The Icelandic Sheep Dog
Discover the Icelandic Sheepdog's history and resurgence as Iceland's national dog. Join us in 2024 for the opening of our exhibition dedicated to this unique breed. Help spread the word about this remarkable breed and participate in strengthening its presence on the international stage.
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Icelandic National Customs
The book Íslenzkir þjóðhættir (Icelandic National Customs) by Reverend Jónas Jónasson from Hrafnagil is one of the most significant works of Icelandic culture and folklore. It is a unique depiction of the daily life and customs of Icelanders in the 19th century. Jónas Jónasson (1856–1918) was an Icelandic priest, teacher, and scholar, best known for this book, which was published in 1934, sixteen years after his death. The book preserves valuable records of Icelandic daily life, which would likely have been lost with modernization, and is considered one of the cornerstone works of Icelandic folklore studies. Beyond that, it is an enjoyable read, as it is written in a way that appeals not only to folklorists but also to the general public. The book includes a detailed chapter on dogs (pages 177–181), and the account is, in some ways, different from what we find in other writings. Jónas writes about the necessity of dogs for farmers and shepherds. He mentions that Icelanders have long been known for their fondness for dogs, letting them sleep beside them and having them clean their eating utensils. He notes that at Grenjaðarstaður in Þingeyjarsýsla, there were twelve dogs, though that was uncommon. In many places, however, one could see at least six dogs where there was significant livestock and farming activity. Jónas highlights various folk beliefs related to dogs, which I would like to present here: "A dog turns out best if it is raised during Þorri or Góa \[note: old Icelandic months\], as it will then be the right age to be trained with lambs in the spring." "Great care must be taken when choosing puppies to keep; firstly, they must not be born with their eyes open, for if they are, they must be killed immediately. Otherwise, they will disappear into the ground when they are three nights old, only to reappear at the same spot three years later. By then, they will have become such terrifying monsters that any creature that looks into their eyes will die. If such misfortune occurs, arrangements must be made for this abomination to see itself in a mirror upon emerging, as that will be its immediate end." "But there is another matter—to ensure that the dog raised will turn out well. Some say that one should choose the firstborn puppy, while others, and they are more numerous, say that the puppies should be taken from the mother after she has given birth and carried away from her sight. She will then take them back and place them in her den; the puppy she takes first will turn out the best and should be the one raised." "In places where shepherding took place in steep mountains, many preferred to have white or very light-colored dogs, as they are the easiest to spot when sent over long distances." "The loyalty of dogs has often been praised, but some shepherds have been unlucky enough to have dogs unwilling to follow them. To ensure a dog's loyalty, all one needs to do is give it a piece of food and rub the food in one's sweat. The dog will then willingly follow its master and become loyal to them." "Some dogs developed a tendency to be aggressive and bite the hind legs of sheep, even tearing them to injury. If they could not be trained out of this behavior in other ways, it was customary to break their fangs with a nail clipper; they were then unable to harm the sheep by biting." "Dogs are clairvoyant and can see people's guardian spirits and other apparitions; when dogs become restless and bark in the evening, either inside the farmhouse or outside, it is because they see spirits or something unclean brewing. When a sense of unease overtakes them due to something unclean wandering around nearby, they sit down and howl softly or emit a high-pitched whine, as it is called. They can also sense in other ways when guests are expected." "Dog skin is useful for many things. For example, mittens made from dog skin are exceptionally warm, as are socks and mittens made with dog hair mixed into wool. Dog fat is considered the best ointment for arthritis, bruises, sprains, and other injuries, and many still believe this to be true today." Fortunately, Jónas does not describe the preparation of dog skins or the production of dog fat, as that could be difficult reading in today's context. Following my review of the book, I would like to point out a [questionnaire on dogs available in Sarpur,](https://www.sarpur.is/Spurningaskra.aspx?ID=531295&page=0&pageSize=192) a cultural heritage database. The responses touch on many of the topics Jónas mentions in _Íslenzkir þjóðhættir_, and it is fascinating to read through them. It is only available in Icelandic, but with modern translation techniques, it should be accessible to anyone interested in these folklore topics. Image: Djúpadalur, 1930. Photographer unknown.
Description of Iceland, 1920
I have often wondered how Mark Watson managed to gather all the sources about Icelandic dogs for his book. How did he find the books he references? Did he travel between countries and libraries? Who translated? That would have taken him many years, but it doesn’t entirely align with everything else the man accomplished and stood for. Finally, I found an explanation in the book **Lýsing Íslands** - Description of Iceland -by Þorvaldur Thoroddsen, Volume Four, First Issue, printed in 1920. This book was one of the last I planned to include in my research, and I was fortunate to find it in an antiquarian bookstore, as this volume is not available in digital format. **Lýsing Íslands** is a comprehensive work in four volumes by Þorvaldur Thoroddsen. The first volume was published in 1881, and the final volume in 1920. This work was the result of many years of research by Þorvaldur, often conducted under challenging conditions. Þorvaldur Thoroddsen (1855–1921) was an Icelandic geologist and geographer, regarded as one of Iceland's most prominent scientists of his time. He traveled extensively across the country to collect data. **Lýsing Íslands** has retained its value and is still considered an essential source on Icelandic nature, geology, and geography. The fourth volume delves deeply into agriculture in Iceland, with the first issue covering livestock, gardening, and crop cultivation. Þorvaldur dedicates several pages to dogs, including a detailed account of their history in Iceland. He mentions the settlement period, the famine of 990, and Arnór Kerlingarnef's proposal, Sámur, Gunnar's dog from Hlíðarendi, as well as references to dogs in _Sturlunga saga_ and other sagas. He also discusses the export of Icelandic dogs during the Middle Ages and their popularity among English women. I find the following critique by Þorvaldur of the false stories that emerged in the 15th century regarding the export of Icelandic dogs to England particularly remarkable: "From this trade in dogs arose the false story that first appears with Martin Behaim in 1492, who writes about Icelanders: 'They are accustomed to selling their dogs at a high price, but they give their children to merchants for nothing, so the others may have food.' This has been repeated countless times by foreign geographical authors. Olaus Magnus writes in 1555 that Iceland has white dogs, furry and with hair like wool, which noblewomen and priests keep for their amusement. Blefken claims these dogs are earless and tailless. This is, however, undoubtedly nonsense. There is little reason to doubt that the small, white Icelandic furry dogs once existed, but they seem to have disappeared long ago; the breed may have died out in one of the canine epidemics." Regarding the typical Icelandic dogs, Þorvaldur writes: "They belong to the dog breed referred to as 'Spitz' dogs, similar to those found in northern Norway and Lapland, as they originally come from there. They are rather small, agile, and intelligent, with short but sharp snouts, erect, pointed ears, and a curled, furry tail. They come in various colors but are most often reddish-brown, and quite a few are also spotted." Þorvaldur harshly criticizes Icelanders for their poor treatment of dogs. He argues that the qualities of the Icelandic dog breed are not given the respect they deserve, as dogs are allowed to breed randomly, and many endure suffering from hunger and cold. He believes this treatment stems "mostly from the carelessness and neglect of people. Dogs have been despised and considered worthless. However, a good and well-trained dog is one of the greatest assets to a farmer and can be a true treasure on a rural homestead." Þorvaldur highlights the strengths of the Icelandic dog, which could be further enhanced through breeding, selective improvement, and proper upbringing. He describes them as excellent herding and sheepdogs, which can also serve as effective guard dogs, hunting dogs, and travel companions, for example, for managing horses and navigating paths in poor visibility. The keen sense of smell of these dogs has often proved useful for locating livestock buried in snow. On the relationship between humans and dogs, Þorvaldur writes: "Nowhere in Iceland have there been special houses, kennels, or shelters for dogs, as is customary in other countries. It has been common to send dogs outside in the evening, in weather that was 'fit for a dog,' as the saying goes, and then lock them out. They would have to fend for themselves outdoors, no matter the weather, curling up in window wells, haylofts, or other small shelters. On the other hand, in some places, there has been excessive pampering of them, or through thoughtlessness, they have been kept in too close contact with children and adults, slept in living rooms, licked utensils, and so on. As is well known, dogs acquire tapeworms from eating offal from sheep, and the eggs of these tapeworms can then enter human food, causing echinococcosis, which has been so widespread in Iceland and caused so much harm." Þorvaldur then delves deeper into echinococcosis, the dog tax, and diseases in dogs. Þorvaldur's descriptions in this book are an invaluable resource on dogs and dog ownership during this period, and it is fortunate that this information has been preserved in such detail. For Mark Watson, this book likely served as the foundation for his research and writings. Image: Bruno Schweizer
Dog Epidemics in Iceland
So-called dog epidemics or canine plagues have often occurred in Iceland, and they were frequently caused by highly lethal diseases. Historical records mention outbreaks among dogs in earlier centuries. In **1591**, there are accounts of the deaths of cattle, dogs, and foxes across the country, with the disease reportedly brought to Iceland by an English dog in the western part of the island. In **1727** and **1728**, a canine plague is mentioned in Snæfellsnes, during which livestock also perished rapidly. Between **1731** and **1733**, there are reports of a pestilence affecting cattle, horses, dogs, and foxes. In the travel journal of Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson, the outbreak in South Iceland in 1731 is described: "The dogs and foxes became confused, but not rabid. Foxes wandered toward farms and were killed there." In **1786**, a major canine plague struck Iceland. In **1827**, a deadly epidemic affected dogs, making them so valuable afterward that some farmers were willing to give three sheep for a dog. In **1855**, a canine plague swept through much of the country, devastating entire regions of dogs to the point that it became nearly impossible to herd livestock. It was said that the disease was so contagious that if a healthy dog sniffed a person from a farm where the plague had spread, it would fall ill immediately. The widespread lack of dogs caused significant difficulties, to the extent that a cow or horse was sometimes offered in exchange for a dog. "In the depths of winter, in March and April, 30 people from various northern regions—Bárðardalur, Eyjafjörður, and Skagafjörður—crossed the mountains via Sprengisandur, Eyfirðingavegur, and Kjölur to buy dogs in Árnessýsla and Rangárvallasýsla. The weather was favorable at the time, so the mountain journeys went well." In **1870**, a severe canine plague struck northern Iceland, killing large numbers of dogs and leaving some households entirely without dogs. It was said that the plague had been introduced by an English dog accompanying an English traveler. The disease subsequently spread to western and southern Iceland. In **1871**, Snorri Jónsson, a veterinarian, wrote in [_Heilbrigðistíðindi_:](https://timarit.is/page/2043924#page/n5/mode/2up) _"The dog is one of those animals that is rarely in short supply here in Iceland, but people only truly realize how much they depend on it when it is absent. When the canine epidemic swept through the country 16 years ago, many experienced how unbearable it is for anyone keeping livestock to be without a dog. This year, it seems that many will face the same situation; for although the dog epidemic has largely subsided in South Iceland, reports suggest it has begun in both North Iceland and the Eastfjords, and it is already proving quite severe. It therefore seems appropriate to say a few words about this disease here, and to touch on the main measures that can be taken to mitigate it."_ He further notes that this illness resembles _Febris catarrhalis epizootica canum_, which is known abroad, except that abroad, the disease only affects dogs younger than one year old. In Iceland, however, it is equally severe for dogs of all ages. The disease presents itself as follows: _"The illness usually begins with coughing and hoarseness. The nose is dry and hot. At the onset of the disease, clear fluid runs from the nose and eyes, which soon becomes pus-like. This stage can last for several days without the dog appearing very ill; but then the condition gradually worsens. The dog becomes weak, staggers on its legs, experiences seizures, and dies within a fortnight or sooner. Often, this disease is accompanied by severe headaches, causing the dog to act as if rabid—running back and forth, spinning in circles, and sometimes attempting to bite anything in its path. Weakness is always most pronounced in the hindquarters, and it is not uncommon for this weakness to persist even after the dog has otherwise recovered. It is also frequently observed that the dog appears semi-delirious after the illness, particularly if the headaches were severe. Blindness or impaired vision is also a common consequence of this disease."_ Snorri continues to urge people to take good care of their dogs, prevent them from coming into contact with healthy dogs, ensure they are not left outside at night, and provide them with sufficient nutritious food, especially meat. He also offers guidelines on various remedies that can be used to treat sick dogs. In the years **1888, 1892-93,** and **1900**, epidemics swept across various regions of Iceland, during which numerous dogs were infected and perished. Source: _Description of Iceland_ by Þorvaldur Thoroddsen. Volume Four, First Issue. 1920. Image: Hallgrímur Árni Gunnlaugsson (b. October 25, 1867), cooper from Raufarhöfn, riding. 1911. Photographer Bárður Sigurðsson.
CONTACT
Lýtingsstaðir, 561 Varmahlíð.
Phone: +354 893 3817
[email protected]
CONTACT->
Lýtingsstaðir, 561 Varmahlíð.
Phone: +354 893 3817
[email protected]
