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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.
This breed is of lower medium height and the base colour is
always black. 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.
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.
The earliest written document about Croatian Sheepdogs,
named “Canis pastoralis croaticus”, found in the archives
of diocese of Djakovo by "father of the breed" -
veterinarian Prof Dr Stjepan Romic - is from 1374. In this
document, Petar, Bishop of Djakovo, says "the dog is
about 18 inches high, with medium long black curly coat, the
hair on the head is short, ears are pricked or semi-pricked
and it is very good for keeping flocks of all farm
animals." He also mentions that the Croats brought the
dog with them while migrating from their original native land
to Croatia in the 7th century.
Romic also found in archive of Djakovo's diocese important
information from Years 1719, 1737, 1742 and 1752. In all of
these documents the description of the Croatian Sheepdog
matches entirely its appearance today and in all of them the
dog is named Canis pastoralis croaticus or Croatian Sheepdog.
A systematic selection breeding programme was started by
the same Prof Romic in 1935 with dogs in the territory of
Djakovo. After 34 years of work, breed was finally recognised
by FCI in 1969.
The master of stock: The Croatian Sheepdog is a
lithe, caring and modest shepherd’s dog, loyal to
self-destruction to his master, brave and fearless and a
reliable sheepdog. It is master of its sheep, often running on
their backs in order to come as quickly as possible to the
place needed for control. The breed also possesses an
hereditary predisposition for working cattle. It is fearless
in its approach, tames the beasts and brings back any that run
away, obeying every order of the herdsman. Some farmers affirm
that their Croatian Sheepdog knows and will single out every
head of cattle by hearing its name. When driving cattle, this
little dog throws itself with great courage at the most
dangerous bull and forces it to obedience.
In the past, the dog was often used to drive herd of pigs
to oak woods in autumn, and, in one old document, it states
that this versatile breed even herded the horses from
Djakovo’s stables.
It is both driving and gathering dog and, depending of
background (show or working lines) its desire to work stock
varies. Its approach to the flock may be closer and harder
than some other breeds, but is very effective. It may grip but
seldom causes any damage thereby. Nevertheless, it requires
firm but sensitive handling and it is easy to overcome these
aggressive tendencies by training.
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. If not socialised early, it can be wary of strangers.
The Croatian Sheepdog responds well to obedience training
but as a pet without any work it can became very noisy, even
destructive. It is, however, a very docile breed and
comprehends quickly its tasks, which it accomplishes with
pleasure. At around 3 or 4 months the pup is usually taken to
the flock. In most cases, beside an older dog, the pup learns
its job and at around 6 months is useful for work.
From my experience, Croatian Sheepdog are mostly used to
turn the stock in the required direction or to run stock out
of a crop field, but they will also bring runaways and help in
yards with shedding and penning. On word or crook/hand signal,
even just a head signal from the shepherd, the dog will carry
out task quickly and willingly.
It is always behind its master’s heels, waiting for the
next move and often looks into its master’s eyes as it asks
” What’s next?” If there is nothing to do, it will lie
beside its master or on the far side of the flock.
Nowadays, less and less Croatian Sheepdogs earn their keep
by working with stock in native Slavonia, because many open
plains are being replaced with corps and stock is tide up in
the barns. The future is not so bad, however, as the breed is
settling into other parts of Croatia.
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