Cesky Terrier
🧠 Temperament & character
The Cesky Terrier is cheerful, balanced and considerably less scrappy than most terriers, which makes him a pleasant family companion. Towards his people he is affectionate and gentle, but reserved and watchful towards strangers. He is teachable and wants to please, which is why he is usually easy to train - a noticeable difference from the often headstrong terrier relatives. His hunting drive is present but more moderate, and he usually gets along well with children and other dogs.
📜 Origin & history
The Cesky Terrier was purposefully bred in the 1940s and 1950s by the Czech geneticist and cynologist František Horák. He crossed the Sealyham Terrier with the Scottish Terrier in order to create a slimmer, calmer earth-hunting dog that could also work in narrow fox and badger dens and be easier to handle. In 1963 the breed was recognised by the FCI and to this day bears the reputation of being one of the few terriers deliberately created on the drawing board. In the Czech Republic he is regarded as a national pride and is closely associated with his creator.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
Unlike most wire-haired terriers, the Cesky Terrier is not stripped but clipped - short on the body, longer on the legs, belly and ears, which gives him his typical appearance. The silky, slightly wavy coat needs regular brushing and a trim roughly every six to eight weeks, but in return he sheds only little. He is moderately active and well occupied with daily walks, play and a little mental work. Thanks to his teachability, training is usually uncomplicated, given friendly consistency and early socialisation.
🩺 Health
The Cesky Terrier is an overall robust breed with a life expectancy of around twelve to fifteen years. Known is a mostly harmless neuromuscular disorder called 'Scotty Cramp', which can cause temporary muscle cramps when the dog is excited. Alongside this, patellar luxation and occasionally eye or heart problems can occur. Since the breed comes from a small founder population, responsible breeders pay particular attention to genetic diversity and health examinations of the parent animals.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
Thanks to his calm, sociable nature, the Cesky Terrier is one of the most family-friendly terriers and is well suited to families with children, older people and first-time dog owners. He fits both the apartment and the house with a garden, as long as he gets moderate daily exercise and company. Since he hunts and barks less markedly than many terriers, he is also a pleasant companion in an urban setting. In Switzerland he is rarely encountered, but he is a charming, uncomplicated family dog for people who want terrier charm without too much terrier temperament.