German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Canis Islandicus?

"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog" Compare German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog. Which is better: German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	German Shepherd	Icelandic Sheepdog
Origins	Germany	Iceland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	2	144
Reviews	21	3
User Ratings

Common Names & Aliases Compare different names used for German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog. What other names are these breeds known by?	Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian	Canis Islandicus Friaar Dog Iceland Dog Islandsk Farehond Islenskur Fjarhundur Icelandic Spitz
Breed Classification Compare breed classifications between a German Shepherd and an Icelandic Sheepdog. Learn about their genetic backgrounds.	Purebred	Purebred

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Size and Weight Comparison

Size Classification Which is bigger: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare size differences between these breeds.	Large	Medium
Weight Statistics Compare weight ranges between a German Shepherd and an Icelandic Sheepdog. Which breed is heavier?	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	20-30 pounds (9-14 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	25 pounds (11.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog? Is a German Shepherd taller than an Icelandic Sheepdog?	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	12-16 inches (31-41 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	14 inches (36 cm)

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Price and Availability Comparison

Price Range Compare puppy prices between a German Shepherd and an Icelandic Sheepdog. Which breed costs more?	$800-$2000	$800-$1000
Availability Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog?	Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Frequent: The Icelandic Sheepdog is easier than average to get.

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligence Rating Which is smarter: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities.	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Training Difficulty Which is easier to train: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare training requirements.	German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. See more.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are quite easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Rating Which makes a better watchdog: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare alertness levels.	German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Territorial Protection Which is more protective: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare territorial behaviors.	German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Personality and Temperament Comparison

Personality Traits Compare personalities of a German Shepherd and an Icelandic Sheepdog. How do their temperaments differ?	Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful	Agile Energetic Alert Inquisitive Cheerful
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog?	Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog?	High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog social needs comparison:	German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog?	German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Icelandic Sheepdog is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog? Which can be better for hunting?	German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Barking Frequency Which breed barks more: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare vocalization tendencies.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	A lot: Icelandic Sheepdog is a particularly loud breed. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Playful Nature Which breed is more playful: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare play drive and energy.	Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Icelandic Sheepdog is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Apartment Adaptability Which is better for apartments: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare living space needs.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.	It is not recommended to keep the Icelandic Sheepdog breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Lifestyle Adaptability Which adapts better to changes: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare adaptability levels.	German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Alone Time Tolerance Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Risk Assessment Which has lower bite risk: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare biting tendencies.	High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Icelandic Sheepdog has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthing Tendency Which is more mouthy: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare mouthing behaviors.	German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.
Bite Strength Rating Which has a stronger bite: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare bite force PSI.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Icelandic Sheepdog bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Health and Lifespan Comparison

Average Lifespan Which lives longer: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare average lifespans.	9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdog: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Climate Tolerance Which handles weather better: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare climate tolerances.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers cold weather The Icelandic Sheepdog can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. See more.
Health Concerns Compare common health issues between a German Shepherd and an Icelandic Sheepdog. Which breed is healthier?	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	Icelandic Sheepdogs tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Vet Care Frequency Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog?	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Frequent The Icelandic Sheepdog should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog health problems comparison:	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo	Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Eye Problems

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Rating Which breed is more energetic: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare activity levels.	German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog?	German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Obesity Tendency Which gains weight easier: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare obesity risks.	Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Icelandic Sheepdog has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity
Food Consumption Which eats more: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare daily food needs.	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Allergy Friendliness Which is more hypoallergenic: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare allergy friendliness.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Coat Colors What color variations exist for German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare breed colors.	Black Tan Red Silver	Black Gray Red Cream White Fawn Chocolate Gold
Grooming Requirements Which needs more grooming: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare maintenance needs.	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Icelandic Sheepdog requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Drooling Tendency Which drools more: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare drooling amounts.	The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Icelandic Sheepdog is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.
Stinkiness Rating Which has less odor: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare natural smell levels.	Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Icelandic Sheepdog has an average chance of bad smell.
Coat Characteristics How do coats differ between a German Shepherd and an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare fur types.	Fuzzy	Dense Soft Wavy Thick Straight
Bathing Needs Which needs more baths: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare bathing frequencies.	8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.
Shedding Level Who sheds more German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Icelandic Sheepdog dogs?	German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. See more.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Good With Comparison

Child Compatibility Which is better with children: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare kid-friendliness.	German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Pet Compatibility Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog? Which dog is more friendly?	German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog?	German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Icelandic Sheepdog? Can a German Shepherd and an Icelandic Sheepdog be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Icelandic Sheepdog dogs?	German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog?	Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Icelandic Sheepdog dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	Yes Icelandic Sheepdog is one of the best dog breeds for office environment
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Icelandic Sheepdogs are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Capability Which makes a better service dog: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare service capabilities.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Work Suitability Which is better for therapy work: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare therapy capabilities.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Scent Detection Ability Which is better at detection work: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare scenting abilities.	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search & Rescue Potential Which is better for search and rescue: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare SAR abilities.	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Maritime Work Ability Which is better on boats: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare maritime abilities.	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Icelandic Sheepdog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Draft Work Capability Which is better at pulling: a German Shepherd or an Icelandic Sheepdog? Compare draft work capabilities.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Military Service Background Compare military history between German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog. Which has stronger military background?	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Reproducibility Comparison

Puppy Litter Size Compare litter sizes between German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog. Which has larger litters?	6-10 puppies	4-8 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy
Pregnancy Duration Compare pregnancy duration between German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog breeds.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Breeding Frequency Compare breeding frequencies between German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog. Which needs longer recovery?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.

German Shepherd vs Icelandic Sheepdog Recognition Comparison

AKC Classification Compare AKC classifications of German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog. Which groups do they belong to?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2010 as a Herding breed.
FCI Classification Compare FCI classifications of German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog. Which groups are they in?	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Nordic Watchdogs and Herders section.
Kennel Club Recognition Compare kennel club recognition between German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog. Which is more widely recognized?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc.

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