The Icelandic Sheepdog is celebrated for a harmonious blend of vivacious spirit and enduring sturdiness. A true working spitz, it combines a friendly, people-oriented temperament with a physique built to thrive in challenging terrain and climates. Below, you’ll find an in-depth look at the breed’s signature characteristics, including personality traits, exercise and training needs, and defining physical features—so you can understand what living with an Icie really entails.

Affectionate and Social. From puppyhood onward, Icelandic Sheepdogs form deep bonds with their families. They crave human interaction, following their favorite person from room to room and often greeting visitors with exuberant tail-wags and friendly barks. Their natural warmth makes them excellent with children, other household pets, and even strangers—while still retaining a healthy level of caution and alertness.

Heritage Center Insight: At the Icelandic Sheepdog Heritage Center (opened May 2025), two resident Sheepdogs (“Sómi” and “Hraundís”) warmly greet every visitor—demonstrating the breed’s innate friendliness and ease with strangers, which are notable characteristics.

Vocal and Watchful. Bred to herd flocks in open pastures, Icies historically used their voice to control sheep and signal their humans. Today, you can expect a clear, cheerful bark whenever the doorbell rings or a deer crosses the yard. With early socialization and positive reinforcement, you can shape barking into a useful alert system rather than a nuisance, a hallmark characteristic of these dogs.

Playful Intelligence. These dogs possess a quick wit and an eagerness to participate in games, puzzles, and learning new tricks. Their spirited curiosity means they thrive on mental challenges just as much as physical ones—so interactive toys, scent-work games, and agility courses can keep even a home-alone Icie happily occupied. Their intelligence is a defining characteristic.

Courageous Yet Gentle. Despite their moderate size, Icelandic Sheepdogs are fearless. They’ll readily investigate unusual sounds, unfamiliar environments, or new animals. However, aggression is virtually unheard of; their protective instincts steer them toward barking and investigation rather than confrontation. A well-raised Icie displays a balanced blend of confidence, friendliness, and composure, defining the breed’s characteristics.

Moderate–High Activity Requirement. An adult Icie needs at least 60 minutes of focused exercise each day, ideally divided between brisk walks, off-leash play, or dog-sport sessions. Without sufficient outlets, their herding instincts can express themselves through excessive barking or chasing small animals. These activity levels are part of the breed’s characteristics.

Ideal Dog Sports Partner. Their combination of agility, intelligence, and eagerness to please makes Icelandic Sheepdogs natural contenders in sports such as agility trials, rally obedience, and herding tests. Many owners find that enrolling in a local dog-sport club not only keeps their Icie physically fit but also strengthens the human-dog bond.

Positive, Consistent Training. Harsh corrections are unnecessary—and counterproductive—with this sensitive yet determined breed. Training methods that emphasize rewards, praise, and playful engagement will yield the best results. Early socialization (exposure to a variety of people, places, and experiences) helps ensure that confident puppy grows into a stable adult.