Hygenhund vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Hygenhund vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonIcelandic Sheepdog is originated from Iceland but Hygenhund is originated from Norway. Icelandic Sheepdog may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than Hygenhund. Icelandic Sheepdog may weigh 11 kg / 24 pounds lesser than Hygenhund. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Hygenhund has almost same life span. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Hygenhund has same litter size. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Hygenhund requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
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Iceland
Norway
Height Male:
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
48 - 61 cm
18 - 25 inches
Height Female:
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
45 - 58 cm
17 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
6 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Iceland Dog, Icelandic Spitz
Hygen Hound, Hygen Dog
Colors Available:
black, cream or chocolate., tan and white, Grey and white or tan and white
sometimes combined with white markings. , chestnut (with or without black shading) and black with bright chestnut colors, yellow and red
Coat:
Short or long, straight or wavy
thick, shiny
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Alert, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Protective
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

icelandic sheepdogThere are quite a few different dog breeds that fall under the name of Spitz-type dogs, and in fact they have a number of similar characteristics, one of which is that they have some wolf-like features. They typically have the thick coat with undercoat and the erect, pointed ears and slanted eyes.

There is definitely a strong link between the Spitz type dogs and wild wolves. The tail too is feathery and can curl over the back of the dog.

The Icelandic Sheepdog, a native dog to Iceland, is a Spitz type dog which originates from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. The dogs have always been used to herd sheep, and they resemble dogs found in graves in Sweden and Denmark.

The dog at one time was facing extinction in the late 20th century, but in 1969, the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association was established to restore and preserve the breed. The Icelandic Sheepdog gained AKC recognition in June 2010.

hygenhundThe Hygenhund is a hound from Norway that was developed in the early 1800’s by the Norwegian breeder Hygen. It was developed for hunting small game such as fox, rabbit, hare or racoon. It is known for its endurance and ability to survive travel across vast artic land without fatigue. It was developed by crossing several Norwegian hounds with ones from England and Germany. This includes basset hounds, holsteiner hounds, beagles, Bloodhounds, Scandinavian hounds and English Pointers. The resulting Hygehound is a scent hound whose popularity fell in the 20th century. Most of the remaining dogs today are located in Norway. The Norwegian Kennel Club and the UKC have both recognized the breed yet its numbers remain low. Even at that the breed today remains a great hunting dog but it is also a great companion or family dog.

Description

icelandic sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Icelandic Sheepdog is a smallish to medium sized dog standing at 40 to 45cm in height and he can weigh anything between 9 and 14kg.

His double coat can be short or long, straight or wavy and in a mix of colors such as grey and white or tan and white, black, tan and white, cream or chocolate. Even though they come in a number of predominant colors, these colors are always accompanied by white markings.

He has a longish muzzle, much like the wolf, giving him an alert, foxy appearance. He has a muscular, rectangular body with strong, straight legs with dewclaws on both the front and hind legs.

Temperament:

Your social, energetic dog will require socialization and training which does him the world of good, turning him into a well-adjusted, obedient dog.

He is an intelligent dog, and training him won't be difficult as he is eager to please. These are social dogs which love being part of the family and they don't like being left outside day after day with little human intervention. He is a lively, confident breed, gentle and not at all aggressive.

Description

hygenhund puppy - descriptionThe Hygenhund has a solid rectangular and compact body with muscular and compact legs and paws. Their heads are shaped like a triangle with dark eyes and a broad skull. The muzzle and neck are long and the topline is even. They carry their tail high, but they do not curl it over their back. They are a medium sized dog with short hair. They have an overabundance of energy and get bored easily. They can come in black with chestnut or white markings, yellow and red, chestnut without or with black markings.

Characteristics

icelandic sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Icelandic Sheepdog is such a good all-round family pet. He is alert, intelligent, social, playful, loyal, loving and brave.

He is friendly too, getting on well with children and any pets you have in the home. He is essentially a working dog, so you shouldn’t think of owning him as a pet if your lifestyle is centered around the TV and the couch for the best part of the day.

This is an energetic dog who wants lots of action during the day. He is a dog that badly wants to be part of the family and in exchange for looking after him well, he’ll promise to be an exceptional pet.

hygenhund dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness – The Hygenhund is very friendly to children and love to play with them.

Special talents

Stamina, intelligence and ability to endure cold climates.

Adaptability

Very adaptable in some ways – enduring cold climates for instance. However, they need a large yard or area to run in. They are not as adaptable in an apartment.

Learning ability

The Hygenhund is very intelligent and a quick learner. They love learning new things.

Health Problems

icelandic sheepdog puppies - health problemsYour pet will reach 12 to 14 years of age with good care and is regarded as a generally healthy dog breed. However, they can be prone to a few health conditions, and these include hip dysplasia and diabetes.

Diabetes:

Mercifully for your pet, diabetes is considered a manageable disorder. When your pet doesn’t produce insulin or can’t utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels rise, resulting in hyperglycemia.

If left untreated, your pet can land up with a host of complicated health problems. Diabetes can be classified as either Type 1 or Type II, with the more common form in dogs being Type 1.

The Hygenhund is prone to a variety of health problems including:

  • Kidney Stones/Chronic Kidney Infections
  • Food Allergies
  • Arthritis – can cause lameness
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated
  • Von Willebrands Disease
  • Anesthesia sensitivity
  • Hip Dysplasia – can result in lameness or arthritis

Caring The Pet

Diet:

icelandic sheepdog dogs - caringFeed your energetic Icelandic Sheepdog a diet which is appropriate for his age and activity level. Don't just feed him the best commercially manufactured dog food, but give him some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables mixed into his kibble as a tasty treat. Also, dogs are carnivores, so include some raw meat into his diet from time to time. Clean, cool water should always be available.

Grooming:

The Icelandic Sheepdog has a thick double coat, with the outer coat being longer and the hair being shiny and glossy. These dogs shed quite a bit with seasonal shedding too so twice-weekly brushing will be necessary to keep the fur free of loose hair. His nails should also be checked regularly and his teeth should be brushed a couple of times a week too.

Exercise:

Icelandic Sheepdogs are athletic, active dogs that require a lot of exercise to keep them in good physical shape.

He loves all kinds of games and outdoor activities, one of which will be going with you for a walk every day. He makes a wonderful companion for those people going on long hikes.

Feeding the puppy

hygenhund dogs - caringSince the Hygenhund is such a high energy working dog feed a high quality food. Feed 3-4 times a day for a total of 2.3 cups.

Feeding the adult

Again this is a high energy dog. Feed a high protein good quality dog food twice a day for a total of 3-4 cups.

Points for Good Health

Good speed and stamina. Good in cold climates.

Games and Exercises

The Hygenhund needs plenty of exercise to dissipate all its working energy. They will excel at field trials, lure coursing, fly ball, tracking, and agility.

Comparison with other breeds

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  29. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Icelandic Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Icelandic Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Icelandic Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Icelandic Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison