Photo: MarkoK1984 · CC BY 4.0 dog breed · 927 on Animalso
Small Međimurje Dog
- Animal
- Dog
- Origin
- Croatia
The Small Međimurje Dog, or Međi, is a Croatian breed from the Međimurje area of northwestern Croatia. Known locally as Štakoraš, meaning “Ratter,” it has been bred for more than a hundred years. Its recorded work includes guarding rural yards and hunting harmful rodents. National kennel clubs in several countries recognize it, but the FCI does not.
What this breed does
The Small Međimurje Dog comes from rural northwestern Croatia, especially the Međimurje area. It was bred to guard yards and hunt harmful rodents.
Where it began
Breeding of this dog has continued for over a hundred years in Međimurje. The breed is native to Croatia; see dog breeds from Croatia for related entries.
Recorded working roles
Its documented roles are practical: rural-yard guarding and hunting harmful rodents. The local name Štakoraš reflects that ratting work.
Recognition to check
The Small Međimurje Dog is not recognized by the FCI. National kennel clubs in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, the Netherlands, Finland, and the Czech Republic do recognize it.
Pricing
No pricing details are provided for this breed.
Who should look elsewhere
If FCI recognition is essential to your choice, compare other entries in dog breeds instead.
Verdict
This is a Croatian rural working breed with a long local history, a guarding role, and a rodent-hunting purpose. Its FCI status is the main point to verify before choosing it.
What stands out
- Native to Croatia’s Međimurje region
- Bred for more than a hundred years
- Used as a rural-yard guard dog
- Bred to hunt harmful rodents
Worth knowing
- Not recognized by the FCI
- Recognized by national kennel clubs in six countries, but not by the FCI
Suits
- Readers tracing Croatian working-dog breeds
- Homes researching a guard-and-ratter breed
Think twice if
- You require a breed recognized by the FCI
- You need documented size or lifespan figures
In short
The Small Međimurje Dog is a distinctly Croatian breed tied to the Međimurje region. Historical descriptions place it in rural yards, where it guarded property and hunted harmful rodents. The names Međi and Štakoraš connect it to local use and language. Several national kennel clubs recognize the breed, while the FCI does not. That combination makes its country of origin and recognition status central facts for anyone researching it.
Questions
Where does the Small Međimurje Dog come from?
It is native to Croatia, with more than a century of breeding centered in the Međimurje area of northwestern Croatia.
What other names does this breed use?
It is also called Međi. In local use, Štakoraš means “Ratter.”
What was the Small Međimurje Dog bred to do?
Its recorded jobs are guarding rural yards and hunting harmful rodents.
Is the Small Međimurje Dog recognized by the FCI?
No. The breed is not currently recognized by the FCI.
Which national kennel clubs recognize it?
Recognition is recorded in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, the Netherlands, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
Is it a Croatian dog breed?
Yes. The breed originated in Croatia and is associated especially with Međimurje.
More dog breeds from Croatia
Croatian Sheepdog Croatia Height 43 cm Photo: Michala Mračková · Public domain 
Istrian Coarse-haired Hound Croatia Height 48 cm Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 
Istrian Shorthaired Hound Croatia Height 47 cm Photo: Cazadero · Public domain 
Photo credits6 photographs on this page
- Small Međimurje Dog — MarkoK1984 · CC BY 4.0 · file page
- Croatian Sheepdog — Michala Mračková · Public domain · file page
- Dalmatian — Desaix83 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Istrian Coarse-haired Hound — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Istrian Shorthaired Hound — Cazadero · Public domain · file page
- Posavac Hound — Mirta12 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.