The Cesky Terrier, national dog of the Czech Republic, is a clever and adventurous playmate for kids and an eager walking buddy for the folks. They are tenacious at work, but a little more laid back and tractable than the usual terrier. 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.​​..

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• Physical Characteristics:  Ceskys are muscular, short-legged, and handsome hunters. The fine, silky coat comes in numerous shades of gray, from charcoal to 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. They have natural drop ears and a natural tail. Males are typically about 11 1/2 inches tall, while females are shorter at about 10 1/2 inches.  Weights range between 13-22 lbs.  The breed is longer than it is tall, the ratio of length to height being about 1.5 x 1.  The Cesky Terrier has a unique topline, with a slight rise above the loin - this is genetically necessary because it allows the dog the flexibility to turn around when in a burrow or tunnel.

• Personality and Temperament: While Ceskys are as determined and prey-driven as any other earthdog, they're mellower than a typical terrier, enjoying the companionship of other dogs and cats. Wary of strangers and protective of loved ones, they're good watchdogs without being particularly yappy. They train well and want to please.  Food is hugely important to this breed; they are known to be great food thieves, so keep tempting items out of reach. 

• Purpose: The Cesky Terrier was specifically created to be a pack-hunting terrier for the common man.  Its origin was in Czechoslovakia where these dogs would go out with the hunters, flushing deer and wild boar from the underbrush of the Bohemian forest.  With their narrower chest and high prey drive,  they were used to go to ground for foxes and rats. 

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Interesting Background  - Some 'Whys" Behind the Cesky Terrier Standard: " ...although we show folk might consider a breed standard to be important only in the show ring, it is vitally relevant to the working dog as well. The Cesky Terrier is very different to most other terriers. The soft, silky coat, the distinctive topline and the lowset tail are obvious but, there are other features that are very important (to be evaluated by conformation judges). Firstly, the mouth. The CT is designed to be an all-purpose hunting dog. One of his functions is to retrieve small game that has been shot. To carry a pheasant or a rabbit he needs a strong jaw. Missing incisors have long been a problem in the breed, and this is an IMPORTANT fault. Why? Quite simply, because a jaw with only four or five incisors will not be as wide, and therefore not as powerful, as one which has six. The terrier will still carry his game, but he will not do it so efficiently. Two or more incisors is not merely a fault, but a DISQUALIFYING fault in the FCI standard, yet there are judges, breeders and exhibitors in the UK who regard it as perfectly acceptable. Secondly, elbows. The CT is also a go-to-ground dog. This means that sometimes he has to dig his way into or out of a hole. A long-legged terrier, such as a Border or Parson, can send earth backwards, but if a short-legged Cesky were to do that he would soon become trapped. For this reason, the elbows of a CT should be LOOSE. That way, the earth they dig is sent sideways rather than underneath them. This does not mean that the dog is out at elbow, simply that the elbow joint is flexible. Yet how many judges check for this? Thirdly, topline. Yes, we all know that the CT has a funny topline, but what is it, and why is it? It is NOT a rise over the loin as is seen (increasingly rarely!) in the Parson or the Border. Rather it is a gentle slope from the withers to the loin leading to a decent length of croup and a low carried tail. Again, there is a reason for this. A short, straight back as found in the modern Fox Terrier, for example, means that the dog is not flexible, and cannot twist and turn underground nor, in the case of the Cesky Terrier, when facing his traditional quarry - the Wild Boar. The correct topline of the CT leads to far more flexibility and therefore helps to keen the dog out of harm's way. In other words, ...adherence to the breed standard can actually save his life. Yes, I know what you are thinking. "My dog isn't likely to carry around dead animals; I really don't want him digging holes anywhere; and he's certainly never going to meet up with a Wild Boar....." So, why does it matter? Judges aren't gong to bother counting teeth. Nice neat elbows and a more 'normal' topline look good in the show ring. But to say that denies the whole purpose of the development of this breed. It betrays the very objectives of Mr Horak in creating the breed in the first place. Only by knowing the purpose of a breed and understanding the way in which it has to function can we truly be the guardians of that breed for the future." Source: Reproduced with the permission of Sheila Atter (UK).  She has been active in promoting and preserving the Cesky Terrier for 30+ years.