Tornjak: Livestock Guardian Dog Breed

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If you’re an American, you may not have heard of the Tornjak breed. But if you’re in the market for a particularly friendly breed of livestock guardian dog (LGD), you may want to look into this breed.

Does the Tornjak make a good livestock guardian? Yes, these dogs can make wonderful livestock guardian dogs as they have been bred for this job for hundreds of years. They are especially successful against wolves and are a great choice for farms with family pets and other animals.

Does the Tornjak make a good pet? Yes, these dogs can be exceptional pets for active families who are able to provide the proper socialization, training, and care needed for these large breed dogs. This breed is not recommended for first-time dog owners.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about keeping a Tornjak as an LGD or as a family pet. Discover if this beautiful dog is right for you!

Other Names: Bosnian, Herzegovinian-Croatian Shepherd Dog, Bonanaski Ovcar Tornjak

Tornjak at a Glance

Characteristics Tornjak
Male Size

Height: 25-28"

Weight: 77-110 lbs
Female Size

Height: 23-26"

Weight: 62-88 lbs
Barking Frequency Moderate-high
Fencing Required High and strong
Exercise Needs Moderate-high
Human Aggression Generally friendly to adults and children unless they feel threatened
Other Dog Aggression Not usually aggressive
Training Moderate difficulty, socialization needed
Coat Double coat
Grooming Moderate-high
Lifespan 12-14 years
Age to Maturity 2.5 years
Cost (in U.S.) $600-$800+
Food Requirements 1590-4700 cal/day
Health Problems Hip/elbow displasia
Similar BreedsT Tibetan Mastiff, Caucasian Shepherd
Availability (in U.S.) Uncommon

Personality/Temperament

Tornjak Livestock Guardian Dog Traits

The Tornjak breed is known for its independence, dominance, and intelligence. These dogs tend to have moderate energy and lower reactivity than your average livestock guardian dog. However, do not be fooled by its calm, indifferent demeanor on the outside – they take their jobs very seriously. If they feel as though their territory, flock or family is being threatened, they will take determined action to protect what is theirs.

Tornjaks typically work best in groups of two or more. This allows them to strategically position themselves both at the front and the back of the flock or herd when they are moving with it. They also work well with other non-livestock guardian herding dogs.

For a compilation of videos showing Tornjaks working in the fields as LGDs, check out the video below:

 
 

When the flock or herd is stationary, this breed will perform regular perimeter patrols and mark the area around the grazing space. If they perceive a threat, their first line of defense is barking to ward off predators. A lot of times, barking alone (especially when there is more than one livestock guardian dog present) is enough to prevent predators from entering the territory.

Luckily, if predators were to come after the flock, one Tornjak has the capability to fight off two wolves by himself. These dogs also traditionally protected livestock against bears, so they are naturally both fierce and brave.

This breed tends to be calm and friendly as long as they are properly trained and socialized as puppies. However, they are aloof with strangers as is typical with most LGDs. If introduced correctly, they will not be aggressive towards newcomers.

Tornjaks also tend to do well with other family dogs, although they may be cautious of strange dogs. They typically do not show aggression towards unfamiliar dogs unless they feel threatened in some way. At that time, they may become aggressive – it is important to know your dog well so you can prevent any incidences from occurring. (For a funny video showing an aggressive small dog taking on a Tornjak, see the Pet Traits section below).

Tornjak dogs are excellent with children when raised with them. They are super protective over them – just as they are with their sheep. If “their” kids are playing in the yard, they will actually stand guard over them and will come to their aid if they feel as though they are hurt or being threatened.

However, this means that supervision is necessary when other children come to play. If any rough-housing occurs between the children, the dog might mistake this for aggression and may go after the unfamiliar child. Tornjaks are a large breed, so supervision is recommended anyway, simply because they may not know their own strength when playing with small children.

As with any livestock guardian dog, they may be more difficult to train than your average dog. (Although, most LGDs do tend to do well with positive training methods.) However, Tornjaks have been known to be much easier to train than many other similar breeds. Tornjaks are eager to please and happy to perform any task assigned to them.

Strong fencing is recommended for this breed to keep them safe and contained. They are not known for roaming, as they like to remain close to their flock.

Last, but not least, if you are planning on purchasing a Tornjak dog, be prepared to keep them for life, even if they end up not being successful as a working dog. They bond incredibly tightly with their families, and they have a very hard time being separated. Rehoming is devastating for this breed.

If you are thinking of getting Tornjaks for livestock guardian purposes, you may also be interested in:

Tornjak Pet Traits

Because Tornjak dogs have a milder temperament and tend to be calmer in general than most LGDs, this breed makes excellent family companions for those who are able to provide them with the proper accommodations. Tornjaks are not recommended for people who are first time or inexperienced dog owners or those who are mostly sedentary or inactive.

Tornjaks do best with families with children, families who are very active and are outdoors a lot, and homes with room to play (large fenced backyards or rural areas with land). Do keep in mind that this dog can bark quite a bit, especially at night. Be prepared to have your Tornjak sleep inside if you have neighbors close-by.

Check out the video below to hear the loud, booming bark of a Tornjak:

 
 

This breed is not suggested for those planning to live an urban lifestyle – city apartments are going to make this dog feel cramped.

As a working dog breed, Tornjaks do need plenty of exercise – walks, play time, swimming, fetch, hikes, etc. These dogs are great candidates for agility training as this is an excellent outlet for their energy.

Tornjaks are also highly intelligent and will need mental stimulation as well. This can come in many forms such as behavioral training, learning new tricks, puzzle toys, or and hide and seek. For the best puzzle toys for livestock guardian dogs, check out my article, The Best Livestock Guardian Dog Toys: Top Recommendations from DOZENS of Great Pyrenees Owners!

Training Tornjaks may be challenging as these are independent thinkers and often have minds of their own. However, they are much easier to train than other livestock guardian dogs as they are more eager to please than most. They learn very quickly and have incredible memory stores. This also greatly helps with the training process. This breed responds best to rewards and positive reinforcement.

If you want to learn how to obedience train your Tornjaks using positive training methods, check out the online program, Brain Training for Dogs. This program is perfect for people who want to raise a livestock guardian dog as a pet. If you want to know why, see my review article The Ultimate Obedience Training Program for Pet Tornjaks: Brain Training for Dogs.

Aggression is not a huge concern with this breed. However, these dogs – whether aquired as puppies or as adults – need extensive socialization. They are very protective animals and will need to get used to other dogs, strangers, and children to prevent aggressive incidents.

However, if thoroughly socialized, Tornjaks can be incredibly friendly dogs.  For an example of this, check out the video below of a pet Tornjak meeting an aggressive dog on the street. Don’t worry – they’re friends by the end!

 
 

Tornjaks are great with children and will actually guard “their kids” while at the park or playing outside. This is a great trait – However, it is important to understand their thought process when bringing unfamiliar children over to play.

If any rough-housing occurs between the “dog’s child” and a new child, the dog might mistake this for an attack and become aggressive. Supervision is always recommended in these situations, especially because they are such large animals.

It’s crucial to note that Tornjaks form unbelievable bonds with their family members – more so than other livestock guardian breeds. Family is of the utmost importance to them. Because of this, re-homing is especially difficult for these dogs. If you decide to purchase a Tornjak, make sure you are 100% sure that you are prepared to take care of this animal for life.

Lastly, if you do decide to acquire a Tornjak, make sure you do not leave him alone for too long. This is not a dog you want to leave in the backyard by himself. All this breed wants is to be with the family. If you do need to keep your Tornjak in the backyard at times, make sure he has plenty of activities to keep busy.

If you are thinking of getting a Tornjak as a pet, you may also be interested in:

Tornjak Livestock Guardian Dog History

Place of Origin: Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina

Traditional Livestock Guarded: Sheep, cattle

Traditional Predators: Bears, wolves

Tornjak Livestock Guardian Dog Lifestyle

The Tornjak breed originated in the mountainous areas of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This breed has been guarding sheep and cattle since at least 1067 A.D., but was likely in existence even before then. Historically, they were most active between the years of 1067 and 1374 A.D., according to written documents.

Documentation suggests that the Slavs brought the dogs over with them when they migrated into these mountain regions. Other studies have shown that Tornjaks are descendants of the Tibetan Mastiff. It is hard to tell from where exactly the ancestors of the Tornjak originated. However, scholars do know the dogs were exclusively located in Croatia, Bosnia and Hezegovina for at least a thousand years.

Tornjaks were originally called “Kanis Montanus” which literally translates to “mountain dog”. However, after locals had worked with the dogs long enough, they renamed them “Tornjaks,” which translates into “enclosure for sheep” or “guardian of the pen,” depending on who you ask.

Between the 1300s and 1900s, little is known about the breed’s existence, besides the fact that they assisted shepherds in herding and guarding their flocks.

After World War II, communist policies and the unpredictable economy forced many locals to abandon their rural lives in agriculture, and to find jobs in the cities. This put many Tornjaks out of jobs and, unfortunately, many were killed. Those that did survive these hard times were pushed into remote areas to fend for themselves.

Tornjak numbers steadily declined until 1972, when the breed was recognized as being at risk for extinction. Recovery efforts began at this time as the economy was also improving, and wolves and bears were becoming a problem once again.

Kennel owners and advocates made intense efforts to breed these dogs pure. In 1990, a dog standard was created, which helped to further preserve and ensure the breed’s longevity. In 1996 it was chosen to appear on a Bosnian postage stamp, increasing the breed’s popularity. By the early years of the 21st century, the Tornjak breed’s population was well into the 2000s.

Tornjaks have recently become much better known, and some areas even have Tornjak dog shows. You can see one of these dog shows in the video below:

 
 

Unfortunately, Tornjaks are still hard to come by in the United States.

Other Tornjak Jobs

Tornjaks have been used as both house and property guardians and as service dogs.

Tornjak Appearance

Tornjak Size

Height: 25”-28” (male), 23”-26” (female)

Weight: 77-110 lbs. (male), 62-88 lbs. (female)

For more on LGD breed sizes, check out my article, Livestock Guardian Dog Sizes.

Tornjak Colors

The Tornjak breed is white with spots of color. These patches are generally black, brown, fawn, gray, yellow, or red. The most common colors are piebald and Irish spotting. Occasionally, dogs may be very dark-colored with white patches instead. The dogs that are most sought after are those with unique head markings and lots of color.

Tornjak Coat

Tornjak dogs are typically long-haired, although some have been known to have shorter fur. Both varieties have dense double coats. In the traditional, long-haired dogs the outer hair is straight and harsher to the touch while the undercoat is soft and downy. Their double coat helps them regulate their body temperature in extreme weather.

In the video below, you can see how excited a Tornjak gets about playing in the snow. With their double coat, these dogs are not afraid of cold weather!

 
 

These dogs also have fur that forms a ruff around the collar, and they have feathering on their legs. 

Tornjak Head

Tornjak dogs have large, broad heads, but they are often smaller than they look due to having such a thick coat. Their neck is considerably longer than many other livestock guardian dog breeds. This breed’s ears are high set and folded. Their eyes are almond-shaped, and typically brown in color. Unlike many LGD breeds, their lips do not droop, and they do not have dewlaps.

Tornjak Body

The Tornjak breed is well-proportioned and squarely built. They are highly muscled and visibly powerful. The Croatian variety tends to be lighter and does not have as many heavy Mastiff features, whereas the Bosnian Tornjak is heavy-boned and quite a bit larger – you can definitely see the Mastiff influence in these dogs.

Tornjak Tail

Tornjaks have plumed tails that they carry over their back when they are active. When relaxed their tails are usually carried low. Their tails can vary in length, shape and fullness.

Tornjak Grooming          

Tornjak dogs have a long, dense coat which requires a decent amount of grooming. Brushing is recommended at least once a week. Grooming more often will reduce the amount of shedding for those who have a Tornjak as an inside, family dog.

If grooming an outdoor, working dog, you’ll want to regularly check for ticks, stickers, fleas or anything irregular that may be causing them discomfort.

This breed does have a double coat, which means they will shed seasonally. They may require daily maintenance and grooming during those times of the year. The use of a de-shedding brush (available on Amazon) and a warm bath can help loosen the excess fur.

A pin brush and a metal comb are suggested tools for brushing this breed. You may also think about purchasing a dematter/matt splitter as their fur can occasionally become matted – especially if they are employed as a livestock guardian dog. Additionally, a pet-safe detangling spray can be handy for dealing with matted fur. 

Nail clipping should occur regularly to prevent splitting/cracking or overgrowth. A lot of working dogs will not need their nails clipped as often – their nails tend to file down naturally during their daily duties.

If you do find that you need to clip their nails, make sure to use an industrial strength nail clipper or Dremel, so you do not damage their nails. If you are concerned or not familiar with nail clipping, go to a professional to have them show you or trim the nails for you.

As with all dogs with floppy ears, you’ll want to check and clean their ears on a regular basis. This will help prevent ear infections and dirt/debris residue. This is especially important for working dogs!

Teeth brushing is also highly recommended to keep your dog in tip top shape. If you cannot commit to brushing their teeth on your own, at least take them in for a yearly tooth cleaning. This will help prevent build up and decay and will keep your pup healthier for much longer.

For detailed information and how-to videos on grooming (including nails, baths, teeth brushing, ear cleaning, and more), see my article, Grooming Tornjaks: The Ultimate Guide.

Tornjak Diet/Eating Habits

Tornjak dogs’ caloric needs are dependent upon and calculated by their weight and activity level. Males can require between 1870 and 4700 calories per day. Females typically require fewer calories – in the range of 1590 and 3975 per day. See the table below for more specific estimates:

Tornjak Light Activity Moderate Activity High Activity
Male 1870-2820 2160-3290 2520-4700
Female 1590-2385 1835-2785 2140-3975

It is important to feed your Tornjaks high-quality dog food, especially if they are going to be a working dog.

Also, make sure to feed your dog age-appropriately. If fed adult food too soon, your puppy may grow at an unhealthy rate. This is especially concerning with larger breeds as this can increase their chances of developing hip and/or elbow dysplasia.

If your dog will primarily be a family companion/house pet, it is important to watch your dog’s caloric intake carefully (and exercise him regularly!) to prevent obesity.

For advice on how to properly feed your Tornjak, check out these resources:

Tornjak Lifespan

The Tornjak breed lives (on average) between 12 and 14 years.

As puppies, Tornjaks should be socialized with their livestock as early as possible. Tornjaks won’t fully mature until about 2.5 years, and, therefore, may not be able to be left alone with the livestock until then. It’s crucial that you continue to supervise your Tornjaks around your stock, until you can trust them with their charges.

For more information on livestock guardian dog lifespans, what to expect from puppies, and how to care for older dogs, see my article, What is the Lifespan of a Livestock Guardian Dog?

Tornjak Cost

Tornjak puppies are typically sold in the United States for $600-$800. As with any breed, this will depend upon the breed’s availability at the time, the breeder’s reputation and quality, as well as the working history of the puppy’s parents. You can see how adorable Tornjak puppies are in the video below:

 
 

Importing a breed like the Tornjak will likely cost much more than that, many times double or more the asking price of a puppy in the United States. 

Tornjaks crossed with other breeds are considerably less expensive.

If you are interested in adopting a Tornjak from a rescue, check out my article, Rescue Livestock Guardian Dogs – Should You Get One?

Tornjak Health Problems

Tornjaks are relatively healthy dogs, and do not typically encounter many health issues. However, as with any larger-breed dog, hip and elbow dysplasia can occur.

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