Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
- Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
- Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Icelandic Sheepdog
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Do Harriers shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier or the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
Both the Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog are similar in size. The Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier 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 Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog
Factor | Harrier | Icelandic Sheepdog |
---|---|---|
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 1/5 |
Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 14 to 15 years |
Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder |
Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 1/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 20 to 30 pounds |
Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.5 years |
Price Range | No Data | No Data |
Average Price | No Data | No Data |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 145 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Icelandic Sheepdog. So, you should get the Harrier!
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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog
The Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 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.
Lifespan of Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 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 Harriers.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Icelandic Sheepdog
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Icelandic Sheepdogs are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Harrier named Pilot that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Pilot on pefinder.com.
Also, like Harriers, Icelandic Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, Elf is a Male Icelandic Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Icelandic Sheepdogs like Elf that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Bailey is the name of another Harrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Harriers and Icelandic Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Harrier
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 173 | 142 |
2014 | 181 | 146 |
2015 | 183 | 140 |
2016 | 186 | 153 |
2017 | 183 | 144 |
2018 | 189 | 155 |
2019 | 186 | 132 |
2020 | 190 | 154 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Harrier 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 Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Icelandic Sheepdog than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 8 tests are recommended for the Icelandic Sheepdog.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Icelandic Sheepdogs.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier 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 Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier 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 Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers 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 Harriers 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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers 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 Harrier and in Icelandic Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog:
Disease | Harrier Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Rank |
---|---|---|
Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 55 out of 198 dog breeds |
Eyes problems | Not Common | 149 out of 182 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Harriers shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Harriers shed moderately.
Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Icelandic Sheepdog
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Harriers 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.
Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
Harriers 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.
Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers 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 Harrier or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Harriers 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 Harriers and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier 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 Harrier:
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 Harrier and how the Icelandic Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Icelandic Sheepdog to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound Harrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever Harrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Harrier versus Dutch Shepherd Harrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Harrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Harrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Harrier versus Puli Harrier versus Mountain Cur Harrier versus Maltipoo Harrier versus Belgian Tervuren Harrier versus Italian Greyhound Harrier versus Cane Corso Harrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Harrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever Harrier versus Beagle Harrier versus Finnish Spitz Harrier versus Dachshund Harrier versus Maltipoo Harrier versus Bearded Collie Harrier versus Bullmastiff Harrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Harrier versus Frenchton Harrier versus Whoodle Harrier versus Cavachon
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Yorkshire Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Giant Schnauzer Icelandic Sheepdog versus Estrela Mountain Dog Icelandic Sheepdog versus Dachshund Icelandic Sheepdog versus English Setter Icelandic Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky Icelandic Sheepdog versus Borzoi Icelandic Sheepdog versus Hovawart Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bordoodle Icelandic Sheepdog versus Australian Kelpie Icelandic Sheepdog versus Basset Hound Icelandic Sheepdog versus Akbash Icelandic Sheepdog versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lakeland Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Whippet Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltipoo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Gordon Setter Icelandic Sheepdog versus Shetland Sheepdog Icelandic Sheepdog versus Jack Russell Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Keeshond Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bull Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bernedoodle Icelandic Sheepdog versus Miniature Pinscher Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pyrenean Shepherd Icelandic Sheepdog versus German Shorthaired Pointer
Conclusion: Harrier 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 Harrier and the Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.