Tornjak Dogs

[Grazer]

Congratulations she-earl!

Being that I am originally from former Yugoslavia (the country from where both Tornjak and the Sarplaninac originate), I am familiar with the breed.
Character-wise the Tornjak is comparable to the Great Pyrenees.
So just like the Great Pyr they are softer than most other LGD's and just like the Pyrenees they are also roamers. I hope the breeder will be honest about that.
That said they are in general somewhat more trainable than a Great Pyr and more inclined to guard towards human intruders than the Great Pyr.
In Croatia or in Bosnia it is not unusual to find Tornjak's that have lived up to 14-15 years without any (major) health problems. So hopefully yours will be just as long living!

Don't forget to post lots and lots of pictures of your new puppy once you get it.
Tornjak is an amazing breed, they are incredibly affectionate with their owners and make fantastic farm dogs.


P.S. you might be interested in reading this here, written by a Croatian Tornjak breeder (it's not long and in English): http://www.angelfire.com/journal/tornjak/tornjaken.htm

 

[woodsie]

I almost got a Tornjak when my G. Pyr passed away. I spoke to a lady who had to rehome hers due to moving (she got hers from the lady in Alberta too) and from my discussions with her they sound like a typical LGD. Beautiful dogs but the people she had sold him to were complaining that he was "too active at night", didn't want to be kenneled and barked a lot.... traits that are bred into LGD as part of their job. I can't imagine kenneling an LGD! He patroled the yard and was good with kids and other animals but kind of a loof with new people....again traits you want in an LGD.

Unfortunately the people she sold them to refused to give him back to her (they were begging her to take him back before) as soon as they found out someone else really wanted him. Sooo sad to see a dog not getting the chance to do what he is bred to do. Just make sure you know what you are getting into with an LGD...not a typical dogs at all....almost more cat like in their independence and definitely more instinct driven than obedience driven. Great in the right environment, complete disaster in the wrong environment.

I would also agree, need to figure out a roam proof fence. All my G Pyrs have had problems wandering until I installed an invisible fence shock collar.

Id love to see pics too!

 

[she-earl]

We just returned this evening around 7 with our Tornjak puppy. We had a nine-hour drive one way to pick him up. We left yesteday morning and got a motel thereby last night. We picked him up around 7:30 this morning and made three stops on the way home. We took a pet carrier along but never used it. We had laid the rear seat down in our Rav4 and laid a sheet down. I held him some of the time but he mostly spent his time in the back. He slept a good bit but never got sick. Our first introduction to our almost eight-year-old Bernese went OK.

 

[Southern by choice]

oh how sweet! gotta name yet?

 

[neener92]

 

[she-earl]

We are planning on calling him Nanuk. It is the American Indian name for polar bear.

 

[goodolboy]

Good name

 

[terrilhb]

He is beautful. Congratulations.

 

[Southern by choice]

I just read Grazers link. This sounds like a really great Dog, and a very well kept secret.
I am looking forward to hearing about what you see in this breed as your pups grows.
She-earl I really think this was a better choice than the TM. Glad you found this breed.
How old is Nanuk?

 

[she-earl]

I was pretty sure the TM would be too much dog for our needs. Our Tornjak was whelped on 10/28/13.