Icelandic Sheepdog vs Damchi - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Icelandic Sheepdog is originated from Iceland but Damchi is originated from Bhutan. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Damchi are having almost same height. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Damchi are having almost same weight. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Damchi has same life span. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Damchi has same litter size. Both Icelandic Sheepdog and Damchi requires Moderate maintenance.

History

icelandic sheepdog - historyThere are quite a few different dog breeds that fall under the name of Spitz-type dogs, and in fact they have a number of similar characteristics, one of which is that they have some wolf-like features. They typically have the thick coat with undercoat and the erect, pointed ears and slanted eyes.

There is definitely a strong link between the Spitz type dogs and wild wolves. The tail too is feathery and can curl over the back of the dog.

The Icelandic Sheepdog, a native dog to Iceland, is a Spitz type dog which originates from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. The dogs have always been used to herd sheep, and they resemble dogs found in graves in Sweden and Denmark.

The dog at one time was facing extinction in the late 20th century, but in 1969, the Icelandic Dog Breeder Association was established to restore and preserve the breed. The Icelandic Sheepdog gained AKC recognition in June 2010.

The exact origin of the Damchi isn’t particularly well documented but those who are interested say that the Damchi actually dates back as far as the 17th century, descending from different ancient Terrier- and Spaniel breeds.

It appears the dog comes from the Himalayan village of Damchi. The former King of Bhutan owned a Damchi and this dog has been featured on one of the country’s postage stamps. Today it is a loved dog in Bhutan, Asia while a few are found in Germany.

Description

icelandic sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Icelandic Sheepdog is a smallish to medium sized dog standing at 40 to 45cm in height and he can weigh anything between 9 and 14kg.

His double coat can be short or long, straight or wavy and in a mix of colors such as grey and white or tan and white, black, tan and white, cream or chocolate. Even though they come in a number of predominant colors, these colors are always accompanied by white markings.

He has a longish muzzle, much like the wolf, giving him an alert, foxy appearance. He has a muscular, rectangular body with strong, straight legs with dewclaws on both the front and hind legs.

Temperament:

Your social, energetic dog will require socialization and training which does him the world of good, turning him into a well-adjusted, obedient dog.

He is an intelligent dog, and training him won't be difficult as he is eager to please. These are social dogs which love being part of the family and they don't like being left outside day after day with little human intervention. He is a lively, confident breed, gentle and not at all aggressive.

The Damchi is a small to medium breed dog and is part of the toy group. The dog stands up to 43cm tall and can weight 13kg.

His silky coat comes in different colors such as black and white or tan, brown and fawn. He has a lot of long soft fur but its a dog that doesn’t shed much. He has ears which are high set and which flop down and the tail is long and feathery, curling over the back of the dog.

People who know the dog say that they are similar looking to the Tibetan Spaniel, although the Damchi is a bit longer and more sturdy.

Temerament:

Known also as the Bhutan Damchi or Bhutanese Damchi, the Damchi is an active dog that is intelligent and devoted to its human family, although he is known to be aloof with strangers.

Known for his playful, jaunty nature, he is a small dog that is full of character, wanting to be with- and to please his human family. Sweet and gentle, he gets on well with children and pets in the home and will turn out to be a good watchdog too.

They are intelligent dogs and easy to train and will easily respond to tasks given to him. He will benefit from being trained and socialized. He becomes obedient and will easily adapt to life in the city or the country, so long as he is close to his human family, providing them with ongoing entertainment.

He is a social, friendly breed that can suffer with separation anxiety and he will simply pine away if he is left in the backyard and ignored.

Characteristics

icelandic sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Icelandic Sheepdog is such a good all-round family pet. He is alert, intelligent, social, playful, loyal, loving and brave.

He is friendly too, getting on well with children and any pets you have in the home. He is essentially a working dog, so you shouldn’t think of owning him as a pet if your lifestyle is centered around the TV and the couch for the best part of the day.

This is an energetic dog who wants lots of action during the day. He is a dog that badly wants to be part of the family and in exchange for looking after him well, he’ll promise to be an exceptional pet.

The Damchi dog is such a robust, amicable little canine friend for anyone who appreciates his characteristics. Loving, loyal, social and friendly, the Damchi is one hang of a little dog.

He is fairly low maintenance, he won’t eat you out of the house and he isn’t a sickly dog. When you think of all the wonderful years of friendship he offers, anyone who chooses him won’t have one single regret.

Health Problems

icelandic sheepdog puppies - health problemsYour pet will reach 12 to 14 years of age with good care and is regarded as a generally healthy dog breed. However, they can be prone to a few health conditions, and these include hip dysplasia and diabetes.

Diabetes:

Mercifully for your pet, diabetes is considered a manageable disorder. When your pet doesn’t produce insulin or can’t utilize it normally, his blood sugar levels rise, resulting in hyperglycemia.

If left untreated, your pet can land up with a host of complicated health problems. Diabetes can be classified as either Type 1 or Type II, with the more common form in dogs being Type 1.

The Damchi is known to be a robust dog who doesn’t suffer from many health problems, but there are some common health issues that are good to know about so that you can get your pet some help.

Some of the common health problems are hip dysplasia, hypoglycemia, brachycephalic airway syndrome, epilepsy and dental disease.

Hypoglycemia:

A drop in blood sugar can be brought on by stress and this condition is more prevalent in toy breeds. If you find your Damchi lethargic, battling to walk properly or shivering, be aware of this drop in blood sugar as it can send your little dog into a fatal coma.Get him to the vet immediately.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

icelandic sheepdog dogs - caringFeed your energetic Icelandic Sheepdog a diet which is appropriate for his age and activity level. Don't just feed him the best commercially manufactured dog food, but give him some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables mixed into his kibble as a tasty treat. Also, dogs are carnivores, so include some raw meat into his diet from time to time. Clean, cool water should always be available.

Grooming:

The Icelandic Sheepdog has a thick double coat, with the outer coat being longer and the hair being shiny and glossy. These dogs shed quite a bit with seasonal shedding too so twice-weekly brushing will be necessary to keep the fur free of loose hair. His nails should also be checked regularly and his teeth should be brushed a couple of times a week too.

Exercise:

Icelandic Sheepdogs are athletic, active dogs that require a lot of exercise to keep them in good physical shape.

He loves all kinds of games and outdoor activities, one of which will be going with you for a walk every day. He makes a wonderful companion for those people going on long hikes.

The Damchi is an active breed, who loves to be involved with everything his family is involved in. He will need to be provided with games and exercise as he is full of beans and will just love to go with you on your walks. Indoors or outdoors, he is always looking out for a game.

Grooming:

The Damchi has a long coat and to keep it silky and shiny it will require brushing twice a week to ensure no tangles and matting.

Dental disease is more prevalent in small dogs so prevent plaque build-up by ensuring you brush your pets teeth 2 or 3x a week.

Diet:

Your Damchi might have entertained you so much you may want to just give him one treat after the next. Be careful of feeding a small dog too much as a leaner dog lives a healthier, longer life free of many diseases.

Make sure you have your pet with you for 12, 13 or 14 years by ensuring he gets a bowl of nutritious food according to his size and age. With a well planned diet which consists of kibble, some home-made food such as brown rice, vegetables and chicken you’ll be doing your pet a tremendous favor by promoting good health. Never leave your pet without a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Iceland
Bhutan
Height Male:
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
39 - 43 cm
15 - 17 inches
Height Female:
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
39 - 43 cm
15 - 17 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
9 - 13 kg
19 - 29 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
9 - 13 kg
19 - 29 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
3 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Iceland Dog, Icelandic Spitz
Bhutan Damchi or Bhutanese Damchi
Colors Available:
black, cream or chocolate., tan and white, Grey and white or tan and white
Tan, Black, Brown, Red, Fawn
Coat:
Short or long, straight or wavy
Long, silky and soft
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Water Dog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  3. Puli vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  4. McNab vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  5. Porcelaine vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  6. Hokkaido vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  7. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  8. Pumi vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  9. Istrian Sheepdog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  10. Jamthund vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  11. Karelian Bear Dog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  12. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  13. Kintamani vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  14. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  15. Russo-European Laika vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  16. Ryukyu Inu vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  17. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  18. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  19. Shiba Inu vs Icelandic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  20. Icelandic Sheepdog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  21. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  22. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  23. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  24. Icelandic Sheepdog vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  25. Icelandic Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  26. Pomeranian vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltese vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  28. Pug vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltipoo vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  30. Papillon vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  31. Japanese Chin vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature English Bulldog vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  33. Italian Greyhound vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  34. Jug vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Pinscher vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  36. Dorgi vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  37. Dorkie vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  38. German Spitz (Klein) vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  39. Doxiepoo vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  40. Damchi vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  41. Damchi vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  42. Damchi vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  43. Damchi vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  44. Damchi vs Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  45. Damchi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Damchi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  47. Damchi vs Carlin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  48. Damchi vs Bospin - Breed Comparison
  49. Damchi vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  50. Damchi vs Cyprus Poodle - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds