Icelandic Sheepdog vs Irish Terrier
Compare Icelandic Sheepdog and Irish Terrier 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
Irish Terrier
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
41 – 46 cm
44 – 50 cm
Weight
10 – 14 kg
11 – 15 kg
Life expectancy
13 – 17 years
13 – 15 years
Child friendly
3/5
5/5
Energy level
4/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
2/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
1/5
Barking level
4/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
3/5
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Characteristics
Icelandic Sheepdog
High energy
Easy to train
Small
Irish Terrier
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Stubborn
Medium
Summary
About Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog is Iceland’s only native spitz‑type herder, medium‑small, sturdy, and agile with a curled tail and thick double coat in varied colors. Cheerful, social, and vocal, it thrives on daily exercise, close family involvement, gentle training, and regular grooming.
About Irish Terrier
Medium, athletic terrier with a wiry red coat, low shedding when properly groomed. Intelligent, energetic, and independent, needing daily exercise and mental stimulation. Deeply loyal and people‑oriented, a keen watchdog, with strong prey drive and sometimes challenging with other dogs.
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