Croatian Sheepdog Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

14-20 kg

Height

40-60 cm

Lifespan

13-14 years

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About the Croatian Sheepdog

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

The Croatian Sheepdog dog breed is a powerful, ancient breed that has remained unchanged since the 14th Century. Careful breeding has maintained the athleticism and intelligence that has made this such a successful working dog over the generations.

The Croatian Sheepdog breed is still a popular working dog today and though they’re a demanding breed, with the right training and socialisation, they can make loyal, loving family pets.

What is the history & origin of the Croatian Sheepdog?

The Croatian Sheepdog dates back to 7th Century Croatia when it was imported to what is now modern Croatia by the original Croats. It was bred to keep cattle and sheep in check and provide protection to the shepherd by the campfire.

A transcript from a Croatian bishop written in the 14th Century states that the breed, known in Latin as the Canis Pastoralis Croaticus, hadn’t changed at all in the previous 700 years.

In 1935, Croatian Sheepdogs were refined by a selective breeding program led by Croatian vet Dr. Stjepan Romic. In 1969 the Croatian Sheepdog achieved full breed recognition from the Federation Cynologique Internationale but has yet to be accepted into the American Kennel Club.

What is a Croatian Sheepdog breed?

Croatian Sheepdogs are a medium-sized dog breed with an athletic frame that is longer than it is tall.

They have a long muzzle with triangle erect ears that sit high on their heads and dark, intelligent eyes. Croatian Sheepdogs traditionally had their tails docked but modern owners have spurned this process. If their tails are undocked they will curve up over their backs.

Modern Croatian Sheepdogs are the tallest they’ve ever been and can exceed 21 inches, possibly down to modern nutrition.

They are covered in a thick weatherproof coat of wavy black hair making them unmistakable as a breed. Some Croatian Sheepdogs will have white patches on their toes and chests, which would disqualify them from competing in the show ring.

Who is a Croatian Sheepdog best for?

This medium-sized breed is better off in a home than an apartment so that it has space to express itself. It’s a high-energy breed that will need space to roam around in, ideally with a high-fenced garden for burning off steam.

They can make devoted, loving family pets and are given to forming strong bonds with their families. They are best suited to homes with older children or ones who’ve had experience around dogs, as they are strong-willed and though they’re loving of kids they may be tempted to herd them occasionally.

Their strong sense of duty and alertness as well as solid trainability makes them perfect if you’re looking for a guard dog. Just be advised that they are a vocal dog who likes to let you know when something is on their mind.

Croatian Sheepdog Grooming & Shedding

A Croatian Sheepdog’s coat is woolly or coarse to the touch. They have a double coat with a soft, dense undercoat and way topcoat that sheds at an average rate and should be brushed regularly. They will shed more heavily twice a year and will require daily brushing during these times to remove dead hair and help distribute the natural oils that keep their dog hair healthy.

Use a dog-safe ear cleaner to keep their ears preventing painful ear infections and trim their nails regularly if they aren’t worn down by their daily walks. You should also brush their teeth once a week to keep their breath fresh and remove plaque build-up.

Do Croatian Sheepdogs bark a lot?

Their herding breed tendencies mean the Croatian Shepherd dog has a tendency to bark more than average. They border on being compulsive barkers and like to communicate and express themselves vocally, sometimes making noises simply to keep themselves entertained.

This bored barking can become a problem if your Croatian Sheepdog is feeling cooped up and full of surplus energy. It’s important to exercise Croatian Sheepdogs and give them proper mental stimulation so they have productive outlets for their energy.

What is the average weight & height of a Croatian Sheepdog?

Many Croatian Sheepdogs can be smaller or larger than the average sizes but they tend to be between 40-60 cm at the shoulder and weigh between 14-20 kilos with little difference in size between the female Croatian Sheepdog and the male.

Are Croatian Sheepdogs easy to train?

The Croatian Sheepdog breed is intuitive and a born pleaser that takes well to obedience training. Their extensive history as working dogs make them highly trainable but their intelligence while making them excellent learners can make them strong-willed, so you’ll need to put the effort in to keep them focused.

First-time dog owners may find the demands of giving Croatian Sheepdogs the appropriate training to be hard work. They are alert and eager and will need a confident instructor who knows how to maintain their attention which can easily be diverted if they’re not captivated by your coaching.

Vigorous exercise is key to making the Croatian Sheepdog a good student and agreeable companion and should be viewed as an ongoing part of their training, not least because it will strengthen your bond and improve your teamwork.

How do Croatian Sheepdogs behave? A look at their temperament and personality

The Croatian Sheepdog is an intelligent and active dog with boundless energy. With the right socialisation, they can get on well with other dogs though they can tend to be shy when making new friends.

They are a very task-driven breed that takes well to dog sports. They are happy to work independently or alone but either way will expect regular attention and reinforcement.

They’re bred for human companionship as much as herding farm animals and form close ties with their human owners. They are naturally loyal and protective of their family members, which while making them effective guard dogs can also make them suspicious of strangers.

They can tend to bark quite a lot or exhibit destructive behaviours if they are not properly exercised with the right outlet for their endless energy stores. It’s important to establish a strong alpha role with proper training as this dog thrives on human leadership and will be happier if they understand their role in the pecking order.

Does the Croatian Sheepdog have any common health issues?

This dog is somewhere near 1300 years old and is a hardy, healthy breed with minimal genetic health problems. Most health complaints they have are work-related injuries but they can also develop musculoskeletal issues such as arthritis and patellar luxation.

Keeping your dog healthy by brushing its teeth, taking them for regular check-ups, vaccinating them and treating them for parasites.

What is the lifespan of a Croatian Sheepdog?

With proper exercise, a healthy lifestyle and diet the Croatian Sheepdog can lead a happy life for as long as 13-14 years.

How much does a Croatian Sheepdog need to be fed?

As puppies, the Croatian Sheepdog needs to be fed high-quality, puppy formula food 4 times a day at 6-12 weeks which will drop to 3 meals a day when they are 3-6 months. After this, they’ll move on to 2 meals of adult dog food a day which you can adjust depending on the amount of activity they’re engaged in each day.

Make sure you choose a dog food brand with meat as the main ingredient as well as a good profile of fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals.

How much can you expect to pay for a Croatian Sheepdog in Australia?

The Croatian Sheepdog is a very rare breed that you will struggle to find outside of their native Croatia. Once you find a reputable breeder with the puppy for you, you can expect to pay no less than $1000-$1200.

Croatian Sheepdog FAQs

Do Croatian Sheepdogs get along with other animals?

Croatian Sheepdogs are naturally aloof around other dogs with something approaching neutrality. You get the clear impression this intelligent dog is more task than relationship-driven, but they can still form close relationships with other dogs if given the proper socialization and training.

Are Croatian Sheepdogs friendly?

This breed easily forms tight bonds with their family and was bred to be a solid, reliable companion during long nights by the fire. As they’ve not changed over hundreds of years, they are still reliant on human relationships.

Around new people, the Croatian Sheepdog isn’t necessarily unfriendly but they can be a little shy.

They are deeply loyal to their family members and will form close, loving bonds with their family members, especially children with whom they can both burn off any excess energy.