DogMatchUp

Broholmer vs Croatian Sheepdog

Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.

Broholmer
Large

Broholmer

Foundation Stock Service

Croatian Sheepdog
Small

Croatian Sheepdog

Foundation Stock Service

Quick Comparison

Size

Broholmer Large
Croatian Sheepdog Small

Lifespan

Broholmer 8-10 years
Croatian Sheepdog 13-14 years

Exercise Needs

Broholmer 2/5
Croatian Sheepdog 5/5

Grooming Needs

Broholmer 2/5
Croatian Sheepdog 2/5

Breed Overview

Broholmer Overview

Majestic and powerful, the Broholmer exhibits a distinctive blend of strength and gentleness. Standing tall with a broad chest and muscular build, these dogs feature a short, dense coat in fawn or golden-red with a black mask. Their calm demeanor and watchful nature make them excellent guardians, while maintaining a loving disposition towards family members.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
Size: Large
Temperament: Friendly, Watchful, Loving

Croatian Sheepdog Overview

Croatian Sheepdogs are medium-sized herding dogs with distinctive black coats and agile, muscular builds. Their alert expression and pricked ears reflect their keen intelligence and herding heritage. Standing 16-20 inches at the shoulder, they possess a balanced frame with moderate bone structure and a deep chest. Their weatherproof double coat features a shorter, dense undercoat and a longer, wavy outer coat.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 13-14 years
Size: Small
Temperament: Loyal, Active, Alert and Intelligent

Key Differences

  • Energy Level: Broholmers are less energetic than Croatian Sheepdogs, requiring less daily exercise.
  • Grooming: Broholmers require less grooming attention compared to Croatian Sheepdogs.
  • Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Broholmers tend to be more outgoing with strangers than Croatian Sheepdogs.
  • Trainability: Broholmers may be slightly easier to train due to their Broholmer's higher intelligence ranking.
  • Living Situation: Broholmers adapt better to apartment living, while Croatian Sheepdogs typically prefer homes with more space.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Broholmer and Croatian Sheepdog, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.

Basic Information

Feature Broholmer Croatian Sheepdog
Size Large Small
Life Expectancy 8-10 years 13-14 years
Country of Origin Unknown Unknown
Breed Group Foundation Stock Service Foundation Stock Service

Physical Characteristics

Feature Broholmer Croatian Sheepdog
Height
27-30 inches
70-75 cm
16-20 inches
41-51 cm
Weight
90-150 lbs
41-68 kg
29-44 lbs
13-20 kg
Coat Type Short, dense coat Short, dense coat
Coat Length Short Short
Shedding Seasonal Occasional

Temperament & Behavior

Feature Broholmer Croatian Sheepdog
Temperament Friendly, Watchful, Loving Loyal, Active, Alert and Intelligent
Energy Level
2/5
5/5
Intelligence
2/5
1/5

Compatibility

Feature Broholmer Croatian Sheepdog
Good with Children
3/5
3/5
Good with Other Dogs
3/5
3/5
Apartment Friendly
3/5
2/5

Temperament & Personality

Broholmer Temperament

Friendly Watchful Loving

The Broholmer is known for being friendly, watchful, loving, making them better suited for homes without young children. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They tend to be reserved with strangers, which makes them good watchdogs. Their moderate energy level makes them adaptable to different lifestyles, though they still need regular exercise.

Croatian Sheepdog Temperament

Loyal Active Alert and Intelligent

The Croatian Sheepdog is characterized by being loyal, active, alert and intelligent, which makes them better for households without small children. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They're naturally cautious around strangers, which enhances their ability to serve as watchdogs. Their high energy requires substantial daily exercise and activities to keep them physically and mentally satisfied.

Temperament Comparison

When comparing the Broholmer and Croatian Sheepdog, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:

Sociability with Strangers

Broholmer
3/5
Croatian Sheepdog
2/5

Good with Children

Broholmer
3/5
Croatian Sheepdog
3/5

Side-by-Side Trait Ratings

GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Broholmer

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 3/5

Croatian Sheepdog

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 3/5

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Broholmer

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

Croatian Sheepdog

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

ENERGY LEVEL

Broholmer

Low High

Rating: 2/5

Croatian Sheepdog

Low High

Rating: 5/5

TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE

Broholmer

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 2/5

Croatian Sheepdog

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 1/5

GROOMING NEEDS

Broholmer

Low High

Rating: 2/5

Croatian Sheepdog

Low High

Rating: 2/5

Care & Maintenance

Broholmer Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

2/5

Broholmers require moderate daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

2/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Broholmers require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.

Croatian Sheepdog Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

5/5

Croatian Sheepdogs need substantial daily exercise, including at least 60-90 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and more intense activities like running, swimming, or agility training.

Grooming Requirements

2/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Croatian Sheepdogs require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be helpful.

Health & Lifespan

Broholmer Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 8-10 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Bloat
  • Heart Issues
  • Eye Problems

Croatian Sheepdog Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 13-14 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Problems
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Allergies
  • Heart Issues

Pros & Cons

Broholmer

Pros

  • Loyal family companion
  • Excellent guardian
  • Gentle with family
  • Low barking tendency

Cons

  • Requires spacious living area
  • Heavy drooler
  • Not suitable for novice owners
  • Significant food costs

Croatian Sheepdog

Pros

  • Highly intelligent
  • Excellent herding ability
  • Low grooming needs
  • Loyal companion

Cons

  • High exercise requirements
  • Can be reserved with strangers
  • Strong herding instinct
  • Needs consistent training

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Now that you've compared the Broholmer and Croatian Sheepdog, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.