Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Better than the Lakeland Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

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Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Lakeland Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and for the Lakeland Terrier. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Lakeland Terrier.

Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lakeland Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog while the Lakeland Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Lakeland Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lakeland Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Icelandic Sheepdog to the Lakeland Terrier 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier

Factor Icelandic Sheepdog Lakeland Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 14 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Weight 20 to 30 pounds 15 to 17 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1600 – $2325
Average Price No Data $1810
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 145 142

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Lakeland Terrier. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lakeland Terrier is 81 out of 125.

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

    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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier are most different:

  • Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Lakeland Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Lakeland Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Lakeland Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier

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

  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lakeland Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Lakeland Terriers weigh 15 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Lakeland Terriers are 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lakeland Terrier

    The lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is 14.5 years.

    The lifespan of Lakeland Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lakeland Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs live longer than Lakeland Terriers.

    Temperament of the Lakeland Terrier Versus the Icelandic Sheepdog

    The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Lakeland Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Lakeland Terrier is 75.0 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 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 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Lakeland Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs and 8 Lakeland Terriers.

    Adopting the Icelandic Sheepdog versus Adopting the Lakeland Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Icelandic Sheepdogs and many Lakeland Terriers 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 Icelandic Sheepdog named Elf that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Icelandic Sheepdogs like Elf on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Icelandic Sheepdogs, Lakeland Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Cash is a Male Lakeland Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Lakeland Terriers like Cash that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Boo And Bean is an adorable Male Lakeland Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Icelandic Sheepdogs and Lakeland Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lakeland Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lakeland Terrier is 142 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog

    Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Year Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank Lakeland Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 142 134
    2014 146 149
    2015 140 141
    2016 153 145
    2017 144 138
    2018 155 147
    2019 132 148
    2020 154 136

    Tolerates Being Alone: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lakeland Terrier

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Lakeland Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed more than Lakeland Terriers?

    Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lakeland Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Lakeland Terrier

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lakeland Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Lakeland Terrier?

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

    Lakeland Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Icelandic Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lakeland Terrier?

    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.

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Lakeland Terriers?

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

    Lakeland Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lakeland Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Icelandic Sheepdog vs. Lakeland Terrier

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

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

    Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Lakeland Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Lakeland Terrier?

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lakeland Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Lakeland Terriers?

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

    Lakeland Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Icelandic Sheepdogs and Lakeland Terriers?

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

    Lakeland Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Lakeland Terrier?

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Lakeland Terrier?

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lakeland Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Lakeland Terrier?

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

    Lakeland Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    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 Lakeland Terrier vs Kai Ken.
  • Scottish Deerhound (75 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Scottish Deerhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lakeland Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier:

  • Irish Terrier (79 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Irish Terrier.
  • Barbet (80 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Barbet.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Icelandic Sheepdog versus Affenpinscher     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Harrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Shiloh Shepherd     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bluetick Coonhound     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Aussiedoodle     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Portuguese Water Dog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Berger Picard     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Coton de Tulear     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pomchi     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bull Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus German Longhaired Pointer     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bracco Italiano     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Yorkipoo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Standard Poodle     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Valley Bulldog     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Finnish Lapphund     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bullmastiff     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Basenji     

    Lakeland Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lakeland Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Lakeland Terrier versus Bich Poo     Lakeland Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Havanese     Lakeland Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Lakeland Terrier versus Kuvasz     Lakeland Terrier versus Akita     Lakeland Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lakeland Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Shichon     Lakeland Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Lakeland Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Lakeland Terrier versus Cavachon     Lakeland Terrier versus Plott     Lakeland Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Lakeland Terrier versus Irish Setter     Lakeland Terrier versus Afghan Hound     Lakeland Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Lakeland Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Lakeland Terrier versus Irish Setter     Lakeland Terrier versus Keeshond     Lakeland Terrier versus Havanese     Lakeland Terrier versus Cavapoo     Lakeland Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     

    Conclusion: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lakeland Terrier. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Lakeland Terrier better suits you and your family.