Icelandic Sheepdog vs Greenland Dog - Breed Comparison

Icelandic Sheepdog vs Greenland Dog - Breed ComparisonGreenland Dog is originated from Greenland but Icelandic Sheepdog is originated from Iceland. Greenland Dog may grow 23 cm / 10 inches higher than Icelandic Sheepdog. Greenland Dog may weigh 21 kg / 47 pounds more than Icelandic Sheepdog. Both Greenland Dog and Icelandic Sheepdog has almost same life span. Both Greenland Dog and Icelandic Sheepdog has almost same litter size. Both Greenland Dog and Icelandic Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
undefined
Greenland
Iceland
Height Male:
51 - 68 cm
20 - 27 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Height Female:
51 - 68 cm
20 - 27 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
30 - 35 kg
66 - 78 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
30 - 35 kg
66 - 78 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 13 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 8
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Greenland
Iceland Dog, Icelandic Spitz
Colors Available:
grey or silver, tan, beige, white, Mix of cream, black
black, cream or chocolate., tan and white, Grey and white or tan and white
Coat:
Short to medium length, coarse, stand-offish
Short or long, straight or wavy
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

greenland dogThe Greenland dog is an ancient breed of dog hailing from Greenland. The dog was brought to North American from Siberia hundreds of years ago. In fact the very first dogs arrived in the Americas some 12,000 years ago.

The Greenland Dog isn’t recognized by the AKC but it is recognized by a number of other groups. While the Greenland Dog is valued in Greenland, it isn't particularly well known in other parts of the world.

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.

Description

greenland dog puppy - descriptionThe Greenland Dog is a heavily built dog, and between the males and females, this medium to large sized dog can be 51 – 68cm in height and weigh 30 – 35kg.

He has the typical slanted eyes of the husky-type dogs with a keen, alert expression in them. He has small triangular erect ears. The long, bushy tail of the dog is curled over the back of the dog.

The coat is short to medium length and has 2 layers with the outer layer being fairly coarse. The double coat is thick and shortish but also stand-offish, meaning the hair doesn’t lie flat against the dog’s body. Color of the fur is a mix of cream, beige, white, tan, black, grey or silver.

Temperament:

As a working dog, the Greenland Dog is known for its strength, its boisterous nature and speed. Because its a dog that has worked as a pack, it wants a firm, patient, fair, confident owner to bring out the best in him. Being intelligent, independent and work-orientated, it is perhaps not a great choice for the first-time dog owner who may be out of their realm with the demands of these high-energy dogs.

The dog is independent, but he is quite capable of forming a strong, loving bond with his owner. This is certainly a dog that is never going to thrive if he has to lie around the house all day – he is an active dog who wants a task to do and he is going to need plenty of daily exercise.

They’ve always had active lives pulling sleds or hunting for seals and he craves this busy, active lifestyle. He is the kind of dog that shouldn’t live in the city with a tiny garden unless he has an owner who takes time to walk him and exercise him vigorously. He is a dog that will require training and socialization.

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.

Characteristics

greenland dog dog - characteristicsBred as a working dog, the Greenland Dog, native to Greenland is a high energy dog who is boisterous, lively and social. With training and socialization, he becomes an obedient, loyal and devoted pet.

While he is quite capable of being an awesome domesticated pet, he is essentially a working dog, loving having to be part of a very active lifestyle. He may not be the best pet for a first time owner or a home with small children. This is because he isn't your cuddly, lying-around-the-house, playmate kind of pet. He wants a home and owner similar to himself – strong, active, energetic, bold, independent, strong-willed and firm, and when he gets this, he becomes the splendid pet he is so well known for.

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.

Health Problems

Eye Disease:

greenland dog puppies - health problemsYour Greenland dog can battle with eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy, hereditary or juvenile cataracts and corneal dystrophy. Eye diseases like this can cause a host of problems for your pet and should receive immediate veterinary attention.

Cataracts in dogs are a common problem affecting the eyes of dogs, with there being different forms and causes.The age at which your pet develops cataracts is important for identifying the type of cataract it is because it will give the vet an idea if the cataracts are an hereditary trait in certain dog breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

Nearly every dog can battle with hip dysplasia and it can be a serious concern for active canines such as the Greenland dog.

This joint and bone ailment can start manifesting itself as early as 4 months of age with your pet. This dysplasia occurs when the head of the femur doesn't fit into the pelvic joint the way it should. It can lead to pain, arthritis and lameness with your dog.

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.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

greenland dog dogs - caringAs a medium- to large-sized dog breed, the Greenland Dog will require a high-quality commercial dog food if that is what you will be feeding him. The top quality brands have the right mix of vitamins and minerals in them for health.

However, it is wise to ensure that such an active dog breed gets his quota of raw meat in too. He has been used to eating fish and seal meat and will require this raw diet too. Sometimes if you cook rice, chicken and vegetables, you can add this into his kibble too.

He must never be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

Greenland Dogs need to be groomed at least twice a week to keep the thick coat in tip top condition. He sheds throughout the year.

He will also require you brushing his teeth to get rid of plaque which can cause a host of health issues. You get special toothpaste and toothbrush for dogs. His teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week.

Exercise:

Make sure you give your high-energy Greenland Dog the right dose of exercise. He is intelligent too so he needs walks, games and other activities that contribute towards his physical and mental wellbeing.

He will do well on large properties or farms but won't do well where the space is tiny and where the owners are inactive couch potatoes.

Be careful too that the Greenland Dog isn't exercised immediately after eating as this puts him in danger of developing bloat.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Icelandic Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Icelandic Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Icelandic Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Icelandic Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Icelandic Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Icelandic Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Greenland Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Greenland Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Greenland Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Greenland Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Greenland Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Greenland Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Greenland Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Greenland Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Greenland Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Greenland Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Greenland Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Greenland Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Greenland Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Greenland Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Greenland Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Greenland Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Greenland Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Greenland Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Greenland Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Greenland Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Greenland Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Greenland Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Greenland Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Greenland Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Greenland Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison