Icelandic sheep (Íslenska sauðkindin)

The Icelandic sheep is a breed of domestic sheep that originates from Iceland. It is a northern European short-tailed sheep breed that is particularly unique because it's one of the few breeds that remained pure and unchanged over centuries, having been isolated on Iceland since its introduction by early settlers, likely the Vikings, around 1,000 years ago.

The breed is highly regarded for its adaptability, fertility, and superb quality of its products. The breed is dual-purpose, raised both for meat and wool. Icelandic sheep are quite distinctive in appearance. They are medium-sized, with both males and females often possessing horns.

Their fleece, which is dual-coated, consists of a warm inner layer (thel) and a weather-resistant outer layer (tog). This wool is popular for knitting and weaving and is used for making "lopapeysa", traditional Icelandic sweaters. These sheep are also well adapted to harsh climates, being able to survive and thrive in rugged landscapes and extreme cold.