Differences and Similarities between the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

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Chorkie Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Chorkie and for the Icelandic Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chorkie or the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Chorkie versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chorkie is a tiny-sized dog while the Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Chorkie belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

On the other hand, the Icelandic Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Chorkie versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chorkie to the Icelandic Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog

Factor Chorkie Icelandic Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 14 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 6 to 9 inches 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder
Weight 8 to 15 pounds 20 to 30 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.5 years
Average Price $990 No Data
Price Range $550 – $1200 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chorkie in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Icelandic Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Chorkie is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chorkie is a better pet than the Icelandic Sheepdog. So, you should get the Chorkie!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most different:

  • Chorkies cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chorkies do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Chorkies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Chorkies adapt well to apartment living. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chorkies are good for new dog owners. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog

    The Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chorkie versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

    Chorkies weigh 8 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Chorkies are 6 to 9 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chorkie versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Chorkies is between 12 to 15 years . The average lifespan of Chorkies is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is 14.5 years.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs live longer than Chorkies.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chorkie versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    Chorkies do not like to be left alone.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chorkies shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?

    Chorkies do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Chorkie or the Icelandic Sheepdog

    Chorkies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chorkie or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Chorkies are moderately easy to groom.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Chorkie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Chorkies have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Chorkies Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

    Chorkies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Chorkies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chorkies cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chorkie vs. Icelandic Sheepdog

    Chorkies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chorkies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chorkies cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chorkie or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Chorkies get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chorkies good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

    Chorkies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Chorkies and Icelandic Sheepdogs?

    Chorkies get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Chorkie Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Chorkies are fairly easy to train.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Chorkie Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Chorkies adapt very well to apartment living.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chorkie or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Chorkies are very good for new dog owners.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chorkie

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chorkie that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Chorkie:

  • Maltese (79 percent match with Chorkie). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Maltese.
  • Yorkshire Terrier (83 percent match with Chorkie). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Icelandic Sheepdog:

  • Kai Ken (78 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Chorkie vs Kai Ken.
  • Scottish Deerhound (75 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Chorkie vs Scottish Deerhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chorkie and how the Icelandic Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chorkie and of the Icelandic Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Chorkie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chorkie versus Norwegian Lundehund     Chorkie versus Saint Berdoodle     Chorkie versus Goldador     Chorkie versus Boxer     Chorkie versus American Water Spaniel     Chorkie versus Italian Greyhound     Chorkie versus Maremma Sheepdog     Chorkie versus Bichon Frise     Chorkie versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Chorkie versus Labrador Retriever     Chorkie versus Tibetan Mastiff     Chorkie versus Greyhound     Chorkie versus Black Mouth Cur     Chorkie versus Bloodhound     Chorkie versus Brussels Griffon     Chorkie versus Irish Water Spaniel     Chorkie versus Frenchton     Chorkie versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Chorkie versus Bullmastiff     Chorkie versus Karelian Bear Dog     Chorkie versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Chorkie versus Boykin Spaniel     Chorkie versus Kai Ken     Chorkie versus Irish Wolfhound     Chorkie versus Bich Poo     

    Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cairn Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Dutch Shepherd     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Scottish Deerhound     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Kishu Ken     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Australian Cattle Dog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Papipoo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus German Shepherd Dog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Akbash     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Shetland Sheepdog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Shichon     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Affenpinscher     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Border Collie     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Gordon Setter     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Chinook     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Xoloitzcuintli     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Borzoi     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pharaoh Hound     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Puggle     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Newfoundland     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Chorkie     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Standard Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: Chorkie versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Chorkie and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.