Cesky Terrier

Created by Czech geneticist František Horák after 1949 by crossing Sealyham and Scottish Terriers to make a lighter, go-to-ground hunter for Bohemian forests. First shown in 1959; FCI recognition in 1963; now recognized by CKC, AKC, and UKC.

A small, short-legged, well-muscled terrier with drop ears and a natural tail.

• Weight: 13–22 lb (6–10 kg)
• Height: ~9.75–12.5 in (25–32 cm); ideal 11.5 in males, 10.5 in females
• Coat Type: Soft, slightly wavy clipped coat with silky gloss; beard and fall over eyes
• Coat Colours: Grey-blue (born black) or light coffee brown (born chocolate) with permitted light markings; base colour must predominate
• Distinctive Traits: Long, low outline; furnished legs; sabre-carried tail; friendly yet keen expression

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Salon-style maintenance—clipping instead of hand-stripping.

• Brushing/Combing: 1–2×/week; comb furnishings to the skin
• Clipping/Scissoring: Every 6–10 weeks to maintain pattern and blend transitions
• Bathing: Every 4–6 weeks or as needed; fully dry furnishings
• Face/Feet/Tidy: Trim fall/beard for visibility/hygiene; tidy feet and sanitary areas
• Ears/Teeth/Nails: Clean ears weekly; brush teeth 2–3×/week; trim nails every 3–4 weeks
• Shedding: Low to moderate; regular grooming keeps hair minimal

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Moderate, with a nice balance of walks and brain work.

• Daily Duration: 45–60 minutes (split walks + play/training)
• Great Activities: Trick training, scent/nose work, rally/obedience, low-impact agility, “sniffaris”
• Suitability: Excellent for condos/apartments with daily outings and enrichment

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Bright, willing, and sensitive—more tractable than many terriers.

• Approach: Positive reinforcement; short, varied sessions; mix food/toy rewards
• Focus Areas: Recall, loose-leash walking, impulse control (“leave it,” door manners), calm “quiet” on cue
• Socialization: Early, gentle exposure to people/dogs/surfaces to balance natural reserve
• Cooperative Care: Normalize comb-outs, clipper noise, face/ear handling

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Keep lean to protect joints and energy levels.

• Food Type: High-quality small/medium-breed kibble or balanced fresh diet
• Daily Quantity: ~1–1.75 cups/day total, split into two meals (adjust for size/activity)
• Diet Advice: Maintain BCS 4–5/9; add omega-3s (EPA/DHA) for skin/coat; count training treats; fresh water always

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Choose transparency on health and grooming—or consider rescue.

• Breeders: Prefer CKC-listed preservation breeders who provide PLL DNA and patella/eye results, teach clipping pattern, and offer lifetime take-back
• Adoption: Terrier rescues and breed-specific clubs may rehome adults
• Canadian Resources: CKC breed page & standard; local obedience/rally/nose-work clubs (ON/BC/QC/AB) for training and community

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Generally healthy and long-lived (~12–15 years), but screen for known issues.

• Eyes: Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)—DNA screening and CAER eye exams recommended; PLL can lead to painful glaucoma if untreated
• Orthopedic: Patellar luxation; occasional hip dysplasia
• Neurologic/Movement: “Scottie cramp”-like episodes reported in some lines (not life-threatening)
• Other (reported): Cataracts; routine dental care for small/medium breeds
• Life Expectancy: 12–15 years
• Recommended Testing (breeders): PLL DNA, CAER eyes, patellas, hips as available; share multi-generation health history

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re Cesky Terriers good apartment dogs?
Yes—adaptable with 45–60 minutes of daily activity plus training and enrichment.

Do Cesky Terriers shed?
Low to moderate. Regular brushing and scheduled clipping keep hair in check.

Are Cesky Terriers hypoallergenic?
No breed is truly hypoallergenic; Ceskys are lower-shedding compared to many terriers.

Do you hand-strip a Cesky Terrier?
No—the correct coat is clipped/scissored, not hand-stripped.

What colours do Cesky Terriers come in?
Grey-blue (born black) or light coffee brown (born chocolate), with limited light markings.

How much exercise does a Cesky need?
Plan 45–60 minutes daily plus brain work (tricks, scent games).

Are Cesky Terriers good with kids and other pets?
Generally affectionate and steady with early socialization; supervise interactions like any small terrier.

What health tests should breeders do?
PLL DNA, CAER eye exams, and patella evaluations (± hips). Ask to see documentation.

Do Ceskys bark a lot?
Often less yappy than many terriers, but still alert. Train a reliable “quiet” and manage door/window triggers.

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