As the son of a dedicated Sarplaninac breeder since 1990, I’ve grown up surrounded by the beauty and strength these remarkable dogs.
Known primarily as a livestock guardian, this breed has been a steadfast protector for centuries, showcasing a unique ability to form strong bonds with both animals and humans.
Despite its rich history and unique traits, it frequently gets overshadowed by more popular dog breeds.
I believe that creating a film about this breed is the key to elevating its status and fostering a greater appreciation for its remarkable traits!
To bring this vision to life, I am seeking filmmakers, producers, directors, and actors who are passionate about dogs and storytelling.
This project aims not only to highlight the wonderful qualities of the Sarplaninac but also to create a community of dog lovers who appreciate the unique traits of this remarkable companion.
Community and Popularity
These dogs are the most popular in the Balkan region, which is somewhat understandable considering the historical events that have occurred in these areas. With a population of around 45 million people, the breed has gained significant recognition.
On the other hand, we live in an age of artificial intelligence, robots, and computers, where information spreads rapidly through the internet. When we look at statistical data on how often each breed is searched on Google each month, we arrive at the following figures (see the image below).
As you can see, at the top of the list is the Cane Corso, with 1,220,000 monthly searches, while the Sarplaninac has only 9,900 monthly searches.
Some might argue that this data is representative of the USA, and where is the rest of the world? This is true, but believe me, the situation is not significantly better for this breed elsewhere in the world.
Dog Books
I believe that the best literature about Sarplaninac dogs was produced in the 1980s and 1990s. At the top of the list is definitely Professor Dr. Slobodan Pavlović (1912 – 1994), a prominent figure in Serbian and global cynology and the creator of the breed standard.
Some authors dedicated over 20 years to breeding these remarkable dogs, which deserves my utmost respect. While there are experts on various dog breeds, I follow the saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.”
Now, let’s consider the issue of circulation. Is it 100? 1,000? 10,000?
If we assume that each book reaches an additional 10 people, we could estimate a total of around 110,000, which is certainly a significant number.
Most of the literature is in the native language (from the Balkan region), with a much smaller circulation in English. I won’t dwell on the fact that publishing a book can be quite expensive, especially when not considering online platforms like Amazon and similar services.
I would love for you to share in the comments below if you have read any books about this breed. Who was the author? In what language?
Last update on 2025-03-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dog Shows
Here, we discuss dog shows as a means to achieve a goal: the promotion of Sarplaninac dogs worldwide. It starts with smaller CAC events and progress to international CACIB shows, and of course, it must mention the World Dog Show.
In my experience, when it comes to Sarplaninac dogs, the average participation is about five dogs in the ring, while specialized dog shows can attract 100 or more participants. Each participant in these events makes a significant contribution to the breed that day, as the name “Sarplaninac” will be heard when the main ring is entered to claim the Best of Breed (BOB) title.
On the other hand, I don’t place much importance on these events, as I believe our kennel has no need to compete or prove anything. After all, we already possess numerous trophies and accolades. The criteria used for judging is a separate discussion altogether.
For instance, if my dog were to win at the World Dog Show, a logical step would be to share photos and videos on social media platforms and Facebook groups with 25,000 to 50,000 members. Following that, there would undoubtedly be comments and congratulations on the posts.
However, the likelihood of selling a dog or securing a reservation for a litter as a result is quite low. Even if such opportunities arise, we must ask: Is the interest due to the recognition received at such a prestigious event, or is it a result of respect for the work our kennel has dedicated to this breed over the past 35 years?
Did the new owner genuinely fall in love with the dog, or is this more about prestige? Winning among 25,000 dogs, like in Zagreb last year, is quite an achievement!
Therefore, I much prefer to hear the opinions of the owners of (our) Sarplaninac dogs.
But the bottom line is this: we always reach the same group of people!
I am not saying that no one has fallen in love with these beautiful dogs at their first sight during a dog show, but I believe that these cases are quite rare.
The Video Title That Left Me Absolutely Speechless!
Last year, I came across an interesting video on the YouTube channel “Girl With The Dogs,” which has nearly 3 million subscribers.
The owner (Vanesa) has been grooming pets professionally for 12 years. She posted a video titled “A MASSIVE Dog Breed I’ve Never Even Heard Of Before | Šarplaninac!”
While it would be expected from a dog lover to share such content, the significance of this video is heightened coming from someone with her level of experience.
I start from myself first and I don’t know all dog breeds in the world.
This sends a clear message: the Sarplaninac may not be a popular or prestigious breed globally, but it certainly is rare.
I would like to thank Vanesa for making this video …
TV and Documentary Shows
How many times have you watched a documentary about the Sarplaninac on channels like National Geographic, Animal Planet, or Discovery?
When it comes to YouTube and channels boasting 10 million subscribers, have you come across a report on this remarkable breed?
Please feel free to share in the comments, as I would love to check it out!
Sarplaninac Club
Of all the options I’ve mentioned for promoting the breed globally, I believe that establishing Sarplaninac club(s) could have been the best approach. Why do I use the past tense? Because it feels like it’s too late now.
I deeply believe that if solid foundations for this organization had been laid in a timely manner, a film highlighting the breed, like the one I’m discussing, would have been just the icing on the cake.
Unfortunately, both Serbia and Macedonia missed significant opportunities in the past. Instead of financially supporting this idea and setting clear guidelines, such as establishing at least one club on each continent with the base in the breed’s country of origin, they opted for a stance of collecting taxes and other fees.
Now, let’s turn our attention to breeders and members. Despite the numerous seminars and discussions addressing various topics, there always seems to be someone questioning the breed standard.
They cannot understand how it is possible for the standard to include something that does not align with their preferences, especially when they own dogs that would easily fall into the disqualification category at dog shows.
I believe that the individuals working within the club should not be volunteers or simply driven by passion for the breed; they should be adequately paid for their expertise, skills, and connections.
They have specific tasks and deadlines to meet! If they cannot fulfill those expectations, then it’s time to make room for someone who can.
It’s also wrong to seek out leaders or authorities who impose requirements on breeders to pair females with certain dogs or enforcing “trends” from the West or East. Imposing such nonsensical rules can be detrimental to the breeding community.
The primary focus must be on education and the establishment of new Sarplaninac clubs abroad, which will help promote the breed internationally. Initially, there should be one club per continent, and gradually, certain countries can become priorities based on the club’s plans and strategies for long-term goals.
This approach would allow us to connect with genuine breed enthusiasts from around the world, fostering meaningful relationships beyond the confines of Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp, or Viber groups.
I believe the Sarplaninc Club “Krajina” in Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, serves as a fantastic example, and I would also like to commend the clubs in Finland and the Czech Republic for their exemplary work.
Original Movie Concept – Scenario
Let’s return to the beginning of this article and revisit the Cane Corso, which boasts an impressive 1,220,000 monthly searches.
Do you know of any films in which they’ve appeared? Allow me to help you with that …
Cane Corso in Movies & TV Shows:
- Game of Thrones. 2011–2019;
- The Blacklist. 2013–2023;
- 2016–2022;
- The Borgias. 2011–2013;
- 2011;
- 2020;
- 2021;
- Hotel for Dogs. 2009.
German Shepherd Movies:
- K-9 (1989);
- Finding Rin Tin Tin (2007);
- I Am Legend (2007);
- Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish dog (2019);
- A Dog’s Purpose (2017);
- Ace of Hearts (2008);
- K-911 (1999);
- Max (2015);
- Megan Leavey (2017);
- My Dog Tulip (2009);
- Cats And Dogs(2001);
- K-9000 (1991);
- Scoot and Kassie’s Christmas Adventure (2016);
- The Christmas Shepherd (2014);
- We Think the World of You (1988);
- Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008);
- Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010);
- Chips, the War Dog (1990);
- Inspector Rex (1994) Rex;
- Max 2: White House Hero (2017);
- Pups United (2015);
- Scent of Murder (2002).
Now, I’d like to pose a simple question to you: Do you know the name of the movie or series in which the Sarplaninac played a significant role?
I hope you now have a clearer understanding of where the Sarplaninac stands on the world cynological map.
Sarplaninac Dog Movie
A film, along with the potential for a franchise, could greatly promote the breed worldwide through theaters, streaming services, and more.
An original concept is essential, as well as the fulfillment of the primary goals of this project:
- promotion of the Sarplaninac dog breed outside the Balkans (a strong distribution network is necessary, and awards and festivals are secondary);
- fun;
- education;
- tension and suspense;
- multiculturalism and multilingualism;
- promotion of other dog breeds.
The good news is that I have a script, of which I am the author, consisting of 132 pages. While I’m not a professional screenwriter and can’t claim that it adheres perfectly to industry standards.
This is an original story; nothing like it has been produced anywhere in the world. Anyone who attempts to take parts of this script and adapt them for their future projects without my permission will face serious consequences!!
Fifteen years of dedicated work and six months of writing have gone into weaving all the elements into a cohesive whole. I received invaluable guidance and personal insights from my father, who has been a long-time breeder of Sarplaninac dogs.
The bad news is that if this script falls into the hands of a producer or director who excludes me from the project and has never seen a true Sarplaninac, it could inflict significant damage on this breed.
Despite the clear guidelines provided and the importance of every scene to the film’s narrative, there are instances where “artistic freedom” must be restricted to avoid unintended negative consequences.
There’s a real risk that they could promote Caucasian Shepherd Dogs! If you’re interested in understanding the differences between these two breeds, I encourage you to read this article.
My Message to Producers and Directors
This is not a project for beginners, nor is it a film that can be made with just a few hundred thousand euros or dollars.
It presents a big challenge for any director and producer, in the true sense of the word! We need to deliver at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of top-tier entertainment for the audience, packed with action, laughter, tears, adventure, and education.
The film will certainly provoke both positive and negative reactions, but I’m sure no one will leave saying they didn’t watch a good film, or as young people might say, “junk”.
If I’ve captured your attention and you believe we can create something wonderful for these amazing dogs, please feel free to reach out to me. The only requirement is that you must have references that clearly demonstrate that you and your team are the perfect fit for this project.
Let’s bring the Sarplaninac to the forefront of dog lovers’ hearts worldwide!
Thank you for your attention and time.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Dog Man | $19.99 | Learn More |
| 2 |  | Dog (Blu-ray) | $9.99 | Learn More |
| 3 |  | A Dog's Purpose | $14.99 | Learn More |
| 4 |  | Hachi: A Dog's Tale | $5.27 | Learn More |
| 5 |  | The Year of the Dog | $4.99 | Learn More |
Last update on 2025-03-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
