General Description

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(Bosnian-Herzegovinian Sheepdog – Tornjak, Hrvatski pas Planinac, Croatian Mountain Dog)The Tornjak is a large fluffy dog. Both their face and muzzle is slightly square.   Their large, dark eyes sparkle with the loyalty that is a hallmark of this breed.  Another aspect of their cuddly faces is their medium-size ears which are folded against their heads in a “V” shape.   Their drooping lips hang down slightly pass their lower jaw. The breed has a noticeably broad chest but its waist becomes gradually smaller. Their legs are quite short compared to the size of their body, but their tail is long and lined with long hairs. The Tornjak’s coat is thick and fluffy with an abundance of hair around their neck and head. The colors of their coat are varied but they are usually white plus another color, such as black or brown.

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Character

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The Tornjak is always willing to please its owner. They are extremely loyal and protective of their family. They will also guard their property fiercely and do not like strangers. The breed adores close family members and will do whatever is asked of them. Tornjaks are highly intelligent and do well with training. They often very loving and calm in the house and is generally a self confident and happy breed.  Because of their combination of attributes, they make a perfect watchdog.

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Size

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23-27 inches

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Weight

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62-110 pounds

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General Health

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Tornjaks are a very healthy breed with very few issues to cause concern, except for hip dysplasia – a common problem for many larger dog breeds.  To reduce the chances of this problem, Tornjaks should not be allowed to climb stairs until they are at least 6 months of age.

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History

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The exact origin is not known, but the breed did come from Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Croatia. Originally, it was called Kanis Montanus which meant Mountain Dog. It was later given the name Tornjak by local people in reference to its skill at guarding sheep and cattle. It is thought to be a descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff.

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Maintenance

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For Tornjaks, the biggest grooming issue isn’t brushing but feeding.  Because the breed was originally raised on a poor diet, feeding it high-protein foods can actually ruin its beautiful coat.  To keep it looking beautiful, you should feed it a low-protein diet.  Furthermore, this breed needs lots of exercise. However, the exercise is usually done on their own by running and playing in a yard. They need attention but can stay outside because of their coat which protects them from harsh weather. They do need early socialization to noises because they may become upset by strange sounds and attempt to protect their owners from them. The breed also needs to be socialized with as many people, other animals, and dogs as possible. If they are going to be kept outside, they need to have adequate shelter.

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Ideal Environment

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The Tornjak is a protective, but gentle dog. They should not live in apartments, because they are too active. They do best living in the country or in a rural area because they need lots of area to run. These dogs are fine with their family but can be reserved with strangers. They can also be very territorial but do not usually become aggressive unless they see a threat. Tornjaks are best as guard dogs, but they do want affection from people, too.  They need to be played with, but if allowed to romp in an enclosed yard or to perform a job the breed can usually release most of its energy without too much additional exercise with the owner. The dogs do need socialization at a young age with dogs and other animals to prevent temperament problems down the road.

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