Cesky Terrier
Terrier

Group:

Terrier

Size:

small

Lifespan:

12-15 years

Exercise:

moderate

Grooming:

moderate

Trainability:

moderate

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

very low

Area of Origin:

Czechoslovakia

Date of Origin:

1900’s

Other Names:

Czesky Terrier, Bohemian Terrier

Original Function:

killing vermin

History

The Cesky Terrier exists due to the efforts of a Czechoslovakian breeder named Frantisek Horak. The Cesky is a relatively new breed, first recognised by the FCI in 1963. They are a mixture of Sealyham and Scottish Terriers possibly with other terriers added. The Dandie Dinmont is thought by some to be one of these other terriers. In the 80s breeders felt that the Cesky Terrier had moved to far away from the way Mr. Horak wanted them to be, so they again crossed in Sealyham Terriers. The Cesky's original purpose was to hunt vermin in their dens, especially rats and foxes. Horak tired to produce a breed with a narrower head and chest, and a softer coat than other terriers, so it would be easier for the dog to enter burrows. He also bred for an easy-going temperament, making the Cesky Terrier a delightful companion dog.

Temperament

The Cesky Terrier is playful yet protective, sporty yet calm. A sweet and happy dog that is good with children. Patient and brave, they are very loyal, obedient and courageous dogs. It is intelligent and more trainable than many other terriers. They love people, especially children and are fairly friendly with strangers, but like most terriers, it is feisty, stubborn and fearless. This sociable dog gets along well with other dogs and with other household animals. A good dog to travel with, it is an excellent companion dog that is capable of playing with children, yet at the same time being an attentive and threatening house guard.

Upkeep

The Cesky Terrier enjoys running and playing through a wooded area or open countryside. They will also enjoy a long walk on the lead. They are small, but will make a fairly good jogging companion. Ceskys have an average demand for exercise. The Cesky should be trimmed regularly, leaving the hair long on the stomach and legs and around the face to form the moustache, beard, and eyebrows. For pet dogs it will need to be trimmed at least four times a year. Show dogs require more frequent grooming. Cesky Terriers are clipped with electric clippers, not stripped like most other terriers. The longer hair needs to be brushed and combed at least twice a week, depending on the condition of the coat, to prevent tangles. This breed sheds little to no hair.

Official Breed Standard

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY:
The Cesky Terrier is the result of an appropriate cross-breeding between a Sealyham Terrier dog and a Scottish Terrier bitch, with the aim of developing a light, short legged, well pigmented hunting Terrier with practical drop ears, easy to groom and easy to train. In 1949, Mr Frantisek Horak from Klanovice near Prague started to improve the breed by fixing their characteristics. These dogs were shown for the first time in 1959 , and the breed was finally recognised by the F.C.I. in 1963. 

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Short legged, long haired, well made and well muscled Terrier with smallish drop ears; of a rectangular form. 

Ideal Measurements:
Please Note:
Words placed in normal brackets (.......) are as in the standard. Words placed in square brackets [......] are explanations or alternative translations.
Male Female:
Height at withers  29 cm [11 3/8 ins] 27 cm [10 5/8 ins]
Length of skull  21 cm [  8 1/4 ins] 20 cm  [7 7/8 ins]
Width of skull  10 cm [4 ins]  9 cm  [3 1/2 ins]
Girth of thorax  45 cm [17 3/4 ins] 44 cm [17 1/4 ins]
(behind elbows)
Length of body  43 cm [17 ins]  40 cm [15 3/4 ins]
[Imperial measurements are approximate only] 

Characteristics:
Formerly a Terrier bred for hunting foxes and badgers; today more a house and companion dog. 

Temperament:
Balanced, non-aggressive, pleasant and cheerful companion, easy to train; somewhat reserved towards strangers; of calm and kind disposition. 

Head and Skull:
Shaped like a long, blunt, not too broad wedge, the toplines of the forehead and of the bridge of the nose make a distinct break from level. 

Cranial Region:
Skull - Not too broad between the ears and tapering moderately towards the supraorbital ridges.   Occipital protuberance easy to palpate [obvious]; zygomatic arches moderately prominent. Frontal furrow only slight.
Stop - Not accentuated but apparent.

Facial Region:
Nose - Dark and well developed. It should be black on Terriers with a grey-blue coat and liver-coloured on light-coffee brown Terriers.
Nasal Bridge - Straight.
Lips - Relatively thick, fitting neatly.
Cheeks - Not strongly pronounced.  (Czech Terrier)
Eyes - Of medium size, slightly deep set, with a friendly expression; well covered by the overhanging eye brows. Brown or dark brown in grey-blue coated dogs, light brown in light coffee-brown dogs.   Eyelids black in grey-blue dogs, liver colour in light coffee-brown dogs.

Ears:
Of medium size, dropping in such a way as to cover the orifice well. Attached fairly [moderately] high and falling flat along the cheeks. Shaped like a triangle, with the shorter side of the triangle at the fold of the ear. 

Mouth:
Strong jaws. Scissor or level bite; complete dentition (the absence of the 2 M3's in the lower jaw not being penalised). Teeth strong, regularly aligned and set square to the jaw. 

Neck:
Medium length, quite strong, carried on a slant. The skin at the throat is slightly loose but without forming a dewlap. 

Forequarters:
The forelegs should be straight, well boned and parallel Shoulders Muscular.

Elbows:
Flexible [supple], yet turned neither in nor out. 

Body:
Oblong. Upper Not straight because loins and rump are always moderately arched.  Withers - Not very pronounced; neck set on rather high.
Back -  Strong of medium length.
Loins -  Relatively long, muscular, broad and slightly rounded.
Rump -  Strongly developed, muscular; pelvis moderately sloping. The iliac crest often slightly higher  than the withers.
Chest - More cylindrical than deep;  ribs well sprung.
Belly -  Ample and slightly tucked-up.  Flanks well filled.
Hindquarters: Hindlegs strong, parallel, well angulated and muscular.
Lower thigh -  Short.
Hock joint -  Set relatively high, strongly developed. 

Feet:
Forefeet -  Large;  well arched toes and strong nails. Pads well developed and thick.
Hindfeet -  Smaller than the forefeet. 

Tail:
The ideal length is 18 - 20 cm [7 - 8 ins];  relatively strong and low set. At rest, hanging downward or with a slight bend at the tip; when alert, the tail is carried in a sabre shape, horizontally or higher. 

Gait/Movement:
Free, enduring, vigorous, with drive. Gallop rather slow but steady. The forelegs extend in a straight forward line.

Coat:
Skin - Firm, thick, without wrinkles or dewlap, pigmented.
Texture - Hair long, fine but firm [strong], slightly wavy with a silky gloss; not too overdone [abundant].
The Cesky Terrier's coat is clipped. The hair is not to be clipped at the forepart of the head , thus forming brows and beard. The hair should also not be clipped on the lower parts of the legs and under the chest and belly.
In show condition, the hair should not be longer than 1 - 1.5 cm [1/2 ins] on the upper side of the neck, on the shoulders and on the back; it should be shorter on the sides of the body and on the tail, and quite short on the ears, cheeks, on the lower side of the neck, on the elbows, thighs and round the vent.
The transition between clipped and unclipped areas should be progressive and pleasing to  the eye . 
Colour: The Cesky Terrier has two colours: 
- Grey-blue (puppies are born black) 
- Light coffee-brown (puppies are born chocolate brown).
In both colours, yellow, grey or white markings are permitted on the head (beard, cheeks), neck, chest, belly, the limbs and round the vent. Sometimes there is also a white collar or a white tip of the tail.   The basic colour, however, must always be predominant. 

Size:
Height at the withers between 25 - 32 cm   [Approx. 10 - 12.5 ins]
Ideal size for a dog - 29 cm [Approx. 11.5 ins]
Ideal size for a bitch - 27 cm [Approx  10.5 ins]
The weight must not be less than 6 kg [approx. 14lbs]or more than 10 kg [approx. 22 lbs]. 

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
Weak construction Temporary loss of nasal pigmentation (snow nose).
Weak, short or snipey foreface, with weakly developed teeth.
Absence of one (1) incisor; canine held back [blocked or wedged]
Eyes too large or protruding.
Ears too large or too small; differing  in shape or carriage from that  described in the standard.
Back too long or too short.
Crooked forelegs, incorrect front.
Coat too fine or too coarse. 

Serious Faults:
Shyness, unbalanced or aggressive disposition
Absence of more than 4 teeth altogether; absence of 2 or more incisors.
Canine placed in vestibular position.  [ forward placed towards the lip]
Over - or under-shot.
Entropion or ectropion.
Chest circumference more than 50 cm.
Curled tail or carried over the back.
Long brindled coat on dogs older than 2 years.  Coarse or curled cotton-wool type hair.
White markings covering more than 20%; white blaze on the head.
Irregular, jerky, spasmodic movement ("Scottie cramp")
Weight above 10 kg or less than 6 kg 

Note:  
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.