The
Croatian Sheepdog is a dog breed from Croatia.
Description
Appearance
The
Croatian sheepdog is a weatherproof, adaptable breed. They are 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. A characteristic is the short hairs
on its somewhat fox-like head and legs. The remainder of the coat is longer and
wavy or curly. The height at the withers in both sexes is between 16 and 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 carried curled over the dog's back.
Head
·
Generally: The head is relatively light, lean
and wedge shaped. The ratio between the muzzle and the skull is 9 : 11. The
total length of the head is about 20 cm.
·
Skull: Slightly rounded skull tapering towards
the nose. The eyebrow arches are not pronounced. The cheeks are rounded. The occiput
can be distinct.
·
Stop: Slightly pronounced.
Face
·
Nose: Always black and in the line with the nose
ridge.
·
Muzzle: Lean, nose ridge looking from the
profile is straight and is a wedge-shaped extension of the skull. The lower jaw
is well developed and forms a harmonious whole with the line of the nose ridge.
The muzzle is neither pointed nor square.
·
Teeth: Well developed with a complete scissors
bite. Level bite is acceptable but not desirable.
·
Lips: Dry, close fitting and supple. The visible
lip pigment is black. Corner of the mouth is tight.
·
Eyes: Chestnut brown to black, medium in size,
almond-shaped, and set horizontally, they give the dog a lively expression. The
rims of the eyelids are dark pigmented and tight, fit close to the eyeballs.
·
Ears: Triangular in shape, medium-sized, erect
or semi-erect, somewhat set to the side. Erect ears are more desirable. Ear
cropping is not allowed.
·
NECK: Slightly rises above the back line, the
upper and lower lines of the neck are straight. Moderately long, it is of
medium strength, deep and well rounded, muscular. The skin is without dewlap
and is covered with a dense coat.
Body
·
Withers: Not pronounced. The transition to the
neck is gradual.
·
Back: Straight, short and muscular.
·
Loin: Short and firmly coupled.
·
Chest: Medium long, broad and deep enough. Ribs
well sprung, forechest slightly pronounced. The transition to the neck is in a
straight line.
·
Belly: Slightly tucked-up. The loins are full
and sturdy.
·
Croup: Medium long, slightly sloping down,
muscular and fairly broad.
Tail
·
Set medium high, with thick long hair, in repose
it hangs relaxed or is carried at back level. In attention it is carried above
the back line. Some dogs are born tailless or with a short tail, or the tail is
docked so that in an adult male it is about 4 cm long. However, tail docking is
now banned in Croatia.
Limbs
·
Forequarters: The legs are straight, parallel
and of medium length. Angulation of the front legs is more opened, the dog
stands steeper. Shoulder blades are medium long and muscular, somewhat set
steeper. The upper arm is relatively short. The forearm is long and muscular.
Bones are lighter.
·
Pasterns dry, indistinct, short and not
completely vertical. The feet are small, strong, semi-rabbit-like. The toes are
well knitted, well and firmly cushioned. The nails are black or gray.
·
Hindquarters: The hind legs are
medium-angulated. From behind, the legs are parallel. The lower thigh is long
and the hock is set lower. The upper thigh is of medium width, well muscled.
The hocks are dry and distinct, well angulated.
·
Hind feet are the same as the front ones, small
and sturdy though somewhat elongated. Dewclaws are removed.
·
Gait/Movement: The Croatian Sheepdog moves in
briskly trot with moderately long steps.
Coat
·
Texture: The length of hair on the back is
between 7 and 14 cm. The foreface is always shorthaired. The ears are
shorthaired on the outside and longhaired on the inside. The backside of the
forelegs has longer hairs down to pastern and forms feathering. The hind legs
have pronounced feathering from the buttocks to the hocks. The coat is
relatively soft, wavy to curly, but must not be woolly. The undercoat must be
dense.
·
Colour: The base color of the coat is black. A
few white hairs can be tolerated. White markings on the head, body and tail are
not permissible, but small white markings are permissible on the throat and the
forechest. White markings on the toes or the legs are permissible but
undesirable. White legs up to pasterns lower the dog's marks on shows.
Height & Weight
·
The height at withers in males and females is
between 40 and 50 cm.
·
Height:
16-21 inches (40–53 cm.)
·
Weight:
29-43 pounds (13–20 kg.)
Temperament
This
article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or
unverifiable information. Such statements should be clarified or removed.
(December 2010)
The
Croatian Sheepdog is an alert, agile, keen and intelligent dog with enormous
energy and with a strong need for human companionship. It is healthy, resistant
to disease and not expensive to keep. It possesses a well-developed herding
instinct and is an excellent watchdog.
It's
a caring and modest shepherd's dog, very loyal to their master. The breed also
possesses an hereditary predisposition for working cattle. Some farmers affirm
that their Croatian Sheepdog knows and will single out every head of cattle by
hearing its name.
In
the past, the dog was often used to drive herds of pigs to oak woods in autumn,
and, in one old document, it states that this versatile breed even herded the
horses from Đakovo's stables. It is both a driving and a gathering dog and,
depending on whether it comes from a show or working line, 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 an older sheepdog may take some time to
switch allegiance to a new master. If not socialized early, it can be wary of
strangers. The Croatian Sheepdog responds well to obedience training but as a
pet without any work it can become very noisy, even destructive. It is,
however, a very docile breed and comprehends quickly what is expected of it,
which it accomplishes with pleasure. At around 3 or 4 months the pup is usually
taken to the flock. In most cases, these pups are worked beside an older dog,
and the pup learns its job and at around 6 months is useful for work.
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 next?" Nowadays, fewer and
fewer Croatian Sheepdogs earn their keep by working with stock in native
Slavonia, because many open plains are put to crops and stock is kept indoors.
Croatian Sheepdogs do well in an apartment as long as they get enough regular
exercise.
Activities
The
Croatian Sheepdog is a very good breed for dog sports. They can compete in dog
agility trials, obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events.
Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding
tests. Croatian Sheepdogs exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to
compete in herding trials.
Care
Croatian
sheepdogs are usually very healthy. This breed is easy to groom: an occasional
combing or brushing to remove dead hair and a bath if dirty is all it needs.
This breed is an average shedder.
No comments:
Post a Comment