Faroese Sheepdog

The Faroese Sheepdog is the herding dog of the Faroe Islands, and it came within a handful of dogs of vanishing twice.

History

It arrived with Norse settlers and worked sheep across the islands' steep, wet ground for a thousand years. A distemper epidemic in 1864 nearly wiped it out, and by the 1970s it was again down to a few dogs; Faroese and Danish breeders rebuilt it both times. Everything alive descends from those narrow rescues, which is the central fact about it.

Temperament

The breed is known for being energetic, friendly and attentive, attached to its household and quick to work — a small hardy dog for hard country.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and mental work. The medium double coat sheds and suits wet cold. It trains readily.

Health

Generally hardy, with the inbreeding burden of two near-extinctions as the main documented concern. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for a breeder and a vet; the measured facts are in the panel.