Cesky Terrier

13-23 lbs
10-13"
Czech Republic
Czesky Terrier, Ceský Teriér, Bohemian Terrier, Czech Terrier

This cute little Terrier with the hipster haircut was developed by Frantisek Horak, a Czech breeder, in 1948, in order to have a little dog who could hunt the bohemian forests without getting stuck in the burrows of pursued rodents. The Cesky Terrier is muscular and rectangular with short legs, drop ears, an uncropped tail, and a coat that can come in various shades of gray (and occasionally brown). Ceskies are calm, quiet, and less active than the typical Terrier; aggression is a breed disqualification. The Cesky coat should stay tightly clipped, leaving facial hair and hair under the body long; this longer hair should be brushed every day.

purpose Purpose
hunting
history Date of Origin
1940s
ancestry Ancestry
scottish, sealyham, dandie dinmont terriers

Cesky Terrier Health

Average Size
Male Cesky Terrier size stats
Height: 10-13 inches Weight: 13-23 lbs
Female Cesky Terrier size stats
Height: 10-13 inches Weight: 13-23 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Usually A Very Healthy Breed
Minor Concerns
  • Scottie Cramp
  • Cerebellar Abiotrophy
Occasional Tests
  • Blood
  • Heart
  • Physical Examination
  • Biopsy

Cesky Terrier Breed History

Do you notice how much Cesky (pronounced ches-ky) sounds like Czech? That’s because it’s a Czech terrier, created by a Czech breeder, Frantisek Horak, in 1948, in Czechoslovakia. Horak cross-bred the Sealyham and Scottish Terriers (which would explain why the occasional Cesky Terrier has Scottish cramp) to build the perfect Bohemian forest hunting dog. It is said that the Cesky was originally bred to be a hunting dog that would track rats and fox to their dens, and Horak wanted to create a breed that featured a narrow head and chest, allowing the dog to follow prey into the burrow. Horak was also interested in breeding a dog with a good temperament. Known for being a friendly companion, the Cesky Terrier was first brought to the United States in the 1980s, and the Cesky Terrier Club was formed in 1988. In 2004, the American Cesky Terrier Fanciers Association formed and was recognized by the AKC, and finally, in mid-2011, the breed was accepted for entry in the AKC stud book, and able to compete in the Terrier group in the United States. While the Cesky is currently recognized by all of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world, it is one of the six rarest dog breeds in the world. There are less than 600 in the United States, and because of its small numbers, it is known as a minority breed.

Cesky Terrier Breed Appearance

A short legged breed with a long body, this Terrier is similar in appearance to the Sealyham Terrier. Bearded, the Cesky head is longer and wedge-shaped than the Sealyham and has bushy eyebrows and a beard. Topped by ears that fold down, this dog is cute from head to tail. The tail is carried in a horizontal position when the dog is happy or on the move. The Cesky’s brown eyes are almond shaped, with a friendly demeanor. The solid body is agile, not heavy, and the coat is silky with waves. The coat comes in brown or gray/blue with furnishings in tan, gray, white, yellow, or light coffee. Cesky puppies are born with a black coat and it often takes up to three years for the coat to lighten. The eye color of this breed is yellow in brown dogs, and brown in gray/blue dogs. The nose and lip color of the Cesky is liver for brown dogs and black for gray/blue dogs.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Cesky Terrier eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Cesky Terrier nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
brown Cesky Terrier coat
Brown
gray Cesky Terrier coat
Gray
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Cesky Terrier wavy coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Cesky Terrier Breed Maintenance

The Cesky Terrier is a hypoallergenic breed but still needs brushing or combing once or twice a week. This breed is low-shedding, so regular grooming is necessary to remove dead hair. Matting may occur if electric clippers are not used on a monthly or bi-monthly basis to trim the soft fur. It is also important to keep the corners of the eyes cleaned to avoid infection. Hair in the ear canal should be trimmed when the dog is being clipped so dirt and bacteria do not build up. The bottom of the feet need to be trimmed, and the beard shaped regularly (and examine it after every meal for stray food). Some owners choose to have a groomer provide the whole package, including nail trimming. This breed has a healthy appetite, so regular exercise is essential. The perfect jogging partner, the Cesky enjoys a fast paced existence. He prefers a moderate climate, but will do well in warm or cool weather as long as precautions are taken when the temperatures become extreme. If enough exercise is provided, the Cesky can do well in an apartment.

Brushes for Cesky Terrier
Comb
Comb
Deshedder
Deshedder
Scissors
Scissors
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Cesky Terrier requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Cesky Terrier Temperament

The Cesky Terrier has calmness bred into him; it’s a standard for the breed. Aggression is even seen as a breed disqualification! Playful, loyal, brave, and protective, the Cesky Terrier is a patient dog that is excellent with children. Easier to train than other Terriers, as well as quieter and more sedate than the typical Terrier, the Cesky is an obedient dog that is also intelligent. He will enjoy earth dog trials and agility, obedience, tracking activities. Socialization with both people and animals is important at an early age to encourage a positive disposition. This breed is somewhat friendly around strangers, but can be protective and feisty. The Cesky will generally get along well with other family pets, and makes an excellent addition to the family. He is an excellent and devoted companion dog, a strong candidate for a therapy dog, and a good starter dog for someone who has never owned a dog before.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
7 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Cesky Terrier Popularity

Popularity ranking
#182

Cesky Terrier Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Cesky Terrier Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Cesky Terrier size stats at six months
Height: 6.0 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
Female Cesky Terrier size stats at six months
Height: 6.0 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Cesky Terrier size stats at 12 months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 14.0 lbs
Female Cesky Terrier size stats at 12 months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 14.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Cesky Terrier size stats at 18 months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 18.0 lbs
Female Cesky Terrier size stats at 18 months
Height: 11.5 inches Weight: 18.0 lbs

Top Cesky Terrier Breeders

Check out who made our list for the most reputable Cesky Terrier breeders of 2024.
Top Cesky Terrier breeder Chaser's Cesky Terriers
Chaser's Cesky Terriers
Port Byron, Illinois
Top Cesky Terrier breeder DevineHeart Kennel
DevineHeart Kennel
Oak Island, North Carolina
Top Cesky Terrier breeder Julerr Cesky Terriers
Julerr Cesky Terriers
Bozeman, Montana
Top Cesky Terrier breeder Cesky Terrier USA
Cesky Terrier USA
Golden Valley, Minnesota
Top Cesky Terrier breeder The American Cesky Terrier Fanciers Association, Inc.
The American Cesky Terrier Fanciers Association, Inc.
Rockaway, New Jersey

Cesky Terrier Owner Experiences

Junior/Jethro of BumbleeBee Castle
3 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Having had Ceskys for 27 years, I believe them to be the perfect breed.
7 years, 2 months ago
Gohan
3 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
My Cesky is his own person. He is very loving but also very stubborn. I have found him hard to train but I am a bit of a soft touch. Hes great with children but wary of strangers at first. He brings me so much joy and happiness. Hes great with other dogs and loves to play with my other dog which is a Shihtzu.
4 years, 10 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
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