The Croatian sheepdog is the oldest autochthonous Croatian dog breed, presumed to have developed over multiple centuries from descendants of the breed known as “sojenički pas” (“stilt house dog”, Canis Familiaris Palustris) in eastern Slavonia. One hypothesis about the breed’s origin is based on a manuscript by Bishop Petar Bakić, written in Đakovo in 1719, which quotes an earlier source, Petar, Bishop of Đakovo, who had noted in 1374 that Croats brought this breed with them when they migrated to this region from their original homeland.
Systematicall breeding
Professor Stjepan Romić started breeding Croatian sheepdogs systematically in Đakovo and its surrounding area in 1935. The breed was officially presented at the First National Dog Exhibition in Zagreb, held on 29 and 30 October 1949. The FCI General Assembly accepted the Croatian sheepdog standard in Warsaw on 7 and 8 May 1969 as number 277 and categorised the breed into Group 1 – Sheepdogs and Cattledogs.
Owing to its unique combination of characteristics, the Croatian sheepdog is very versatile and can be used to guard and herd cattle, as a universal guard dog, or as a companion dog. The breed achieves very good results in agility and similar dog sports. Historical records, preserved thanks to the bishops of Đakovo in the archives of the Archdiocese of Đakovo-Osijek, name Đakovo as the birthplace of the Croatian sheepdog. Nowadays, 80% of this breed is bred in Đakovo, and dogs from Đakovo’s breeders are regularly ranked high in European and global competitions.