Dutch Shepherd vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

Dutch Shepherd vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonCroatian Sheepdog is originated from Croatia but Dutch Shepherd is originated from Netherlands. Croatian Sheepdog may grow 9 cm / 3 inches shorter than Dutch Shepherd. Croatian Sheepdog may weigh 12 kg / 26 pounds lesser than Dutch Shepherd. Both Croatian Sheepdog and Dutch Shepherd has same life span. Croatian Sheepdog may have less litter size than Dutch Shepherd. Both Croatian Sheepdog and Dutch Shepherd requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
undefined
Croatia
Netherlands
Height Male:
40 - 53 cm
15 - 21 inches
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
Height Female:
40 - 53 cm
15 - 21 inches
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 20 kg
28 - 45 pounds
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 10
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Hrvatski Ovkars
Hollandse Herder
Colors Available:
Black
brindle, red, Gold or silver
Coat:
Medium length, wavy or curly
Short and dense but also long or wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

croatian sheepdogKnown also as Hrvatski Ovkars, the black Croatian Sheepdog has been in Croatia since the 7th century already. He was brought to the region by Croats who wanted a strong working dog.

Over the centuries, the dog hasn’t changed much in looks, and in 1935 a breeding program for the dog was developed. A certain Dr. Romic started the program with 3 dogs, and the work he did with the dogs saw that the Croatian Sheepdog got official recognition a few decades later.

In March 1968, the Yugoslav Kennel Club adopted the breed standard, and since then, several kennels recognize the Croatian Sheepdog. The dog is still not known particularly well outside their own county, but in Croatia it is essentially known as a companion dog.

dutch shepherdThe Dutch Shepherd is of Dutch origin, hailing from the Netherlands. They were originally used as herding dogs on the farms, where they became a jack-of-all-trades type of dog.

The Dutch Shepherd in those days, 100 odd years ago, were also known as Hollandse Herders.

These dogs are more rare in modern days, but when you do find them, they are being used as police or security dogs, as guides for the blind, or simply as family friends.

Description

croatian sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Croatian Sheepdog is a medium sized, muscular dog which stands roughly 40 – 53cm at the withers and weighs 13 to 20kg. The head is wedge shaped and lean and he has brown to black colored eyes.

The triangular-shaped ears are medium sized and semi-erect or erect. The tail of the dog is often docked, but if not it is set high and is inclined to curl over the back.

The dog is nearly always black although you’ll find a few white hairs on the throat or chest or on the legs and toes. The double coat is of medium length, being wavy or even slightly curly.

Temperament:

The Croatian Sheepdog is an athletic, alert dog and he has high energy levels, loving to be put to work or to be busy with one or other activity. He fits in well as a family pet and gets on well with children and pets in the home, but he is going to need plenty of exercise and games.

This particular dog won’t do well with a family of couch potatoes as he craves lots of activities. He will certainly benefit from training and socialization, and because he is intelligent he learns easily and then he is obedient and ready to please.

He is a dominant, confident dog who thrives on attention from his human family. He isn’t a dog you can just stick in the backyard as he is social and craves activity and attention. He is wary of strangers and makes an excellent watchdog.

dutch shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Dutch Shepherd dog is very similar in appearance to the popular German Shepherds, being a medium to large sized dog.

The males are slightly heavier than females, but both males and females can stand between 55 and 62cm and weigh between 20 and 32kg.

There are actually 3 varieties found in the Dutch Shepherd dogs - short-haired, long-haired, and wiry or rough-haired. The dog has a double coat, consisting of a woolly undercoat and a top coat. The basic color of the coat is gold or silver through to red, giving rise to the brindle variations. Too much black or white seen in the fur is considered a fault.

In 1914 it was decided that brindle coats would distinguish them from the others.

The eyes of the Dutch Shepherd are dark, almond shaped and slightly slanting, while the medium sized ears are erect and high on the head and the thick tail is slightly curved. The dog has an unusually long tongue which is often found hanging out.

Temperament:

Early training and socializing for this dog is important so that he can learn to stay calm around new people, or visitors to the property.

The beautiful Dutch Shepherd doesn’t like being left alone for too long, loving rather to be involved with all that the family is involved in. They get on well with other pets in the home as well as being child-friendly.

They are happy dogs, who can also be smart and cunning, therefore highly trainable. They soak up new commands easily. Dutch Shepherds are also good watchdogs as they are fiercely loyal, and do not take kindly to strangers.

Characteristics

croatian sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Croatian Sheepdog isn’t a demanding dog, although he will be relying on you to give him plenty of exercise. He wants to please and will fit into life in the city or life in the country, so long as he gets regular exercise.

It doesn’t take much to keep the Croatian Sheepdog happy and content, and when he thrusts his wet nose into your hand and you see his wagging tail, you’ll know its all been worth it to give this pet the best as he gives you his undivided love and loyalty.

dutch shepherd dog - characteristicsYour alert, intelligent and somewhat rare Dutch Shepherd is a loyal, protective dog, and while he can be aggressive around intruders and be a great guard dog, he can also be a gentle, loving animal around his human family members.

Though his tongue is long and often hangs out, you won’t have to contend with drooling. He is a wonderfully active dog and doesn’t easily gain weight. He isn’t a barker or howler, and his exceptional intelligence makes him highly trainable.

Whether there are children or other animals in the house, you can rely on your Dutch Shepherd to get on well with them, making him a wonderful family pet and canine friend.

Health Problems

croatian sheepdog puppies - health problemsThe Croatian Sheepdog is a healthy dog breed. He is the kind of pet that won’t cost you a lot of money because he is low maintenance. In fact he is a dog which has developed resistance to many diseases.

With good food, exercise and love and care he won’t cost you much in terms of vet’s fees. He can live to be 12 to 15 years of age.

Even though he is a healthy kind of dog, there are some dog illnesses that you will want to be aware of such as bloat and eye problems. Also if you aren’t going to let him become a parent, then spaying or neutering your Croatian Shepherd will have numerous health benefits for him.

dutch shepherd puppies - health problemsThe Dutch Shepherd dogs are the healthiest of the Shepherd breeds. They have relatively few health problems.

However, like the German Shepherds they may develop hip dysplasia, but this is in fact fairly rare. Get your pet to the vet if you suspect this in your dog because it can lead to lameness.

In 2018 the University of Minnesota identified a disease in Dutch Shepherds called Miositis. This is an inflammatory myopathy causing painful inflammation of the skeletal muscle tissue.

Caring The Pet

croatian sheepdog dogs - caringThe Croatian Sheepdog has always been a working dog and is regarded as a hardy, low maintenance dog. He will require minimal grooming so a good brush twice a week will suffice.

Diet:

There are excellent and convenient dog foods on the market which have been specifically manufactured to ensure your dog gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs for health and energy. Stick to the feeding instructions on the label so that he maintains his lean, muscular body.

Raw meat can be expensive, but it will be to his benefit if you can include some raw meat into his kibble every now and then. If you are unsure in any way as to how to feed your dog, your vet can give you good advice on a food that caters for his age and his activity levels. Always make sure that he has a fresh bowl of water available.

Grooming:

dutch shepherd dogs - caringUnfortunately Dutch Shepherds shed quite a bit of hair during their shedding period in spring and autumn. This makes regular brushing important during these seasons so as to remove the dead hairs, especially from the undercoat.

The wire- or rough-haired variety shouldn’t be brushed but should rather be groomed by a professional groomer every 6 months or so.

Their nails need to be trimmed when necessary, to avoid cracking, splitting, or an injury.

Their ears can be cleaned weekly to get rid of any debris or wax build-up. This, if left, can lead to infection. Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid dental disease which brings on a host of illnesses.

Exercise:

These dogs do need regular exercising, and at the same time need to be physically and mentally stimulated. He is the kind of dog that has been used for herding purpose on the farm and he just craves activity. Take him with you on your walks and include him in ball games, hikes, jogging, swimming or when you go cycling – he is game for all kinds of activities.

Diet:

The formula for their diet would be that of a medium to large dog with high energy levels. The top commercially manufactured foods have been developed to include all the important vitamins and minerals. Fish oil can also be added to their food to keep the coat shiny.

Add in cooked rice, cooked vegetables and chicken from time to time and be sure to add in some raw meat occasionally to prevent problems with the skin. Always ensure that your pet has fresh, cool water to drink.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Dutch Shepherd vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Dutch Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Dutch Shepherd vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Dutch Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Dutch Shepherd vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Dutch Shepherd vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Dutch Shepherd vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Dutch Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Dutch Shepherd vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Dutch Shepherd vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Dutch Shepherd vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Dutch Shepherd vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Dutch Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Dutch Shepherd vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Dutch Shepherd vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Dutch Shepherd vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Dutch Shepherd vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Dutch Shepherd vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Dutch Shepherd vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Dutch Shepherd vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Dutch Shepherd vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Dutch Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Dutch Shepherd vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Dutch Shepherd vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Dutch Shepherd vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Croatian Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Croatian Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Croatian Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Croatian Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Croatian Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Croatian Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Croatian Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Croatian Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Croatian Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Croatian Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Croatian Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Croatian Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Croatian Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Croatian Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Croatian Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Croatian Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Croatian Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Croatian Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Croatian Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Croatian Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Croatian Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Croatian Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Croatian Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Croatian Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Croatian Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison