Are you interested in adopting an Icie?

For more information, download the adoption application.

Icies are a friendly, affectionate dog who seek out attention from their people. They learn quickly, and respond better to positive reinforcement training rather than rough training techniques. They are curious, and by instinct respond to birds, who were the only predators of sheep in Iceland. Some also react and lunge at cars, so some sort of fence is essential for a house yard. However, in the woods, away from roads, they generally can run free because it is natural for them to return to their owner. A good recall is not too difficult to train. They usually love children and are eager to welcome household visitors. They generally enjoy swimming.

An Icie is a hardy, happy, loyal, and intelligent dog who was bred to herd sheep, horses, cows, and to work independently as the farmer brought the sheep down from the hills. In recent times, they have been active as herders on farms, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and in agility and obedience events.

They are versatile, often eager to please, and sometimes quite humorous. They communicate by barking, and potential adopters should know that within the breed some dogs bark infrequently, and some dogs bark so much that it can be problematic in some settings.

They are medium sized dogs. Males are ideally 18 inches at the withers and weight between 25 and 45 pounds. Females are slighter in bone, appear more delicate, are 16.5 inches at the withers, and weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. They require little grooming, and compared to Australian Shepherds, shed very little. They have a double coat, which is water repellant. Fur can be short or long, and coloring is quite varied. For example, there are red and white, wheaten, pied, chocolate, black tri, black bi, and cream colored Icies. Double dew claws are typically found on rear legs.