The AKC has grouped all of the breeds that it registers into seven categories, or groups, roughly based on function and heritage. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage.
The Cesky Terrier was developed to be a well-muscled, short legged and well-pigmented igh-qunting terrier that could be worked in packs. The Cesky Terrier has natural drop ears and a natural tail. The Cesky is longer than it is tall and has a topline that rises slightly higher over the loin and rump. It sports a soft, long, silky coat in shades of gray from charcoal to platinum. The correct coat is clipped to emphasize a slim impression. The hallmarks of the breed should be unique unto itself with a lean body and graceful movement.
Head is about 7 to 8 inches long, 3 to 4 inches wide and is shaped like a long, blunt wedge. The plane of the forehead forms a slight but definite stop with the bridge of the nose. The breadth between the ears is slightly larger for a dog than a bitch. The head should join the neck smoothly. Eyes – Almond shaped of medium size. Slightly deep set with a friendly expression. The color is brown or dark brown. Ears – Medium size, dropping in such a way to well cover the orifice. Ears are set rather high with forward edge lying close to the cheek. Shaped like a triangle, with the shorter side of the triangle at the fold of the ear.
Neck – Well muscled and strong. Medium-long, carried in a slight arch. Set firmly on the shoulders. Topline – Not straight but with a slight rise over the loin and rump. Body – Fully muscled, longer than high. Withers not very pronounced with the neck set rather high. Rump is strongly developed, muscular; pelvis moderately slanting with the hip bones often slightly higher than the withers. Belly – Ample and slightly tucked up. Flanks well fitted. Chest – More cylindrical than deep. Ribs – Well sprung. Loins – Relatively long, muscular, broad and slightly rounded.
Shoulder – Muscular, well laid back and powerful. Elbows – Should fit closely to the sides and be neither loose or tight. Forelegs – Short, straight, well boned and parallel. Dewclaws may be present. Forefeet – Large, well-arched toes with strong nails and well-developed pads.
Long, fine but slight texture. Furnishings slightly wavy with a silky gloss. Shorter hair can have more curl. Not overdone with too much furnishings.
Color: All puppies are born black, or black and tan. In mature dogs, 3 years or older, the correct color is any shade of gray from charcoal to platinum gray. Black may appear on the head, ears, feet and tail. White, brown and yellow markings are permitted on the head, beard, cheeks, neck, chest, limbs and around the vent. A white collar or white tip is permitted on the tail. The base color must always be predominant.
Hind legs – Strong, well-muscled and longer than the forelegs. Thigh – Longer in proportion to the lower leg with stifle well bent. Hock Joint – Strong and well developed. Well let down and parallel to each other. Lower leg is straight from hock to heel. Hind feet – As front but smaller.
Ceskys are muscular, short-legged, and handsome hunters standing no taller than 13 inches at the shoulder. The fine, silky coat comes in several shades of gray, including a stunning platinum. Wavy facial hair gives Ceskys a sporty, Continental look, and the medium-long neck lends a dash of elegance to these game, unspoiled working terriers.
While Ceskys are as determined and prey-driven as any other earthdog, they’re mellower than a typical terrier. Wary of strangers and protective of loved ones, they’re good watchdogs without being particularly yappy. They train well and want to please. Here’s the catch: They are a scarce breed, with only about 600 living in America. A wonderful family dog, if you’re lucky enough to find one.
Your veterinarian can point you toward a high-quality diet that is suitable for your dog. This is a breed who loves to eat, so monitor his food intake carefully. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not.
Unlike grooming of some terrier breeds, hand stripping is not suggested for the Cesky’s coat. Instead, the body is clipped. You should visit a professional groomer referred by your breeder to be sure your dog is groomed correctly. There are so few Ceskys around that it is unlikely that most groomers have ever even heard of the breed. In between groomings, as the Cesky coat does not shed dirt as some harder coats do, he will need regular baths. They tend to grow a lot of hair in the ears, and this should be removed during each grooming appointment to prevent an ear infection. Ears should be cleaned regularly to remove excess wax and other debris.
The Cesky enjoys daily exercise in the form of walks and play sessions with his owner. He must always be on a leash when not within a securely enclosed area, however, and his yard should be fenced. The breed has a very strong prey drive, and if he sees or smells what he perceives as prey, the Cesky may not be able to resist running off in pursuit.
The Cesky Terrier is considered to be a little less stubborn and thus more easily trainable than some other terrier breeds. They still require a firm hand in a kid glove. They will shut down if faced with negative or harsh training methods, so exercise only a positive, reward-based approach to training. Cesky Terriers are extremely intelligent, sensible, and feisty, which makes them a good candidate for training for dog sports. They have a very high prey drive, however, which should be squelched from the beginning.
With a small gene pool in the States, breeders are doing their best to eliminate genetic health problems that are currently possible in the breed. These include patellar luxation (slipped stifles), cardiac problems, progressive retinal atrophy, and cataracts. Many suffer from a neurological issue known as Scotty Cramp, a somewhat debilitating but not life-threatening disorder that causes your dog to spasm, affecting his movement. Your breeder can discuss the potential health problems with you and help you make informed decisions about your dog’s health. You should receive copies of the certification of the testing of your dog’s parents.
Recommended Health Test from the National Breed Club:
The Cesky Terrier was developed to be a well-muscled, short legged and well-pigmented igh-qunting terrier that could be worked in packs. The Cesky Terrier has natural drop ears and a natural tail. The Cesky is longer than it is tall and has a topline that rises slightly higher over the loin and rump. It sports a soft, long, silky coat in shades of gray from charcoal to platinum. The correct coat is clipped to emphasize a slim impression. The hallmarks of the breed should be unique unto itself with a lean body and graceful movement.
Head is about 7 to 8 inches long, 3 to 4 inches wide and is shaped like a long, blunt wedge. The plane of the forehead forms a slight but definite stop with the bridge of the nose. The breadth between the ears is slightly larger for a dog than a bitch. The head should join the neck smoothly. Eyes – Almond shaped of medium size. Slightly deep set with a friendly expression. The color is brown or dark brown. Ears – Medium size, dropping in such a way to well cover the orifice. Ears are set rather high with forward edge lying close to the cheek. Shaped like a triangle, with the shorter side of the triangle at the fold of the ear.
Neck – Well muscled and strong. Medium-long, carried in a slight arch. Set firmly on the shoulders. Topline – Not straight but with a slight rise over the loin and rump. Body – Fully muscled, longer than high. Withers not very pronounced with the neck set rather high. Rump is strongly developed, muscular; pelvis moderately slanting with the hip bones often slightly higher than the withers. Belly – Ample and slightly tucked up. Flanks well fitted. Chest – More cylindrical than deep. Ribs – Well sprung. Loins – Relatively long, muscular, broad and slightly rounded.
Shoulder – Muscular, well laid back and powerful. Elbows – Should fit closely to the sides and be neither loose or tight. Forelegs – Short, straight, well boned and parallel. Dewclaws may be present. Forefeet – Large, well-arched toes with strong nails and well-developed pads.
Long, fine but slight texture. Furnishings slightly wavy with a silky gloss. Shorter hair can have more curl. Not overdone with too much furnishings.
Color: All puppies are born black, or black and tan. In mature dogs, 3 years or older, the correct color is any shade of gray from charcoal to platinum gray. Black may appear on the head, ears, feet and tail. White, brown and yellow markings are permitted on the head, beard, cheeks, neck, chest, limbs and around the vent. A white collar or white tip is permitted on the tail. The base color must always be predominant.
Hind legs – Strong, well-muscled and longer than the forelegs. Thigh – Longer in proportion to the lower leg with stifle well bent. Hock Joint – Strong and well developed. Well let down and parallel to each other. Lower leg is straight from hock to heel. Hind feet – As front but smaller.
| Description | Standard Colors | Registration Code |
| Gray | Check Mark For Standard Color | 100 |
| Description | Standard Markings | Registration Code |
| Cream Furnishings | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 092 |
| Silver Furnishings | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 093 |
| Tan Furnishings | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 094 |
| White Markings | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 014 |
| Yellow Furnishings | Check Mark For Standard Mark | 095 |
