Cesky Terrier

Appearance

The Cesky Terrier's neck should be medium to long in length, strong but elegant, with some loose skin around the throat area. This results in strong shoulders and a medium-length body that is rounded rather than deep. The front legs should be strong and straight. The ribs should be springy, and the body should rise slightly towards a broad, muscular back end.

The back legs should be powerful and parallel to one another. Front legs are usually larger than their hind legs. When alert, the tail should be strong, elongated, and carried slightly upwards.

The breed has a long head with a slight arch in the back of the skull. From above, the muzzle should appear triangular but not snipey, with nose pigmentation changing depending on coat color – black for grey-blue dogs and liver for light brown dogs. A normal scissor bite, correct dentition, and strong white teeth should be present.

The eyes should be deep set, medium in size, and have a friendly expression. Ears are triangular in shape and medium in size; they should be set high and fold over close to the cheeks.

The Cesky Terrier should move quickly, with plenty of power and drive propelling it forward. The gait should be vigorous, with the front legs moving in a straight line.

Size

The Cesky Terrier is a small breed that stands between 9.75 and 12.5 inches at the withers. The breed's ideal weight ranges from 14 to 24 lb. The Cesky Terrier should be 1.5 times as long as it is tall at the withers. The breed’s appearance should be balanced.

Coat type

Cesky Terriers have a soft coat that should be wavy and silky in appearance. Unlike many Terriers, they have a smooth coat that can be trimmed with clippers rather than hand-stripping.

Coat color

The Cesky Terrier can have a variety of coat colors that are acceptable for registration. Puppies are born with all-black fur, which gradually lightens throughout their lives. This breed's coat colors include:

• Dark Grey
• Grey
• Grey & Tan
• Grey Blue
• Light Brown
• Silver
• Wheaten

Temperament

The Cesky Terrier, like all breeds, is not for everyone. These dogs may be more laid-back than other Terrier breeds, but they are still very much a Terrier. A Cesky puppy is a rambunctious bundle of energy. Ceskies enjoy hunting and digging, and they require daily exercise in a secure yard.

They love going for walks and chasing and retrieving balls. These dogs dislike being left alone for long periods of time. If they are left alone for too long, they may become obnoxious barkers and develop separation anxiety. The same can happen if they are not given regular activity and companionship to channel their energy. Agility, rally, and tracking are all activities that the Cesky enjoys and excels at.

The Cesky is an excellent watchdog due to its alert nature, wariness of strangers, and deep, loud bark. They are devoted to their owners, but a lack of socialization during puppyhood can make them wary of, if not fearful of, strangers. Your new puppy will benefit from daily walks and visits to dog-friendly locations where they can meet new people and see, smell, and hear new things.

The Cesky, like most Terriers, can be stubborn. That doesn't mean they’re stupid; it just means you'll have to train them with patience and cunning. Keep training sessions brief and enjoyable. When the dog does something you like, lavish them with praise and rewards such as play and treats.

Always be firm and consistent in what you ask of your dog so that they don’t get confused or believe they can get away with things. However, because they are sensitive, they avoid harsh corrections. You should be able to express your displeasure through your facial expressions and tone of voice, rather than shouting or hitting.

Care guide

Because the Cesky was bred specifically to have a docile, intelligent personality in addition to hunting abilities, these dogs are highly trainable. They enjoy pleasing their families, and they are happy to join in on the exercise.

Cesky Terriers require a little more time and effort from their owners due to their long coats. Here are the essential aspects of Cesky Terrier care;

Grooming

Because the Cesky Terrier has a free-flowing and silky coat, it will need to be bathed regularly. The fine texture of the hair attracts dirt. A good brushing every few days will keep tangles at bay and reduce shedding, especially during the shedding season.

Plan on having this breed professionally groomed every six to eight weeks (depending on the length of the coat you’re planning your dog to sport) by clipping rather than hand-stripping.

Your Cesky, like all breeds, will need to have its nails trimmed and ears checked relatively often. If you notice dirt in your dog's ears, gently clean them with a cotton ball and an ear cleaner. Small dogs are also more prone to dental problems, so owners must brush their teeth on a regular basis.

Exercise needs

As a small but active dog breed, the Cesky will be ready for long walks every day (and these dogs can even join you for a jog). If you enjoy hiking or backpacking, this Terrier will be the right choice for you - just keep in mind that their small stature may limit their ability to scramble up rocks or cross rivers.

One hour of activity per day, such as walks, running in the yard, or playing games, is enough to keep your Cesky happy.

When out in nature with your Cesky, keep in mind that these dogs were bred to be avid hunters, so they can be very prey-driven. To avoid a wild chase and dangerous situations, keep your Terrier on a leash or safely inside a fence.

Training

Because of the Cesky's eagerness to please, this breed is particularly easy to train. They typically grasp the fundamentals of house training and obedience relatively quickly, and basic lessons can begin as early as eight weeks of age. However, keep an eye out for subtle stubbornness.

The Cesky, being a Terrier, is still prone to an independent attitude if you don't keep up with training and keep a good pecking order. Because of their intelligence, they enjoy learning new tricks. That is an excellent opportunity to exercise their mind while strengthening your bond.

Socialization

Early socialization is necessary to ensure that your Cesky Terrier develops into a well-mannered dog. Expose your puppy to a variety of people, sounds, sights, and places from a young age so they can learn how to react to them.

The breed can coexist peacefully with well-behaved children and can be taught to coexist with other animals. Because the Cesky can have a dominating temperament, proper socialization is essential, especially with cats and similar-sized dogs.

It is critical to avoid allowing your Cesky Terrier to interact freely with pocket pets such as gerbils, hamsters, ferrets, and similar pets. These tiny creatures can easily trigger Cesky's high prey drive.

Health problems

The Cesky, which arose from the careful breeding of pedigreed dogs, is known as a healthy breed with few common health problems. These dogs have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Breeders who are dedicated to helping the Cesky breed thrive and grow in popularity are critical to the breed's longevity and health.

However, it is still susceptible to a few inherited issues, as are most purebred dogs. The Cesky Terrier may be subjected to the following conditions:

• Patellar luxation
• Cataracts
• Cardiac problems
• Progressive retinal atrophy

To ensure that your dog will be healthy, always search for a responsible dog breeder who regularly tests their breeding dogs. It is the only way to secure that their puppies will be healthy. It is the best way to ensure your puppy has the best start in their life.

Cesky Terrier breeders

Cesky Terriers are relatively rare dogs, especially in the US. If you consider these dogs to be a great addition to your family, be prepared to be put on the waiting list. You can always search for these dogs in Europe. They can still mostly be found in their native land – the Czech Republic.

World Dog Finder team

The Cesky or Czech Terrier, also known as the Bohemian Terrier, was developed in Czechoslovakia by Dr. Frantiek Horák, a geneticist who was already breeding Scottish and Sealyham Terriers for hunting. Around the middle of the twentieth century, Scottish Terriers were crossed with Sealyham Terriers to create a new breed.

The goal with this new breed was to have a smaller head, slightly longer legs, and a narrower chest than the parent breeds. Although the breed was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in the 1960s, The UK Kennel Club did not recognize it until 1990.

The Cesky Terrier was created as a short-legged dog but light and easy to train, making it ideal for hunting in the historic region of Bohemia. To be suitable for hunting a variety of animals, such as foxes, rabbits, ducks, pheasants, wild boars, and badgers, it had to be able to go underground quickly and hunt in both forests and open countryside.

Despite being bred for hunting, the Cesky Terrier is now more commonly kept as a companion dog and adapts well to house living. Some people compete in obedience and agility competitions with their Cesky Terriers.