The Icelandic Sheepdog
The history of the Icelandic Sheepdog is interwoven with the history of the nation. Ever since the Age of Settlement, this one true Icelandic dog breed has stood watch alongside the people, having been brought to the country by Norse settlers in the 9th century.
The Icelandic sheepdog was not only an indispensable working animal for herding and farming but also a loyal companion who helped people survive in a harsh land. It is because of this deep-rooted connection that the dog rightfully holds the title of Iceland's National Dog - a living cultural heritage that reminds us of our origins and perseverance.
This website is dedicated to that heritage; here, we share information about the breed's history and unique characteristics, and we collect treasured stories about our national dog.
The Icelandic sheepdog was not only an indispensable working animal for herding and farming but also a loyal companion who helped people survive in a harsh land. It is because of this deep-rooted connection that the dog rightfully holds the title of Iceland's National Dog - a living cultural heritage that reminds us of our origins and perseverance.
This website is dedicated to that heritage; here, we share information about the breed's history and unique characteristics, and we collect treasured stories about our national dog.
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Old Chieftains
Although the population of the Icelandic Sheepdog remains rather small, the breed is generally healthy and remarkably long-lived compared to many other dog breeds. Recently, I heard of a dog that lived to be over twenty years old – the oldest case I’ve ever come across. You can read about him, Askur, in the newest story added to the collection: [Askur–Laxi vom Rensberg.](https://www.fjarhundur.is/en/stories/askur-vom-rensberg) The picture above shows Kría, taken in February 2024 when we were producing material for the Heritage Center. Kría was born on December 19th, 2009, and passed away recently, on April 23rd, sixteen years old. She was a breeding bitch owned by Connie at Breiðanes and had twelve offspring. The youngest in my group of dogs, Breiðanes Fönn, is her granddaughter. Kría was always gentle, calm, and carried that special charm that older dogs so often possess. She is deeply missed, but she lives on in the memories of those who met this canine queen – and in her children and grandchildren. It is a privilege to share life with a dog for so many years. The longevity of the Icelandic Sheepdog reflects the breed’s healthy genetic foundation and the care and dedication that breeders have shown through the years.
Spring is in the air
There’s truly a feeling of spring in the air these days, and the summer opening of the Icelandic Sheepdog Heritage Center is just around the corner. From May 1st through September, we’ll be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A lot has been happening lately. Several groups of visitors have already stopped by, and we recently had the pleasure of welcoming Director General of the Icelandic Tourist Board, Arnar Már Ólafsson, along with other members of the Tourist Board and Halldór Óli Kjartansson, Managing Director of the North Iceland Marketing Office. We also participated in the project _Sundays at the Museum_ here in Northwest Iceland and hosted a well-attended event, _Turf House Walk and the National Dog_, during Skagafjörður's Culture Festival (_Sæluvika_). Another photo session for the project on color variations in the Icelandic Sheepdog also took place, where Carolin Giese [Linaimages](https://linaimages.com/) once again captured wonderful photos of beautiful dogs, this time in front of our own turf house. The name bank keeps growing, and there are now over 800 names recorded. More stories have also been added, and I’ve started exploring which ones would be suitable for recording so that visitors can listen to them peacefully at the Heritage Center. It’s always wonderful when our activities start up again after the winter, but I’m also very grateful for the quiet winter months that allow me to work on all these wonderful projects about the national dog. I’m already thinking ahead to which dog-related projects might make their way into next winter’s program. The photo that accompanies this post is of Breiðanes Fönn, the youngest on the farm and daughter of Sómi, who will always have the honor of being the inspiration behind my national dog project. The photo of beautiful Fönn was taken by Carolin and will be added to the color reference bank. The first day of summer is only a few days away, and I want to wish all readers a happy summer and thank everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the past winter.
Story Corner
It’s time to kick off the third project of the year. I’m setting up a cozy corner at the Heritage Center where people can sit down, pick a book from the shelf and read, or put on headphones and listen to dog stories. I’ve gathered a fair collection of stories here on the site, but I’m looking for more—stories that are fun to preserve and great to read aloud. That’s why I’m calling for submissions again. These can be stories people want to share about their own Icelandic sheepdogs, and I would also be very grateful for tips about stories of Icelandic dogs in literature that you’ve come across. Would you like to share your dog’s story, or do you know of interesting stories that can be found in books? I’m happily accepting stories, photos, and suggestions! The photo above is of Bak urfrá Flögu, which Björn Sigurðsson kindly allowed me to use. You can find more photos and a short story about Bak [here.](https://www.fjarhundur.is/en/stories/bakur-fra-flogu)
Contact
Lýtingsstaðir, 561 Varmahlíð.
+354 893 3817
[email protected]
