Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dalmatian Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
- Dalmatian versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
- Dalmatian versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Dalmatian
- The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Do Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
- Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Do Dalmatians shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dalmatian versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dalmatian Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian or the Icelandic Sheepdog
Dalmatian versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
Both the Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog are similar in size. The Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Dalmatian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
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.
Dalmatian versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dalmatian 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 | Dalmatian | Icelandic Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 13 to 16 years | 14 to 15 years |
| Height | 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 48 to 55 pounds | 20 to 30 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 14.5 years |
| Average Price | $1410 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 83.3 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 60 | 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Dalmatian is a better pet than the Icelandic Sheepdog. So, you should get the Dalmatian!
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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog
The Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 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 Dalmatian
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Dalmatian.
This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Dalmatian is 83.3 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 83.3 percent, the Dalmatian has a below-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 Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 359 Dalmatians and 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs.
The Popularity of Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dalmatian
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
| Year | Dalmatian Popularity Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 64 | 142 |
| 2014 | 66 | 146 |
| 2015 | 62 | 140 |
| 2016 | 62 | 153 |
| 2017 | 63 | 144 |
| 2018 | 56 | 155 |
| 2019 | 59 | 132 |
| 2020 | 51 | 154 |
Health Problems of Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Icelandic Sheepdog than for the Dalmatian.
2 health tests are recommended for Dalmatian while 8 tests are recommended for the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dalmatians and in Icelandic Sheepdogs.
Dalmatian Health Problems
Dalmatians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dalmatian 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 Dalmatians for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians 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 Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks 1 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 8730 Dalmatians, 1003 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dalmatians, and how common these diseases are in Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian and in Icelandic Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog:
| Disease | Dalmatian Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 1 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hyperuricosuria problems | 1 out of 11 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 6 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 9 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 10 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 11 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 51 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 132 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 161 out of 182 dog breeds | 149 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 170 out of 198 dog breeds | 55 out of 198 dog breeds |
*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.
Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Icelandic Sheepdog
Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Dalmatians 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 Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Dalmatians are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dalmatian or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Dalmatians get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Dalmatians are very easy to train.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
Dalmatians 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 Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do Dalmatians shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Dalmatians are very easy to groom.
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian:
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 Dalmatian and how the Icelandic Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dalmatian and of the Icelandic Sheepdog to other breeds:
Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dalmatian versus Portuguese Water Dog Dalmatian versus West Highland White Terrier Dalmatian versus Shetland Sheepdog Dalmatian versus King Shepherd Dalmatian versus Korean Jindo Dog Dalmatian versus Giant Schnauzer Dalmatian versus Weimaraner Dalmatian versus Pointer Dalmatian versus Skye Terrier Dalmatian versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Catahoula Bulldog Icelandic Sheepdog versus Boston Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Whippet Icelandic Sheepdog versus Afghan Hound Icelandic Sheepdog versus Alaskan Klee Kai Icelandic Sheepdog versus Norwich Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltipoo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Flat-Coated Retriever Icelandic Sheepdog versus German Wirehaired Pointer Icelandic Sheepdog versus Korean Jindo Dog
Conclusion: Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.