Icelandic Sheepdog vs Rat Terrier
Compare Icelandic Sheepdog and Rat 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
Rat Terrier
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
41 – 46 cm
25 – 46 cm
Weight
10 – 14 kg
5 – 10 kg
Life expectancy
13 – 17 years
15 – 18 years
Child friendly
3/5
3/5
Energy level
4/5
3/5
Intelligence
3/5
3/5
Trainability
4/5
3/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
1/5
Shedding
3/5
3/5
Barking level
4/5
4/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
3/5
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Characteristics
Icelandic Sheepdog
High energy
Easy to train
Small
Rat Terrier
Low grooming
Small
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 Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is an American‑bred, small to medium, athletic farm and vermin dog. Intelligent and energetic, it thrives on training, exercise, and close family contact. With a short, low‑maintenance coat in many pied colors, it suits active homes and excels in various dog sports.
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