The breed is currently recognized by national kennel clubs of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Netherlands, Finland and Czech Republic.

The unofficial FCI grouping of the breed: FCI Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs) Section 1 / Sheepdogs -without working trail The people of Međimurje call him "Hrčičar" or "Štakoraš" (The Ratter) because he specialized in hunting rats, especially the larger Norwegian rats.

According to tradition, in order for the owner of the house to keep him, the dog first had to pass a test, which meant reacting quickly and catching a rat that was running away after being chased out of the basement, manure pit, attic, or storage room.

Through controlled breeding, certain good traits were tried to be retained, while bad ones were improved or suppressed.

Medium body structure, not too heavy bones, lively, agile, intelligent and very obedient dog.

According to the morphological system it belongs to the lupoid type of dog with wedge-shaped head and triangular erect ears.

Coat is short, rather hard and flat, somewhat longer on the upper part of the neck (mane) and on the lower inner side of tail (fringes).