Tornjak Dog Breed

The Tornjak is a livestock guardian dog (LGD) that doubles as a protector for the family and home when not woking in the mountainous fields of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. These dogs are fine for first time dog owners and families with children, but they require a great amount of outdoor space. They are without a doubt not for apartment life or even small homes with small yards. They are giant dogs, and like all LGDs, they need a space suitable for their demands such as running and other strenuous activities.

Here are some more things you should know about these dogs if you wish to adopt a Tornjak:

PROS

• Very calm
• Incorruptible
• Easy to train
• Fine with kids
• Rather dignified
• Extremely devoted
• Brilliant watchdog
• Excellent guard dog
• Always on the alert
• Remarkably hard worker
• Very few health concerns
• Not prone to separation anxiety
• Works well as a companion so long as they have a job

CONS

• Huge dog
• Occasional barker
• Not hypoallergenic
• Can be slightly persistent
• Moderate to heavy shedding
• Requires a closely managed diet
• Extremely rare in the United States
• Very expensive to adopt and maintain
• Tends to have significant grooming need

These massive dogs are graceful, strong and agile. Tornjaks are ever-ready yet are calm until they need to act; when they do make a move, they are not to be trifled with. These dogs are big-boned, have a very thick and wooly double coat and are said to have the ability to take on two wolves. They require a great amount of responsibility, but they are worth every bit of it.

These dogs are known for being easy to train. They are not distracted easily, they need few repetitions and they are built to last and therefore able to focus on what is at hand. They have been around for a few thousand years, and they know well what to do, what to expect and how to deal with contingencies when working.

Along with their look — which is meant for them to be easily seen from a distance when they are working a herd — they have long been bred to be distinctly different than other dogs. Tornjaks are extremely loyal dogs, and they cannot be persuaded from their work. They are highly prized for their ability to easily refuse being corrupted.

Although they can work hard during long days in harsh terrain and inclement weather, these dogs are able to relax when they aren't working. They require only a moderate amount of exercise as they tend to reserve their energy for when it's needed.

The Tornjak is a massive dog, but they tend to have fewer hereditary problems than most such dogs. They need to be in top shape to endure their work in an unforgiving environment, and those dogs that couldn't cut it often perished. Only the strongest, most able dogs were used to breed. This is not to say they are not susceptible to big dog problems such as joint dysplasia, or that they don't react poorly to certain conditions. It's just that they are far more healthy as a breed than most Molosser breeds.

Perhaps the one thing that needs to be understood is their diet. They are not accustomed to high-protein meals, and this can lead to significant problems. They must also be carefully managed while they physically develop as puppies. Climbing stairs and performing other strenuous activity during their first 6 to 8 months can lead to injury later in life, primarily hip dysplasia.

Here is a list of issues that may affect a Tornjak:

• Bloat
• Anemia
• Obesity
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Digestive disorder
• von Willebrand's disease

Tornjaks have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years. This is very good for giant dogs, and much higher than most such breeds.