How to Identify a Croatian Sheepdog

Croatian Sheepdogs are assigned to the herding group [1] , and they are a versatile breed of dog, being known as both a cattle dog as well as a sheepdog. They can also be a companion or guard dog and herd livestock. [2] Even though they share a few characteristics with other dog breeds, they have several unique ones as well. This wikiHow will help you figure out whether or not a dog is a Croatian Sheepdog.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Body Structure

  1. Croatian Sheepdogs are typically anywhere from 16 to 20 inches (41 to 51 cm) tall, and they usually weigh somewhere between 29 to 44 pounds (13 to 20 kg). [3]
  2. The head of a Croatian Sheepdog should be in the shape of a wedge that is blunt, and you should also notice parallel muzzle and skull lines. [4]
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  3. Croatian Sheepdogs should have triangular-shaped, even ears that have tips which are rounded a little and are a size that is in good proportion with their head size. The dog's ears should also be on a line that is following their nose tip and their eye's inside corner, and the dog may carry their ears in either a semi-pricked or pricked manner. If their ear is semi-pricked, up until 3/5th of the way to the tip, it should be erect, while the top 2/5th of the dog's ears should be folded downwards. [5]
  4. Croatian Sheepdogs should have eyes that are oval in shape and medium in size, and they should not be deep-set or protruding. The dog's eyes may be anywhere from black to dark chestnut brown in color. [6]
  5. Croatian Sheepdogs should have a medium high-set tail that continues from the croup's line and has a root which is strong. Going towards the tail tip, the dog's tail should taper in a gradual way. When the dog's tail is brought downwards, it should either reach to or a little past their hock joint. Their tail should be carried lower than the topline if the dog is relaxed, and it is typically hook- or saber-shaped. The tail should be carried higher than the dog's topline when they are alert, and it is either ring, rolled (and sometimes leaning on to the dog's back), or sickle-shaped. You should also notice profuse hair covering the dog's tail. [7]
    • Some dogs may be born with a tail that is short or no tail at all, and this is okay. [8]
  6. Croatian Sheepdogs should have a gait with good drive and a good amount of reach, and they should move harmoniously. [9]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Coat

  1. Croatian Sheepdogs should have a coat that is black in color, and you may also notice a small amount of hairs that are white in color, though these should not be very visible if they are there. The dog may also have a marking on their chest that is white in color, but this is no larger than 5 centimetres (2.0 in). However, their undercoat should always be fully black in color. [10]
  2. Croatian Sheepdogs should have a coat that is fairly soft in texture, and their undercoat should be soft as well. [11]
  3. Croatian Sheepdogs should have a dense, profuse coat. Their topcoat should be anywhere from wavy to curly and anywhere from 6 to 14 centimetres (2.4 to 5.5 in) in length, and their topcoat should also be elastic and stand off. You should not notice the hair parting on the dog's back. The dog should also have a compact, dense undercoat, overall along with the topcoat forming a protective cover. You should also notice long hair on the dog's neck, creating a "mane", as well as on the dog's croup, rib area, back, as trousers on their back legs, forming culottes, on the dog's tail, forming a "flag", if the tail is not short, and on the back of the dog's front arms, forming fringes. You should notice that the culottes and the area near the tail root have hair that is the longest in length. The part between the hair on the dog's forehead, which is short, and the hair on the back of the dog's skull should be approximately 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in) in length. The dog should also have straight, short hair around their eyes, on their forehead, on the metacarpus, carpus, cheeks, front of their front legs, ears, and muzzle. The dog's back legs should also have short hair on their feet and also going from the dog's metatarsus to their hock. [12]
  4. The coat of a Croatian Sheepdog will need to be groomed and brushed often, along with frequent ear cleaning and nail trimming. The dog may also need a haircut from a groomer occasionally. [13]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Temperament

  1. Croatian Sheepdogs are energetic, and they will need exercise every day through things like games of fetch or hikes/walks. [14]
  2. Croatian Sheepdogs are known to be intelligent and also usually easy to train. [15]
  3. Sometimes, Croatian Sheepdogs may act shy with people who are new to them, though frequent, proper socialization can help with this if it does end up occurring. [16]
  4. Croatian Sheepdogs are known to bark often, specifically whenever they are thinking about something. They will need training to only bark when needed, and exercise can also help with this. [17]
  5. While they are okay living with a family that is larger, Croatian Sheepdogs tend to form a close bond with one family member in particular. [18]
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      Tips

      • If you'd like to know what your dog's breed is, consider dog DNA testing. This can help confirm whether or not your dog is a Croatian Sheepdog.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/foundation-stock-service-program/fss-breeds-broken-group/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/croatian-sheepdog/
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/croatian-sheepdog/
      4. ↑ http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/277g01-en.pdf
      5. ↑ http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/277g01-en.pdf
      6. ↑ http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/277g01-en.pdf
      7. ↑ http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/277g01-en.pdf
      8. ↑ http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/277g01-en.pdf
      9. ↑ http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/277g01-en.pdf
      1. ↑ http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/277g01-en.pdf
      2. ↑ http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/277g01-en.pdf
      3. ↑ http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/277g01-en.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/croatian-sheepdog-temperament/
      5. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/croatian-sheepdog-temperament/
      6. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/croatian-sheepdog-temperament/
      7. ↑ https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/croatian-sheepdog#/slide/1
      8. ↑ https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/croatian-sheepdog#/slide/1
      9. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/croatian-sheepdog-temperament/

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