Icelandic Sheep

Looks how to spot one

Double coat (Tog and Thel)

Icelandic sheep have a distinctive double fleece: a long, coarse outer coat called Tog and a soft, fine undercoat called Thel. The fleece is shaggy and comes in many natural colours. The face, legs and udder are wool-free, and the sheep are medium-sized, broad-bodied and fine-boned.14

Personality what they are like

Icelandic sheep are alert, curious and intelligent, but they are not a docile breed. They have a poor flocking instinct and tend to scatter over pasture. They can be affectionate once they know their shepherd, but rams, especially horned ones, can become dangerous during the breeding season. They are a prey species and see humans as predators, so they need calm, patient handling.25

Daily activity how busy a day looks

They need plenty of space to roam and graze. They are active, good browsers and will use sparse pasture well. Electric net fencing or woven wire fencing is recommended to keep them contained.5

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Shearing once a year is needed for the fleece. Hooves should be trimmed regularly. They are generally easy keepers but require annual clostridial vaccinations (CD/T) and monitoring for internal parasites, especially barberpole worm. A mineral supplement with extra selenium and copper is often needed, but care must be taken to avoid copper toxicity.5

Home where they are happiest

Icelandic sheep are extremely cold-tolerant and only need a three-sided shelter for wind and rain protection. In very cold areas a fourth side may be added temporarily. Fencing must be secure (electric netting or woven wire) and predator protection (livestock guardian animals or locked quarters at night) is important. They are not suitable for hot, humid climates without shade and ventilation.5

Food basics what goes in the bowl

They thrive on pasture, hay and browse, and rarely need grain. Historically they survived on grass and seaweed. They need a constant supply of fresh, clean water and a mineral lick that provides extra selenium and copper (adjusted to local soil conditions).54

Company who they like around

They are social animals and should be kept in a flock. They have a poor flocking instinct and will spread out, but they still need company. Ewes are good mothers and high milk producers. Rams can be aggressive during the breeding season and should be handled with caution. There are no known legal restrictions on keeping them as pets in most countries, but local zoning and livestock ordinances should be checked.25

The story where it all began

Icelandic sheep are one of the oldest and purest breeds in the world. They were brought to Iceland by Viking settlers from Norway in the 9th and 10th centuries and have remained genetically isolated for over a thousand years. They belong to the North European Short-Tailed group, related to breeds like the Finnsheep, Romanov, Shetland and Spelsau. For centuries they were used for meat, milk and wool in Iceland's harsh climate, and they are still primarily a meat breed there. Today they are kept by hobby farmers worldwide for their hardy nature, beautiful fleece and excellent mothering ability.126

Recognised by the official bits

How many 3450003