Icelandic Sheepdog, this kind of dog is robust and lively. From appearance, they are somewhat similar to the Eskimo dog in Greenland.
The dog has a lively and cheerful temperament, is agile and alert, and is very friendly to visitors without any hostility. They are curious, like to play with humans, but work diligently. They generally use barking to herd, drive herds, and search for lost cattle and sheep.
As an excellent shepherd dog, its development has had a difficult history. This dog often eats the infected sheep carcasses of tapeworm larvae and infects them with the tapeworm disease, thus transmitting the parasites to their owners. In order to control the spread of tapeworms, keeping dogs is forbidden in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Even now, this ban is still in effect, and various anthelmintic drugs have controlled the occurrence of parasitic diseases.
It is said that the Icelandic Sheepdog was brought to Iceland by Scandinavian settlers around 874 to 930 AD. Its working style is highly adapted to the local terrain and livestock farming methods, and for centuries the Icelandic people have considered it an indispensable herding animal for their survival.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Icelandic Sheepdog was on the brink of extinction due to a widespread disease. It was only through the joint efforts of breeders and enthusiasts in Iceland and the United Kingdom that it managed to survive.
In the past few decades, the population of Icelandic Sheepdogs has grown, and although the number is still relatively small, they are no longer in danger of becoming extinct.
The instinct of the Icelandic Sheepdog is not very strong now. They are cheerful, friendly, curious, and love to play. They are very suitable as companions for children.
This dog has thick and dense fur and strong resistance to cold. It is suitable for living in cold cities in the north. It is also easy to train, alert, and can become an excellent guard dog.
However, this breed likes to bark, so it is not suitable for city living.
1. Heart Disease
Dogs with heart disease are often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as easy fatigue and difficulty breathing. It is difficult to detect heart disease in dogs, often when the owner notices, the dog is already seriously ill.
2. Infectious Diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in time are very prone to these two infectious diseases, and once infected, they may exhibit symptoms such as depression, decreased appetite, high body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney Disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, we have to mention kidney disease. The horror of kidney disease in dogs lies in the fact that the onset process is imperceptible. By the time the owner discovers it, the damage to the dog's kidney cells has often exceeded 75%. When a dog's kidneys have problems, common symptoms are blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites that infect dogs. When dogs are infected with intestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea with worms, and pale gums. Heartworms, on the other hand, are parasites that live in the dog's heart. After a dog is infected, it may exhibit symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, dyspnea, and ascites.
5. Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It commonly occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral flu, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Coughing, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Icelandic Sheepdogs have a high need for exercise and should be taken out for physical activity 1-2 times a day to burn off their abundant energy.
This breed has long and thick fur that requires regular grooming to keep it clean and prevent matting.
1. Cannot bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it cannot be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, bathe the dog one or two extra times, and you can reduce it by one or two times in winter. But in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Regular grooming
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn, when seasonal shedding is more severe. To promote good hair growth, regular grooming is important. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help the dog remove natural shed hair and prevent tangling. Grooming once in the morning and once in the evening, each time for about five minutes, is sufficient.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is beneficial for the dog's hair growth. In addition to making the fur more lustrous, letting the dog sunbathe can also help with sterilization. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise a bit, which can improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur quality is closely related to parasites. Parasites will absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, competing for nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Moreover, deworming medicine can cause significant damage to the dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for the dog to have a beautiful coat, it is necessary to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a dog food that is suitable for the dog and nutritionally sufficient to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, it is also appropriate to feed the dog lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil in moderation.
Pet Encyclopedia
