Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
- Curly-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
- Curly-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
- The Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
- Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog
Curly-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are similar in size. The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
Curly-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Curly-Coated Retriever 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.
| Factor | Curly-Coated Retriever | Icelandic Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 65 to 100 pounds | 20 to 30 pounds |
| Life Span | 9 to 12 years | 14 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 10.5 years | 14.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | No Data |
| Average Price | No Data | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 91.7 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 162 | 145 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Icelandic Sheepdog. So, you should get the Curly-Coated Retriever!
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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog
The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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.
Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Curly-Coated Retriever
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Curly-Coated Retriever.
This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Curly-Coated Retriever is 91.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Curly-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 181 Curly-Coated Retrievers and 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs.
The Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Icelandic Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
| Year | Curly-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 163 | 142 |
| 2014 | 163 | 146 |
| 2015 | 151 | 140 |
| 2016 | 164 | 153 |
| 2017 | 171 | 144 |
| 2018 | 162 | 155 |
| 2019 | 163 | 132 |
| 2020 | 159 | 154 |
Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Icelandic Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Curly-Coated Retriever.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Icelandic Sheepdog than for the Curly-Coated Retriever.
7 health tests are recommended for Curly-Coated Retriever while 8 tests are recommended for the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and in Icelandic Sheepdogs.
Curly-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Curly-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Curly-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Curly-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Curly-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Curly-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Curly-Coated Retrievers here.
Icelandic Sheepdog Health Problems
Icelandic Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Icelandic Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Icelandic Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Icelandic Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Icelandic Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Icelandic Sheepdogs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and Icelandic Sheepdogs
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Curly-Coated Retriever Breed is Exercise Induced Collapse problems.
This is because the Curly-Coated Retriever ranks 1 out of 6 dog breeds for Exercise Induced Collapse problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 145 Curly-Coated Retrievers, 12 of them had Exercise Induced Collapse problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Curly-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Curly-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Icelandic Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Icelandic Sheepdog ranks 55 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 769 Icelandic Sheepdogs, 137 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Icelandic Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Icelandic Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Curly-Coated Retriever and in Icelandic Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog:
| Disease | Curly-Coated Retriever Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Induced Collapse problems | 1 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 10 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 24 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 73 out of 198 dog breeds | 55 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 84 out of 182 dog breeds | 149 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 136 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog
Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Icelandic Sheepdogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Curly-Coated Retrievers 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 Curly-Coated Retrievers and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Curly-Coated Retrievers 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.
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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Curly-Coated Retriever and how the Icelandic Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and of the Icelandic Sheepdog to other breeds:
Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Curly-Coated Retriever versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Curly-Coated Retriever versus Coton de Tulear Curly-Coated Retriever versus Chinese Crested Curly-Coated Retriever versus American Hairless Terrier Curly-Coated Retriever versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Curly-Coated Retriever versus Akita Chow Curly-Coated Retriever versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Curly-Coated Retriever versus Great Pyrenees Curly-Coated Retriever versus Affenpinscher Curly-Coated Retriever versus Standard Schnauzer
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Australian Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Chinese Crested Icelandic Sheepdog versus Golden Retriever Icelandic Sheepdog versus Saint Bernard Icelandic Sheepdog versus Border Collie Icelandic Sheepdog versus Aussiedoodle Icelandic Sheepdog versus Swedish Vallhund Icelandic Sheepdog versus Shiloh Shepherd Icelandic Sheepdog versus Toy Poodle Icelandic Sheepdog versus Brussels Griffon
Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever 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 Curly-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.