Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Australian Shepherd
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Icelandic Sheepdog
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Icelandic Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog are Herding Dogs. This means both the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Icelandic Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Icelandic Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 14 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 20 to 30 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.5 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 144 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Icelandic Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Icelandic Sheepdog. So, you should get a Australian Shepherd!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog
The Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Icelandic Sheepdog weighs 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. The Icelandic Sheepdog is 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog
Australian Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
Icelandic Sheepdog Colors
The Icelandic Sheepdog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Sable
The Icelandic Sheepdog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Icelandic Sheepdog is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 14.5 years.
The Icelandic Sheepdog live longer than the Australian Shepherd.
Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Australian Shepherd
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.
This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 144 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 142 |
| 2014 | 18 | 146 |
| 2015 | 17 | 140 |
| 2016 | 16 | 153 |
| 2017 | 17 | 144 |
| 2018 | 15 | 155 |
| 2019 | 13 | 132 |
| 2020 | 12 | 154 |
| 2021 | 12 | 138 |
Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Icelandic Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Australian Shepherd.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Icelandic Sheepdog than for the Australian Shepherd.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 8 tests are recommended for the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Icelandic Sheepdogs.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
Icelandic Sheepdog Health Problems
Icelandic Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Icelandic Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Icelandic Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Icelandic Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Icelandic Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Icelandic Sheepdogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Shepherds and Icelandic Sheepdogs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.
This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Icelandic Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Icelandic Sheepdog ranks 55 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 769 Icelandic Sheepdogs, 137 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Icelandic Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Icelandic Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Shepherd and in Icelandic Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog:
| Disease | Australian Shepherd Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts problems | 1 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 2 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 7 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 12 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 19 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 28 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 60 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 66 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 77 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 103 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 133 out of 182 dog breeds | 149 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 150 out of 198 dog breeds | 55 out of 198 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Icelandic Sheepdog
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Icelandic Sheepdogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Icelandic Sheepdogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Icelandic Sheepdog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Bordoodle Australian Shepherd versus Italian Greyhound Australian Shepherd versus Lancashire Heeler Australian Shepherd versus American Eskimo Dog Australian Shepherd versus Boston Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Maltese Australian Shepherd versus Pyrenean Shepherd Australian Shepherd versus Norwegian Lundehund Australian Shepherd versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Australian Shepherd versus Miniature Schnauzer Australian Shepherd versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Australian Shepherd versus Curly-Coated Retriever Australian Shepherd versus Leonberger Australian Shepherd versus Yorkipoo Australian Shepherd versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Australian Shepherd versus German Shepherd Dog
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.