Official ICCF Breed Standard
Historical Summary
The Croatian Shepherd Dog is an ancient herding breed that developed on the territory of modern Croatia, primarily in the rural regions of Slavonia. It was used for managing and guarding flocks of sheep and cattle, demonstrating high endurance, agility, and the ability to work all day in varying weather conditions. Natural selection reinforced strong health, a stable temperament, and pronounced herding instincts. The earliest written references to dogs resembling the Croatian Shepherd date back to the 14th century. Systematic breeding began in the 20th century, when local working lines were gathered. Today, the breed remains rare but is valued for its versatility, trainability, and reliability in work.
General Appearance
The Croatian Shepherd Dog is a medium-sized dog with a dry, strong body, well-developed musculature, and a compact outline. The topline is straight and stable, the chest deep, and the limbs strong and straight. The head is elongated, harmonious, with a wedge-shaped muzzle and attentive expression. The coat is dense, wavy or slightly curly, forming the breed’s characteristic outline. The tail is usually docked or naturally short, although a natural tail is allowed as long as it does not disturb the silhouette. Movement is energetic, free, and confident. The overall impression must reflect working ability, agility, endurance, and steadiness.
Important Proportions
The Croatian Shepherd must show harmonious proportions of height to body length, with a slightly elongated outline. Chest depth reaches the elbow or slightly below. The muzzle is approximately half the length of the head, with a smooth transition from forehead to muzzle. The neck is medium in length, dry, well set into the body. The shoulder blade is sloping, and the upper arm matches its length. Hind angulation is well defined but not exaggerated. All proportions must emphasize the breed’s working nature, its endurance, quick reaction, and stability when managing livestock.
Temperament and Character
The Croatian Shepherd is known as an active, energetic, and highly intelligent herding breed with a strong human-oriented focus. It is observant, responds quickly to commands, and can make independent decisions in complex working situations. In daily life, the dog is balanced and loyal to the family but may be cautious with strangers, maintaining its natural guarding instinct. Due to high trainability, it excels in various disciplines and sports. If under-exercised, it may show restlessness or attempt to control its surroundings. Proper socialization and regular training are essential for forming a stable character.
Head
The head of the Croatian Shepherd Dog is elongated, dry, and harmonious, with proportions that emphasize its working type. The skull is slightly convex, medium in width, narrowing toward the muzzle. The stop is moderately defined, the transition smooth. The muzzle is straight and strong, with tight lips. Jaws are powerful, with a full set of teeth and a scissor bite. The nose is black with well-opened nostrils. Eyes are almond-shaped, dark, with a lively and attentive expression. Ears are set high, erect or semi-erect, triangular, mobile, and responsive to stimuli. The overall impression of the head reflects intelligence, focus, and natural confidence.
Foreface
The foreface forms a clean, well-defined profile. The muzzle is elongated, dry, narrowing evenly toward the nose but not pointed. Jaws are strong and even, providing a firm grip when working livestock. Lips are thin, tight, and dry. The infraorbital region is moderately defined without excess fullness. The nose is large, black, with full pigmentation. The transition to the forehead is smooth, maintaining the wedge-shaped outline. All facial elements must be symmetrical and proportional to the head. The foreface reflects the breed’s working nature, attentiveness, quick reaction, and confidence.
Eyes
Eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized, set wide and slightly oblique, giving an intelligent, alert, and focused expression. The color is predominantly dark brown; slightly lighter shades are acceptable if harmonious. Eyelids are dry, tight, and well pigmented. The gaze is lively and expressive, reflecting the breed’s working essence and natural awareness. Round, protruding, or very small eyes, as well as insufficient eyelid pigmentation or marked asymmetry, are faults. Correct eyes emphasize the dog’s composure, quick reactions, and natural orientation toward work and human interaction.
Ears
Ears are set high, medium-sized, triangular, mobile, and responsive to stimuli. The breed may have erect, semi-erect, or slightly tilted ears, but they must maintain a shape consistent with the working type. Ears should be dry, without heaviness, with firm cartilage and neatly rounded tips. Faults include ears that are too large, wide at the base, excessively low-set, fully pendant, or soft. Proper ear carriage emphasizes alertness, liveliness, and readiness for interaction. Ears are an important part of the breed’s expression.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, dry, strong, gradually broadening toward the shoulders. The upper line is slightly arched, emphasizing elegance and breed character. Musculature is well developed but not coarse, supporting stable head carriage during movement or work. The set is moderately high, forming a harmonious transition into the body. Skin is tight, without dewlap. Neck that is too short, thick, or overly long disturbs balance. The correct neck supports the breed’s agility and effective movement during demanding tasks.
Body
The body is dry, strong, agile, reflecting the breed’s working purpose and stamina. The topline is straight and stable. The withers are moderately pronounced, blending into a strong, straight back of medium length. The loin is short, firm, and muscular. The chest is deep to the elbow with moderately curved ribs. The underline is moderately tucked, the abdomen well drawn up. The croup is broad, slightly sloping, muscular, without abrupt transitions. Faults include a weak back, narrow chest, looseness, or excessive length. The body should show strength, balance, and working suitability.
Tail
The tail is set moderately high, medium in length, traditionally docked or naturally short. A natural full tail is permissible if carried correctly and not disrupting the silhouette. At rest, the tail hangs; in movement, it may rise slightly but must not curl into a ring or lift above the topline. The coat on the tail is dense, wavy, matching the body’s texture. Faults include a broken, too long, too short, or incorrectly carried tail. The correct tail completes the working outline and maintains harmony.
Forequarters
Forequarters are straight, dry, strong, and parallel. The shoulder blades are long, well laid back, and tight. The upper arm is muscular and equals the shoulder blade in length. Elbows point straight back, not turning in or out. Forearms are straight, strong, with visible tendons. Pasterns are firm, elastic, moderately sloping. Faults include crooked legs, toeing in or out, weak pasterns, or insufficient dryness. Correct forequarters ensure stability and freedom of movement.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are well angulated, strong, muscular, providing powerful drive and stability. Thighs are long, broad, well developed. Lower thighs are long and dry, forming balanced angulation with the stifle. Stifles must not be straight or overly sharp. Hock joints are low-set, strong, parallel when viewed from behind. Metatarsi are short, vertical, and firm. Faults include weak joints, cow-hock or barrel-hock stance, insufficient musculature, or excessive angulation. Correct hindquarters provide agility, endurance, and working efficiency.
Gait and Movement
Movement must be light, free, agile, and efficient, reflecting the breed’s working style. At the trot, the dog moves straight, with good reach in the forequarters and strong drive behind, maintaining a steady topline. Movements are rhythmic and springy. At the gallop, the dog shows flexibility and speed, with quick directional changes required in herding. Faults include stiffness, short stride, crossing movement, weak drive, or lack of parallel lines. Correct movement demonstrates functionality and endurance.
Coat
The coat is dense, thick, wavy or slightly curly, medium in length. The outer coat is moderately harsh and close-lying; the undercoat is soft, dense, and protective against weather. The coat should cover the body evenly and form the characteristic silhouette. The hair is shorter on the head and longer on the body. Faults include overly soft, excessively long, straight, or coarse coat, lack of undercoat, or bald patches. The correct coat reflects the breed’s working nature and provides protection during long herding tasks.
Acceptable Colors
The coat is always black, which is a defining feature of the breed. Only black is permitted, ranging from jet black to slightly matte tones. Small white markings on the chest, throat, chin, or feet are allowed but must not be extensive. Any other colors — brown, red, gray, brindle, spotted, or mixed — are not allowed. Faults include faded pigmentation, rusty areas, significant sun bleaching, or uneven tones. Nose, eyelids, and lips must be fully black. Correct color highlights the breed’s historical working style.
Size
The Croatian Shepherd Dog is medium-sized with clear but harmonious sexual dimorphism. Height at the withers for males is 40–50 cm, for females 40–47 cm. Weight is proportional, usually 13–20 kg. The standard emphasizes dryness, lightness, and agility, so excessive heaviness is undesirable. Evaluation of size prioritizes overall balance, working efficiency, and ability to maintain long, active movement. Oversized or overly small individuals are faults if they impair function or breed type.
Faults
Faults include deviations that affect harmony or working style but do not destroy breed type. Slight chest narrowness, moderate weakness in the back, insufficient rib curvature. Minor deviations of parallelism, slight toeing in/out, or mild elbow issues. Slightly light eyes, mild pigmentation loss, or soft coat texture. Gait faults such as short stride or weak drive. Minor looseness in young dogs. Faults are judged by severity and influence on function.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include any color other than black, extensive white markings, significant depigmentation of nose, eyelids, or lips, or a pink nose. Incorrect bite — overbite, underbite, level bite, or multiple missing teeth beyond allowance. Pendant, overly large, low-set, or soft ears. Serious limb deformities, joint instability, or severe gait abnormalities. Aggression or pronounced fearfulness disqualify the dog as they contradict the breed’s working nature.
Important Notes
The Croatian Shepherd Dog must be evaluated as a historically working breed, showing natural endurance, agility, and readiness for sustained effort. Excessive ornamentation, lightness, or coarseness is undesirable. Young dogs may show temporary softness or instability. Caution toward strangers is typical and not a fault if controlled. The coat must be dense, wavy, and correct in texture, reflecting the breed’s identity.
Conclusion
The Croatian Shepherd Dog is an agile, resilient herding breed that has preserved its historical working style, strong health, and stable temperament. All aspects of structure, movement, and character must emphasize the dog’s ability to manage livestock, react quickly, and withstand long physical work. Evaluation prioritizes harmony, anatomy, pigment, and coat quality. Exaggerated traits are unacceptable. The goal of breeding is to preserve agility, temperament, resilience, working qualities, and the genetic purity of the breed.
