The Cesky Terrier was developed to be a well-muscled, short legged and well- pigmented hunting terrier that could be worked in packs The Cesky Terrier has natural drop ears and a natural tail. The Cesky is longer than it is tall and has a topline that rises slightly higher over the loin and rump. It sports a soft, long, silky coat in shades of gray from Charcoal to Platinum. The correct coat is clipped to emphasize a slim impression. The hallmarks of the breed should be unique unto itself with a lean body and graceful movement. They reserved towards strangers, loyal to their owners, but ever keen and alert during the hunt. Presented here is the opening paragraph of the AKC Breed Standard for the Cesky Terrier, which sums up the unique aspects of our breed that was established in 1949 as the result of a planned breeding between a Scottish Terrier and a Sealyham Terrier.
The Cesky Terrier was developed to be a well-muscled, short legged and well- pigmented hunting terrier that could be worked in packs. The Cesky Terrier has natural drop ears and a natural tail. The Cesky is longer than it is tall and has a topline that rises slightly higher over the loin and rump. It sports a soft, long, silky coat in shades of gray from Charcoal to Platinum. The correct coat is clipped to emphasize a slim impression. The hallmarks of the breed should be unique unto itself with a lean body and graceful movement. They are reserved towards strangers, loyal to their owners, but ever keen and alert during the hunt.
One of the first things a judge learns about a Cesky Terrier is that the breed originates with
a cross between a Scottish and Sealyham Terrier. This fact can be misleading since the qualities a judge would be looking for in the Scottish Terrier and Sealyham Terrier are actually undesirable in the Cesky Terrier. The Cesky is a breed unto itself and was created by Mr. Frantisek Horak to fulfill a specific criteria. This terrier was to be suitable for hunting in the Bohemian forests, an attractive and clipper cut dog for the show ring and an obedient and loyal family companion. A judge must remember the Sealyham and Scottish Terrier used to create this breed were above all
“Working” dogs used for hunting in the forest of the Czech Republic.
When judging keep in mind “small, slim and elegant”. Small is relative - what is small to a Giant Schnauzer, for example, is going to look large compared to a Chihuahua. The concept for the Cesky Terrier is to be small enough to easily go to ground. Remember in 1949 the dogs used in the creation of the breed were not the type of Scottish and Sealyham Terrier an AKC judge would see in the show ring today. These were foremost “Working” dogs. In the Czech Republic at that time it was most important to breed a dog who was keen on hunting over breeding a dog just for showing in the conformation ring. Pictured here are the Scottish and Sealyham Terriers used in the first planned cross breeding. Mr. Horak kept meticulous records and in this unique breed an owner can track their dog’s pedigree all the way back to this first Cesky Terrier breeding. This is rather unique in the dog world where many pure breeds of today had mixed breed beginnings but
no official recording of their history to this extent.
After many years of planning, in 1949 Mr. Horak mated the brindle Scottish Terrier bitch Donka Lovu zdar to the Sealyham Dog Buganier Urquelle. The result was a litter of 3 puppies. Sadly, only one puppy survived and he was given the name Adam Lovu zdar and is recorded as the #1 Cesky Terrier. The dog was brindle like his mother and had half hanging ears, more in the size and shape of the Sealyham father. Mr. Horak kept Adam and watched him in the field for his hunting abilities which turned out to be very keen. Sadly, Adam was shot in a hunting accident during a hare-hunt in 1951, but not before contributing to the very beginnings of the Cesky Terrier breed.
The Cesky Terrier is well-muscled, short legged and a well-pigmented hunting terrier that can be worked in packs, track, go to ground and retrieve game even in water. An all around terrier.
Thank you so much for this really informative post about cesky terrier. This dog is extremely loyal to his owner.
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