The Cesky Terrier is a gentle, adorable-looking dog that is loyal, affectionate and thrives in a family environment. This breed was created in 1949 and was originally used for hunting. Cesky Terriers love being around people, including children. They are a great choice for first-time dog owners as they are friendly, energetic and intelligent. Cesky Terriers are actually the national dog of the Czech Republic. This dog is short-legged with a long head, thick beard and medium-length wavy coat.
The Cesky Terrier is a small-medium sized dog that has short legs and a long body. They have a long head with bushy eyebrows as well as a thick beard and moustache. Their nose and eyes are coloured according to their coat colour and Cesky Terriers always look friendly and happy. They have triangular ears that are quite large, their ears are set high and hang down.
This is a small, sturdy and well-balanced breed. Cesky Terriers have long tails that are raised at the tip but carried low. The coat of the Cesky is wavy and silky, they come in grey, brown, silver and wheaten colours. Cesky Terriers are born dark in colour and it can take up to 2 years to see their true colour and markings.
How big do Cesky Terrier dogs get?
Height - Males: 25 - 32cm. Females: 25 - 32cm.
Weight - Males: 6-10kg. Females 6-10kg.
Cesky Terriers have big personalities, they are entertaining to be around and are always eager to please their owners. They are affectionate and playful dogs that are undeniably cute. Ceskies are easy to train and love to go out and about on adventures. While not an aggressive breed, a Cesky is alert and will keep an eye on things. Cesky Terriers are always willing to voice their opinion on things and will stand their ground if needed.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs intelligent? Yes, they are intelligent and eager to please.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs affectionate? Yes.
Do Cesky Terrier dogs have high or low energy levels? They have medium energy levels.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs loyal? Yes.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs playful? Yes, they love playing.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs aggressive? No.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs easy to train? Yes, but they can be stubborn so training has to be firm and consistent.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs good guard dogs? They are good watchdogs and will bark if they see something they are unsure about.
The first thing to know about Cesky Terriers is that they have a high prey drive, which means they should be kept away from small animals. A socialised Cesky is great with other dogs and is gentle with children too. Ceskies love being around children, they are very tolerant of them and tend to be happy and playful around them. This makes the Cesky Terrier an excellent dog for young families. They are people-orientated but will be wary of strangers at first.
Do Cesky Terrier dogs get along with other pets? Yes, but they shouldn’t be around smaller animals as they may chase them.
Do Cesky Terrier dogs get along with other dogs? Yes.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs good with kids? Yes.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs good with strangers? They are generally wary around strangers.
The Cesky Terrier doesn’t need a lot of space but they do need a loving family around them. This breed does not tolerate being left alone at all so needs to live in a household where someone will always be at home with them. If left alone a Cesky Terrier will likely become destructive and bark incessantly as a way of relieving stress. These Terriers would be happy in an apartment as long as they get daily exercise, lots of playtime and cuddles as well as regular training to keep them busy.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs good for first-time owners? Yes, they are ideal for first-time owners.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs hypoallergenic? No.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs prone to drooling? No.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs a good breed for apartment living? Yes.
Do Cesky Terrier dogs shed a lot? No.
Do Cesky Terrier dogs bark a lot? Yes, but early training can help prevent excessive barking.
Can Cesky Terrier dogs be left alone at home? No.
Can Cesky Terrier dogs handle the heat? Yes.
Can Cesky Terrier dogs handle cold temperatures? Yes.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs sensitive to loud noises? Loud noises will likely trigger them to bark.
The Cesky Terrier is a sturdy dog that does not suffer from many health issues. They live for around 12-15 years. Although generally healthy, the following health conditions seem to affect this breed:
Scottie Cramp - this is an inherited disorder that causes spasms, hyperflexion and hyperextension of the legs. There is no cure for this but medication can be prescribed to help reduce the symptoms. While usually seen in Scotties, it can also affect the Cesky Terrier.
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) - this is a genetic defect that affects the lens of the eye. The condition can be managed with medication but in most cases, the lens is removed so the dog’s vision can be saved.
Hip Dysplasia - This is the abnormal development of the hip joint causing instability. Depending on the severity, this can be treated with pain relief, controlled exercise, rest and surgery.
Patella Luxation - This is dislocation of the kneecap and can cause stiffness in the dog’s back legs. It can also cause the dog to hold their leg up and hop for a few seconds. Once diagnosed, this can be treated with pain relief, physiotherapy and, if necessary, surgery.
Obesity - Cesky Terriers are prone to putting on weight so can suffer from obesity if they are eating too much and not getting enough exercise. This can be resolved with careful feeding schedules and exercise.
How long do Cesky Terrier dogs live? - 12-15 years
These little dogs have lots of energy and love to roam. The Cesky Terrier needs to have at least one hour of exercise each day. It is ideal if they also have access to a secure outdoor area where they can spend time outside off lead, playing and exploring. As Ceskies are social dogs, they love spending time in the park making new friends. Being a terrier, the Cesky has a high prey drive which means care must be taken if you take them off lead when you are out and about. A Cesky Terrier won’t think twice about chasing after small wildlife or livestock.
How much exercise does a Cesky Terrier dog need? At least 60 minutes per day
Do Cesky Terrier dogs like water play? Yes.
Cesky Terriers enjoy their food but are prone to gaining weight if they eat too much. A puppy should roughly eat between 20 - 135g each day but the actual amount varies depending on the age and size of the puppy. As every dog is unique it is important to get a personal dietary plan made to ensure they are getting the amount of food they need.
Are Cesky Terrier dogs prone to weight gain? Yes.
How much should I feed a Cesky Terrier puppy? Between 20 - 135g of quality dry food each day, split into 3 -4 portions.
How much should I feed an adult Cesky Terrier dog? Between 100 - 160g of quality dry food a day depending on weight and activity levels.
Grooming: I’m afraid the beautiful flowing coat of the Cesky Terrier takes a fair bit of upkeep. They need to be brushed daily to prevent tangles and keep them looking good. When you brush a Cesky, pay particular attention to their face, legs and underside of their body where they have longer hair.
A Cesky Terrier will need to be professionally groomed several times a year to help keep their coat healthy and maintained. The hair around their pads should also be trimmed regularly to prevent it from becoming knotted and uncomfortable. A Cesky’s nails need to be clipped periodically and their ears need to be checked and cleaned regularly too.
Emotional Care: Cesky Terriers love being with people and hate to be left on their own for any length of time. As long as someone is around they will be calm and laid back rather than demanding attention all of the time. The Cesky Terrier loves to play and will go out of their way to entertain and please their family. Training this breed is easy because they are so eager to please. Cesky Terriers are good-natured, clever and are happy with a leisurely stroll or two each day.
History of the Cesky Terrier
The Cesky Terrier was created by Frantisek Horak in Czechoslovakia in 1949. This breed was the result of crossing the Scottish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier. The first Cesky Terrier was named Adam Lovu Zdar. Horak wanted to create this new breed as he wanted his terriers to be less aggressive, have softer coats and have longer legs. The terriers were used for hunting so courage and stamina were two important traits for the new Cesky breed. The breed was recognised by the Czechoslovakia Kennel Club 13 years later. Since then, the Cesky Terrier has gained popularity as a hunting dog across Europe. They are now rising in popularity as family pets in the UK.
The Cesky Terrier has appeared on postage stamps.
It takes up to 2 years to see a Cesky Terriers markings and full coat colour.
The Cesky Terrier was created by Frantisek Horak.
They are a rare breed that is difficult to find outside of Europe.
A Cesky Terrier is a wonderful family dog, if you think this is the dog for you take a look at our buying guide for information on finding and buying a puppy. Be aware of scams and bad practices when looking for your new puppy. At Puppies, all breeders are vetted to ensure they are responsible. Take a look at the Cesky Terrier puppy page to see if there are any puppies available in your area.
How much does a Cesky Terrier cost to buy? £1,300 - £1,800
How much does a Cesky Terrier cost to feed? £30 per month
How much does insurance for a Cesky Terrier cost? £40 per month
There may be long waiting lists for Cesky Terriers in the UK but an alternative option is adoption. We’d recommend talking to your local rescue centre about the breed. The following associations may be able to help too:
Rehome a Cesky Terrier with Cesky Welfare
Talk to Dogs Trust about rehoming a Cesky Terrier
