History and development

Tornjaks are one of very old breeds from the ancient times. It was mentioned (on papiers, in handwriting) for its first time in 9.th century, in one Catholic Church's document. There is a few later mentioned from 11.th and 14.th century. Tornjaks from this documents are the very same as they are today, except one - the name was only Hrvatski pas planinac, in meaning Croatian dog from the mountain, or as we call Tornjak today: Croatian Mountain Dog. They were in this documents descripted entirely equal (with function and exterior) as they are today: guardian, protective dog which keep and watch all theirs humans ask from them, but highly inteligent and selected without suffici- ent aggression, and pleasant with other unknown people which they meet out of their property. It is considered that dogs in Tornjak's typ exist here in Dinaridi (region around Mountain Dinara, Croatia) from Roman times. Romanians used theirs dogs in wars and as a guardian and fighting dogs. Population of Tornjaks developed spontaneously out of the genetic base brought to Dinaridi by migrations, trading and wars and combined with the already present breeds. Through the senturies it was adapted to the natural enviroment in its fu- nction as well as to the needs, customs and aestetic criteria of the inhibitants....

Vital statistics

Size of male dogs are mostly from 67 to 73 cm in withers, most desirable is abo- ut 70 cm, for bitch it is from 62 to 68 cm, usually about 64 cm.Weight for dogs is from 50 to 60 kg, for bitches from 35 to 45. Sexual dimorphisam is obvious. Tornjaks live pretty long, what is for dogs of theirs size very rare, mostly longer than 15 years. It isn't unusually to see Tornjak older than 18 years. Tornjaks are multicolored breed. Acceptable are all known dogs color, but always on white colored base. It means that Tornjak can be either almost entire white animal (but never full white - it has to be at least few dark colored spots on head or body), or almost whole dark colored animal (but never full dark - it has to be "mantle": at least white coat on all four legs, tip of tail, forechest and around neck and muzzle). And all variations between this two ends of continuum: even are the most frequent dogs with pure white base and colored tablets on the coat (brown or black tablets). The Tornjak is a double-coated dog. The body should be covered (especially in winter) with an very dense and soft (almost close wool) an undercoat. Cover coat is longer and and rather harsh. It must stands straight out from the body (ideal coat!!!) and shouldn't be curl, a bit waviness (on croup and thighs) is permitted. In male dogs the coat should form a ruff around the neck. The coat is water resistant, because natural protective film on it. The head, muzzle and front part of legs are covered with short hair, but or rare edges of legs till to the pastern form slight feathering, especially under the tail. Coat on other part of Tornjaks body is medium to long (from 7 cm to 17 cm), very dense and thick, cover and undercoat also. Needs for grooming are at contrary very poor (similar like for Maremano, for exp.). For shows dogs is a bit higher than for pets, and during hot weather when Tornjaks lose of theirs undercoat is a bit higher. In that season we have to use the combs and brushes as often as not. Temperament of Tornjaks is calm, not nervous: typical adult tornjak is very calm, peaceful, on first sight indifferent animal, but (when situation demands) viligant, very alert watch dog. Character of this dogs is same, they are not nervous and not aggressive in general, they are very tough, not demanding, sturdy dogs. With familiar persons they are very emotional. When they live in a pack they are high social animals. Bitches like to live with other bitches, there isn't fighting between pack members. Toward unknown persons or animals as a rule Tornjaks aren't emphasized aggressive. But in appropriately occasions Tornjaks are very determinned and it can resolutely attacks much stronger rivals. In this situations Tornjaks are wary, but brusque, persistent and unpleasant (from my own experience: "angel becomes a demon"***). Exercise level isn't too high, especially in first 9 - 12 months (during lasts intensive growth). After that period, we can exercise our Tornjak as much as we can, the more the better. They prefere long walks without leash, and lot of playing with other dogs. At contrary, Tornjak will be almost equally satisfied also with 20 minutes last walk if we are in a hurry. Tornjak is modest, not demanding dog.

Health and nutrition

Tornjaks are very healthy breed, but we must pay attention they were very poorly fed through their past, and now they don't need so much proteins in food. For feeding Tornjaks is much suitable low protein diet (not high than 23% level of proteins for adult and not high than 26% for puppy and young dogs until 12 months). In contrary - feed with lot of proteins in theirs food, it could develops the coat problems. Also we must pay attention about early growth of theirs bones, and have to keep them away from stairs, as equal as keep them away from lot of exercise. Climbing upstairs (and downs. also) until first six months, in contrary, can ruin theirs hock joints, or develop hyp-dysplasia, but it is important only in really huge number of stairs (more than 20 house's), and very often use them daily (I suggest to my new pups owner if they have a stairs in a hause - to bring theirs Tornjak in arms until first 6 mts.***).

Grooming

Tornjaks have very special coat, even pure white (with or without dark spots), it dosen't need often bath, because it is protected with natural film which prevent to get the dirtiness on it. If they bath too often (more than once a month) it can ruin theirs natural protective film on coat. We may use only special very gentle dogshampoo for bathing them (All Systems, I prefere***), and after bathing they don't need drying, except very good dry with lot of towels. They will dry after that slowly through next 12 to 20 hours (indoors, only). It is useful before bathing take a long combing and brushing to get all dirteness out (it there is in coat), and also to get all old hair off. Tornjaks usually don't need nail clipping, except on dewclaws nails, if there are on back legs. Teeths brushing as usual as at any other breeds. Foot pads (except extreme winter conditions) and eyes don't need any special care, but ears care vary from dog to dog, and if someone needs, than it is common as usual in other dogs.

Breeding decisions

Only the best bitches would be brood bitches and breed, after X-rayed before and whole series ex- cellent marks from numerous shows, as same as after breed examination. The same is with stud dog.

Training

Tornjaks need very good early socialization. This first experiences until 9 months have the most important influence to their entire life. In that first period they have to meet all fearful situations, the earlier the better - for prevent lately fear reactions on that stimulus: traffic noise and big trucks and buses will provoke fear ractions in adult age, if some Tornjak as a puppy didn't meet it several times. In this early age all Tornjaks pupy have to meet as much as possible strange people and other ani- mals, dogs and pets especially, for develop good stabile behaviour in adult age. No special training ar equipment is need. All your dog needs you can teach him alone, or he already knows all before (***).

Selection criteria

Only this breeder who can give you guarantee for intelligent, stabile dog which be very pleasant with children, and pretty good as a guardian (on that way you don't need a key on your house***) is adequ- ate breeder from which you can bay a good Tornjak, yours the one. Puppy haven't to show any fearness or shyness, any cowardice isn't permitted. Tornjaks puppies have to be playful and faithful to all humans. (Only in age older than 18 months they start to change in adult behaviour, which is pretty uncommunicative to all unknown strangers).

Sources and resources

For now there is only one Pedigree Book of Tornjaks, and it is in Hrvatski Kinoloski Savez (HKS), or Croatian Kennel Associatin (CKA) in Zagreb. For now there are more than 900 entry in this Pedigree Book and this number changes almost every day. We hope (and expect) FCI recognition until the end of 2001. In Croatia (and Bosnia and Herzegovina, also) Tornjaks are recognized, but for now conditio- nally. All these dogs have Croatian Conditionally Pedigree (Hrvatsku Uvjetnu Rodovnicu - HUR). In our country there are a lot of magazine's articles about our LGD - Tornjak, which other name is: Croatian mountain dog, but it is most famous only as a Tornjak, unfortunately all of this articles are in Croatian. Last few months all newborn Tornjak's puppies got full name in their Pedigree: "Croatian Mountain Dog Tornjak". This first name is very old, it is from ancient times. From the beg- gining Croatian shepherds called theirs longhear, protective, big dog-friend: Hrvatski pas planinac, in meaning Croatian Mountain Dog. Now finally Tornjak got his full name, like in old time.

Breed characteristics

Tornjaks are now and they were through entire theirs history - LGD, livestock guardian dogs. But they keep and watch on all what their humans give to them for protective: from small villages to big noble mansions. They were and are now real working dogs, without need for training. They have very strong protective instinct, and they have very teritorial instinct also. (*** lot of key points of the breed standard you can find in Tornjak's Standard ...)