Croatian Sheepdog

The Croatian Sheepdog is a dog breed from Croatia.

Croatian Sheepdog Appearance

A Croatian sheepdog is of lower medium height and the base colour is always black, although there may be very small patches of white on its chest and/or toes. A characteristic is the short hairs on its somewhat fox-like head and legs. The remainder of the coat is longer, wavy or curly. The height at the withers in both sexes is between 16 to 21 inches and the length exceeds the height by approximately 10%. Nowadays, some dogs are even taller; that is probably due to better nutrition and an easier life - they grow to their full genetic potential. Traditionally the tail is docked very short but, if undocked, it is more or less curled over the dog's back. The body length exceeds the height at the withers for approximately 10%, so the dog is of somewhat elongated square shape.

Generally: The head is relatively light, lean and wedge shaped. The total length of the head is about 20 cm. Slightly rounded skull tapering towards the nose. The eyebrow arches are not pronounced. The cheeks are rounded.

The nose is always black and in the line with the nose ridge. The lower jaw is well developed and forms a harmonious whole with line of the nose ridge. The muzzle is neither pointed nor square. The visible lip pigment is black. Eyes are Chestnut brown to black, medium in size, almond-shaped, they give a lively expression to the dog. Ears are triangular in shape, medium-sized, erect or semi-erect, somewhat set to the side. Erect ears are more desirable. Ear cropping is not allowed. The skin is without dewlap and is covered with a dense coat.

The length of hair on the back is between 7 and 14 cm. The coat is relatively soft, wavy to curly, but mustn’t be woolly. The undercoat must be dense.

The base colour of the coat is black. A few white hairs can be tolerated. White markings on the head, body and tail aren’t permissible, but small white markings are permissible on the throat and the fore chest. White markings on the toes or the legs are permissible but undesirable. White legs up to pasterns lower the dog’s marks on shows.

The height at withers in males and females is between 40 to 50 cm. Height: 16-21 inches (40-53 cm.) Weight: 29-43 pounds (13-20 kg.)

Croatian Sheepdog Temperament

The Croatian Sheepdog is an alert, agile, keen and intelligent dog with enormous energy and with a strong need for human companionship. It is healthy, resistant to disease and not expensive to keep. It possesses a well developed herding instinct and is an excellent watchdog. An instinctive herder, it is wary of strangers. If socialized early, however, it responds well to obedience training. As a pet without early obedience training and exercise, to occupy its athletic body and excellent mind, it can became very noisy, even destructive.

It's a caring and modest shepherd’s dog, very loyal to his master. Brave and fearless and a reliable sheepdog. The breed also possesses an hereditary predisposition for working cattle. Some farmers affirm that their Croatian Sheepdog knows and will single out every head of cattle by hearing its name.

The breed is very intense and may bark a lot during the early stages of training, but, with experience, it will usually only bark at the right time - mostly when working in yards. This dog usually obeys only one person and it takes time for good older sheepdog to start working with his new master. It is, however, a very docile breed and comprehends its tasks quickly , which it accomplishes with pleasure.

Croatian Sheepdog History

This is a native Croatian breed and descends from dogs which the Croats brought with them from their original native land into the region they occupy today and which has been continually bred in Croatia, mostly in the fertile plains of Slavonia, from those days onward. According to written documents, the appearance of this breed has not changed greatly from the 14th century to the present day. Probably because it possesses an excellent hereditary instinct for working sheep and cattle, selection on the basis of usability was being carried out spontaneously, which has resulted also in the balance of its look.