Tornjak vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Tornjak vs Samoyed - Breed ComparisonTornjak is originated from Croatia but Samoyed is originated from Russia. Tornjak may grow 12 cm / 5 inches higher than Samoyed. Tornjak may weigh 20 kg / 45 pounds more than Samoyed. Both Tornjak and Samoyed has almost same life span. Both Tornjak and Samoyed has almost same litter size. Both Tornjak and Samoyed requires Moderate maintenance.

History

tornjak - historyKnown also as the Bosnian and Herzegovinian, the Tornjak dog hails from Croatia and Bosnia and is a large mountain sheepdog.

It is thought that this protector of livestock dog has been bred from the Tibetan Mastiff. He is an ancient breed because there are records of its existence coming as far back as the 11th century.

As a working dog, his role of guarding sheep became less and the dog’s numbers diminished. It was during the 1970s that the breed was revived.

samoyed - historyThe Samoyed is a large breed of dog; a spitz-type dog, with a thick, double-layer coat. The dog was used to help with herding and to also haul sledges for the Siberian Samoyede people.

The Samoyed has been used in polar expeditions, including Sir Ernest Shackleton's journey to the Antarctic. They’ve put up with a lot of hardships on these journeys and some of them have lost their lives on these expeditions.

The first standard for the breed was adopted in England in 1909, and in 1923 the original Samoyed Club of America was established.

Description

tornjak puppy - descriptionThis is a large, strong dog, standing at between 58 and 72cm in height and weighing between 28 and 50kg. He has a long, thick coat which has always protected him from the harsh winters of the countries he comes from.

Common colors for the coat are mainly white with tan, brown, grey or black markings.

Temperament:

The Tornjak is a beautiful dog and also calm by nature, well balanced, intelligent and self- confident. His calm nature doesn’t stop him from being a good watchdog though as he is also alert and brave.

He is more than willing to please his owner and is able to be trained and socialized with ease.

He is a social dog and just loves spending time with hs human family. Therefore efforts should be made not to leave him alone for long periods of time. He forms strong bonds with them and is loving and devoted. Because of his size and energy he won’t suit life in the city on a small property but will be better suited to life in the countryside.

samoyed puppy - descriptionThe Samoyed is a large herding dog standing at between 48 to 60cm in height and weighing 16 – 30kg. He has a thick, double layer coat that is silvery white.

The top layer is fairly long and coarse. The dog sheds heavily once or twice a year, but the dog is described as being hypoallergenic.

The ears of the dog are typical spitz-like – erect. The eyes of the dog are almond in shape and while they are usually brown, they can sometimes be blue too. The tail is long and curls over the dog’s back. When these dogs sleep in the snow, you might notice the tail is folded so that it covers the dog’s nose.

Temperament:

The Samoyed is a friendly dog, to such an extent that you wouldn’t call him a good watchdog. They’re friendly dogs with happy expressions on their faces. They make great family pets and will get on well with children as well as other dogs in the home.

Like all dogs, the Samoyed will need early training and socialization to make him obedient and well rounded. He is intelligent and can easily learn a few basic commands.

Characteristics

These are quiet, brave dogs but they can be good watchdogs too.

Calm and balanced, he is capable of being alert too and makes a good watchdog.

tornjak dog - characteristicsWith their human family, they become attached and loyal, not wanting to be separated from anyone for too long. Give him the care this beautiful dog deserves and he'll make you a splendid pet and companion.

samoyed dog - characteristicsThe Samoyed is a gentle, easy going dog that gets on well with everyone, loving children and being prepared to be friendly towards other dogs too.

His friendliness makes it that he doesn’t make a good watchdog. He is intelligent and can be trained to obey basic commands.

He loves plenty of exercise, after all he has always been a working dog. Apart from the coat which will require quite a bit of upkeep, the Samoyed is prepared to come into your home and make you a splendid pet and companion.

Health Problems

tornjak puppies - health problemsMost dogs face one or two health challenges in their lives, but most Tornjaks are healthy and won’t easily get sick.

They’re large dogs so they typically don’t live as long as small dogs. They can live to be between 10 and 12 years of age.

Patellar Luxation: 

This is a dislocation of the kneecap, caused by an injury or it can be present at birth. It can cause pain and a limp.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a joint condition that is more often seen in large dogs. The ill-fitting joint rubs and chafes, and osteoarthritis and more pain is the result.

You will have to speak to your vet about relieving the pain for your dog and making him more comfortable. Don’t think hip dysplasia is something only old dogs get – it can develop with young dogs – even puppies. Your veterinarian will examine your pet and suggest different medical and surgical options.

Some of the common canine diseases your Samoyed can succumb to -

Diabetes:

samoyed puppies - health problemsDogs can get diabetes just like people can. Diabetes is becoming more common in dogs as people try and feed their dogs ‘treats’ such as chocolates, biscuits and ice-cream.

Fortunately diabetes is manageable. Certainly, if you discover signs of diabetes in your pet, get him to the vet. The typical symptoms of diabetes in dogs are increased urination, increased thirst and weight loss. Cataracts and blindness can also occur.

Glaucoma: 

Glaucoma is when there is increased pressure in the eye. It can be hereditary or secondary where there is decreased fluid in the eye because of other eye diseases. Symptoms include pain and even vision loss. It can be treated surgically or with eye drops.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is an inherited condition in dogs where the thighbone doesn't fit properly into the hip joint. Some dogs will even have lameness in both rear legs. The vet will want x-rays to diagnose hip dysplasia. Unfortunately arthritis can also develop.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

tornjak dogs - caringThe Tornjak needs exercise every day to keep him fit and happy. He will love it when you take down his leash for his daily walk. He is a social dog and will want to be involved with all your activities. He gets on well with other dogs too.

●Grooming:

The Tornjak will require quite a bit of grooming because the hair is fairly long and it sheds. Some dog owners have the hair cut by a professional groomer. Regular brushing certainly helps to reduce lots of dog hair flying around.

The insides of his ears need to be checked for signs of redness as well as the eyes. The eyes should be checked for pus and redness. Occasional dog nail trimming will also be required.

● Vaccines:

Keep his vaccines up to date to avoid deadly canine diseases.

● Diet:

Provide your Tornjak with top quality food. If you feed him with one of the commercially manufactured foods, make sure it is one of the better brands. The inferior brands are filled with bad ingredients that can actually make a dog sick.

Try to include some home-made food which can be added to the dry kibble twice a week as a treat. Avoid human foods such as chocolates, grapes, onions, peanuts and chips as these can give him stomach pain and more vet bills for you.

Stick to wholesome, simple foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. Your Tornjak will love it and it will ensure he has bright eyes ad a wagging tail. Never leave him without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

samoyed dogs - caringThe coat of the dog is super thick and in the Spring, the dog sheds a lot. Samoyed dog owners will need to be regular with their brushing routine with these dogs as the coat can easily tangle. Some people just prefer to get their Samoyed to a professional groomer.

Exercise:

This is a working dog, used to working hard in all kinds of conditions. He doesn’t take kindly to being bored with nothing to do and he howls and barks till you take him on a walk. He requires regular exercise such as hiking, ball games, running and swimming. It is why this dog isn’t suited to life on a small property in the city. He requires a large garden or farm and lots of exercise.

Diet:

If you want your Samoyed to be healthy so that you’re not constantly at the vet, provide him with top quality food. It is always useful and convenient having commercially manufactured food but you want to vary the diet just a bit by providing some homemade food too.

If you boil chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots in a pot you can chop it all up and freeze it and feed portions twice a week to your dog. Warmed up it can be added to his dry kibble and be a wonderful tasty treat for him. Every now and then you can also include some raw meat which can be beneficial for his skin. Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Croatia
Russia
Height Male:
58 - 72 cm
22 - 29 inches
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
Height Female:
58 - 72 cm
22 - 29 inches
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
28 - 50 kg
61 - 111 pounds
16 - 30 kg
35 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
28 - 50 kg
61 - 111 pounds
16 - 30 kg
35 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 7
4 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Croatian Mountain Dog, Bosnian Shepherd Dog
Sammy, Bjelkier, Smiley
Colors Available:
White with tan, brown or black markings, grey
White
Coat:
Long and thick
Medium length, thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Tornjak vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  2. Tornjak vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  3. Tornjak vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  4. Tornjak vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  5. Tornjak vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  6. Tornjak vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison
  7. Tornjak vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  8. Tornjak vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  9. Tornjak vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  10. Tornjak vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  11. Tornjak vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  12. Tornjak vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  13. Tornjak vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Tornjak vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  15. Tornjak vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  16. Tornjak vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  17. Tornjak vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  18. Tornjak vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  19. Tornjak vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  20. Tornjak vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  21. Tornjak vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  22. Tornjak vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  23. Tornjak vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  24. Tornjak vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Tornjak vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  27. Samoyed vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  28. Samoyed vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  29. Samoyed vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  30. Samoyed vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  31. Samoyed vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  32. Samoyed vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  33. Samoyed vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  34. Samoyed vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  35. Samoyed vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  36. Samoyed vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  37. Samoyed vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  38. Samoyed vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  39. Samoyed vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  40. Samoyed vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  41. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Samoyed vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  43. Samoyed vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  44. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  45. Samoyed vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  46. Samoyed vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  47. Samoyed vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  48. Samoyed vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. Samoyed vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison
  50. Samoyed vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds