Breed comparison
Icelandic Sheepdog vs Welsh Springer Spaniel
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Icelandic Sheepdog
5Affection with family5
5Good with young children5
4Good with other dogs4
3Openness to strangers1
3Playfulness3
4Energy level4
5Trainability5
5Mental stimulation needs4
4Adaptability4
4Watchdog / protective3
4Barking3
3Shedding3
2Coat grooming2
2Drooling2
The biggest differences
- Openness to strangers: the Icelandic Sheepdog scores 3 out of 5, the Welsh Springer Spaniel 1.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, good with other dogs, playfulness, energy level, trainability.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Icelandic Sheepdog if you want a more protective watchdog. Pick the Welsh Springer Spaniel if you want a quieter dog.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.