The toponym is derived from vlasi, Vlachs, a transhumant people. Academics like Mark Vego believe that the Vlachs, remnant of the Roman Empire, brought one of the trademarks of Vlašić, the Vlašić cheese, in around 1000. It is originally made from fresh sheep milk, but also cow milk, and then left to ripen for two to three months. By perfecting the recipe, the Vlachs passed on the tradition to the cattle breeders from the surrounding mountains. Today, the cheese is produced throughout the area and is regarded one of the traditions of the region. In addition to the cheese, there are two other trademarks, the Tornjak dog and Pramenka sheep. The Tornjak is believed to have existed for more than a millennia, bred to guard from wolves and bears. Its etymology is connected to Neo-Latin torni acca, turn here.