INTRODUCTION

Tornjak is a ship dog originated in Bosnia and Herzegovina with dominant region of breeding located in large mountainous areas of Vlašić above the city of Travnik (central part of the country).

The first written record of this dog date from the year 1067, their shape in the form of reliefs could be found on the tombstones (stećkih) from 12th, 13th and 14th century AD, that were found in the vicinity of Kaknja.

Tornjak belongs to a family Canis familiaris matris optimal which dates back from 2000 years before the new age. The name TORNJAK comes from the word "tor" which is an expression used to describe an enclosure, intended for sheep holding over night in Bosnia. At times popular names were used originated from the description of the dog, like Garov, Šarov Bjelov, Grlin; Medov, Zrlin etc.

In Travnik was in 1972 founded Cynology Club KD Tornjak with a goal of breeding this breed and to prepare the standard.

Tornjak was registered in Yugoslavian pedigree as autochthonous breed on May 9th 1981 with the name "Bosnian-Herzegovinian sheepdog - tornjak"

Croatian breeders are also very active, they have, from the second half of previous century, manage to breed large numbers of this breed. This is how an aspiration for tornjak to become autochthonous Croatian breed and as such registers with the FCI, appeared.

There were a lot of polemics whether tornjak is Croatian or Bosnian, but love for dogs and their benefit prevailed. The union of Croatian and Bosnian Cynology Associations has on a meeting on February 6th 2006 made a decision to address a joint application to FCI for an international recognition of this breed.

On February 22nd 2006 The General Committee of the World Cynology Federation, at a conference held in Madrid, decided to accept the request for tornjak to be registered as an internationally recognized breed. It was registered with the name "Bosnian-Herzegovinian sheepdog - Tornjak". FCI-Standard N° 355 was done on May 16th 2007. It is a standard that was already done in Travnik and published in Sarajevo magazine Dog-Show.

Tornjak is a noble, strong and harmonious dog, of almost square shape and pleasant appearance due to its multicolor hair, which is thick and long. The coat at the neck has a form of a mane, while legs and head have shorter hair. It also has very thick undercoat, which helps it to survive cold climate. Tornjak is very friendly with people and carefully aggressive towards wild animals and those who attack its home, owner or herd.

It is also a dog that barks very little, mostly it only warns its owner about the danger than awaits orders. In Bosnia they say that it is "poor with barking". They partly ascribe it to history, when Turkish conquerors were passing Bosnia and supposedly killed aggressive and barking dogs. Because of this only cautious dogs survived. Tornjaks are supposed to have hereditary instinct for sheep guarding and practically don't need any training. Because of all this tornjak is one of the leading sheepdogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It is very suitable for schooling, which became obvious in the school for dogs in Grosuplje, when Žanka scored 94 points at her A license. She also passed her B and BH exams.
Females have from 4 to 12 puppies that are not prone to diseases, hereditary illnesses are not known.