Icelandic Sheepdog vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison

Icelandic Sheepdog vs Bloodhound - Breed ComparisonBloodhound is originated from United Kingdom but Icelandic Sheepdog is originated from Iceland. Bloodhound may grow 9 cm / 4 inches higher than Icelandic Sheepdog. Bloodhound may weigh 58 kg / 128 pounds more than Icelandic Sheepdog. Bloodhound may live 6 years less than Icelandic Sheepdog. Bloodhound may have more litter size than Icelandic Sheepdog. Bloodhound requires Low Maintenance. But Icelandic Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Working dog
undefined
United Kingdom
Iceland
Height Male:
46 - 54 cm
18 - 22 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Height Female:
40 - 48 cm
15 - 19 inches
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
64 - 72 kg
141 - 159 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
58 - 66 kg
127 - 146 pounds
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
6 - 8 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
10 - 14
4 - 8
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Sleuth hound • St. Hubert Hound • Saint Hubert Hound • Chien de Saint-Hubert • Flemish Hound
Iceland Dog, Icelandic Spitz
Colors Available:
Black and Tan, Liver and Tan, Red
black, cream or chocolate., tan and white, Grey and white or tan and white
Coat:
Dense and short
Short or long, straight or wavy
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

bloodhoundThe history of the Bloodhound breed is a fascinating one. Known as a Sleuthhound for its ability to smell out the culprit and bag the prey. Even more so the Bloodhound is known for tracking and finding lost people. He is famous for finding human scents and being able to follow them even days or weeks after the person is lost. They are also able to track people over a great amount of land and have been known to successfully track escaped prisoners or wanted criminals. They are descended from the Saint-Hubert Hounds that were bred at the Abbey/Monastery at Saint-Hubert, Belgium. According to the legends the St. Hubert hounds were bred by the Monks in 1000AD. This hound was thought to be a mixed breed rather than a purebred. That’s because the ancestry of this hound is not really known but it is known that the monks bred them and sent several to the King of France annually. Only black hounds were gifted.

Some kings preferred not to hunt with these hounds thinking them not good enough while others thought the only use for them was as a leash hound. All described the St. Hubert as long in body with short legs. These gifts continued until the French Revolution when hunting in France was greatly reduced until the 19th century. The original St. Hubert strain became extinct in the 19th century and that the current European St. Hubert hound has its origins in the Bloodhound. The Bloodhound as a separate breed was already established in Europe by the middle of the 14th century. They were used as leach hounds to sniff out the prey so that the pack hounds could chase and keep it “at bay”. They were also used from the beginnings of the breed to track humans. At this time they were often known as sleuth hounds. As recorded by John Caius – the authority on Bloodhounds from their origins – writes about the breeds ability to find and track the scent of blood – thus becoming the Bloodhound and its use to track poachers and thieves. He also reported that the Bloodhound and the Sleuth Hound were the same basic breed. The number of Bloodhounds in Britain gradually declined until few remained after World War II. Britain has gradually built their breed back up by importing dogs from America. It was during the 19th century that the Bloodhound was imported into France by breeders who wished to reestablish the St. Hubert Hound. Thus the St. Hubert is both the ancestor and descendent of the Bloodhound. The Britain’s continue to believe that the Bloodhound is a native British breed.

The Bloodhounds in America have had great success as companion animals, with police departments and forest rangers and showing in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club in New York. There are more Bloodhounds in the United States than anywhere else in the world.

In the end the Anglo-Saxton Bloodhound cannot be specified with any real certainty. Many believe it was not the St. Hubert that the Bloodhound descended from but rather the Norman hound or the sleuth-hound. Many believe it could have included other breeds such as the southern hound, the dun-hound and the Talbot. It cannot be proven today it the Bloodhound’s origins come from Belgian or England.

icelandic sheepdogThere are quite a few different dog breeds that fall under the name of Spitz-type dogs, and in fact they have a number of similar characteristics, one of which is that they have some wolf-like features. They typically have the thick coat with undercoat and the erect, pointed ears and slanted eyes.

There is definitely a strong link between the Spitz type dogs and wild wolves. The tail too is feathery and can curl over the back of the dog.

The Icelandic Sheepdog, a native dog to Iceland, is a Spitz type dog which originates from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. The dogs have always been used to herd sheep, and they resemble dogs found in graves in Sweden and Denmark.

The dog at one time was facing extinction in the late 20th century, but in 1969, the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association was established to restore and preserve the breed. The Icelandic Sheepdog gained AKC recognition in June 2010.

Description

bloodhound puppy - descriptionWhen being judged for confirmation in a show ring, the preference is for a larger dog, with an unusual skeleton in respect to its large size and heavy weight in the bones. They have a narrow head, flat at the sides, but long. They have deep set eyes buried in the deep, long face and wrinkles. The eyes might be yellow or run the gamut to deep hazel depending upon the color of the dog. The long velvety ears and thin and low set on the head. These long ears are as much a part of the Bloodhounds Olfactory system as his amazing nose. They curl backward and inward as the ends. There is a large amount of loose skin on the head and at the jowls. When the Bloodhound lowers his head the loose folds and ridges of skin are prominent on the face and forehead.

For many centuries all different colors of Bloodhounds could be found. Today however they are pretty much red, black and tan and black and liver. The Bloodhound is a powerful dog and is larger than most breeds of hounds.

icelandic sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Icelandic Sheepdog is a smallish to medium sized dog standing at 40 to 45cm in height and he can weigh anything between 9 and 14kg.

His double coat can be short or long, straight or wavy and in a mix of colors such as grey and white or tan and white, black, tan and white, cream or chocolate. Even though they come in a number of predominant colors, these colors are always accompanied by white markings.

He has a longish muzzle, much like the wolf, giving him an alert, foxy appearance. He has a muscular, rectangular body with strong, straight legs with dewclaws on both the front and hind legs.

Temperament:

Your social, energetic dog will require socialization and training which does him the world of good, turning him into a well-adjusted, obedient dog.

He is an intelligent dog, and training him won't be difficult as he is eager to please. These are social dogs which love being part of the family and they don't like being left outside day after day with little human intervention. He is a lively, confident breed, gentle and not at all aggressive.

Characteristics

bloodhound dog - characteristicsThe Bloodhound is known as a gentle soul and he truly is. They are affectionate and gentle with people and children. However, their strong will to track can make them stubborn and hard to handle and train. They are easy going dogs and really like to be with people, children and other dogs. They are affectionate but tend to be set in their ways.

icelandic sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Icelandic Sheepdog is such a good all-round family pet. He is alert, intelligent, social, playful, loyal, loving and brave.

He is friendly too, getting on well with children and any pets you have in the home. He is essentially a working dog, so you shouldn’t think of owning him as a pet if your lifestyle is centered around the TV and the couch for the best part of the day.

This is an energetic dog who wants lots of action during the day. He is a dog that badly wants to be part of the family and in exchange for looking after him well, he’ll promise to be an exceptional pet.

Health Problems

bloodhound puppies - health problemsObviously with ears like the Bloodhound there is always a chance for problems and serious infections. The ears need to be cleaned daily. Because their coat is so thick, they can overheat easily, and they are very prone to bloat, as are many large animals. However, with the Bloodhound, Bloat is the number one killer. Their lifespan is one of the shortest of all dogs at 6.75 years.

icelandic sheepdog puppies - health problemsYour pet will reach 12 to 14 years of age with good care and is regarded as a generally healthy dog breed. However, they can be prone to a few health conditions, and these include hip dysplasia and diabetes.

Diabetes:

Mercifully for your pet, diabetes is considered a manageable disorder. When your pet doesn’t produce insulin or can’t utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels rise, resulting in hyperglycemia.

If left untreated, your pet can land up with a host of complicated health problems. Diabetes can be classified as either Type 1 or Type II, with the more common form in dogs being Type 1.

Caring The Pet

bloodhound dogs - caringThe Bloodhound is not a high energy, fast moving dog but that does not mean he doesn’t have serious nutritional needs. An overweight Bloodhound is on a course to an early demise. They should be fed a high-quality food once a day or split into two daily servings. Do not feed them right before or right after strenuous exercise and remember that strenuous exercise for a Bloodhound is considerably less than it is for a terrier.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the number one cause of death in Bloodhounds is Bloat. They are also prone to cancer. They have minor issues with their eyes, but their ears and skin are also major concerns. Clean the ears daily and wipe out the skin folds and wrinkles to prevent infections. They should be test for hip and elbow dysplasia simply because they are large dogs, though these conditions are less common in Bloodhounds.

Exercise and games

Though the Bloodhound is known as a couch potato his stamina and activity levels are usually greatly underestimated. He can follow a scent for 7-10 hours over miles of terrain with out a problem. He needs daily exercise such as long walks on a leash. Do not take your Bloodhound out off leash because if he picks up a scent and wanders off you will not be able to get his attention to call him back.

Diet:

icelandic sheepdog dogs - caringFeed your energetic Icelandic Sheepdog a diet which is appropriate for his age and activity level. Don't just feed him the best commercially manufactured dog food, but give him some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables mixed into his kibble as a tasty treat. Also, dogs are carnivores, so include some raw meat into his diet from time to time. Clean, cool water should always be available.

Grooming:

The Icelandic Sheepdog has a thick double coat, with the outer coat being longer and the hair being shiny and glossy. These dogs shed quite a bit with seasonal shedding too so twice-weekly brushing will be necessary to keep the fur free of loose hair. His nails should also be checked regularly and his teeth should be brushed a couple of times a week too.

Exercise:

Icelandic Sheepdogs are athletic, active dogs that require a lot of exercise to keep them in good physical shape.

He loves all kinds of games and outdoor activities, one of which will be going with you for a walk every day. He makes a wonderful companion for those people going on long hikes.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Icelandic Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Icelandic Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Icelandic Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Icelandic Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Icelandic Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Icelandic Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Bloodhound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Bloodhound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Bloodhound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Bloodhound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Bloodhound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Bloodhound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Bloodhound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Bloodhound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Bloodhound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Bloodhound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Bloodhound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Bloodhound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Bloodhound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Bloodhound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Bloodhound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Bloodhound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Bloodhound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Bloodhound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Bloodhound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Bloodhound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Bloodhound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Bloodhound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Bloodhound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Bloodhound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Bloodhound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison