CROATIAN-INFO

History

The earliest written document about Croatian Sheepdogs "Canis pastoralis croaticus" was found in the archives of diocese of Djakovo by Dr Stepjan Romic and it's from year 1374. In the document the breed is described as "18 inches high, with medium long black curly coat, the hair is short on the head and ears are pricked or semi-pricked. The breed is excellent in keeping flocks of all farm animals".

There is also important information about this breed in documents written 1719, 1737, 1742 and 1752. In all these documents the description of the Croatian Sheepdog matches entirely its appearance today. The systematic breeding programme with the breed started in 1935 and finally, 1969, after 34 years of work, the breed was recognized by FCI.

Croatian Sheepdog is a native Croatian breed and it decends from dogs which the Croats brought with them from their original native land into the region they occupy today. Although Croatian Sheepdog is the oldest Croatian breed, it's still rather rare outside its native Croatia.

Description

Croatian Sheepdog is of lower medium hight (40-50 cm) and the base colour is always black. Nowadays, Croatian Sheepdogs can be even taller than mentioned here. Maybe this is because of better nutrition and easier life - they grow to their full genetic potential. Still, there are also dogs below the standard 40 cm.

Charasteristis is the short hairs on its somewhat fox-like head and legs. The hair on the back is between 7 and 14 cm and the coat is relatively soft, wavy to curly, but not woolly.

Traditionally the tail is docked very short but if not, it is more or less curled over the dog's back. Puppies born with bobtail, short or full tail.

The breed is easy to groom. It needs occasional combing and brushing to remove dead hair. Croatian Sheepdog is an average shedder.

Temperament

Croatian Sheepdog is an alert, agile, keen and intelligent dog with enormous energy and strong need for human companionship. It possesses well developed herding instinct and it's also excellent watchdog. Croatian Sheepdog needs early socialization and consistent and logic handling. It also needs a lot of exercise. Croatian Sheepdog is excellent breed in all kind of dog sport. Croats learn things easily - but be ware, also the bad things!

Croatian Sheepdogs in Agility

Agility is one of the most exciting canine sports for spectators. In agility, a dog demonstrates its agile nature and versatility by following cues from the handler through a timed obstacle course. The course has jumps, tunnels, weave poles, slalom and other obstacles. Agility strengthens the bond between dogs and handlers, it's extremely fun, and it provides vigorous exercise for both.

Agility began in England in 1978 and is now one the fastest growing dog sport in all over the world.

Croatian Sheepdogs are just like "made for" the sport. They're not too heavy and they usually turn easily on the course. Croats often have excellent jumping technique and they're not afraid of the obstacles. If you're interested competing in large class (dogs 43 cm or more), you can rather easily find a dog of this size (male or female). There are also few smaller dogs which can compete in medium class, but it's more likely to have a Croat in large than medium class.

Croats usually have great speed on the course. It's usually the handler who is too slow for the dog. But with firm and consistent training and motivation it's great to see this black magic running fast and sound the course.

As mentioned many times before, this breed is rather rare outside its native Croatia. Still it's noted to be one of the "top breeds" in agility in the world. Everyone who has seen Cita (Drava Certisa) running a course knows what I mean. The joy and passion just shows in that dog.

Here is a list of Croatian Sheepdogs who compete in agility 2006:

Croatia:

- Drava Certisa "Cita", large 3 class

- Edo Certisa "Edi", large 3 class

- Miska Certisa "Miska", large 3 class

Finland:

- Biba "Puubi", large 3 class

Slovakia

- Mawlch Gera "Gera", large 2 class

Slovenia

- Mawlch Graa "Graa", large 2 class

- Mawlch Grom "Grom", large 2 class

- Panta Rhei Certisa "Rhei", large 2 class

- Saba Certisa "Saba", large 2 class

- Sara Certisa "Ajka", large 2

Sara Certisa

Mawlch Grom

Cita has participated in AWC six times with her owner Alen Marekovic and she is usually one the fastest dogs on the course. Miska came 9th with her owner Tanja Janes in AWC 2005. The same dog gained 3rd place at SAR World Championships 2005. In 2006 the Croatian large agility team won gold in AWC in Basel, naturally Miska was also in the team :-)