Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
- Flat-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Flat-Coated Retriever
- The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
- Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are similar in size. The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Flat-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.
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Flat-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 | Flat-Coated Retriever | Icelandic Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 14 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 20 to 30 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.5 years |
| Average Price | $1350 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1150 – $1800 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 92.0 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 94 | 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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Flat-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Icelandic Sheepdog. So, you should get the Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog
The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet 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 Flat-Coated Retriever
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Flat-Coated Retriever.
This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 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 92.0 percent, the Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers and 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs.
The Popularity of Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Flat-Coated Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
| Year | Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 94 | 142 |
| 2014 | 92 | 146 |
| 2015 | 86 | 140 |
| 2016 | 89 | 153 |
| 2017 | 96 | 144 |
| 2018 | 91 | 155 |
| 2019 | 104 | 132 |
| 2020 | 102 | 154 |
Health Problems of Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Icelandic Sheepdog than for the Flat-Coated Retriever.
3 health tests are recommended for Flat-Coated Retriever while 8 tests are recommended for the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and in Icelandic Sheepdogs.
Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems
Flat-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retrievers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Flat-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and in Icelandic Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog:
| Disease | Flat-Coated Retriever Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid problems | 28 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 85 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 129 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 129 out of 182 dog breeds | 149 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 172 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.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog
Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.
Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers 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.
Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retrievers and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-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 Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Icelandic Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Icelandic Sheepdog to other breeds:
Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds
Flat-Coated Retriever versus Toy Poodle Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chi-Poo Flat-Coated Retriever versus American Foxhound Flat-Coated Retriever versus Leonberger Flat-Coated Retriever versus Hovawart Flat-Coated Retriever versus Rottweiler Flat-Coated Retriever versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Flat-Coated Retriever versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Flat-Coated Retriever versus Maltipoo Flat-Coated Retriever versus Goldendoodle
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Black Russian Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Brittany Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lagotto Romagnolo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Hovawart Icelandic Sheepdog versus Basset Hound Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pyrenean Shepherd Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bearded Collie Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lagotto Romagnolo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Coton de Tulear Icelandic Sheepdog versus Japanese Chin
Conclusion: Flat-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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.