One of the rarest dogs in the world, the Cesky Terrier or the Czech Terrier, was developed in the 1940s. We could say it is a newer dog breed, so perhaps that is the reason for their small numbers around the world. But, there are some good dog breeders in their country of origin, Czech Republic, for sure. Like other terriers, people bred the Cesky Terrier to help control vermin. That means they have a strong prey drive! It’s something to think about if you consider having this dog with other small animals (cats, rabbits, etc.). Being terriers also means they have more energy than what one might expect from a small and cute looking dog! Don’t get fooled by their looks. They need their daily mental and physical stimulation. However, the good thing is that most owners claim they are not as active as other terrier dogs.

Size

The Cesky Terrier is a small dog, but not tiny. You can say they are larger, small dogs. The breed’s standard height is 10 to 13 inches (25 to 33 cm), and the weight is 14 to 24 pounds (6 to 10 kg). The Cesky Terrier is a short-legged, drop-eared muscular dog. 

Both males and females can be the same height and weight. However, usually, males are slightly larger than females.

Color

The Cesky Terrier only comes in two coat colors:

• Gray
• Light brown

According to the AKC, there is only gray, but if you look it up at the Royal Kennel Club, they consider light brown as another possibility. They do agree on the markings:

• Yellow (or gray) markings on the cheeks, chest, lower parts of legs and under tail
• White collar 
• White tail tip 

Another thing, if you have a gray Cesky Terrier, you’ll see it has a different skin color than the light brown one. The latter has a flesh color of the skin, while the gray one has the gray color, just like the fur.

Social Traits

The Cesky Terrier has all the friendly, sociable, and quirky traits of your regular Terrier dog. But the difference in this one is that most owners claim they are pretty laid-back. That’s what sets them apart from, let’s say, Jack Russell Terrier. 

Here are a few things to know about the Czech Terrier:

• They are great family dogs
• They go great with children
• They are people oriented, but not too clingy
• They love to be a part of the activity (whether it’s going to the supermarket or hiking)
• They are reserved toward strangers (including both dogs and people) so socialization is necessary!
• They have a high prey drive – not suitable for living with cats, rabbits, hamsters, or other small animals.
• They tend to bark
• They shed normally, and are not hypoallergenic

The last one is often confusing, because ‘hypoallergenic’ doesn’t mean a dog cannot cause allergies. It means it is less likely to cause allergies because they shed little. But, a person is not allergic to dog hair, but dander. That means, even a low-shedding dog can cause some allergic reaction. 

As for the Cesky Terrier, they shed in normal amounts. They are not heavy shedders, but they do shed, and even though people claim they are hypoallergenic, they are not.

Activity Needs

As I said before, don’t get fooled by their looks. A Cesky Terrier dog is an active little dog that needs its daily amount of exercise. The general rule is around 1 hour of daily activities, including some games to keep the mind busy! 

The indoor or at home games, and meaningful walks are equally important. They are meant to stimulate their mind, keep it fun and interesting. That’s how we keep our dogs entertained and happy, and we prevent misbehavior. How’s that possible? Well, because boredom turns into misbehavior and misbehavior turns to destructive or aggressive behavior. It depends on dog to dog and most dogs react by chewing what they shouldn’t be, destroying furniture, shoes, and so on.

The good thing is that the Cesky Terrier doesn’t need a lot of daily activities. They’ll be happy with a 40 minutes to 1 hour walk combined with some games at home. You can play the games with your dog, they are small! However, the best thing for any dog, particularly hunting breeds, is a treat-finding game. You can check some other games in this article – Indoor Games.

People consider the Cesky Terrier more laid-back than other terriers, but they still need proper daily mental and physical stimulation!

Trainability

Here’s where opinions get divided. While some believe these dogs are ideal for the first time dog owners, others disagree, suggesting they’re not suitable for first-timers. My guess is that the division comes from different expectations. What do they mean when they say ‘not trainable’? 

You can’t compare the trainability of a dog breed such as the Border Collie with the Irish Wolfhound. The same goes for comparing herding dogs with terriers. People bred them for different purposes, and we can’t expect the same level of obedience from both. Terriers were made to hunt on their own. They would bolt after a rat and think for themselves what to do. 

That’s the point of view from which you have to train your dog. Don’t expect the focus of a Collie. Expect the bravery of a terrier. That means keep it fun and short! If they are not food-motivated, reward them with a toy or play their favorite game.

I’d say Cesky Terrier is a good choice for a first time dog owner. They are smaller dogs, not too mellow, but not too energetic either. They don’t shed a lot, they are friendly dogs perfect for children, and are very loyal, just like a true terrier.

Feeding

An adult Cesky Terrier needs around 2 cups of kibble a day. We should divide the amount into two meals. One meal in the morning and the other one in the evening. As I always say, this is a generalization based on a dog’s size. But each dog is unique, and some dogs need more and some less food than recommended.

An adult Cesky Terrier needs around 2 cups of high-quality kibble a day, combined with some healthy snacks and dog treats from time to time.

Pay attention to your dog, use the BCS to determine if the weight is OK, and ask a vet. If you notice your dog is staying the same weight but always asks for more food, give them another half of a cup. If your dog gains weight, give them a half of a cup less. 

Don’t do any drastic changes in your dog’s diet without consulting a vet first.

Grooming

One valid reason people say these dogs aren’t ideal for first-time owners is their grooming needs. Their fur has to be clipped, regularly brushed, and they need regular baths. That’s because dirt easily gets stuck in their fur.

Now, another problem with the grooming is if you want to take them to a professional dog groomer. Show them what you want or what dog you’ve got, because the Cesky Terrier is a very rare dog. 

If you want to groom your dog at home, it takes a bit of practice, but you can do it. There’s a very good YouTube video you can watch to get a glimpse of grooming this dog. It is in Czech, but there are English subtitles.

Possible Problems

These dogs are so rare, it’s quite an issue keeping the breed healthy with no genetic diseases. However, responsible breeding programs can eliminate some hereditary diseases in the breed. Still, some health issues persist:

• Patellar luxation
• Heart problems
• Eye problems
• Scotty Cramp (neuromuscular disorder)

Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Summary

This rare dog breed is a great addition to a family with older children. The Cesky Terrier enjoys playing, but it also tolerates being left alone for part of the day without exhibiting social anxiety or destructive behavior. That is, of course, if they have their daily needs met regarding both mental and physical stimulation. Another great thing is that they don’t shed a lot. However, they require regular grooming and bathing to keep their coat healthy. On the other hand, they are more laid-back than other terriers, so you won’t have to spend your entire day running around or entertaining your dog. Joke aside, these rare little dogs are excellent companions. 

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Cover photo by ceskyfreund36