Tornjak
Croatian Mountain Dog, Hrvatski pas Planinac
The Tornjak is a livestock guardian, they do not herd their charges but protect them. This breed usually works with sheep, guarding them against bears, wolves, and other predators. It originated in both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. It is one of the few breeds that the Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes as having two countries of origin.
The name Tornjak is derived from “tor”, the Croatian word for sheep-pen.
Tornjak Standards
- 23-27"
- 77-110 lbs
- large livestock guardian
- medium-sized, folded, triangular ears
- long tail is heavily plumed
- coat is long, short on face and legs
- parti-color, generally white with solid markings
History of the Tornjak
The ancestors of the Tornjak have guarded sheep in Croatia, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina for centuries. Descriptions of a dog similar to today’s breed date back to 1062. Due to its antiquity, it is unknown which breeds were used in its development, however, the Tibetan Mastiff is often mentioned.
In the modern world, the need for livestock guardians has declined. By the 1970s the Tornjak had become extremely rare, and it was further impacted by the Bosnian Civil War. Their numbers had fallen so low that some sources in the past stated the breed was extinct. Careful breeding programs were required to revive (or reconstruct) the Tornjak. It was officially recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 2017. It remains fairly unknown outside its homeland, although it has been listed in the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service since 2012.