Croatian Sheepdog

Overview of Croatian Sheepdogs

The Croatian Sheepdog is a native Croatian
breed and is descended 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, since their
arrival.

Croatian Sheepdog is typically known as a healthy and hearty breed, they do suffer from a number of health problems, including: patellar luxation – dislocation of the knee, arthritis, difficulty in birthing – often leading to caesarian section, cataracts, cryptorchidism – failure of one or both of the testicles to fully descend, and bloat.

Croatian Sheepdogs may not have always had access to food throughout the generations if they were not able to find prey to eat and as they got older it became a lot harder for them to hunt for prey because, they weren't as fast as they used to be when they were younger.

Croatian Sheepdog are known to piling on the pounds, so/however a diet that consists of biologically appropriate protein and healthy fats, ground bone and vegetables packed with the required vitamins and minerals is essential for optimum health and performance.

The Croatian Sheepdog is an alert, agile, keen and intelligent dog with enormous energy and a strong need for human leadership , inquisitive which means that they should have plenty of mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom.

Croatian Sheepdogs have almond shaped eyes and are alway black with soft, wavy to curly coats that is long on all body parts, with particularly pronounced feathering on the back legs and tail, except the head and ears where it’s short.

The Croatian Sheepdog is also, by and large, a taller breed with males ideally topping out at a little under 20 inches to the Mudi’s ideal top range of 18½ inches; The Mudi typically weighs less than a Croatian Sheepdog.

The Croatian Sheepdog is so hardwired for the work of herding, that puppies start to find out their jobs at three or four months of age, when they are placed alongside a mature dog to be mentored.

Croatian Sheepdog owners can have peace of mind knowing that the recipes developed for sensitive stomachs by Spot & Tango are composed of healthy, locally sourced ingredients.

The Croatian sheepdog is of low to medium height and the base color is always black, although there may be very small patches of white on its chest and/or toes.

Barking

Either that, or he’ll try his paw at interior design and scratch wallpaper off the walls and chew the sofa.That energy has to come out somehow and the Croatian Sheepdog will happily entertain himself and the neighbourhood with a loud, cacophony of barking.The downside of these two aspects occurs if the breed’s need for exercise and socialisation are not met.

Bloat

Deep-chested dogs, such as the Croatian Sheepdog, are at greatest risk of bloat.You can reduce the dog’s risk of developing this condition by feeding a good quality (low or no grains) food and always resting the dog for 90-minutes after eating.

Breed

The Croatian Sheepdog was developed over several centuries in the Republic of Croatia.  They are a working sheep and cattle dog.  The earliest written document about Croatian Sheepdogs, Canis pastoralis croaticus, found in the archives of the diocese of Djakovo by “father of the breed” – veterinarian Prof Dr Stjepan Romic – dates from 1374.

Coat

.A Croatian Sheepdog’s neck is moderately long, well rounded and muscular.A distinct feature of this breed is the fox-like head that is covered by hair that is shorter than the hair that covers the rest of the body.Black pigmented lips are dry, supple and close fitting.Complete teeth are well developed and meet in a perfect scissors bite.Dark pigmented eyelid rims tightly fits the eyeball.Medium sized almond shaped eyes are chestnut brown or black in color.Medium sized triangular in shape ears can be semi erect or erect though erect ears are more desirable.The breed’s nose is always black.The Croatian Sheepdog is a medium sized herding dog with a coat that is always black although some individuals can have small white patches on the chest and on the toes.The dewlap-free neck is well covered with dense hair.The eyes have a lively expression.The oval shaped skull and the conical shaped muzzle give this breed a lean wedge shaped head.The stop is slightly pronounced.

Energy

If they are not kept busy enough, they will be prone to obsessive barking or destructiveness.They can be wonderful watchdogs, due to their high level of alertness and intelligence.

Grooming

You may have to bring your Croatian Sheepdog to a professional groomer for a haircut a few times per year, but most of this breed’s grooming can be done at home.

Health

It is important to make sure your Croatian Sheepdog is on the right diet.As a puppy, Croatian Sheepdogs need to be on a good high quality dog food formulated for growth or all stages of life.As Croatian Sheepdogs mature they need to be fed a good high quality dog food formulated for all stages of life or adult.Being on the proper dog food throughout the life of an Croatian Sheepdog is very important for their overall health.Croatian Sheepdogs are known to be a healthy breed but, like all dogs, it is important for them to have routine check ups and to be fed a good high quality dog food in order to stay healthy.Given the fact that Croatian Sheepdogs are healthy dogs as long as you feed them a good high quality dog food and take them to the veterinarian for their routine check ups they should remain happy and healthy throughout their life.It is important that your senior Croatian Sheepdog is on the right dog food, and it makes a difference in their overall health, especially as they age.

Life expectancy

A very dirty Croatian Sheepdog may be bathed as far as it is not done very often so they won’t remove the natural oils which they weatherproof the coat.Also, the dog should be no bathed too often, since therefore can remove the natural natural oils that weatherproof the coat.Croatian Sheepdog is a healthy breed with a life expectancy of 13 every single child 14 years.Grooming routine would consist occasional brushing to take dead hair.Grooming:
The Croatian Sheepdog does not involve extensive grooming routine, as it’s an average shedder.However, the dog is also groomed occasionally by brushing, to get rid of dead hair.The breed is the average shedder.The dog is the most breeds that would not desir an extensive grooming routine as is valued for its working ability instead of a for its physical attributes.

Personality

Social

Croatian Sheepdogs are intense dogs that bark when they are excited, which happens a lot.Croatian Sheepdogs are known for being very responsive and easy to train, as long as you begin early in the dog’s life.Given time and training, however, they can be weaned of their propensity to over bark.If you have other dogs in your household, early socialization and proper training will curb the Croatian Sheepdog’s instinct to take charge of them.They are dominant dogs, but any aggressive tendencies can be easily tamed through proper training.This breed needs a firm, but sensitive trainer; one who is strong and consistent, but never rough or harsh, even in tone.

Temperament

The Tuus Kennel has had two litters of Croatian Sheepdogs, in 2006 and 2008.The Tuus Kennel’s stated goal is to breed Croatian Sheepdogs in Finland who are healthy, working dogs, with good temperaments.Their dogs all compete in agility competitions.

Training

Croatian Sheepdogs may not be the best choice for novice owners, as this breed has a strong work drive and thrives with consistent training and obedience work.If you’re a solo dweller or an experienced pet parent looking for a pooch who acts like your shadow and makes an excellent watchdog, the Croatian Sheepdog may be the right breed for you!They tend to latch on to one human, and they do everything to protect said human, including bark at strangers.

Are They Social With Other People?

6 – Average.Croatian Sheepdog needs early socialization.their could be tendencies that they could be skeptical.On the other hand, this breed loves to be around other people.

Is the Croatian Sheepdog Hypoallergenic?

The Croatian Sheepdog is not a breed that is considered to be hypoallergenic.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? ??

The Croatian Sheepsky makes a great family dog.They will fit in well with the whole family.They will usually mix well with kids of any age, but will especially enjoy the company of active children that can throw a ball or play tug.They will become so close to family members that they will struggle with separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

Are Croatian Sheepdogs Intelligent Dogs?

Wanting to adopt a Croatian Sheepdog and need to know whether Croatian Sheepdog is an intelligent dog breed?

According to dog experts, Croatian Sheepdogs score out of 5 in the scale of intelligent dog breeds.

Conclusion: Why the Croatian Sheepdog?

There is no doubt that the Croatian sheepdog possesses many great qualities as a herder and as a companion dog.

Are They Good for Families?

Croatian Sheepdog is a great family pet! This breed is good and suitable for kids.Owners know these dogs for being playful, energetic, most especially an affectionate creature towards its family members.

Exercise ??

The breed requires a lot of exercise every day and will benefit from mental stimulation, as well as just physical.Ideally, you should consider taking up some form of canine sport.The breed will do well at sledding and sled pulling and it can also excel at agility and other sports.Provide 90 minutes of walks a day, and supplement this with additional exercise.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

As well as people, this hybrid breed should get along with other dogs, although he is likely to have a strong prey drive, so he will probably give chase to small animals including cats.If you do want your Sheekspy to live with small animals, ensure that they meet when they are both as young as possible.

Is Croatian Sheepdog Child-Friendly?

Croatian Sheepdog gets along well with children of any age.They are friendly, affectionate and energetic, so makes a great playmate with children.However, children should be supervised and taught how to approach dogs.Younger children might unknowingly pull the hair or tail, which can lead Croatian Sheepdog to bite and become defensive.

What Were They Bred For?

The Croatian Sheepdog is a talented and versatile breed specialized in herding.And this type of pet is a working dog that helps to flock their owner’s livestock.

Grooming ??

If your dog adopts the Husky’s coat, he will need daily brushing, whereas a coat similar to the Croatian Sheepdog will only require weekly brushing.Neither breed requires regular bathing, as this can strip the coat of natural and protective oils.

Did You Know That There Are Food To Help Your Dogs Gain Weight?

Underweight and undernourishment is as real an issue as obesity among dogs.

Food & Diet Requirements ??

The high energy levels of this breed mean that it needs a lot of food as fuel.Expect to give your dog between 2.5 and 4 cups of food a day.Ensure that this is high-quality food, ideally with meat as its main protein source.Measure the food you give, split it over two or three meals a day, and always ensure that you put down a fresh supply of water for your dog.

So why use supplements?

Dietary supplementation will take your dog’s nutrition to the next level.By making certain additions for specific Croatian Sheepdog related conditions, or for your dog’s individual needs, supplements will act as a complement to food.Added support which will bolster, fuel and nourish your faithful friend and fine-tune their nutritional intake.

Is your dog a Croatian Sheepdog?

You can use our Dog Scanner app to find out whether your dog is a Croatian Sheepdog.

Health Conditions ??

Although the Croatian Sheepsky is a hybrid breed, which means that we don’t know the exact health conditions that he is prone to, we can look at the parent breeds for genetic conditions.

How active is the Croatian Sheepdog?

The Croatian Sheepdog is an active breed and will need active owners.It is especially important to make sure it gets enough mental and physical stimulation if it is not being used as a working dog.It does well at dog sports like agility, showmanship, tracking, flyball and herding events.Training them for these is a good way to keep it healthy mentally and physically.It can adapt to living in an apartment if it gets out enough but a yard for it to investigate in is a good bonus.It has a lot of stamina and endurance so can go for a long time.As well as making sure it gets 2 long walks a day, it should also have daily play time with you.A few times a week it should also get safe off leash time somewhere it can run.If this dog does not get enough activity it can have behavior problems and it can become quickly frustrated when it has too much energy to burn.

Where did the Croatian Sheepdog Come From?

The origin of this breed prior to its appearance in Croatia around the 14th century is in-concise as no exact historical background has been sufficiently verified as to the true origin of the breed.

Training ??

Both parent breeds are intelligent, but they can also be stubborn and headstrong.They can be difficult to train, which means that the Croatian Sheekspy is not suited to first-time owners.Go to puppy classes to master some of the basics and to learn how to teach your dog good habits and new commands.Early socialization is vital because the Sheekspy is reserved around strangers.He won’t be nervous, but he will be reluctant to meet new people.Early and ongoing socialization helps to combat this.

Do They Have a Strong Prey Drive?

They have an average prey drive depending on how they were trained.

What’s the Price of Croatian Sheepsky Puppies?

The Croatian Sheekspy is a cross between two popular and energetic working dogs.Both working breeds are revered for their intelligence and work ethic, costing more than $1,000 each.As such, the $800 cost of the Croatian Sheepsky is affordable.However, you do need to ensure that you use a reputable breeder, especially because this crossbreed can be shy and reserved around strangers, and they will benefit from early socialization.

Is the Croatian Sheepdog Right For You?

Croatian Sheepdogs are athletic, agile, alert, and intelligent.This high energy breed loves to work and has a strong need for human companionship.They make good family pets as long as they are given enough exercise and attention.

What makes the Croatian Sheepdog Unique?

Croatian Sheepdogs are very loyal to their family, but are usually wary of strangers.The breed should be well-socialized early in life to prevent extreme shyness.If they are, they will do well with children and other animals typically.It possesses a well developed herding instinct and is an excellent watchdog.

Is The Croatian Sheepdog Good for New Owners?

Owners know the Croatian Sheepdog for it’s stubborn personality.This is the primary reason as to why it is not advised for un-experienced and novice owners.

Which is Which?

A cursory glance at this photo may lead to these dogs being identified as Mudik, but only one of them actually is.The other is a Croatian Sheepdog.

Why Choose Auto-Ship?

With Auto-Ship, have your favorite pet food and supplies automatically delivered right to your door.

Do They Tolerate Other Pets?

Croatian Sheepdogs are kind of loner towards other pets.As a herding dog their instincts may sometimes takes effect.If trained early in socialization it would be no problem.dogs in general may or may not be friendly towards other pets depending on its environment and owners too! Croatian Sheepdog are lovely souls and can be very playful and friendly.

What will training look like?

Training the Croatian Sheepdog should be easy if you have experience, and even moderately easy if you have less of that.Just be patient, firm and consistent with it.Often it can learn with less repetition making it quicker to train than some other breeds.It is intelligent and it is eager to please but as with most sheepdogs it does have an independent side that can make it have some stubborn moments.Make sure you also start socialization early too so that it learns appropriate responses to different places, sounds, people, animals, situations and so on.Avoid being harsh or using physical punishments.Keep it positive, offer treats to motivate it and encourage it.You may find it barks more early on in the training so include a command to control that.

How Easy are They to Train?

Dog lovers know this breed to be intelligent and energetic.He easily learn and obey what his instructor coaches.

Where are you now?

Set your location by clicking on the map below or typing in your address below.

How is the Croatian Sheepdog with children and other animals?

The Croatian Sheepdog is very good with children especially with good socialization and if raised with them.It can be loving and affectionate, and kids are a great way to get both of them to let off some energy in the yard together! As with many sheepdogs it has a tendency to try and herd them though so socialization and training will be needed to curb that.Teach children how to touch and play nicely with them too.It should get along well with other dogs and with other pets with socialization too.

What you should never overfeed a dog?

Carbohydrates.You should never ever overfeed your dogs too much carbs as they get stored as fat in the body if they are not used.

History of Croatian Sheepdogs

In 1935 a Croatian Vet, Prof Dr Stjepan Romic, started a selective breeding programme for the Croatian Sheepdog.

In 1854, Franjo Beric of Djakova, a veterinarian, also wrote about them.

In 1935, Prof.

In 1935, veterinarian Prof Dr Stjepan Romic, in Djakovo started a systematic breeding program on Croatian Sheepdog with three dogs named Garavusa Gara (female), Buda, and Sojka and got it recognised by FCI in 1969 after 34 years of his hard work.

In 1949, they were presented to the public for the first time at the first state dog show in Zagreb.

In 1951, Dr.

In 1968 the Yugoslav Kennel Club gave the breed recognition and adopted the breed standard and after 34 years the FCI gave the breed recognition in 1969.

In 1969 FCI has finally accepted this dog breed as Croatian sheepdog.

In 1969, the Croatian Kennel Club (CKC) registered 130 Croatian Sheepdog females, 72 males, and classified more than 30 of their ancestors.

In 1996, the breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Foundation Stock Service , but as of 2020 the Catahoula leopard dog has not met the requirements for AKC registration and is not eligible for AKC events.

In 2006 the Croatian large agility
team won gold in AWC in Basel, naturally Miska was also in the team 🙂

In 2006, Miska was mated with Mawlch Grom, producing a litter of three, all with outstanding working abilities: Kaj (male), Kal (male), known as “Rudi”, and Kisa (female).

In 2006, the United Kennel Club did the same.

In 2008 Mr.

In 2009 at the First Croatian Sheepdog Working Championships, Mr.