppose simply because the lack of accommodation is so acute there, but I find them to be quite the best of house dogs. They will learn anything, as they are so anxious to please, perfectly devoted, and good watch dogs, and they are very strong and healthy. The colours are black and white. Black should predominate, or brown and black. I also saw them over there of a beautiful golden or chocolate colour, with yellow eyes, but certainly the greater number I saw were black ones with white on them."

(From The Iceland Dog 874 - 1956, Mark Watson )