Icelandic Sheepdog Grooming Guide

Coat Overview

Two Varieties, Both Double-Coated and Heavy-Shedding

The Icelandic Sheepdog comes in two coat varieties — long coat and short coat — both with a thick, weather-resistant double coat adapted to Iceland's demanding climate. The long coat has more pronounced feathering on the legs, ears, and tail, requiring somewhat more grooming attention in those areas. The short coat is more uniform in length throughout. Both shed significantly twice a year when the dense undercoat loosens in dramatic seasonal coat blows. Regular brushing prevents the loose undercoat from distributing itself throughout your home and prevents mats in the high-friction areas.

Grooming Routine

Consistent Brushing and Shedding Management

Brushing: 2–3 times per week for the short coat; 3–4 times per week for the long coat, with particular attention to the feathering on legs and ears where tangles form. Use a slicker brush or pin brush for the body coat and a wide-tooth metal comb for checking the feathering. Work in sections from the skin out.

Shedding seasons: Daily brushing with an undercoat rake during the twice-yearly coat blows. A bath at the start of the shedding period followed by a high-velocity blowout releases significant amounts of loose undercoat and reduces the duration of the shed.

Bathing: Every 4–6 weeks. Use a moisturizing dog shampoo and conditioner. Dry thoroughly — the double coat takes time. High-velocity dryers are much faster than towel or air drying.

Nails: Trim monthly. Ears: Check and clean weekly. Teeth: Brush several times per week.

Special Considerations

Long Coat Feathering Care and Heat Management

Long coat feathering: The feathering on the legs, behind the ears, and on the tail is the most mat-prone area of the long-coat Icelandic Sheepdog. Check these areas specifically at each brushing session and address small tangles before they become large mats.

Heat sensitivity: Like all Nordic breeds, the Icelandic Sheepdog is built for cold and is less comfortable in heat. Limit outdoor exercise to cooler times of day in summer. Never shave the coat — it provides thermal regulation in both directions.

Double dewclaws: The Icelandic Sheepdog characteristically has double rear dewclaws. These are often removed in puppyhood but if present, they require regular trimming as they do not wear down naturally on the ground.

How to Read Your Icelandic Sheepdog's Coat Type

Coat type drives every grooming decision — how often to brush, which tools to use, whether to bathe weekly or monthly, and how often a professional groomer needs to be involved. The Icelandic Sheepdog's coat falls into one of four broad categories, each with its own routine:

• Single-coat smooth or short. One layer of hair, minimal undercoat. Sheds year-round at a steady rate but rarely "blows" coat. Easy to maintain at home with a rubber curry brush.
• Double-coat (most spitz and northern breeds). Soft dense undercoat under a longer guard-hair outer layer. Sheds heavily twice a year — spring and fall — in week-long "coat blow" events. Requires an undercoat rake or de-shedding tool during these periods.
• Wiry or broken-coat (most terriers). Coarse outer hair with a softer undercoat. The wire texture is maintained by either hand-stripping (preserves color and texture) or clipping (faster and cheaper but softens the coat over time).
• Curly or wool coat (Poodles, Bichons, doodles). Continuously growing hair that does not shed in a typical way. Requires the most frequent professional grooming — a full groom every 4–8 weeks — and daily brushing to prevent mats.

The Weekly Home Grooming Routine

Even breeds that visit a professional groomer regularly need home care between appointments. A realistic weekly routine for the Icelandic Sheepdog covers five tasks:

1. Brushing (1–7 times per week depending on coat type). Choose the right tool: bristle brush for short coats, slicker brush for medium and long coats, undercoat rake for double coats, pin brush for silky coats. Brush in the direction of hair growth and section the coat for thorough coverage.
2. Nail trim (every 2–4 weeks). Nails should not touch the floor when the dog is standing. Use a guillotine clipper or a Dremel-style grinder. Stop short of the quick (the pink interior of the nail) to avoid bleeding.
3. Ear check and clean (weekly for drop-ear breeds, monthly for prick-ear breeds). Use a veterinary ear cleaner, never water or alcohol. Wipe gently with cotton; never insert a swab into the ear canal.
4. Tooth brushing (3+ times per week). Use enzymatic toothpaste designed for dogs. Periodontal disease affects more than 80 percent of dogs over 3 years old; home brushing is the single most cost-effective preventive measure.
5. Paw and skin check (weekly). Look between toes for embedded grass seeds, check pad condition, look for hot spots, lumps, or fleas. The grooming session is the most efficient time to catch skin issues early.

Professional Grooming: What It Costs and How Often

Professional grooming costs vary considerably by coat type, breed size, and geographic market. For the Icelandic Sheepdog, typical price ranges and visit frequencies:

• Bath and blowout (short or smooth coat): $35–$65, every 4–8 weeks if used at all. Most owners with short-coat breeds do this at home.
• Standard full groom (medium-coat or double-coat): $55–$95, every 6–10 weeks. Includes bath, blow-dry, brush-out, nail trim, ear cleaning, and minor trimming.
• Breed-specific or hand-stripping (terriers, show coats): $80–$150, every 8–12 weeks. The premium reflects expertise and time required.
• Continuously-growing or curly coat full groom: $70–$130, every 4–8 weeks. Doodles, poodles, and bichons are at the high end of frequency.

What to look for in a groomer: experience with the Icelandic Sheepdog specifically, willingness to use a quiet drying area instead of cage dryers, certification from the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) or similar, and a clear contract on what is and is not included in the quoted price. Avoid groomers who decline to let you tour the back of the shop.

Common Grooming Mistakes That Cause Skin Problems

• Over-bathing. Most dogs do not need a bath more than once a month. Frequent washing strips the natural oils that protect the skin barrier, causing dryness, itching, and sometimes secondary infections.
• Human shampoo on dog skin. Human skin pH is around 5.5; dog skin pH is closer to 7. Human shampoo is too acidic and disrupts the canine skin barrier. Always use a dog-specific shampoo.
• Misusing the undercoat rake or Furminator. These tools cut hair, not just remove loose hair. Over-aggressive use on a single-coat breed strips the protective topcoat. Use only on double-coated breeds and only during shedding seasons.
• Missing mats until they tighten against the skin. A small mat is easy to brush out; a mat that has tightened against the skin can only be safely removed by shaving the entire area. Severe mats are a welfare issue and can hide skin infections, hot spots, or even maggot infestations in summer.
• Skipping ear care after swims. Water trapped in the ear canal is the leading cause of ear infections in dogs that swim. Flush with an ear-drying solution after every swim or bath.

Seasonal Coat Changes

Most double-coated breeds blow their undercoat twice a year — once in spring as the heavy winter coat is shed for a lighter summer coat, and once in fall as the heavier winter coat grows in. During these 2–4 week periods, expect three to four times the normal amount of loose hair and daily brushing requirements. Single-coat breeds shed at a steady year-round rate without the dramatic seasonal events. Hot months may also produce slightly more shedding regardless of coat type as the body sheds extra insulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I bathe my Icelandic Sheepdog?

For most coat types, once every 4 to 8 weeks is appropriate. Working breeds in dirty conditions or breeds with skin allergies may need a medicated bath weekly under veterinary guidance. Healthy dogs without skin issues should not be bathed more than monthly — the natural skin oils are protective.

Is it cheaper to groom my Icelandic Sheepdog at home?

Yes, for the equipment-amortized cost. A starter home grooming kit (slicker brush, nail grinder, ear cleaner, dog-specific shampoo, towels) is $80–$150 and lasts years. Per-session this is far cheaper than a $70–$130 professional groom every 6–8 weeks. The time tradeoff is real: a thorough home groom of a medium-coat dog takes 60–90 minutes.

What if my Icelandic Sheepdog hates being groomed?

Most grooming aversion comes from one or more bad early experiences. Reintroduce grooming gradually using positive reinforcement: a few seconds of brushing followed by a high-value treat, daily, building up duration over weeks. For severe aversion, a fear-free certified groomer or a veterinary behaviorist can help.

Should I let a groomer shave my Icelandic Sheepdog in summer?

Almost never. A double-coated dog's coat insulates against heat as well as cold; shaving removes that insulation and exposes skin to sunburn. The undercoat may not grow back evenly. The correct hot-weather management is regular brushing to remove loose undercoat and provision of shade and water — not shaving.

How do I find a good groomer for my Icelandic Sheepdog?

Ask a breed-specific Facebook group or your veterinarian for a referral. NDGAA certification is a useful but not required signal. Visit the shop before booking, ask about drying methods (cage dryers can cause heat injury in brachycephalic and double-coated dogs), and request the groomer who has the most experience with your specific breed.