MyDogBreeds
Icelandic Sheepdog is originated from Iceland but Broholmer is originated from Denmark. Icelandic Sheepdog may grow 30 cm / 11 inches shorter than Broholmer. Icelandic Sheepdog may weigh 66 kg / 145 pounds lesser than Broholmer. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Broholmer has almost same life span. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Broholmer has almost same litter size. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Broholmer requires Moderate maintenance.
There 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.
This giant dog, the Broholmer, comes from Denmark and falls into the general Molosser type of Mastiff dog. The breed was originally developed by crossing the local German dogs with the English Mastiffs to create what is also known as a Danish Mastiff. The breed is named after an 18th century game-keeper names Sehested of Broholm. This type of dog has been present however since the Middle Ages in Europe. It started out as a stag hunting dog but quickly evolved into a guard dog. They were greatly favored by the wealthy and nobility, including being featured in portraits with King Frederick VII and Countess Danner.
Like many European dogs, the Broholmer, did not fare well during the second World War. During this time there was little purebred breeding and their numbers decreased almost to the point of extinction. Brought back by a group called “The Society for the Reconstruction of the Broholmer Breed”. With the support of the Danish Kennel Club, they were successful in bring the breed back. They were recognized by both the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale and the Danish Kennel Club. By 2009 they were being imported to the United Kingdom, hoping to get them onto the import lists of the United Kingdom kennel club (UKC).
The 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.
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.
The Broholmer is a very large dog with Mastiff qualities. He is strong, rectangular and powerful in build. He has a massive head and neck with a deep and broad chest. The length of the nose is the same as the length of the skull. He is tall, well built and his thing and hindquarters are powerful. His stance and gait are powerful and intimidating as well. His appearance and size alone account for his guard dog status. However, he is a little smaller than most Mastiffs and he is athletic looking as well.
The Broholmer is a double coated breed with a short topcoat and a thick undercoat. The color of the Broholmer is yellow or a golden red. Some have white on the feet, tail tip or chest and some have a black mask. Most do not have any mask.
The 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.
The Broholmer is a calm, friendly dog. He is a large dog that thinks he is a lap dog. He wants to be close and snuggle with his people all the time. He is great with kids and other dogs. At the same time, he can be very watchful and protective. Because of this along with his size he needs a strong owner who is clearly the pack leader. He is wary and protective around strangers and can be stubborn if he thinks he is in charge.
Your 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.
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.
The Broholmer faces many of the same health issues as other large breeds, even though he is overall a very healthy breed. Some of the types of health issues the Broholmer might deal with include:
Bloat – caused by eating a large meal too quickly and drinking a lot of water or exercising too soon before or after the large meal.
Feed 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.
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.
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.
Don’t overfeed the Broholmer. Give her about three and three quarters to nine cups of a high quality dry food. Depending on the size of your dog, adjust the amount of food within the guidelines listed here. Feed at least twice a day. Use a large breed dog food.
Bloat – when the stomach is twisted and distended. This can cause death is not responded to by a vet immediately.
Eye Issues – Entropion turning inward of eyelids and irritating eye; Ectropium eyelids turn outward, Cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) -genetic defects of the retina can cause blindness.
The Broholmer is not an overly active dog but he is big and athletic so has strong exercise needs. A large fenced in back yard is essential or be prepared for several long walks every day. You can play inside games like teaching new tricks or hide and seek but remember this is a big dog. He would love to swim, play frisbee or ball, go hiking or organized activities such as fly ball, agility, rally and obedience. Don’t let your Broholmer over exercise while it is young and still growing. He needs as much mental stimulation as physical exercise.