Cesky Terrier

High Maintenance: The coat of the Cesky Terrier is not stripped (dead hair pulled out with the fingers or a special knife) as in other terriers, but rather is clippered. The body and tail are clipped, and the furnishings (hair that hangs down under the body) are left long, as is the hair on the lower legs and on the face (eyebrows, beard, and moustache.) The longer hair should be brushed daily.

If the Cesky Terrier (pronounce it “chess-kee,” meaning Czech) looks something like a cross between a Scottie and a Sealyham, it’s because that’s basically what it is. Ceskys are muscular, short-legged, and handsome hunters standing no taller than 13 inches at the shoulder. They come in several shades of gray, including a stunning platinum. Wavy facial hair gives Ceskys a sporty, Continental look, and the medium-long neck lends a dash of elegance to these game, unspoiled working terriers.

They are loyal family members who require continued socialization throughout their lives due to their reservednature towards strangers. Weighing in at 16 to 22 pounds, they are a comfortable size for most households and require a minimum amount of daily exercise. They are an active breed and like most terriers, love to dig. A secure backyard where the breed can get regular exercise is strongly recommended. Other exercise outlets include events like tracking, agility, earth dog and obedience.

A relatively new breed, the Cesky Terrier was developed from crosses among the Sealyham, Scottish Terrier and possibly the Dandie Dinmont. The dog’s original developer was a Czechoslovakian breeder named Frantisek Horak who was successful at getting them recognized by the FCI in 1963. Mr. Horak's goal was to breed a dog that was narrow enough to successfully get down into the dens and burrows to hunt rats and fox. By the 1980s breeders felt the Cesky Terrier no longer looked like the dogs Mr. Horak bred, so they crossed them yet again with Sealyham Terriers. The breed was first imported to the USA in 1987 and to this day is quite rare. By 1993 there were said to be only about 150 Cesky Terriers in the USA. The breed may be shown at the National Cesky Terrier Club, rare breed shows, state kennel clubs and at some FCI and UKC shows. The Cesky Terrier is a good hunter, tracker, watch and guard dog.