Activities for Herding Dogs
Icelandic Sheepdogs—fondly known as Icies—are as multifaceted as they are friendly. Whether you’re seeking a competitive partner in the ring, a spirited trail companion, or a calm therapy dog, an Icie can excel. Below is a comprehensive guide to the activities for herding dogs including recognized AKC sports, pastimes, service roles, and enrichment activities that showcase the breed’s agility, intelligence, and warm temperament.
Joint Safety & Development
Before introducing your Icie to strenuous activities tailored for herding dogs or jumping, it’s crucial to allow their growth plates to close and joints to fully develop. Sports-medicine expert Dr. Chris Zink advises that puppies’ bones remain soft and growth plates open until they are 12–18 months old, depending on breed size, and should avoid high-impact exercises until then. The AKC similarly recommends waiting 12–15 months before asking dogs to jump in competitive scenarios to prevent long-term joint damage. During puppyhood, focus on low-impact foundation training—such as ground poles, balance exercises, and short, controlled play sessions—until your Icie’s skeletal maturity is confirmed by your veterinarian.
Competitive Dog Sports are Ideal Activities for Herding dogs
Agility
- Icies’ quick footwork in various activities, sharp turns, and eagerness to please make them natural agility stars.
- Getting Started: Begin with age-appropriate foundation exercises (weave-grid groundwork, tunnels at ground level) from as early as 8 weeks, but postpone jumps and full courses until 12–18 months.
- Competition Tips: Focus on reward-based handling and build confidence over contacts and weave poles.
Obedience & Rally
- Their intelligence and willingness to work alongside handlers shine in obedience rings and rally courses.
- Training Focus: Teach precise heeling, sits, downs, and callbacks; use clicker training to reinforce consistency.
Conformation
- Icies embody the AKC standard’s blend of structure and animated expression.
- Preparation: Regular stacking practice, coat conditioning, and gait work help your Icie look and move its best.
Performance & Titles
- Herding Tests (HT/HS): Tap into your Icie’s original vocation—many thrive in instinct and herding trials as these represent traditional activities for herding dogs.
- Trick Dog Program: From novice “spin” to advanced freestyle routines, Icies love mental challenges.
- Canine Good Citizen (CGC): Their friendly, reliable nature makes achieving CGC titles a rewarding milestone.
Recreational & Outdoor Activities
Hiking & Trail Running
- With enduring stamina and weather-resistant coats, Icies are ideal companions for day-long treks and other outdoor activities.
- Gear Recommendations: A well-fitted harness, collapsible water bowl, and booties for rocky terrain.
Swimming & Water Fun
- Many Icies take to water enthusiastically—just be mindful to rinse and dry their double coat thoroughly after aquatic activities.
- Dock diving is a super fun activity to try with lessons, and there are competitions in the summer months at many events.
- Safety Tip: Introduce life jackets in safe water such as pools and be in the water with them until they gain confidence swimming and know how to get out of the pool.
Disc & Fetch Games
- Their athleticism and drive make frisbee and long-distance fetch major hits—perfect for high-energy outlets.
Service & Therapy Roles
Therapy Work
- Icies’ gentle nature and love of human interaction suit them for visits to hospitals, schools, and care facilities.
- At Iceland’s Sheepdog Heritage Center, resident Icies “Sómi” and “Hraundís” greet visitors daily, demonstrating their innate calm and sociability.
Search & Rescue (SAR)
- Their keen noses and determination can be developed into nose-work and SAR skills.
- Getting Started: Enroll in a foundation tracking or scent-detection workshop to harness their natural instincts.
Scent & Nose-Work Trials
- Home-based scent games are part of the activities that lay the groundwork for competitive nose-work—ideal for mental enrichment and confidence building.
Mental Enrichment & Bonding Activities for Herding dogs
Puzzle Toys & Hide-and-Seek
- Food-dispensing puzzles and hide-and-seek games engage an Icie’s problem-solving drive.
Trick Training
- From “play dead” to “fetch your leash,” trick training deepens the bond and taps into their cleverness.
Powered Herding Games
- Simulate flock-rounding activities: use soft balls or lightweight cones to mimic herding patterns in the backyard.
Interactive Exhibits Inspiration
- Exhibits at the Heritage Center showcase historic herding tools—consider creating simple agility courses at home inspired by traditional farm gear and activities for herding dogs.
Getting Started & Resources
Local Clubs & Classes:
- Contact the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America (ISAA) for regional sport and therapy dog contacts.
- Look for ASCA- or UKC-sanctioned herding, rally, and nose-work venues.
AKC Resources
The American Kennel Club offers extensive guides, starter courses, and official rulebooks for agility, obedience, rally, herding, and other dog sports—an excellent first stop for novices.
Equipment Checklist:
- Agility: weave poles, tunnels, low jumps
- Rally: numbered signs, rally station markers
- Scent Work: scent kits, boxes, containers
Online Learning:
- Webinars from recognized Icie breeders and Heritage Center presentations offer tips on preserving breed-specific abilities.
- Video libraries of resident Heritage Center Icies working in therapy and herding roles.
By exploring the full range of sports, service roles, and enrichment possibilities—and respecting critical joint-development timelines—your Icie can enjoy a safe, fulfilling, and versatile life that honors a proud herding legacy, making a mix of activities essential.