The Croatian Sheepdog, also known as the Hrvatski Ovcar, is an
ancient breed that has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. They
are descended from canines that the
original Croats had with them when they settled the land at some point in the 7th
century, presumably a breed developed for their herding ability. An account
that was written by Petar, Bishop of Dakovo,
in the late 14th century, describes the Canis Pastoralis Croaticus,
or Croatian Shepherd Dog, not just by its
appearance but also mentioning that this breed is good for keeping flocks of
all farm animals. Today’s Hrvatski Ovcar is also a master of many flocks, being
equally adept at herding sheep, cows, and even pigs. This first written record
of the Croatian Sheepdog was located by a man often referred to by many sources as
the “father of the breed,” Dr. Stjepan Romic, a Yugoslav professor and veterinarian
whose scientific focus was animal husbandry and zoo hygiene. He also discovered
additional references to this breed in later archives of the Djakovo diocese,
throughout the 18th century, all referencing the name as Canis
Pastoralis Croaticus, each described in a way that matches not only Petar’s
account in the 14th century
but also descriptions of the modern breed. It was on the territory of Djakovo
in 1935 that Romic began his own systemic breeding program of these ancient
all-purpose herding dogs. The breed was first recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale in 1969 and
more recently by the United Kennel Club in 2006, though it has not yet gained
recognition with the American Kennel Club.