Icelandic Sheepdog vs Basenji
Compare Icelandic Sheepdog and Basenji side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Icelandic Sheepdog
Basenji
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
41 – 46 cm
40 – 43 cm
Weight
10 – 14 kg
9 – 11 kg
Life expectancy
12 – 15 years
12 – 16 years
Child friendly
3/5
2/5
Energy level
4/5
4/5
Intelligence
4/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
3/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
2/5
Shedding
3/5
2/5
Barking level
4/5
1/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
3/5
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Characteristics
Icelandic Sheepdog
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Small
Basenji
High energy
Low grooming
Quiet
Small
Summary
About Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a cheerful, medium spitz herder from Iceland, with prick ears, curled tail, and a thick weatherproof coat. Friendly, vocal, and people oriented, it thrives on companionship, regular exercise, training, and varied activities like herding and agility.
About Basenji
Basenji: small, athletic African hound, 40–43 cm and 9–12 kg, with short coat, curled tail and wrinkled forehead. Often “barkless,” it yodels instead. Clean, independent, intelligent and strong-willed, it needs patient positive training, secure fencing, and regular mental and physical exercise.
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