GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Icelandic Sheepdog is a Nordic herding spitz, slightly under medium sized with prick ears and a curled tail. Seen from the side the dog is rectangular; the length of the body from the point of shoulder to point of buttock is greater than the height at withers. The depth of the chest is equal to the length of the foreleg. The expression is gentle, intelligent and happy. A confident and lively bearing is typical for this dog. There are two types of coat, long and short, both thick and extremely weatherproof. There is a marked difference in appearance between the sexes.
HEAD: Strongly built with close fitting skin. Skull slightly longer than muzzle. Triangular when seen from above or the side. CRANIAL REGION: Skull: Somewhat domed. Stop: Clearly defined though neither steep nor high. FACIAL REGION:Nose: Black, dark brown in chocolate brown and some cream dogs. Muzzle: Well-developed, nasal bridge straight. Muzzle slightly shorter than skull. Tapering evenly towards the nose to form a blunt triangle when seen from both above and from the side.Lips: Black, close fitting, dark brown in chocolate brown and some cream dogs.Bite: Scissor bite. Complete dentition.Cheeks: Flat
Eyes: Of medium size and almond shaped. Dark brown. Slightly lighter in chocolate brown and some cream dogs. The eye-rims are black. Dark brown in chocolate brown and some cream dogs
Ears: Erect and of medium size. Triangular with firm edges and slightly rounded tips. Very mobile, reacting sensitively to sound and showing the dog’s mood.
Dew claws: Well-developed double dewclaws are desirable
TAIL: High set, curled over and touching the back.
FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.: A solid black mantle or saddle on any of the various tan coloured dogs.
SERIOUS FAULTS: : Lack of dewclaws.: Yellow eyes: Round protruding eyes.
