Get to know all about the Tornjak breed

"Header photo" by Tomasz Waśko is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Today, we examine the Tornjak breed in our editorial quest to learn more about it and educate readers about various dog types and breeds. While not a typical dog breed in the UK, the Tornjak is popular in Balkan countries, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where it is the national dog breed.

The history of the Tornjak

Tornjak history dates back to the eleventh century when scriptures referenced the dog. Multiple writings by Croatian writers and scholars, including Peter Horvat and Peter Lukić, two men who ranked in the Croatian religious hierarchy, contributed to Tornjak history by mentioning the Tornjak dog breed in their ceremonial notes.

The breed's name, Tornjak, comes from the Bosnian/Croatian word ‘tor’, which refers to the enclosed pen where sheep live. Given this dog’s vocation, it became commonplace to refer to it as a Tornjak.

The Tornjak dog was called a guardian dog, helping early-century Baulk mountain range farmers defend their livestock, often associated with the Vlachs in Medieval Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the advent of technology and modern herding/farming techniques, like all farm-employed dogs, Tornjak numbers dwindled, only regressing further when people moved out of mountainous living conditions and local farming industries became less commonplace.

In 1978, a group of canine scientists started working to breed and conserve the Tornjak breed using pure blood methods. Many years later, in 2013, some breeders introduced the Tornjak breed to the UK to attain certification from the UK Kennel Club.

Physical appearance attributes

Is the Tornjak dog breed medium size? Well, it depends on who you ask. Some sources will say it is medium, although others will rank it among the biggest they've ever seen. However, everyone agrees that they have a thick, long coat, usually with coarse and straight hair. This incredibly stout hair protects them from the elements, making them well-prepared to live and work outside. Even as a Tornjak puppy, they are going to love the outdoors!

While multiple colours are standard, Tornjaks often have a base colour of white fur and then black, brown or a mix around their head and back. 

Temperament and personality of the Tornjak dog breed

The Tornjak dog is known to be incredibly loyal to its owners, often wanting to please and protect them. Having developed from working dogs on Balkan farmland, Tornjaks quickly learn commands and readily obey when issued by their humans. With the right company, a Tornjak will often want to play.

However, this breed can be suspicious of other people…owing to its guardian dog responsibilities from yesteryear. It will not warm to visitors or even take treats from them, as its instincts forbid it from trusting unfamiliar parties.

Indeed, this distrust of others can extend to other dogs, as the Tornjak can be sceptical of other canine family members. While having a multi-dog household with a Tornjak breed is not impossible, many resources suggest having a Tornjak as the sole canine in a dwelling.

Global popularity of the Tornjak dog

So, where are you likely to find a Tornjak breed? The dog is considered a scarce breed even with modern conservation efforts. Given the historical ties of the dog type, these dogs have a decent population size in both Croatia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Despite the breed being introduced to UK shores in 2013, the dog is still unknown here, with only around 20-30 reported in the country. Other nations with a fondness for the bred are those close to its origin, such as Slovenia, Serbia, and Montenegro.

One place where they are not popular is Denmark—well, with Danish authorities at least. In July 2010, the presiding government declared 13 dog breeds as dangerous and outlawed, including the Tornjak breed. If you wanted to visit Denmark with your Tornjak, you would need special clearance and to abide by specific rules during your stay.

Nutritional needs of the Tornjak

There are no specific dietary requirements for the Tornjak breed. However, providing them with a high-quality, protein-rich diet is always a wise choice to support their active and loyal nature. The Innocent Hound has just the thing… whether as a one-time purchase or on a dog food subscription basis!

Our British Beef Stew is a delicious, nourishing option your Tornjak will love. Handcrafted in Yorkshire using the finest ingredients, it’s grain-free and gently cooked to retain all the goodness—setting us apart from other dog food brands!

Whether you have a Tornjak puppy or an entirely different breed, our food suits dogs aged eight weeks and over. Simply serve it in their dog bowl and watch them enjoy every bite!

"Header photo" by Tomasz Waśko, Modifications: Added text and flag elements is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0