Yoranian vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

The Yoranian is a mixed breed, hybrid or “designer” breed. They are a cross between the Pomeranian and the Yorkshire Terrier and are very small dogs. They were developed in Yorkshire, England in the 19th century. It is a very playful, family dog that is not registered with any pure breed club such as the American Kennel Club or AKC.

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.

The Yoranian is a toy breed, as are both its founding breeds. It checks in at only 7 pounds and stands only 6-10 inches tall. It can have medium or long fur in any combination of the parent’s colors including tan, black, blue or white. They have small ears that stand upright and erect, a small muzzle, medium tail and large round eyes. They can be long and slender like the Yorkshire Terrier or barrel shaped like the Pomeranian.

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.

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.

1.Children friendliness absolutely but monitor so that the dog does not get hurt. They are fragile. 2.Special talents – high energy and lots of enthusiasm 3.Adaptability – very adaptable small apartments are great. 4.Learning ability very high gets bored easily

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 Yoranian has some medical challenges such as: • A very fragile neck and back. They can be hurt easily. • Low Blood Sugar must be monitored. • Eye irritations and dry eyes without enough tear production. • Dental issues with decay and loss of teeth. • Patellar Luxation of slipped kneecaps causing lameness. • Retinal Atrophy can lead to blindness.

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.

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.

1 Feeding the puppy don’t overfeed and feed small pieces of toy dog food. 3-4 x per day ¼ cup daily 2.Feeding the adult don’t overfeed/ high quality adult toy dog food. Make sure pieces are small. ¼ to ½ cup daily 3.Points for Good Health – lots of energy and enthusiasm 4. Games and Exercises high energy and enthusiasm at least 2 walks a day. loves to play inside

Diet:

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.

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.