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Cesky Terrier

clever / adventurous / family-oriented
Terrier Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

10-13 inches

Weight

14-24 pounds

Life Expectancy

12-15 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    60% 60%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    40% 40%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    60% 60%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    60% 60%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    40% 40%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    60% 60%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Cesky Terrier, the country of the Czech Republic’s national dog, makes an intelligent and daring playmate for children and an enthusiastic strolling companion for adults. While still being somewhat more relaxed and trainable than the typical terrier, they are tenacious workers. The shoulder height of a Cesky, a powerful, short-legged, and attractive hunter, is no more than 13 inches. The smooth, silky coat comes in a gorgeous platinum tone as well as various different shades of gray. These athletic, unspoiled working terriers have wavy facial hair that gives them a sporty, Continental appearance. They also have a medium-length neck that adds a touch of elegance. Although Ceskys are mellower than standard terriers, they are just as determined and prey-driven as any other earth dog.

They are good watchdogs without being overly yappy, wary of strangers, and protective of loved ones. They are disciplined and eager to please. The caveat is that there are only roughly 600 of them left in America. If you’re lucky enough to find one, a great family dog.

 

 

What To Expect When Caring For a Cesky Terrier

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

Breeders are working hard to eradicate genetic health issues that are now feasible in the breed due to the tiny gene pool in the United States. These include cataracts, heart issues, progressive retinal atrophy, and patellar luxation (slipped stifles). A common neurological condition known as Scotty Cramp causes your dog to spasm, impairing his movement. Scotty Cramp is fairly debilitating but not life-threatening. Your breeder can tell you of any potential health issues and assist you to make decisions about your dog's care. You should be given copies of the parents' dog's testing certificates.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Patella Evaluation
  • Dentition Exam
  • Cardiac Exam
     

Grooming

Contrary to certain terrier breeds, hand stripping is not advised for the coat of the Cesky. The body is instead clipped. To ensure that your dog is properly groomed, you should go to a professional groomer that your breeder has recommended. Given the scarcity of Ceskys, it is unlikely that the majority of groomers have even heard of the breed. He will require routine baths between groomings because the Cesky coat does not lose dirt as readily as some tougher coats. When having their ears groomed, the excessive hair that grows there should be removed to avoid ear infections. Regular ear cleaning is recommended to get rid of buildup of wax and other particles.          

Exercise

The Cesky takes pleasure in regular exercise through walks and playtime with his owner. But his yard should be fenced and he must always be on a leash while not in a safely confined location. The Cesky has a very strong prey drive, so if he spots or smells something he thinks is prey, he might not be able to hold back from racing after it.    

Training

Comparatively speaking to certain other terrier breeds, the Cesky Terrier is thought to be a little less independent and easier to train. Still, a child glove and a firm hand are needed. Only use a positive, reward-based strategy to train them because they will become unresponsive if you use harsh or negative training techniques. Cesky Terriers are excellent candidates for dog sports training because of their high levels of intelligence, common sense, and feistiness. They should be stopped from the start because they have a very high prey drive.

Nutrition

Your vet can advise you on a nutritious diet that is appropriate for your dog. Since this breed enjoys eating, pay close attention to how much he consumes. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't.          

History

The Czech Republic, formerly known as Bohemia, Czechoslovakia, and lastly the Cesky (also known as Bohemian Terrier), can be proud of a long and illustrious history of dog breeding. The custom dates back to at least the fourteenth century, when Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia, maintained a magnificent kennel that was well-known across the world. The Cesky narrative, however, actually starts during World War II, not the Middle Ages.

Like the Doberman Pinscher and the Boykin Spaniel, the Cesky (pronounce it “chess-kee,” meaning Czech) is a breed born of the vision of one person. In this case, the visionary was the mid-20th century Czech breeder, sportsman, and geneticist Frantisek Horak, who grew up hunting in the forests outside of Prague.

Horak set forth an ambitious breeding program. His ideal was a dog that could go to the ground and dispatch a rat like a true terrier, but could also work in packs like hounds on the bigger game while being as gentle and obedient at home as retrievers.

If the Cesky looks something like a cross between a Scottish Terrier and a Sealyham Terrier, it’s because that’s what it basically is. Horak employed judicious crosses of Scotties and Sealys over many years to create the dog of his dreams. (At least one canine historian suggests that, at some point, Horak introduced Dandie Dinmont Terrier and wirehaired Dachshund into the genetic mix.)