The Kennel Club Interim Breed Standard for the Icelandic Sheepdog (Imp) will be published on 1 July 2025. The breed will therefore be eligible for exhibition in Imported Breed Register classes from this date. The standard will be available on the Kennel Club website.
The Icelandic Sheepdog is an ancient dog, having been referred to in the Icelandic Sagas more than a thousand years ago. They are described as an attractive Spitz breed; most intelligent and exceptionally friendly. In addition to its main task as a drover dog, as well as a general farm guard and alert dog, the Icelandic Sheepdog has also been used for rounding up the Icelandic horse.
The standard is the first to be published which contains an additional preliminary clause giving a brief historical summary of the breed, as well as a sub-heading in the general appearance clause to specify important proportions.
These sections are also being introduced to the Jack Russell Terrier breed standard shortly and will generally be included when new standards are published, when existing standards are reviewed following the allocation of championship status, or when a major review of a standard is undertaken.
This important guidance at the beginning of the standard will help to inform judges and breeders about the breed. The characteristics clause is to be omitted from new breed standards and removed from existing standards when such reviews are conducted.
The Kennel Club is currently in consultation with breed clubs representing the Kooikerhondje and Lagotto Romagnolo regarding their respective standards as these breeds were allocated championship status at the same time as the Jack Russell Terrier.
The Icelandic Sheepdog (Imp) has been classified in the Pastoral Group on the Imported Breed Register since April 2025.