Czech Terrier: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Czech Terrier was developed in Czechoslovakia from crosses between the Sealyham Terrier and the Scottish Terrier. The breed was established at the end of the 1940s by Frantisek Horák, with the aim of obtaining a terrier suited to fox and badger hunting while remaining easier to live with on a daily basis. It was then shown in exhibitions before being recognized by the FCI in 1963.

The Czech Terrier is a small dog low on legs, sturdy, elongated and well muscled. Its head is long and moderately broad, with drooping triangular ears and eyes expressing gentleness and serenity. Its coat is long, fine, slightly wavy and silky in appearance, in grey-blue or light brown shades with markings sometimes accepted.

Calm, good-natured and very attached to its family, the Czech Terrier stands out for its gentle and affectionate nature. It is generally reserved with strangers without being aggressive, and retains a terrier temperament with a certain liveliness and a present hunting instinct.

On a daily basis, the Czech Terrier appreciates the company of those close to him and copes fairly well with different living environments if his needs for outings are respected. He likes walks, games and outdoor explorations, while still knowing how to remain calm at home. His ability to get along with other animals often requires early socialization due to his terrier background.

The Czech Terrier responds well to consistent, calm and positive training. He likes to please his owner and learns the basics as well as more advanced exercises properly if the sessions remain varied and motivating. Early socialization and recall training worked on regularly are useful to channel his interest in small prey.

The Czech Terrier is a rare breed whose purchase price depends mainly on the quality of the lineage, the seriousness of the breeding kennel and the availability of puppies. The maintenance cost remains moderate to medium, with particular attention to grooming and routine health monitoring.

The Czech Terrier is overall a robust dog, with generally solid health for its size. As with any breed, regular veterinary follow-up, good hygiene and suitable activity help to preserve its overall balance.

The Czech Terrier needs a balanced, complete, good-quality diet, adapted to its age, size and activity level. Stable, well-portioned food helps support its condition while limiting weight gain.

The Czech Terrier is also known under the names Cesky Terrier and Bohemian Terrier, but its reference French designation is Terrier tchèque. A breed still not very widespread, it was conceived as a hunting terrier that is more manageable and more conciliatory than other British terriers from which it descends.