Zoological garden in Copenhagen

The Icelandic dog has long been popular in Denmark, as can also be seen in the blog posts about Njord, Pillar, and Schierbeck.

In the Danish magazine VORE HUNDE from 1898, an article by Eugen Colding was published in which he writes about the Zoo's plan to focus on three national dogs: the Great Dane, the Icelandic Sheepdog, and the Greenland Dog.

Here is a translation of this article:

The Zoo

"The Zoo in Copenhagen intends to focus on three national dogs: the Great Dane, the Icelandic Sheepdog, and the Greenland Dog, in addition to other breeds.

At present, the Zoo owns no Icelandic dogs, but this is only a question of time.

The picture shows the last descendant of the Zoo’s previous population of this breed. It died here, and now - in accordance with Mr. Hoffmann-Bang’s custom with all animals that die in the Zoo - it decorates the wall of his home. This is a beautiful act and well-suited to the animal lover that Mr. Hoffmann-Bang is.

Icelandic dogs are primarily found in Aalborg in this country - some of which were previously purchased by Captain Christensen for the War Ministry to be trained as war dogs, while others were bred by the Captain himself. However, experiments with Icelandic dogs in military service were discontinued, and the dogs have since been transferred to various owners.

At the Tivoli Dog Show in 1897-98, “Yips,” owned by Sergeant P.C. Hansen, won 2 first prizes; “Svartur,” owned by Sergeant Steen, won 2 second prizes and 1 third prize; and “Pillar,” owned by Sergeant T. Lindholm, won 2 first prizes and a cup. A few specimens can also be found in Copenhagen."

This plan never came to fruition, and the dogs in the picture were the last Icelandic dogs to reside in the Copenhagen Zoo. Additionally, the breeding of Nordic dogs was discontinued.