Icelandic Sheep, Icelandic Dog, Icelandic Cow

Icelandic Sheep, Icelandic Dog, Icelandic Cow

The Icelandic sheep is special in many ways. For example, leader sheep possessing the qualities of the Icelandic type do not exist anywhere else in the world. There are many stories of how they have rescued both men and other sheep from danger. Icelandic sheep are so-called short-tailed animals, a type which was formerly common in northwestern Europe, but which is now found in only few areas of the world. It is a strong, hardy species that has adapted well to Icelandic conditions. The majority of the national flock has horns, but polled sheep are also common.

Icelandic sheep: Icelandic Sheep: White, polled eve, with tan fibres and a black spot. White, horned ram, with a black cheek. Black, polled eve. Dark-grey, polled eve. White, polled ram. Grey, horned ewe. Homozygous grey, polled ewe. Brown, polled ewe lamb. Brown, horned ewe. Grey-brown, horned ram lamb. Black mouflon, horned ewe. Grey mouflon, horned ewe. Brown badgerface, horned ewe. Black piebald, horned ewe, with dark eyerings only. Black piebald, polled ewe, with dark cheeks and a collar. Black piebald, horned ewe, with a hood. Black piebald, horned ewe, with dark outer socks. Black piebald, polled ewe, with patches. Grey piebald, polled ewe, with patches. Brown piebald, polled ewe lamb, with a hood. Brown piebald-mouflon, horned ram lamb, with an eagle head. Black mouflon-piebald, horned leader wether, with a blaze and socks. Black badgerface-piebald, horned ewe lamb. Black fourhorned ewe. Black piebald, fourhorned ram lamb, with patches. Black piebald, horned leader ram with socks, ehad and nose spots. Brown piebald, horned leader ewe lambs, all with white collars and stockings.

The Icelandic Sheepdog has assisted with guarding and hearding horses, cattle and sheep since it was brought here during the original settlement in Iceland. Research has shown that it is of Nordic origin like the Icelandic sheep and goats. Like the Icelandic goat the Icelandic Sheepdog was close to extinction in the mid 20th century. In the last decades some measures have been taken in reversing this process, both in Iceland and abroad.

The main characteristics of the Icelandic Sheepdog are its pricked ears and curled tail and its many colours.

Iclandic Cows, Dogs and Sheep. Photo by Olga

Light tan dog with a black mask and white collar. Reddish tan and light tan bitches, both with black masks. Black tricolour dog with a blaze. Tricolour and black masked puppies. Black tricolour dog. Reddish brown dog with a black mask. Black tricolour bitch puppy. Proud mther with her puppy, both light tan with black mask. Reddish tan dog with a white collar with a bitch of the same colour and another light tan bitch with a black. Reddish tan puppy with a black mask, six week old. Light tan three year old bitch. Reddish tan puppies, all with black mask. Two bitches, one light tan, the other reddish tan with a white collar. Puppies, some with a blaze and other with half a white face. Light tan two year old dog. A light reddish tan dog on a winter's day. Reddish tan dog with a black mask and a blaze. Light tan bitch with a half a white face. Brown bitch. Light tan bitch with a white collar. Reddish tan dog with a black mask. Reddish tan bitch with a white collar and blaze.

The Icelandic breed of cattle is smaller than cattle in neighbouring countries. It is a hardy and fertile type of cow and produces a great deal of milk. The number of dairy farmers is gradually declining as the productivity of individual farmers increases. There are currently about 1,100 milk farmers in the country. Most milk production and cattle breeding is conducted in the south, west and north-central areas of the country, near the major urban centres.

Light red. Red. Red pied, light. Black. Black pied. Red with white face. Red with white face marking. Black, with inguinal region. Black pied, extensive white. Brindle pied. Grey, blue roan. Brown, white face, socks. Grey. Red brindle. Brindle. White. White, red ears and muzzle. Dun, white dorsal line. Brown grey, white inguinal region. Brown, light. Brown, dark.

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