Sakhalin Husky vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Sakhalin Husky vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonSakhalin Husky is originated from Japan but Icelandic Sheepdog is originated from Iceland. Sakhalin Husky may grow 21 cm / 9 inches higher than Icelandic Sheepdog. Sakhalin Husky may weigh 26 kg / 58 pounds more than Icelandic Sheepdog. Both Sakhalin Husky and Icelandic Sheepdog has same life span. Both Sakhalin Husky and Icelandic Sheepdog has same litter size. Both Sakhalin Husky and Icelandic Sheepdog requires Moderate maintenance.

History

sakhalin husky - historyKnown also as the Karafuto-Ken, the Sakhalin Husky is a dog that has been used as a sled dog, but which is now almost extinct.

Hailing from Japan, it is believed that in 2011, there were only two surviving members of the breed in Japan. There isn’t much history on these dogs, but we do know that it is an old breed. They've been used by explorers to the South Pole. One such explorer was Robert Falcon Scott.

They’re extremely tough dogs, known for enduring in the snow under extreme conditions. The dog breed isn’t recognized as a standardized breed by any of the major kennel clubs.

icelandic sheepdog - historyThere are quite a few different dog breeds that fall under the name of Spitz-type dogs, and in fact they have a number of similar characteristics, one of which is that they have some wolf-like features. They typically have the thick coat with undercoat and the erect, pointed ears and slanted eyes.

There is definitely a strong link between the Spitz type dogs and wild wolves. The tail too is feathery and can curl over the back of the dog.

The Icelandic Sheepdog, a native dog to Iceland, is a Spitz type dog which originates from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. The dogs have always been used to herd sheep, and they resemble dogs found in graves in Sweden and Denmark.

The dog at one time was facing extinction in the late 20th century, but in 1969, the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association was established to restore and preserve the breed. The Icelandic Sheepdog gained AKC recognition in June 2010.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Japan
Iceland
Height Male:
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Height Female:
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
30 - 40 kg
66 - 89 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
30 - 40 kg
66 - 89 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
4 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Karafuto-Ken
Iceland Dog, Icelandic Spitz
Colors Available:
grey, Brown, tan, cream, black
black, cream or chocolate., tan and white, Grey and white or tan and white
Coat:
Medium length and thick
Short or long, straight or wavy
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

sakhalin husky puppy - descriptionThis is a medium sized dog standing at between 56 and 66cm in height and weighing between 30 and 40kg. His coat is thick and can be in a number of colours such as brown, tan, cream, grey or black. The ears are small and pointed and slightly tilted forwards. The tail is long and sometimes curls over the back while at other times it is held straight or down.

Temperament:

These dogs are known for their loyalty, affection and bravery. The dog is highly intelligent and will respond well to training and socialization.

It's a rare dog breed, calm and confident. A perfect example of their amazing characteristics is seen in the film ‘Eight Below’ where these wonderful dogs were left behind on a scientific expedition that went wrong.

The dogs had to struggle for survival in the frozen wilderness. The Sakhalin Husky just wants to please, and is alert and intelligent, doing well in a family where there are children.

Statues have been erected to honor these Sakhalin Huskies who died on some of these ill-fated expeditions.

These dogs are totally devoted to their owners and they’re full of confidence, they’ve got immense strength and they need a lot of physical stimulation every day.

icelandic sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Icelandic Sheepdog is a smallish to medium sized dog standing at 40 to 45cm in height and he can weigh anything between 9 and 14kg.

His double coat can be short or long, straight or wavy and in a mix of colors such as grey and white or tan and white, black, tan and white, cream or chocolate. Even though they come in a number of predominant colors, these colors are always accompanied by white markings.

He has a longish muzzle, much like the wolf, giving him an alert, foxy appearance. He has a muscular, rectangular body with strong, straight legs with dewclaws on both the front and hind legs.

Temperament:

Your social, energetic dog will require socialization and training which does him the world of good, turning him into a well-adjusted, obedient dog.

He is an intelligent dog, and training him won't be difficult as he is eager to please. These are social dogs which love being part of the family and they don't like being left outside day after day with little human intervention. He is a lively, confident breed, gentle and not at all aggressive.

Characteristics

sakhalin husky dog - characteristicsWhen you bring these dogs into your home, you’re bringing in lots of excellent characteristics.

He is loyal, affectionate and smart. With his above average intelligence, you can easily train him. He is also a playful breed and the kids will enjoy him as a good playmate.

They’re gentle dogs too and will do well in a home where people are fair, patient, kind and consistent with their handling of him. Known to be an excellent therapy dog, having this dog in your home will enhance your quality of life.

icelandic sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Icelandic Sheepdog is such a good all-round family pet. He is alert, intelligent, social, playful, loyal, loving and brave.

He is friendly too, getting on well with children and any pets you have in the home. He is essentially a working dog, so you shouldn’t think of owning him as a pet if your lifestyle is centered around the TV and the couch for the best part of the day.

This is an energetic dog who wants lots of action during the day. He is a dog that badly wants to be part of the family and in exchange for looking after him well, he’ll promise to be an exceptional pet.

Health Problems

sakhalin husky puppies - health problemsThe brave Sakhalin Husky can live to be between 12 and 14 years of age but these dogs can succumb to quite a few of the common dog diseases there are -

Corneal Dystrophy:

This is a hereditary disease of the cornea. You’ll see small white dots in his cornea and the dog can experience hazy vision.

Hip Dysplasia:

This problem with the hips can be debilitating for your sled dog, and both hips can be affected. It can be painful for your dog as arthritis sets in. It is important to see that your dogs don’t put on weight as this puts pressure on the joints. Your dog will need to see the vet, and surgery might be a treatment option.

Follicular Dysplasia:

This is a condition that affects Huskies between 3 and 4 months of age and can result in hair loss or problems with the skin. It is actually fairly rare in dogs and diagnosed by microscopic examination of the hair shaft. You will need to get your pet to the vet because it can lead to alopecia.

icelandic sheepdog puppies - health problemsYour pet will reach 12 to 14 years of age with good care and is regarded as a generally healthy dog breed. However, they can be prone to a few health conditions, and these include hip dysplasia and diabetes.

Diabetes:

Mercifully for your pet, diabetes is considered a manageable disorder. When your pet doesn’t produce insulin or can’t utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels rise, resulting in hyperglycemia.

If left untreated, your pet can land up with a host of complicated health problems. Diabetes can be classified as either Type 1 or Type II, with the more common form in dogs being Type 1.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

sakhalin husky dogs - caringFeed your Sakhalin Husky a commercially manufactured dog formula that caters to his energy and digestive needs.

Choose high-quality dog food with natural ingredients. Try and include some home-made food into your dogs diet. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach will do him wonders and you can chop it up and add some into the dry kibble as a treat twice a week.

Some raw meat occasionally is also important to prevent skin problems. Be sure that cool, fresh water is available for your pet at all times.

Exercise:

This will require regular exercise. Walks are always good, but he will require something more hectic such as long hikes and frisbee or ball throwing games.

Grooming:

A Husky’s dense double-coat must be brushed at least twice a week as he is a fairly heavy shedder.

His nails grow quickly and these will need to be trimmed. Even though he has erect ears, you will need to check inside for cleanliness to avoid canine ear infections.

Check inside his mouth as well for bad teeth as these can have a detrimental affect on his health

Diet:

icelandic sheepdog dogs - caringFeed your energetic Icelandic Sheepdog a diet which is appropriate for his age and activity level. Don't just feed him the best commercially manufactured dog food, but give him some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables mixed into his kibble as a tasty treat. Also, dogs are carnivores, so include some raw meat into his diet from time to time. Clean, cool water should always be available.

Grooming:

The Icelandic Sheepdog has a thick double coat, with the outer coat being longer and the hair being shiny and glossy. These dogs shed quite a bit with seasonal shedding too so twice-weekly brushing will be necessary to keep the fur free of loose hair. His nails should also be checked regularly and his teeth should be brushed a couple of times a week too.

Exercise:

Icelandic Sheepdogs are athletic, active dogs that require a lot of exercise to keep them in good physical shape.

He loves all kinds of games and outdoor activities, one of which will be going with you for a walk every day. He makes a wonderful companion for those people going on long hikes.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Sakhalin Husky vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  3. Sakhalin Husky vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Sakhalin Husky vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  5. Sakhalin Husky vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  6. Sakhalin Husky vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Sakhalin Husky vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  8. Sakhalin Husky vs Puli - Breed Comparison
  9. Sakhalin Husky vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  10. Sakhalin Husky vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  11. Sakhalin Husky vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  12. Sakhalin Husky vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Sakhalin Husky vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  14. Sakhalin Husky vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  15. Sakhalin Husky vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  16. Sakhalin Husky vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  17. Sakhalin Husky vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  18. Sakhalin Husky vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  19. Sakhalin Husky vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  20. Sakhalin Husky vs Pumi - Breed Comparison
  21. Sakhalin Husky vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  22. Sakhalin Husky vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  23. Sakhalin Husky vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Sakhalin Husky vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  25. Sakhalin Husky vs Jamthund - Breed Comparison
  26. Sakhalin Husky vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  27. Portuguese Water Dog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  28. Puli vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  29. McNab vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  30. Porcelaine vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  31. Hokkaido vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  33. Pumi vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  34. Istrian Sheepdog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  35. Jamthund vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  36. Karelian Bear Dog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  37. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  38. Kintamani vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  39. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  40. Russo-European Laika vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  41. Ryukyu Inu vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  42. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  43. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  44. Shiba Inu vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  45. Icelandic Sheepdog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  46. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  47. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  48. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  49. Icelandic Sheepdog vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  50. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds