The Icelandic Sheepdog

The history of the Icelandic Sheepdog is interwoven with the history of the nation. Ever since the Age of Settlement, this one true Icelandic dog breed has stood watch alongside the people, having been brought to the country by Norse settlers in the 9th century.

The Icelandic sheepdog was not only an indispensable working animal for herding and farming but also a loyal companion who helped people survive in a harsh land. It is because of this deep-rooted connection that the dog rightfully holds the title of Iceland's National Dog - a living cultural heritage that reminds us of our origins and perseverance.

This website is dedicated to that heritage; here, we share information about the breed's history and unique characteristics, and we collect treasured stories about our national dog.

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It´s been a long time

It’s been a long time since I last wrote a new blog post, and that can only mean one thing: it’s been a busy spell. Our summer opening hours took effect on May 1, and the Icelandic Sheepdog Heritage Center has been open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will continue to be open every day through the end of September. On May 24, the Center turned one year old. We didn’t hold any special event that day, but we’re absolutely delighted with the response. Around 2,600 people have already visited the Center this year, and we still have individuals and groups scheduled to visit in the autumn. Many Icelanders stopped by, and quite a few brought dogs with them (many of them Icelandic sheepdogs). It’s also great to share that a good number of foreign visitors who own Icelandic sheepdogs in their home countries came to learn about the breed’s history. We also welcomed international dog enthusiasts who wanted to get to know Iceland’s national dog while travelling around the country. It’s clear that the Icelandic Sheepdog Heritage Center truly has a purpose. It’s interesting to see how people hear about us: many find information online by searching for information about Icelandic dogs, others have followed us on social media for a long time, and travel agencies have also pointed people our way. One couple mentioned that they had listen to the interview on [English RÚV](https://www.ruv.is/english/2025-09-29-ruv-english-radio-the-icelandic-sheepdog-heritage-centre-454737). All of this is positive, but there’s certainly room to do even better in marketing - something I can look into more closely over the winter. On July 18, the Day of the Icelandic Sheepdog was celebrated for the eleventh time, and of course it was a big festive day for us here in Skagafjörður. July 18 is the birthday of Mark Watson, who was the savior of the Icelandic sheepdog and also contributed to preserving the old farm at Glaumbær. That’s why the day is often called Mark Watson Day here in the fjord. We now have a tradition of marking this day in collaboration with the Byggðasafn Skagfirðinga (Skagafjörður Heritage Museum). We started by meeting here at Lýtingsstaðir; visitors could enjoy coffee, view the exhibition and the turf houses, and we premiered photos from the shoot about the colour varieties of the Icelandic sheepdog. Then we continued on together to Glaumbær, where more dogs joined the group and were visible to visitors. You can find lots of great and fun photos on our Facebook page: [https://www.facebook.com/fjarhundur/](https://www.facebook.com/fjarhundur/). It’s always something we really look forward to celebrating together on this day. There was also an event at Árbæjarsafn to mark the occasion, and a special online program to give international fans of the breed a chance to take part and help make the day informative and fun. [See RÚV article.](https://www.ruv.is/english/2026-07-17-icelandic-sheepdog-day-celebrated-this-weekend-481581) Now autumn is on the way, and I’ve put together a list of interesting topics I want to share with you—and I promise it won’t be nearly as long until I post again. I’m including a photo from the Day of the Icelandic Sheepdog taken at Glaumbær, when members of Pilsaþytur and the National Costume Association of Iceland visited to take pictures for a calendar. They borrowed my dogs, Sómi and Fönn, for the photo shoot, and now I’m hoping one of those photos makes it into their calendar.

Memorial words for Guðrún Ragnars Guðjohnsen

I received permission from Þórhildur Bjartmarz to publish her memorial words for Guðrún Ragnars Guðjohnsen, who has now passed away at the age of 92. Guðrún was one of the most influential protectors of the Icelandic sheepdog. "In a newspaper interview in 1982, the chairman of the Icelandic Kennel Club (hrfí) was interviewed about dog ownership. The journalist asked: Some people let their dogs sleep in bed with them — what do you think about that? The chairwoman replied in a single short sentence: ‘People must, of course, decide that for themselves.’ The interview was conducted while dog bans were still in effect in most urban areas of Iceland. Surveys showed that about 80% of Reykjavik residents were opposed to dog ownership. This short and snappy answer from the chairwoman, Guðrún R. Guðjohnsen, says a lot about her character. No doubt, many at that time would have fallen into the trap of apologizing for such behavior, but Guðrún had no need to excuse anything or give long explanations about whether it was good or bad — as many might have done to avoid offending the more ‘respectable’ citizens, who viewed keeping dogs as unsanitary and barbaric. We members referred to our chairwoman in everyday speech as Guðrún Guð. The shortening of her last name came naturally. Guðrún led the association with great dignity. She was matter‑of‑fact and had a gift for inspiring people to work with her on various issues related to dog ownership. The same applied to her foreign colleagues in the Nordic kennel clubs, NKU, where everyone was willing to give the young Icelandic organization whatever support was requested. During Guðrún’s time as chairwoman, an incredible number of things happened within the Kennel Club. One could say that a kind of war existed between dog lovers and dog opponents in urban areas, which intensified around and after 1980, the years when Guðrún joined the club. She quickly realized that the general public needed education in order for dog ownership in urban areas to gain acceptance. But one of the greatest achievements in the club’s history was when Guðrún R. Guðjohnsen and her colleagues on the board of hrfí undertook a long and difficult battle with the City of Reykjavík — resulting in the repeal of the 60‑year‑long ban on dogs, even though a majority of citizens had voted against dog ownership in a 1988 referendum. Guðrún stated that many people had misunderstood the question that was put to them, so the results were completely misleading. The essence of the issue, she said, was that Reykjavík City had wasted millions on a vote that was not valid. There, Guðrún showed her great cleverness and courage. The organization grew rapidly during that time. Among other projects, the club opened an office and a dog school. Hrfí brought in instructors from the Nordic countries to train dog trainers — both for puppy schools and obedience schools — and also invited foreign experts to hold educational seminars about the upbringing and care of dogs. The Icelandic sheepdog held a special place in Guðrún Guð’s heart. She was a breeder and a judge and served for many years on the board of the Icelandic Sheepdog division. One could say that she was the guardian of the Icelandic sheepdog — not only here in Iceland, but also through the founding of the international organization for the preservation of the Icelandic Sheepdog, ISIC, where her burning passion and deep knowledge of the breed found room to flourish around the world. I know I speak for many when I say heartfelt thanks for all that honorary member of hrfí, Guðrún Guð, accomplished for our organization. Thank you for all the time, energy, honesty, and selflessness that we experienced through Guðrún R. Guðjohnsen’s work. Guðrún was born on January 31, 1934. She passed away on May 13, 2026. I send my deepest condolences to her family and friends. Guðrún’s work related to the Icelandic sheepdog will be further honored in connection with Icelandic Sheepdog Day, July 18. Garðabær, May 18, 2026 Þórhildur Bjartmarz former chairwoman and honorary member of hrfí Photo: Jón Svavarsson / Motiv

Old Chieftains

Although the population of the Icelandic Sheepdog remains rather small, the breed is generally healthy and remarkably long-lived compared to many other dog breeds. Recently, I heard of a dog that lived to be over twenty years old – the oldest case I’ve ever come across. You can read about him, Askur, in the newest story added to the collection: [Askur–Laxi vom Rensberg.](https://www.fjarhundur.is/en/stories/askur-vom-rensberg) The picture above shows Kría, taken in February 2024 when we were producing material for the Heritage Center. Kría was born on December 19th, 2009, and passed away recently, on April 23rd, sixteen years old. She was a breeding bitch owned by Connie at Breiðanes and had twelve offspring. The youngest in my group of dogs, Breiðanes Fönn, is her granddaughter. Kría was always gentle, calm, and carried that special charm that older dogs so often possess. She is deeply missed, but she lives on in the memories of those who met this canine queen – and in her children and grandchildren. It is a privilege to share life with a dog for so many years. The longevity of the Icelandic Sheepdog reflects the breed’s healthy genetic foundation and the care and dedication that breeders have shown through the years.

The Icelandic Sheepdog

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It´s been a long time

Memorial words for Guðrún Ragnars Guðjohnsen

Old Chieftains

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