Breeds / Small
Cesky Terrier puppies
A calm, sociable terrier from the Czech lands, more biddable and less scrappy than most of the group but still keen to hunt when a scent turns up.
The facts
- Size class Small
- Country of origin Czech Republic
- Adult weight 6.4 to 10.9 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 14 to 24 lb
- Adult height 25 to 33 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium wavy and silky
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 12 to 15 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Cesky Terrier
The Cesky Terrier was made in Czechoslovakia in the 1940s by a geneticist who crossed Sealyham and Scottish Terriers, wanting a narrower dog that could work Bohemian forests in a pack and take direction from a handler. The result is a small, long and low terrier of 6.4 to 10.9 kg standing 25 to 33 cm, with a soft wavy grey coat, drop ears and a beard. They are noticeably calmer and more biddable than most terriers, though the drive is still there under the manners.
Exercise is moderate: daily walks and play, with a lead or a fence at all times because a scent will win. The coat is clipped rather than hand stripped, so a groomer every few weeks plus brushing between visits, and ear hair needs removing to prevent infections. They suit families, including those with children, given normal supervision and socialisation. Low shedding is a long way from low maintenance, and owners who forget that end up with a matted coat.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Cesky Terrier 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 small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. 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
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Patellar luxation, a slipping kneecap, found on a patella evaluation
- Progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Cataracts and other inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Cardiac disease, screened by a cardiac exam on breeding stock
- Scotty cramp, a movement disorder causing brief spasms under excitement, diagnosed clinically once other causes are ruled out
Your Cesky Terrier puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Cesky Terrier.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 6.4 to 10.9 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 10.9 kg; chew toys made for small 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
Other small breeds
More on the Cesky Terrier
Previous: Cesky Fousek · Next: Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Cesky Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/cesky-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Steffen Heinz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.