Also called Mali međimurski pas, Međi, Štakoraš, Hrčičar · Croatia: the Međimurje region in the nor
A lively, bright little dog that guards its home with loud warnings but is not aggressive towards people, other dogs or farm animals.
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Height | 28 to 33 cm (11 to 13 in)123 |
| Coat | Short, harsh, straight coat with soft woolly undercoat |
| Origin | Croatia: the Međimurje region in the north-west13 |
A lively, bright little dog that guards its home with loud warnings but is not aggressive towards people, other dogs or farm animals. It is deeply attached to its family, plays happily with children and responds well to commands, while staying reserved with strangers.123
short, harsh, straight coat with soft woolly undercoat
A small, well-proportioned, low-legged dog that is noticeably longer than it is tall, with a wedge-shaped head and upright triangular ears in a wolf-like outline. The coarse, flat-lying coat is short on the head and legs and a little longer on the neck, forming a small mane, and on the underside of the tail.13
A typical home-care rhythm for a Small Međimurje Dog. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Moderate to high. Bred as a busy yard dog and rat catcher, it enjoys having jobs to do and regular chances to use its guarding and hunting instincts.1
Though a country dog by heritage, the breed club notes it adapts to town living as long as it stays active and engaged.1
Very family-focused and good with children; gets along with other dogs and domestic animals.12
The short, hard coat is simple to look after with occasional brushing.1
Adult dogs do well with at least two meals a day, while puppies need three to four smaller meals. Pet Wiki's starting plan is to feed at set times each day, such as morning and evening, and always follow the food label and your vet's advice for amounts.4 Pet Wiki plan
Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for its age and size. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts, so keep these away from your dog.5
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every eight weeks, but you can bathe more often if your dog gets very dirty. The short coat is easy to care for, so a gentle dog shampoo is fine.1 Pet Wiki plan
Brush your Small Međimurje Dog once a week to keep its short, harsh coat tidy and remove loose hair. This simple routine is enough for this breed.61 Pet Wiki plan
Trim nails every three weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time and stop before the quick to avoid pain.6 Pet Wiki plan
This lively breed needs daily walks and playtime, as it was bred to be a busy yard dog. Pet Wiki's starting plan includes daily exercise to keep it happy and healthy.1 Pet Wiki plan
Brush teeth daily with dog-safe toothpaste, and check ears weekly for moisture or dirt without pushing anything into the ear canal. Pet Wiki's starting plan recommends these steps for good hygiene.6 Pet Wiki plan
The lifespan varies by individual, so ask your vet for guidance on your dog's health and senior care. Senior years usually start around age 10. Pet Wiki plan
Yes, this breed is deeply attached to its family, plays happily with children, and gets along with other dogs and farm animals. It is not aggressive and responds well to commands.123
This breed is very family-focused and may not like being left alone for long periods. It adapts to town living if kept active, but consult a good breeder or vet for specific advice on your dog's needs.1
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Running costs for a Small Međimurje Dog, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
No breed-specific rule names the Small Međimurje Dog in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Its local nicknames 'štakoraš' and 'hrčičar' both refer to its skill as a rat catcher.2
Villagers especially prized dogs that could flip a caught rat high into the air and catch it again.3
It was the seventh dog breed to be recognised as native to Croatia.3
A 2019 genetic study of 39 dogs, the first scientific paper on the breed, found it is a distinct breed with at least six separate lines.3
The breed is named after the Međimurje region in northwestern Croatia, where it has been bred for over a hundred years.7
I started my day with a patrol of the yard, barking at a squirrel that dared to climb our apple tree. Then I played tug-of-war with the children. At noon, I napped in a sunbeam. When a stranger passed the gate, I gave a sharp yap, just doing my job. Later, I chased a ball and snuggled with my family. Perfect.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
For more than a century farmers and millers in Međimurje kept these small dogs to guard yards and keep rats down, and a dog often had to prove its catching skill to earn its place. Breeding was organised from 2003 to save the dogs from being lost through crossbreeding, and the Croatian Kennel Club recognised the breed at the end of 2010, presenting it to the public in 2011.123
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
Mudi
Pumi
Croatian Sheepdog