Comparison: Icelandic Sheepdog and Swedish Lapphund

Icelandic Sheepdog and Swedish Lapphund are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

Icelandic Sheepdog
Photo: Alan Levine, CC BY 2.0, source
Swedish Lapphund
Photo: Bjørn Roger Larsen, Public domain, source
Icelandic SheepdogSwedish Lapphund
FCI group5. Spitz and primitive types5. Spitz and primitive types
Country of originIcelandSweden
CategoryMediumMedium
Recognition features
  • Nordic herding spitz slightly under medium size, rectangular, with erect ears and a curled tail
  • Two coat types, short and long, both thick and weather-resistant
  • Gentle, intelligent, happy expression; marked sexual dimorphism
  • Typical spitz of slightly less than medium size with proud head carriage
  • Profuse stand-off coat forming a ruff, usually black with "bear-brown" bronzing
  • Tail carried curled over the back in movement
Coat–Profuse double coat standing out from the body with a dense, finely frizzy undercoat; usually solid black with bear-brown bronzing.
PurposeIceland's native herding dog, used on farms to gather sheep and livestock.Nordic spitz used by the Sami for reindeer herding, hunting and guarding; now mainly a versatile companion.

Breed page: Icelandic Sheepdog · Breed page: Swedish Lapphund

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.