Some of you may think this is a Mudi puppy. It’s not, and the answer comes a bit further down.

This is a breed you tend to see only as a working dog tending flocks in Croatia, though they’re seen less now than they used to be because many open plains are being replaced with crops, and the stock is tied up in barns.

This is an agile, alert, and highly intelligent dog with enormous energy and with a strong need for human companionship. The breed is called the Croatian Sheepdog, and it’s been traditionally used to turn stock in the required direction, or to run stock out of a crop field; these dogs will also bring in runaways and help in yards with shedding and penning. One word, one show of a crook or hand signal – even just a head nod from the shepherd, and the dog will carry out a task quickly and willingly. Some farmers insist that their dogs know by name every head of cattle by name. We don’t doubt it.

If the dog is born with a tail, it’s traditionally docked very short, but if undocked, it’s more or less curled over the dog’s back like a Puli’s (which is thought to be a relative). The breed was recognized by FCI in 1969, and is also recognized by the following registries:

NKC = National Kennel Club