Breed, age, and sex-related variations in hematological and some biochemical parameters in the Tornjak dog

There is an increasing significance for the breed, age, and sex-related variations in hematological and biochemical parameters in veterinary medicine. The primary objective of this study was to identify possible breed-related differences and to determine the effect of age and sex on hematologic and serum biochemical parameters in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian - Croatian Shepherd dog Tornjak raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Data from 19 hematological and 17 serum biochemical parameters were analyzed in the group of 100 dogs (47 females and 53 males), sexually intact and aged between one month and twelve years. Breed affected TP (total protein) and ALB (albumin) value. The median TP value was slightly above the reference interval and the ALB median value was in the upper limit. Variations in hematological and serum biochemical parameters were 6 sex-related and 23 age-related. This study adds valuable insight into the specifics of the interpretation of laboratory findings in a small population of the indigenous Tornjak dog breed.