Cesky Fousek puppies

About the Cesky Fousek

The Cesky Fousek is the Czech wire haired pointing griffon, a versatile gundog expected to point, retrieve and track on land and in water. The coat gives them away: three hair types together, a harsh outer coat over a dense undercoat, with a beard and eyebrows on a long head, in dark roan or brown. Dogs stand 60 to 66 cm and weigh 28 to 34 kg, bitches 58 to 62 cm and 22 to 28 kg.

A Fousek is a hunting dog first, and they do not settle for a walk round the block. They need long daily exercise and something to think about, which is why they fare badly in flats and small suburban gardens. The wiry coat is combed and hand stripped rather than clipped. They are good with children and other dogs. New owners underestimate the drive: without work, that stamina turns into chewing and restlessness.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Cesky Fousek puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire them out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

No club or veterinary reference we could reach publishes a breed specific health list for the Cesky Fousek. Ask the breeder which conditions they screen for and for the results on both parents in writing, and ask your own vet what to watch for.

Your Cesky Fousek puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Cesky Fousek.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 22 to 34 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 42 inch (42 x 28 x 30 in, 107 x 71 x 76 cm) for an adult of up to 34 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other large breeds

More on the Cesky Fousek

Previous: Central Asian Shepherd Dog · Next: Cesky Terrier

Sources

• fci.be for adult weight and height, coat type and country of origin
• fci.be for life expectancy and health notes
• embarkvet.com for energy, grooming and the temperament ratings

No published figure for life expectancy, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.

Photo: Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.