2017. – godina tornjaka
BOSNIAN AND HERZEGOVINIAN – CROATIAN SHEPHERD DOG
/Tornjak/
FCI Standard N° 355 /16.05.2007/ GB
TRANSLATION: Dubravka Reicher, prof. Revised by Jennifer
Mulholland and Raymond Triquet.
ORIGIN: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD :
16.05.2007.
UTILIZATION: Herding and protection of livestock; farmyard
guard dog.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.: Group 2. Pinschers and Schnauzers
– Molossoid breeds – Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs.
Section 2.2 Mountain type. Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The almost extinct descend-
ants of genetically homogeneous, native archaic types of
shepherd dogs have been the foundation stock for the re-cre-
ation of the breed "Tornjak". The dogs belonging to the origi-
nal stock had been dispersed in mountain areas of Bosnia and
Herzegovina and Croatia and their surrounding valleys.
The major historical dates are the years 1067 and 1374. Written
documents from these periods mention the Bosnian-herzego-
vinian-Croatian breed for the first time.
The research about their historical and more recent existence
and then a systematic salvation from extinction started si-
multaneously in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina around
1972 and continuous pure blood breeding began in 1978.
Nowadays, the breed population consists of numerous, pure-
bred dogs selected during a series of generations dispersed
throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Tornjak is a large and pow-
erful dog, well proportioned and agile. The shape of the
body is almost square. The bone is not light, but never-
theless not heavy nor coarse. He is strong, harmonious
and well balanced when standing and moving. His coat
is long and thick.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:
The body is almost square. The length of the body should not
exceed its height by more than 8%.
The ratio between the length of the skull and the muzzle is 1:1.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT: Of steady disposition, friend-
ly, courageous, obedient, intelligent, full of dignity and self
confidence. Fierce in guarding property entrusted to him,
cannot be bribed and is suspicious of strangers. Devoted to
his master and very calm in his presence. Very affectionate to-
wards persons living in his immediate vicinity. Learns quickly
and keeps this in his memory for a long time, gladly performs
tasks assigned to him. He is easy to train.
16 BKS magazin maj/svibanj 2017.
HEAD:
Elongated. The ratio between the skull and the muzzle is 1:1.
Shorter muzzle can be tolerated.
CRANIAL REGION:
The upper lines of the skull and muzzle are divergent. Su-
pra-orbital arches are slightly visible. The hind part of the skull
is elongated but moderately wide. The area from supra-orbit-
al arches to the occiput is flat. The occipital protuberance is
very slight.
Stop: Slightly pronounced.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Large with sufficiently wide nostrils. Should have dark
pigmentation. Pigmentation in harmony with the colour of the
coat. Depigmentation is not allowed.
Muzzle: Rectangular. The bridge of the nose is perfectly straight.
Lips: Tight fitting with dark pigmentation.
Jaws/teeth: Jaws are very long and strong. Perfect scissor bite
with full dentition.
Eyes: Almond shaped, close fitting lids, dark colour. Dark pig-
mentation on edges of eyelids.
Ears: Of medium size, triangular, folded and pendant, set rath-
er high. Carried close to the cheeks. With shorter hair.
NECK:
Of medium length, powerful, carried slightly low. Skin tight
fitting. Long, abundant coat forming a mane.
BODY:
Withers: Moderately developed.
Back: Short, taut, moderately broad and straight..
Loin: Connection between chest and croup is short and mod-
erately broad; in females it is a bit longer.
Croup: Of medium length, broad and slightly sloping.
Chest: Very spacious, deep, broad and oval shaped. The low-
est point of brisket reaches at least to the elbows. Never barrel
shaped. Chest is strong, with moderately pronounced point
of sternum.