Dogs

[Vincent]

Post pictures (and some informations) of Dog breeds

I start with the Tornjak from Bosnia and Hercegovina, and Croatia.

This breed has existed in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the past thousand years, and it can be proven with written documents. At this time the tornjak was registered under the name Kanis montanus. Which translates to mountain dog. But the local people gave it the name tornjak (tor: enclosure for sheep, and cattle). Tornjak was registered as autochthonous breed on May 9, 1981 with the name "Bosnian-Herzegovinian sheepdog - tornjak."

At that time Yugoslavian pedigree was opened for the tornjak. A judge commission was formed with the goal to do
everything needed for the standard of the breed and it's recognition with the FCI as an autochthonous breed with the above mentioned name. The standard was done on 10.05.1990 in Travnik (a town in central Bosnia).
Not many recognized breeds have documents this old and precise about their existence, it's shape, height, color and purpose. As it is the case with tornjak. For a long time tornjak resisted to all other dog breeds with which it had contact with. Not people nor other dog breeds have changed its appearance, temper or its work habits.
Probably the old Slavs have brought it with them when they moved to these parts. According to the studies the tornjak is most likely the descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff, or from where the today's Iran is. The environment has created a healthy and strong dog, with modest needs for food and shelter, and a great watchdog.

Tornjaks can be multicolored, tricolored and with two colors. Most favored dogs are the ones with a lot of color., especially sharp differences in color. The face should be lighter than the body, preferably having a white line down the middle of the head. Height of the males is 60 cm and more, and females are 56 cm and up. Length of the body about 8% the height of the male dogs, and 10% the height of the females. The height of the chest is 45% of the total height, but deeper chest is also allowed. Tornjaks are friendly with people, but aggressive towards other animals and dogs that threaten his owner, home, sheep pen or the flock. They like to work and take commands readily form their owners. Also they are easily trained, but it is not necessary.

General characteristics
Tornjak is a calm dog and is friendly with people, it is carefully aggressive towards wild animals and those who attack its home, herd or its owner. This dog is persistent in performing given tasks, with a good understanding of master’s requests and training requests. It is an incorruptible dog, with a necessary dose of suspicion toward strangers. Another one of its characteristics is that is also quite resistant to illnesses and it has modest requests regarding feeding and breeding. For example, during the snowing winter nights, these dogs lie on the ground so that is often gets covered by snow. Genetically, this is a very dominant dog. The body of this dog is strong and well built, with harmonious and dignified movements. The part of its face, usually the top of muzzle, is always lighter that dark signs at the body. The look is specified, clear, self-confident, serious and calm. The hair is rich with such configuration that adequately protects the body against bad weather conditions. The tail is shaggy, kept high like a flag.

Morophological characteristics
The muzzle is dully cuneiform and often diverged but we can come across other types of head. Dogs over four years of age have incomplete teeth, often compared to pliers, which are distinguished from those of younger dogs that have teeth like scissors. The eyes are brown often with a darker shade. The earlaps are very mobile, especially whilst moving, when they are placed at the back of the head. As a result of such placement of earlaps, external auditive aperture is uncovered, which is the authentic mark of the breed. Ears are usually pressed to the head when the dog is relaxed and allowing for an exception to this rule is one centimeter. Ears are of middle length, with a triangular form and covered with coat. The crossing from the neck to the body is almost imperceptible. The body and the back have a regular construction, whilst the rump has a mild oblique position. The chest is broad and strong, and is grown over with a dense coat so tornjak often looks a lot greater than it actually is. The coat at the neck has a form of a mane. Special characteristic of this dog is its tail that is brought over the back line. That position of the tail indicates the position of dog amongst the herd of sheep, and is determined work the dog is performing. That position of tail also indicates the dominant role of this dog in order to distinct itself from the other kinds of dogs surrounding the same herd.

External characteristics
Average at withers adult male is 65 - 70 cm, female 58 - 65 cm, average hearth girth adult male is 88 - 92 cm, female 73 - 77 cm, average body length adult male is 72 - 75 cm, female 63 - 67 cm, girth left metacarpus adult male 14 - 16 cm, female 11 - 13 cm. Average weight adult male is 35 - 50 kg, female 28 - 40 kg.

Bosnian and Herzegovinan shepherd dog - Tornjak

[Monolith]

I've heard that they were frequently used for protection against wolves.
Is is true that they're physically superior to wolves?

[Leland Gaunt]

I don't like dogs so I will post some cats:







I just love this one:

[Vincent]

Originally Posted by Bardyllis

I've heard that they were frequently used for protection against wolves.
Is is true that they're physically superior to wolves?

I guess so. Look at him, he is like a bear



@Ed Gein - Stop posting cats, make your own thread

[Leland Gaunt]

Originally Posted by Hohenheim

@Ed Gein - Stop posting cats, make your own thread

Obey your Masta!!!

[Errigal]

This one looks sneaky.









Good photo. It reminds me of old paintings of farm scenes from the 19th Century.

[Levin]

Tornjak is an excellent dog. I've heard only the best about them. Do you happen to have one in the country, Produ?

I'm especially fond of autochthonic dog breeds. Considering Balkans, Šarplaninac is my favourite; a large shepherd dog, modeled by nature and specific environment during millenia. If I ever were to live in the countryside, I'd pick this breed among all others.





Since whole households depended on them, they went through very strict and severe selection in the old times. The stories tell that on the slopes of Šar-mountain shepherds eliminated all young dogs that showed fear when presented with skinned wolf's fur.

Their temperament is specific. They view themselves as guardians of the family and submit only to the "master of the household". They are very patient and harmless to family members, but deadly to outsiders. Although difficult to train, in modern times they were used in Yugoslavian and later Serbian army along with German Shepherds in border-patrol units.

Šarplaninac compared in size with Doberman:




Btw. hopefully, I'm getting a Rottie this summer.

[Vincent]

Originally Posted by Levin

Tornjak is an excellent dog. I've heard only the best about them. Do you happen to have one in the country, Produ?

In the country? I don't know what you mean , but anyway, I don't have a dog.

I'm especially fond of autochthonic dog breeds. Considering Balkans, Šarplaninac is my favourite; a large shepherd dog, modeled by nature and specific environment during millenia. If I ever were to live in the countryside, I'd pick this breed among all others.

This dog great. If I am ever going to buy a dog it would be Tornjak, Šarplaninac, or some ex-Yu breed at least.

[Leland Gaunt]

Looks like Produ is a patriot even when it comes to dog breeds.

[Levin]

Originally Posted by Hohenheim

In the country? I don't know what you mean , but anyway, I don't have a dog.

I meant if you had cousins or relatives living in the village, or small towns, since this dog (and Šarplaninac also) aren't recommended to be held in city areas and households with little space.

This dog great. If I am ever going to buy a dog it would be Tornjak, Šarplaninac, or some ex-Yu breed at least.

I have friends that have Šarplaninac, but I'd never have it here where I live. I don't think it would be natural; this dog isn't bred, it is made by nature and is a part of a specific environment. I do have somewhat large yard and backyard, but also a lot of trafic noise, passerbys and a lot of visitors that do not need a fear from dangerous dog. Plus, the Pannonian climate with hot humid summers isn't suitable for it.

A family that is often away owns a Šarplaninac in my street. It is sad to hear his howls in the days of their absence, and on top of that, he is tied in the backyard - he has to be, otherwise he is fircely trying to attack everyone passing by the fence. Restricted living space makes this dog very aggressive. He is meant to run the grass or snow fields, chase cats and chicken, play with kids, gather the sheep and spend his time in human company. In a word, this dog is for the idyllic country life, not for concrete blocks and pavements of urban areas.

Btw, a recommended link:
Balkan Kinology :: Indeks - Cynology forum for exYU + Bulgaria (in Serbian).

(I hope this is not consedered an advertisment).

[Vincent]

Originally Posted by Levin

I meant if you had cousins or relatives living in the village, or small towns, since this dog (and Šarplaninac also) aren't recommended to be held in city areas and households with little space.

Oh yes, my uncle has one. He lives in the countryside

[Levin]

+ YouTube Video

[Cirrus]

Meet the Incredible Hulk of Hounds
The hulky hound with double the muscle power

"Maybe they should call her a whoppet - after all, she's a whopper of a whippet.
This is Wendy, the dog whose appearance is a long way from the usual long, lean and sleek look of her breed."

[Zrinski]

Salaün what the hell is that?!?!
It looks as if they stuffed that poor dog with steroids, horrible.

[Cirrus]

Originally Posted by Zrinski

Salaün what the hell is that?!?!
It looks as if they stuffed that poor dog with steroids, horrible.

It's a genetic defect :

Meet the Incredible Hulk of Hounds | the Daily Mail

She was born with a genetic defect which has left her looking like the Incredible Hulk of Hounds.

While her head, heart, lungs and legs are the size of those of a normal whippet, her gene defect means she is "double muscled".

She weighs 4st4lb - twice as much as she should - and has bulging neck muscles, burly shoulders and haunches like a baboon. And unlike ordinary whippets known for their lithe and narrow frame, this four-year-old pedigree doesn't just have a sixpack stomach, she has a 24-pack.

Sadly, her mixed-up genes mean she may have a shorter life expectancy than most breeds.

But while she may look oddly menacing, her doting owner Ingrid Hansen claims the giant pooch likes nothing better than clambering up on to your lap to have her back scratched.

"People have referred to her as Arnold Schwarzenegger," she said.

"She's healthy and happy. That's all that counts.

"She doesn't know she's got a genetic defect. She might give you a nasty lick, that's all."