Icelandic Sheepdog vs Leonberger
Compare Icelandic Sheepdog and Leonberger 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
Leonberger
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
41 – 46 cm
65 – 80 cm
Weight
10 – 14 kg
40 – 77 kg
Life expectancy
13 – 17 years
9 – 10 years
Child friendly
3/5
5/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
3/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
2/5
Grooming needs
3/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
4/5
Barking level
4/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
2/5
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Characteristics
Icelandic Sheepdog
High energy
Easy to train
Small
Leonberger
Great with kids
Easy to train
Giant
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 Leonberger
Large, strongly built “gentle giant” with lion‑coloured, water‑resistant double coat and black mask. Typically calm, devoted, and very good with children and other pets when well socialised. Needs regular exercise, kind training, thorough grooming, and careful health management.
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