Hrvatski Kinološki Savez (Croatian Kennel Club): Croatia’s National Kennel Authority

Admin_Vet_Guide 6 hours agoLast Updated: August 8, 2026

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Hrvatski Kinološki Savez (Croatian Kennel Club): Croatia’s National Kennel Authority

Every country with an organized dog-breeding culture has one body that keeps its pedigree records straight, and in Croatia that body is the Hrvatski Kinološki Savez (HKS), known internationally as the Croatian Kennel Club. Founded in 1891 and headquartered on Ilica street in the heart of Zagreb, HKS has spent well over a century acting as the umbrella kennel organization for the entire country, coordinating everything from litter registration to national dog shows.

As a member of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), HKS ties Croatian breeders and exhibitors into the wider international dog world, giving locally registered dogs the paperwork and pedigree recognition they need to compete abroad.

The Role of HKS in Croatia’s Dog World

HKS was created to bring professional, systematic oversight to dog breeding and ownership in Croatia at a time when no such national structure existed. Today it functions as the umbrella association for kennel clubs and breed clubs across every region of the country, currently counting 135 member organizations under its wing. It is also the body responsible for recognizing and promoting Croatia’s seven native dog breeds, among them the Croatian Shepherd Dog, the Dalmatian, and the Tornjak.

Beyond pedigree administration, HKS runs an online records platform (the “HKS program”) and a community-facing portal called “Moj Pas” (“My Dog”), and it has more recently launched a “Top Dog” competition to recognize Croatia’s most successful show dogs across the season.

What Hrvatski Kinološki Savez Does

Function	With HKS	Without HKS
Pedigree registration	Litters and individual dogs receive official, FCI-recognized pedigree documentation	No nationally recognized pedigree record; ancestry cannot be formally verified
Show and exhibition accreditation	Dogs can enter CACIB and other FCI-sanctioned shows held in Croatia and abroad	No standing to enter accredited conformation shows
International recognition	Full link to the FCI network, allowing export pedigrees and title recognition across member countries	No pathway to international titles or FCI-recognized credentials
Breed stewardship	Official custodian of Croatia’s native breeds (Croatian Shepherd, Dalmatian, Tornjak, and others)	No coordinated national breed-preservation program
Judge and handler standards	Trains and certifies judges according to FCI-aligned criteria	No standardized judging credentials recognized internationally

3 Real-World Scenarios

A breeder in Zagreb registering their first litter of Croatian Shepherd puppies needs to file the litter through HKS to obtain valid pedigree papers for each puppy before they can be sold as purebred.
An exhibitor in Split preparing to show a Dalmatian at a CACIB-sanctioned event must hold current HKS/FCI documentation for the dog to be eligible to compete and earn qualifying titles.
A regional breed club in Osijek seeking formal recognition as a member organization applies to join the HKS network of 135 affiliated clubs, gaining access to the national registry and show calendar.

2 Croatia Kennel Facts

HKS was founded in 1891, making it one of the older national kennel organizations in Europe, and it is headquartered at Ilica 61 in Zagreb.
HKS is the official steward of seven native Croatian dog breeds, including the Croatian Shepherd Dog, the Dalmatian, and the Tornjak, and it currently unites 135 member kennel and breed clubs across the country.

10 FAQs

What is Hrvatski Kinološki Savez?

It is the Croatian Kennel Club, the national umbrella organization for dog breeding, registration, and exhibition in Croatia, founded in 1891 and based in Zagreb.

Is HKS affiliated with the FCI?

Yes, HKS is Croatia’s member organization within the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, which links Croatian pedigree records and show results to the international system.

How many clubs belong to HKS?

HKS currently counts 135 member organizations, including regional kennel associations and individual breed clubs from across Croatia.

Which native breeds does HKS oversee?

HKS recognizes and promotes seven native Croatian breeds, including the Croatian Shepherd Dog, the Dalmatian, and the Tornjak.

How do I register a litter with HKS?

Breeders submit litter documentation through their local member club or directly through the HKS online records system to receive official pedigree papers for each puppy.

Where is HKS headquartered?

HKS is based at Ilica 61 in central Zagreb, Croatia.

What is the “Moj Pas” portal?

“Moj Pas” (“My Dog”) is a community-facing online portal run by HKS for Croatian dog owners and enthusiasts.

What is the “Top Dog” competition?

It is a competition organized by HKS to identify Croatia’s most successful show dogs across a season of accredited exhibitions.

Can a dog registered with HKS compete abroad?

Yes, because HKS pedigrees are FCI-recognized, dogs registered through HKS can be entered in shows and competitions in other FCI member countries.

Who can join HKS as a member club?

Regional kennel associations and breed-specific clubs across Croatia can apply to join the HKS network, becoming part of its 135 affiliated organizations.

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