Cesky Terrier

Terrier

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Height: 25 - 32cm M | 25 - 32cm F

Weight: 6 - 10kg M | 6 - 10kg F

Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 Years

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Introduction

The Cesky terrier is a cross between the Sealyham terrier and a Scottish terrier, originating in Czechoslovakia in 1948. This short-legged, well-muscled hunting terrier stands 27–29 centimetres at the withers and weighs 13–22 pounds. It is a loyal breed that loves being with its family and tends to have separation anxiety. This calmer terrier breed is considered Czech Republic’s national dog.

Are you thinking of getting a Cesky terrier? Here is a brief background of a calmer terrier with a unique coat.

History

The Cesky terrier originated in Czechoslovakia in 1948 as a cross between a Sealyham terrier and a Scottish terrier. Breeder Frantisek Horak developed this breed with the objective of creating a terrier type of dog that could hunt in a pack without getting stuck in its dens, whilst also being a loving companion to its humans.

It took about twenty years for this breed to become of show-quality. It was recognised for international competition by the Federation Cynologique Internationale in 1963. It was first imported to the USA in the 1980s and was recognised by the American Kennel Club. It arrived in the UK in 1989 and was recognised by the Kennel Club in the Terrier Group a year later. It is now considered Czech Republic’s national dog.

Appearance and Grooming

The Cesky terrier is a short-legged, well-muscled hunting terrier resembling a combination of its Sealyham terrier and Scottish terrier parent breeds. Boasting of a longer body than it is tall, it stands 27–29 centimetres at the withers and weighs 13–22 pounds. From tip to tail, it is about 60 centimetres in length. It has a blunt and wedge-shaped head, a strong square jaw with a perfect scissor bite, medium eyes with a friendly expression, and high-set dropped ears. Its eyes and nose follow the colour of its coat.

The Cesky terrier has a graceful and sophisticated appearance due in part to its adorable coat, which is slightly wavy with a silky sheen. It sports a long beard and moustache with its hair flowing from it forehead over the eyes. When joining shows, its hair must be clipped except on the foreface, legs, and belly. According to KC standards, the accepted colours are grey blue or light brown with yellow and grey markings.

As a breed with long hair whose classy appearance needs to be maintained, the Cesky terrier has demanding grooming needs. It needs to be professionally groomed and trimmed on a regular basis, so your work at home becomes easier. Once its coat is left in its natural state without being professionally trimmed, it will take a tremendous amount of time to maintain. Imagine having to spend at least four hours of brushing and combing once a week just to keep it in top shape. Unlike other terriers, the Cesky’s coat should be shaped and trimmed using clippers and scissors and not by hand stripping. It needs to be bathed weekly or biweekly, or every few months when regularly taken to the groomer’s.

Like most small dogs, the Cesky terrier is prone to dental problems because of its small mouth. Aside from brushing twice a week, occasional dental cleaning at the vet’s is suggested. Also make sure to clean its ears, trim its nails, and inspect skin for ticks and fleas and red spots.

Temperament and Intelligence

The Cesky terrier is a calmer and more easy-going breed than most terriers. It is not particularly hasty or yappy. It rarely shows aggressive behaviour and does okay with unfamiliar people and dogs. However, it is often reserved and would prefer to keep its distance before warming up to strangers. It is a good-natured, loyal pet that loves being with its family, which means that it cannot be left alone. There must be someone that can stay at home when everyone else is out or it can be anxious and destructive.

It loves being with children and playing with them. Although it is a placid type of terrier, supervision is still important to avoid accidental injuries. When it comes to other pets, a well-socialised Cesky terrier does well with most animals, but you have to keep an eye on it in the presence of smaller animals as its prey drive is difficult to outgrow. It is important to expose your Cesky to different environments, people, and situations to raise a well-rounded dog.

The Cesky is a smart, clever dog that is a great hunter and watchdog. Since it loves pleasing its owners, it can be easily trained. Nonetheless, watch out for its stubborn streak that would require you to be patient, firm, and consistent. You have to be careful as it does not respond well to harsh training. Training should be filled with positive reinforcements and occasional treats.

Nutrition and Feeding

A typical serving for an adult Cesky terrier is 1/2–1 cup of excellent-quality dry dog food per day. You have to consider a lot of factors when it comes to the amount of food such as age, size, build, activity level, and metabolism.

Typical calorie needs of an adult Cesky terrier per day:

Senior and less active: up to 540 calories daily
Typical adult: up to 610 calories daily
Physically active/working dog: up to 680 calories daily

The most convenient way to feed a Cesky terrier is giving it high-quality dry kibbles formulated for small breeds. This type of food also encourages chewing, which will benefit its teeth and gums in the long run. Choose brands that are reliable, and shy away from those with artificial flavours and fillers. You can also prepare its food yourself, but make sure to only use fresh ingredients and pair it with supplements to avoid nutrient deficiencies. Animal meat should be the number one ingredient in its food to support its activities.

Health and Exercise

The average life expectancy of a well-loved and well-cared-for Cesky is nine to fifteen years. Since only a few Cesky terriers are registered per year, there aren’t enough studies regarding health conditions affecting this breed. The condition that it seems to suffer from is Scotty cramp, a rare condition characterised by spasms and hyperflexion/hyperextension of the legs. Other conditions to look out for are obesity, back and joint problems, and eye issues.

The Cesky is generally an active breed at home, so it needs less structured exercise routines. Allowing it to let off steam for at least an hour in the form of short walks in the morning and interactive games in the afternoon will be enough.

Cost of Ownership

The Cesky terrier is a rare breed in the UK, so obtaining a well-bred puppy can be more challenging and expensive. Apart from being on a waiting list, you must pay no less than £500. Another thing to consider when raising a Cesky Terrier is insurance coverage, which can cost between £20–£50 per month for basic and lifetime coverage, respectively. Your dog would also need basic equipment such as bed, grooming accessories, lead and collar, and bowl. The initial cost for these necessities is £200 while food and treats can set you back up to £30 a month.

Additional costs include veterinary fees (routine checks, annual vaccination, and worming/flea treatments) that can go up to £800 a year, excluding major surgeries and long-term treatments.

As a rough estimate, you will have to set aside at least £50 a month to care for a Cesky terrier, which can go higher if you choose a more comprehensive pet insurance premium.

Cesky Terrier Breed Highlights

The Cesky terrier is a calmer, more placid breed compared to other terriers.
It is loyal and loving to its family and can be wary of strangers, making it a good watchdog.
The breed is generally active, so it only needs about an hour of exercise daily.
It has a lovely coat, but requires a lot of grooming to maintain.
The Cesky is a rare breed, so obtaining one can take a while and can be expensive.