Croatian Sheepdog
- Medium
- Foundation Stock Service
The Croatian Sheepdog is a medium herding breed from Croatia with a written history reaching back to 1374. Loyal, active, and alert, this wavy-coated dog stays calm indoors but thrives with a job to do and room to run.
- Height
- 16 to 20
- inches at the shoulder
- Weight
- 29 to 44
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 13 to 14
- years, median 13.5
- Senior from
- 10.1
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Temperament
- Loyal, active, alert and intelligent
- Coat
- Wavy, Double, medium
- Origin
- Croatia
The Croatian Sheepdog is a medium herding breed from Croatia, standing about 16 to 20 inches tall and weighing roughly 29 to 44 pounds. It carries a wavy, medium-length double coat and a loyal, active, alert, and intelligent temperament. Most live around 13 to 14 years.
The breed's written record reaches back centuries. In 1374, the bishop of Djakovo, Petar Horvat, wrote that the Croats had brought a shepherd dog with them on the move to their new land, calling it Canis Pastoralis Croaticus, the Croatian Shepherd Dog. A later bishop of Djakovo, Peter Bakic, wrote about the breed again in his 1719 manuscript on the life of the people and the raising of stock in Djakovo and its surroundings.
Temperament and needs
Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.
- Affectionate with family3 out of 5
- Good with young children3 out of 5
- Good with other dogs3 out of 5
- Openness to strangers2 out of 5
- Playfulness3 out of 5
- Watchdog and protective nature5 out of 5
- Adaptability2 out of 5
- Trainability3 out of 5
- Energy level3 out of 5
- Mental stimulation needs3 out of 5
- Barking level3 out of 5
- Shedding2 out of 5
- Grooming frequency1 out of 5
- Drooling3 out of 5
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
Croatian Sheepdogs may be fed different diets according to each dog's individual needs. A breeder or veterinarian can advise how often a puppy should eat. A breeder or veterinarian can also guide the choice of an adult diet as the dog matures. Clean, fresh water should remain available at all times.
Grooming
The Croatian Sheepdog has a straightforward grooming routine. Baths are needed only occasionally. A comb or brush can remove dead hair. Nail care should remain a regular part of the routine.
Exercise
Croatian Sheepdogs are very energetic. They stay calm and relaxed indoors, but once outside they want a good run.
The breed excels at flyball, obedience, herding, and frisbee, and it is known for an unusual jumping ability. Croatian Sheepdogs may dig or develop unwanted behavior without enough exercise. Daily activity and structured work help prevent these behaviors.
Training
Croatian Sheepdogs are highly trainable, eager to please, and enthusiastic about work. Regular attendance at suitable training classes gives the dog continued opportunities to learn and practice skills.
For a Croatian Sheepdog puppy, socialization during the first three months can include a range of people, animals, surroundings, and everyday stimuli. Exposure should remain safe and manageable; excessive fear, withdrawal, or avoidance signals that the pace is too much. For puppies, classes and training at home should use positive reinforcement, with frequent rewards such as praise, petting, play, or treats.
Sources
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