Icelandic Sheepdogs are friendly, intelligent and energetic. They are excellent working and companion dogs.

They appreciate being part of whatever their humans do.

They want to always be with you, even following with their nose to the back of your knee.

They love to work and play.

Icelandic Sheepdogs came about from dogs brought to Iceland by Vikings. They are now considered Iceland's only native dog breed.

The Iceland Sheepdog has been used to form other breeds throughout Europe, such as the Shetland Sheepdog, or Corgi.

Iceland Sheepdogs herd and fend off predators, such as eagles, by barking. They have been bred to have a job working with humans.

Some tips we hope you'll take...

Whether it be playing ball, tug of war or agility training, they

will need the activity and the interaction with you.

Obedience training can help you work out good communication with your pet.

Be consistent with commands and expectations, and they may begin to seem they can read your mind.

Agility training will be great for this breed.

Being left alone may not be comfortable for your Icelandic. This is not a breed to be put in a room alone for hours at a time.

He/she may try to out muscle and out wit whatever blockade you use, if you have to isolate them.

Plan ahead so they won't hurt themselves or damage things in the area.

We've had two icelandics, and now 5 puppies.

They all want freedom to explore and will jump, climb or chew through boards we've set up to contain them.

Our policy has become, if it's not taller than the dog's ability to stretch their paws up standing on hind legs, they'll try to jump it.

Our 18 inch tall dog has jumped 3 foot heights. She can't reach 4 feet high with her paws,

and that's what it takes before she won't try jumping.

If it's got some part they can get a hold of with their teeth, it's a risk they'll chew it to get out. You don't want them damaging their teeth.

Crate training works to keep them safe if you absolutely have to leave them alone.

But the crate must be strong and not have any parts they can bite. Our male tore holes in his crate.

Good toys are simple enough. Chewies, a rope and a ball. It's a great way they can hopefully learn a little self entertainment too.

Don't leave your shoes lying around. All pups chew. Nike is the most desirable chew toy manufacturer in the world.

It's not all that tough to just kick your shoes off in a room that's off limits from your dog. Even if it is tough, it's also worth it.

Keep all your chewable stuff out of reach or in an off limits room. Our dogs have sooner learned rooms as off limits

than to not do instinctual things like eat, breathe and chew.