Međimurje Small Dog

Međimurje Small Dog

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin

Translation

En français, cette race se dit

Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar

En español, esta raza se dice

In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd

This breed is also known as

Međi
Štakoraš
Hrčičar

The Međimurje Small Dog is a breed originating from Croatia. It has been bred for over a century in the northwest of the country, primarily in the Međimurje region. It is found in farmyards, where it serves as a guard dog and a hunter of nuisance rodents. The breed is currently recognized by the national kennel clubs of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, the Netherlands, Finland, and the Czech Republic. It is not yet recognized by the FCI.

Locals in Međimurje nickname it "Hrčičar" or "Štakoraš" because it specializes in hunting rats, particularly large brown rats (Norway rats). It is a well-known breed in northwestern Croatia. According to tradition, for a dog to be kept by its owner, it first had to pass a test: reacting quickly to catch a fleeing rat after it had been flushed out of the cellar, manure pit, attic, or pantry. Dogs that caught a rat, tossed it high into the air, and then caught it again in mid-air with their teeth were particularly prized. As society evolved, access to food ceased to be a major issue, as did the proliferation of rats, so the role of this rat-hunting dog diminished. This small dog was highly valued in the courtyards, farms, and households of Međimurje, renowned for its intelligence and cunning.

To protect the breed and save it from extinction, or from being diluted into other breeds, a group of enthusiasts has undertaken the work of standardization. On February 12, 2003, a section dedicated to "Međimurje small dog breeders" was established within the "Međimurska lastavica" small animal breeders' association in Donja Dubrava. The selection process started anew, focusing on identifying dogs that exhibited the greatest number of characteristics typical of the type and registering them in the breed registry. Through controlled selection, the aim was to preserve specific qualities while improving or eliminating undesirable traits.

Given the selection results and the progress made since the standardization process began, the Executive Committee of the Croatian Kennel Club (HKS) decided at its meeting on December 30, 2010, to recognize the Međimurje small dog, or "Međi", as the seventh indigenous Croatian breed and to approve its entry into the HKS's Croatian Conditional Studbook (HUR). The Međi thus officially gained indigenous breed status, with the right to participate in all dog shows in Croatia; it was first presented to the general public at the 3rd Grand Exhibition of Indigenous Dog Breeds in Varaždin on May 21, 2011, and subsequently at numerous other events. In 2019, the first original scientific paper on the breed was published; the findings demonstrate that the Međi is a unique breed, comprising at least six distinct lineages (among the 39 dogs studied).

The Međi is a small, rectangular-shaped dog with short limbs. Its body length can exceed its height at the withers by one-third. Possessing moderate bone structure and a balanced build, it is a lively, agile, intelligent, and highly obedient dog. Morphologically, it belongs to the lupoid type, featuring a wedge-shaped head and erect, triangular ears. Its coat is short, rather coarse, and lies flat, being slightly longer on the upper neck and the underside of the tail. The tail reaches the point of the hock; when the dog is alert or happy, it carries the tail curved over its back. Individuals are most often bi-colored (with varied patterns and distribution) or tri-colored.

It possesses the qualities of a good watchdog without displaying aggression toward humans, other dogs, or domestic animals. It demonstrates great perseverance and eagerness to work, particularly when hunting rodents. Reserved with strangers yet incorruptible, it barks loudly to signal any intrusion. The Međi is very loyal and affectionate toward its owner and family, and is playful with children. It is highly intelligent and executes verbal commands impeccably.