The Croatian Sheepdog breed is said to be the descendant of the breed brought by the Croats from their original settings to the area they occupy today. They have mainly been bred in the fertile fields of Croatia and have been used for their herding abilities. Specialists say that the breed was used to drive pigs to oak woods in autumn, but can also work with horses, and it seems to have a hereditary predisposition to working with cattle. Documents have been found to prove the existence of the dog since earlier days dating back to 1374. However, the breed has only been officially recognized in 1969.
Appearance of the breed
The breed is similar in appearance to other sheepdog breeds. It is of medium build, which makes it agile and able to move fast among the animals it is driving. It has a long coat to protect it of the cold in the open fields. Height at the withers can vary between 40 and 50 cm. The dog can weigh 13-20 kg. Nowadays, the breed is said to grow taller than it used to, meaning that the better living conditions allow it to grow to its full genetic potential. The tail used to be docked short but otherwise it can curl over the dogs back.
Personality and abilities
The Croatian sheepdog is an excellent pet, healthy and agile. The animal develops a strong need for human companionship and will be a trusted friend to his master and family. It is a hard working dog, attentive and obedient, which responds well to command. The training of pups, either for working dogs, for sports competitions or simply for their education, must start at only a few months of age, and the process will be a rather smooth one. There are a lot of events this breed can participate to, either the traditional herding which is in its blood, or tracking, flyball, obedience, agility and others. Apart from these abilities, specialists also recommend it as a good watchdog, due to its attachment to humans.
Care and maintenance
The breed is low maintenance and not the least expensive. It is an easy shedder and easy to groom. Life expectancy is around 13-14 years of age. Provided that you make sure that the dog gets enough physical exercise, you will have no problems, as there are no hereditary diseases the potential owners should know about.
Conclusion
This is the perfect dog for you, especially if you have never had a dog before. As far as training this breed goes, this is “entry level” as the animals docility makes it the perfect pet for someone with no experience in owning a dog but with a certain understanding of the relationship between the animal and its master. The breed is attached to its home, can adapt to apartment life and it is very good with children. The puppies are very cute and learn fast practically anything you teach them. If you do not have a herd that needs driving, you can always teach it tricks. The Croatian sheepdog is the perfect dog for your family.
