Temperament: active, loyal
Cost: from $750
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Maintenance: medium
Recommended for: families
Canine history is peppered with breeds which began when someone decided to mate two established breeds and see what was produced. The Cesky is one of the newest members of this group, its origins dating from 1949 in Czechoslovakia.
Appearance
Cesky Terriers have a long, low body, with a long nose and drop ears. The coat is long and is clipped to enhance the whiskers, eyebrows and beard. They stand 25-31cm (10-12″) and weigh 6-10kg (13-23lb). The tail is undocked. The Cesky puppies are born black and fade to grey as they grow up. There are also Ceskies which are born brown and fade to a coffee colour but at this stage they are unavailable in Australia.
Temperament
Owners say they are a “Clayton’s” terrier, not feisty, reserved towards strangers and quieter than most terriers. They are said to be ‘vigorous’ hunters, so may not be suitable companions for smaller pets such as guinea pigs!
Health
A very new breed and not much is known about possible health problems; Potential for hybrid vigour as it’s the result of crossing two pure breeds; Similar to the Dandy Dinmont with short, bent legs, and may have back problems; So far appear to be healthy little dogs with a good nature.
Space & exercise
Most dogs with a backyard should get adequate exercise themselves but breeders still recommend a 30-minute walk daily, as Ceskies can put on weight. They enjoy being indoors.
Grooming
Breeders suggest clipping the dogs’ coat with electric clippers and not hand-stripping like many terrier breeds. If the coat is left longer it needs to be brushed twice a week. Excessive hair needs to be removed from the inside of the ears and between the toes where it can build up and cause irritation.
Ideal owner
Potential owners need to know Ceskies are strong little dogs which could be a bit of a handful for older people and very young children. Good for families with school-aged children.
History
In Czechoslovakia in 1949 a geneticist, Frantisek Horak, owned Scottish Terriers and a friend had Sealyhams. It’s said that he admired the qualities of each dog, so decided to try a little crossbreeding to create the perfect hunting terrier. The Cesky was the result and has gone on to be recognised as the national dog of the Czech Republic and has even featured on stamps. There are only 13 in Australia and there is a waiting list for puppies.
Further information
Breeders: Anne Reeves, phone: (02) 6247 6373 and Betty Stothard, phone: (02) 4751 6848.