Icelandic Sheepdog vs Eurohound - Breed Comparison

Sled dog racers wanted something unique and hardy in their dogs and the Eurohound seemed to be the dog that fitted the bill.

It was in the 1980s that both Norway and Sweden started crossing the Husky and the Pointer for the first time.

The Eurohound, known also as the Scandinavian hound, is a cross between a German Shorthaired Pointer and an Alaskan Husky as well as other Pointer dogs.

Hailing from Norway, Scandinavia, it isn’t a purebred dog but a cross-breed, and the term ‘Eurohound’ comes from a certain Ivana Nolke so as to distinguish the European racing dogs imported into Alaska.

There 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.

The Eurohound is a carefully bred dog considered to be a large dog standing up to 72 cm in height and weighting in the region of 18-24 kg.

With its mission being to be a sled dog, it is constantly being crossbred with other cross- breeds to produce dogs to suit the pulling of sleds. Because both the Husky and Pointers have been used in its breeding, who knows really how its appearance will be as it can vary quite a bit.

There are however, some common features in the dogs such as the half dropped ears. More Eurohounds have black ears with white markings. The dog is a slender breed with a longish face and a long muzzle. Certainly it is known for being a powerful sled dog. The short, shiny dog can be in a number of colors such as cream, beige white, red, black, spotted or patched.

Temperament:

Social, extrovert and energetic, the Eurohound also loves to be busy. Its a dog who forms a strong relationship with its owners, being affectionate and loyal. While he is quite able to live in the city or the country, he essentially needs large premises as he loves to run and be free.

He most certainly isn’t a working dog breed who can be left on his own in the backyard until you need him to pull a sled as he craves your companionship. He is an independent and stubborn dog and therefore training and socialization will b excellent for him as it makes him understand who is boss in the home.

He is a dog who gets on well with other pets in the home as well as children.

The 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.

Full of bounce, social and extroverted, while also being independent and stubborn, the Eurohound just loves being around his human family, bonding strongly with them, whether they are adults, children or even other pets in the home.

You’ll find that your Eurohound is an intelligent dog too and that he can be easily trained. He loves to be active, so to put him in your backyard and all but forget about him would be cruel. They are loyal, loving dogs who want to be part of all your activities, being ready to walk and run with you whenever the opportunity arises.

The 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.

Considered as a healthy dog breed and able to live up to 10 – 15 years of age, just some of the most common reported health problems you might find with your Eurohound are hip and elbow dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia is where the joint – the ball and socket – is malformed so that instead of working smoothly it grinds. It is one of the most common skeletal diseases in dogs and large breeds are mostly affected. Hip dysplasia can lead to osteoarthritis, pain and lameness.

Your 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 Eurohound is an energetic dog who will require a high-quality nutritious food. Home made dog foods are wonderful but in the event that it isn’t always possible, make sure you buy top quality commercially manufactured food.

Your vet can advise you on the type of food to use for your pet if you are unsure. Certainly, if you feed your dog kibble, take a good look at the ingredient label on the pet food packaging. If you are interested in your dog’s health in terms of food, you will learn about protein/fat ratio and how much moisture is in the food and what vitamins are included.

Remember to occasionally include cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken as well as some raw meat from time to time.

Grooming:

The Eurohound isn’t a big shedder but you will still need to ensure that you brush his short coat twice a week to keep it in tip top condition.

These are dogs which bond closely with their human family so this grooming period will be therapeutic to him.

Check his ears inside and out for the development of ear infections and brush his teeth twice a week with a special dog toothbrush and tooth paste. Dental disease can cause a host of serious illnesses and you want to avoid this with your dog,

Diet:

Feed 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.