Are Icelandic Sheepdogs easy to groom?

The grooming reality for Icelandic Sheepdogs

What the coat needs

Icelandic Sheepdogs carry a heavy, often double coat that sheds a lot. There is no clipping to book, but there is frequent brushing, several times a week and daily in moulting season to stay ahead of the hair, and moulting seasons ramp that up further.

Time and cost

Most of the work is done at home with a decent brush and the occasional bath. Costs stay low: nail clippers, shampoo, and a brush suited to the coat are about all you need, with a salon trip only if you fancy a tidy-up.

The bits every dog needs

Whatever the coat, the basics are the same. Trim or file nails every few weeks so they do not click on the floor or splay the toes, check and gently clean ears to catch infections early, and brush the teeth several times a week to head off the dental disease that is common and costly in dogs. Start all of this in puppyhood so handling becomes routine rather than a battle.

Personality and cooperation on the grooming table

Iceland's only native dog breed, the Icelandic Sheepdog is a spitz-type herder brought to the island by the Vikings. Exuberant, sociable, and always ready to announce visitors with a hearty bark.

Friendly dogs generally accept an unfamiliar groomer with less anxiety than a wary breed, which tends to make professional appointments considerably more straightforward. A loyal dog often tolerates handling from its own owner better than from a stranger, which makes early grooming sessions calmer if the owner does some of the brushing themselves. Alert dogs notice the sound of clippers or a dryer before they even start, and that awareness can make them tense unless the equipment is introduced gradually.

Training and temperament during grooming

Building tolerance for handling

Icelandic Sheepdogs generally learn to accept brushing, nail clipping, and ear checks with relatively little resistance, especially if handling is introduced as a normal part of puppyhood rather than something new later on.

Vocal protest during grooming

Icelandic Sheepdogs are a vocal breed generally, and it is not unusual for that to carry over into grooming, particularly around nail clipping or a part of the body the dog finds sensitive.

Family involvement and other pets

Icelandic Sheepdogs are generally good with children, and older kids can often be taught to help with simple brushing under supervision, which is a useful way to build the dog's comfort with being handled by different people. A resident cat is unlikely to be bothered by grooming sessions, and shed hair from brushing is worth clearing up promptly in a multi-pet household either way.

Grooming costs across a dog's lifetime

Icelandic Sheepdogs typically live 12 to 14 years, and grooming needs tend to change with age: older dogs often have thinner, more sensitive skin and less patience for long sessions, so shorter, gentler grooming suits a senior icelandic sheepdog better than the routine that worked at two years old. Insurance for a Icelandic Sheepdog in the UK typically runs about £25 to £55 a month, and skin problems from neglected coat care, matting, hot spots, and infected ears among them, are a common reason that cover gets used. Starting handling and brushing early with a Icelandic Sheepdog puppy, which typically costs around £1200 to £2500 in the UK, makes every grooming session for the rest of the dog's life considerably easier.