A Sealyham male, a Scottish Terrier female and a clear plan: in 1949, František Horák began breeding his ideal hunting terrier in Klánovice near Prague. It should be light and short-legged, well pigmented and easy to handle, with practical small drop ears and simple coat care. This is the FCI standard’s account.
| FCI | Group 3 (Terriers), Section 2 Small-sized Terriers, Standard No. 246, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Czech Republic |
| Height at the withers | 25 to 32 cm; ideal males 29 cm, females 27 cm |
| Weight | 6 to 10 kg |
| Life expectancy | No reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | Long, fine but firm, slightly wavy with a silky sheen; clipped, leaving eyebrows, beard and hair on legs, chest and belly longer |
| Colours according to the standard | Grey-blue (puppies born black) or milky-coffee brown (puppies chocolate brown); yellow, grey or white markings permitted, base colour must predominate; more than 20 % white disqualifies |
From breeding plan to recognised breed
The first dogs were shown under the name Cesky Terrier in 1959; the FCI recognised the breed in 1963. Originally a fox and badger hunter, it is now bred mainly as a companion, according to the standard. Both parent breeds merit a look: the Sealyham Terrier and the Scottish Terrier.
The quiet one among terriers
Calm, non-aggressive, easy to handle, a pleasant and cheerful companion, reserved with strangers: the standard uses these words, stressing the breed’s particularly calm, gentle nature. That clearly distinguishes it from many spirited relatives. Reserve with strangers is desirable; nevertheless, give a shy puppy time to meet new people calmly.
Clipping rather than hand-stripping
Unlike most terriers, it is clipped rather than hand-stripped. Eyebrows and beard remain, as does the hair on lower legs, beneath the chest and on the belly. For shows, hair on neck, shoulders and back should be no longer than 1 to 1,5 cm, shorter on the sides and very short on ears and cheeks, with smooth transitions. Brush the long areas several times a week to prevent matting.
Short legs, enduring movement
The body is elongated, the loin slightly arched and the hip bones often a little higher than the withers. The standard describes a slow but enduring gallop. Long, leisurely hikes, sniffing tasks and small search games therefore suit it better than sprinting beside a bicycle.
What is known about health
Studies specifically of the Cesky are rare. One point in the standard stands out: irregular, twitching, cramp-like movements, expressly called Scottie Cramp, are a disqualifying fault. This movement disorder is named after the Scottish Terrier parent breed. In a study of 31 affected dogs, episodes began in the first year of life in 76 per cent and were triggered by excitement, stress and exertion; they usually became less frequent over time (Urkasemsin and Olby 2015). Inward- or outward-rolling eyelids (entropion, ectropion) also disqualify. No reliable lifespan figure is available; the British analysis by McMillan and colleagues names the breed but did not analyse it. Ask breeders for eye results and whether cramp episodes are known in the line.
Who suits it well
Beginners, quiet families and older people wanting a small, robust, composed dog, happy to clip regularly themselves or plan for grooming appointments.
When another terrier is a better fit
If you want an athletic running partner, a dog that greets every visitor exuberantly, or already find the thought of brushing the beard after every meal a nuisance.
Find out whether a calm, short-legged companion is right for you in the breed quiz; our book explains in detail: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For starting life with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Grey-blue or milky-coffee brown: capture your Cesky as a dog portrait from your own photo or as a dog portrait in a wooden frame.
Further reading
- Does a Westie suit you? Everyday life, activities and coat care
- Havanese: suitable for beginners does not mean undemanding
- Housetraining a puppy: the plan for the first 4 weeks
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 246 Cesky Terrier (Tschechischer Terrier) (fci.be, German version dated 20.01.1998, valid standard published 11.03.1997) and FCI breed page Nr. 246; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (Rasse aufgeführt, nicht ausgewertet); Urkasemsin G, Olby NJ, Clinical characteristics of Scottie Cramp in 31 cases, Journal of Small Animal Practice 2015.
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