Easy to Train and a Friend For Life, The Calm Cesky Terrier is a Wonderful Companion

Are you looking for a hardy, healthy dog that has an excellent personality? Do you want a patient, "sporty" and intelligent companion that is also obedient, loyal, and courageous? If so, the Cesky Terrier (also known as the Bohemian Terrier) may just meet your needs. This long little dog with short legs is a true Terrier by nature, but is calmer, quieter, and more docile than most Terrier breeds. Although still quite rare in the United States because of a ban on exportation for quite some time, it is becoming more popular.

History

While most dog breeds go back hundreds of years, the Cesky Terrier's short history is easy to trace. The Cesky Terrier's development was started by Frantisek Horak of Czechoslovakia in 1949. Ultimately, he developed two dog breeds, the Cesky Terrier and the Piebald dog, originally called Horak's Labor Dog. In the Czech Republic, these dogs were considered national breeds, but the Cesky Terrier has been the more successful of the two. It has been presented on television, postage stamps, in a movie, and in books. In addition to the Cesky Terrier, Horak also bred Scotties and the Sealyham.

Cesky Terriers could not be exported for many years, but became popular in Scandinavian countries. The Cesky Terrier is now relatively popular in all of Europe, as well as the United States, England, Australia, and Canada.

Frantisek Horak developed the Cesky Terrier by breeding a Scotty female with a Sealyham dog. The first breeding produced one puppy that survived, which Horak began to use in hunting. Unfortunately, that dog was inadvertently shot by another hunter in 1950. Horak repeated the breeding, however, this time with a different Scotty female and the same Sealyham dog, producing six puppies. Thus, the Cesky Terrier breed was begun. Ultimately, Horak developed a private registry. To strengthen the breed, Sealyham was bred with a Cesky Terrier in 1984 with the permission of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Horak thought that the Scottish Terrier/Sealyham Terrier mix would make a perfect hunting dog. In addition, the Scottish Terrier's darker color was desired, as was the Sealyham Terrier's drop ear.

Although Horak died in 1997, his prized Cesky Terrier is his legacy as a well-loved but still quite rare family pet. It was recognized as part of the Terrier Group by the American Kennel Club in 2011.

Appearance

Sturdy and well-muscled, this short-legged little dog is a hunting Terrier with a rectangular shape. Leaving the natural tail undocked as per Horak's specific desires, its dropped ears, and long, silky, slightly textured coat give the Cesky Terrier's appearance a unique mix of rusticity and refinement. Standing 10 to 13 inches at the shoulder and weighing 13 to 23 pounds in adulthood, coat colors can be any shade of gray, including platinum gray, a dark charcoal, or brown, although a brown coat is rare in adulthood. Puppies are born with brown, black and tan, or black fur, but by the time they are two or three years old, their adult color will be set (again, usually some variation of gray or charcoal). The Cesky Terrier also boasts a bushy beard, eyebrows and a mustache. Eyes are medium-sized, almond- shaped and a light brown in brown dogs (rare), or dark brown in gray and charcoal dogs. Markings can include coffee, yellow, brown or white.

Temperament

Patient, calm, sporty and playful, the Cesky Terrier exhibits a joie de vivre and sweetness that is irresistible. Puppies must be socialized for a truly well-adjusted pet, but this little dog will be courageous, loyal, brave and obedient with some gentle guidance. Cesky Terriers love people, especially children, and get along well with most anyone, including strangers. It is important as always – and especially with any Terrier – to exhibit pack leader status at all times so that your pet does not become stubborn and unmanageable. Although easily trainable, it's important that you establish boundaries and begin training immediately in puppyhood to develop a most enjoyable lifelong companion.

This little dog travels well and can make an excellent friend for just about anyone. At the same time, despite its small size, this dog will be an excellent – and indeed threatening – guard dog.

Small-dog syndrome, which occurs when little dogs are allowed to behave like small children instead of dogs, can be a problem if you don't take a firm upper hand. As long as you provide boundaries and treat your joyful little pet as the dog he is, everything should be fine.

The Cesky Terrier thrives well in either apartment or house. Moderately active, this dog will not require a yard to play in, although of course it's important to take it for a long daily walk on leash for obedience purposes and for exercise. As often as possible, take it to a dog park or other protected place for socialization with other dogs.

Health

Fortunately, the Cesky Terrier is very healthy and has a general life span of 12 to 15 years. "Scottie Cramp Syndrome" or "Wobbly Scottie" can affect the Cesky Terrier, but aside from causing your dog to walk in an awkward fashion, it is not deadly or painful. The breeder you get your puppy from should have checked its parents for patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, thyroid issues, cardiac problems, and Primary Lens Luxation, which are documented problems with the breed in general.

Grooming

Cesky Terriers do not have their fur stripped as most other Terriers do, but instead are simply clipped. The body and tail are clipped closely with electric clippers, while "furnishings" (the hair that is left to hang down on the lower body) are left long, as is the hair on the face – mustache, beard and eyebrows – and on the lower legs. Brush your pet's longer hair daily to prevent tangles. If you show your pet, make sure you groom frequently.

References

AKC Meet the Breeds®: Get to know the Cesky Terrier.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/cesky_terrier/index.cfm.

Retrieved January 11, 2014.

Cesky Terrier.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesky_Terrier.

Retrieved January 11, 2014.

Cesky Terrier.

http://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_cesky_terrier.

Retrieved January 11, 2014.

Cesky Terrier (Czesky Terrier) (Cesk Teriér) (Bohemian Terrier). http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/ceskyterrier.htm.

Retrieved January 11, 2014.