Breed Comparison: Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Pekingese

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Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Pekingese: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese 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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese.

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 Pekingese.

Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pekingese: Overview

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

Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pekingese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Icelandic Sheepdog to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese

Factor Icelandic Sheepdog Pekingese
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 1/5
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 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Weight 20 to 30 pounds 7 to 14 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1288 – $2500
Average Price No Data $1930
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 93.3 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 86

    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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125.

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

    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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese

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

  • Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Pekingeses adapt well to apartment living.
  • Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Pekingeses are good for new dog owners.
  • Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Pekingeses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Icelandic Sheepdogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Pekingeses do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese

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

  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese are very playful.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pekingese

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

    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, Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pekingese

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

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs live longer than Pekingeses.

    Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Pekingese

    The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Pekingese.

    This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Pekingese by measuring the temperaments of 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs and 15 Pekingeses.

    Adopting the Icelandic Sheepdog versus Adopting the Pekingese

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Icelandic Sheepdogs and many Pekingeses 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, Pekingeses are also available for adoption. For example, Rufio is a Male Pekingese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pekingeses like Rufio that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Also, Johnny is an adorable Male Pekingese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Popularity of Pekingese

    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 Pekingese over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pekingese is more popular with dog owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 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 Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Year Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank Pekingese Popularity Rank
    2013 142 77
    2014 146 82
    2015 140 80
    2016 153 93
    2017 144 88
    2018 155 92
    2019 132 83
    2020 154 95

    Tolerates Being Alone: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pekingese

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed more than Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Pekingese

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Pekingese?

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

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

    Does the Icelandic Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pekingese?

    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.

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses?

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

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

    Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Icelandic Sheepdog vs. Pekingese

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

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Icelandic Sheepdogs and Pekingeses?

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

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Pekingese?

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Pekingese?

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs Pomsky.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Icelandic Sheepdog versus Affenhuahua     Icelandic Sheepdog versus English Toy Spaniel     Icelandic Sheepdog versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Mountain Cur     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Morkie     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Irish Water Spaniel     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Afghan Hound     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pointer     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Doberman Pinscher     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Morkie     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Italian Greyhound     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lakeland Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Frenchton     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Giant Schnauzer     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Hovawart     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Spinone Italiano     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Clumber Spaniel     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cocker Spaniel     

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Pekingese versus Mudi     Pekingese versus Pug     Pekingese versus Pomapoo     Pekingese versus Morkie     Pekingese versus Bernedoodle     Pekingese versus Toy Fox Terrier     Pekingese versus Shiba Inu     Pekingese versus Dachshund     Pekingese versus American Foxhound     Pekingese versus Australian Kelpie     Pekingese versus Cavachon     Pekingese versus Bluetick Coonhound     Pekingese versus Berger Picard     Pekingese versus Kuvasz     Pekingese versus Havanese     Pekingese versus Saluki     Pekingese versus Irish Water Spaniel     Pekingese versus Hovawart     Pekingese versus Fila Brasileiro     Pekingese versus German Longhaired Pointer     Pekingese versus Briard     Pekingese versus Afador     Pekingese versus Akita Chow     Pekingese versus American Bulldog     

    Conclusion: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pekingese. 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 Pekingese better suits you and your family.