Is the Fila Brasileiro Better than the Icelandic Sheepdog as a Pet? Answer…

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Fila Brasileiro Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro or the Icelandic Sheepdog

Fila Brasileiro versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Fila Brasileiro belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Fila Brasileiro versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro Icelandic Sheepdog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Life Span 9 to 12 years 14 to 15 years
Weight 90 to 180 pounds 20 to 30 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 14.5 years
Average Price $1270 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1400 No Data
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 100.0 percent
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
    		•

    *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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro is 62 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

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

    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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog

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

  • Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Fila Brasileiros 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.
  • Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.

    • The Similarities Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog are not easy to train.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Fila Brasileiro versus Icelandic Sheepdog

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

    Fila Brasileiros weigh 90 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Fila Brasileiros are 24 to 30 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.

    Temperament of the Fila Brasileiro Versus the Icelandic Sheepdog

    The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Fila Brasileiro.

    This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Fila Brasileiro is 78.6 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 78.6 percent, the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 14 Fila Brasileiros and 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Fila Brasileiros shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?

    Fila Brasileiros 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.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Fila Brasileiro versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    Fila Brasileiros can be left alone only for a short time.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Are Fila Brasileiros good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

    Fila Brasileiros are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Fila Brasileiros and Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Fila Brasileiro or the Icelandic Sheepdog

    Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Fila Brasileiros Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

    Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Fila Brasileiro vs. Icelandic Sheepdog

    Fila Brasileiros have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Fila Brasileiro or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Fila Brasileiro Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Fila Brasileiros 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 Fila Brasileiro

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro:

  • Afador (75 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Afador.
  • Cane Corso (76 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Cane Corso.
  • Dogo Argentino (80 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Dogo Argentino.
  • Boerboel (78 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Boerboel.

    • 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 Fila Brasileiro vs Kai Ken.
  • Scottish Deerhound (75 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Scottish Deerhound.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Fila Brasileiro Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Fila Brasileiro versus Pomsky     Fila Brasileiro versus Affenpinscher     Fila Brasileiro versus Shiloh Shepherd     Fila Brasileiro versus Akita Chow     Fila Brasileiro versus Bullmastiff     Fila Brasileiro versus Coton de Tulear     Fila Brasileiro versus Bordoodle     Fila Brasileiro versus Shiba Inu     Fila Brasileiro versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Fila Brasileiro versus Berger Picard     

    Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Icelandic Sheepdog versus Dalmatian     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Chi-Poo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pharaoh Hound     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Dalmatian     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Border Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Icelandic Sheepdog versus American Water Spaniel     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cavapoo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.