Cesky Terrier
捷克㹴
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Cesky Terrier is a short-legged, silky-coated Czech hunting terrier — grey, sometimes platinum, with wavy facial furnishings — created after the Second World War to work foxes and badgers in a pack and today, the FCI standard says, more a house and companion dog. It is as determined and prey-driven as any earthdog but mellower than most terriers: balanced, non-aggressive, cheerful and easy to train, somewhat reserved with strangers and protective of its family without being yappy. It is a scarce breed — the AKC counts only about 600 in America — and the clipped coat needs regular grooming.
Facts
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Height | 25–34cm |
| Weight | 6–11kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: terrier FCI: 3 |
| Role | Terrier |
| Coat | Medium coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Cataracts
Hereditary cataracts are reported in the breed. Ask your vet about eye examinations if you notice cloudiness in the eyes.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Scotty cramp
The AKC says many Ceskys suffer from "Scotty cramp", a neurological disorder that causes muscle spasms affecting movement — debilitating at times but not life-threatening. Ask your vet if your dog's gait stiffens or it cramps after excitement or exercise.
Glaucoma
A DNA test for primary lens luxation is among the optional screenings in the parent club's health statement. Ask your breeder about PLL status and your vet urgently if an eye becomes cloudy, red or painful.
Behaviour
Mellower than most terriers
The FCI standard describes the Cesky as a balanced, non-aggressive, pleasant and cheerful companion, easy to train, somewhat reserved towards strangers, of calm and kind disposition — formerly a fox-and-badger terrier, today more a house and companion dog. The AKC agrees: as determined and prey-driven as any earthdog, but mellower than a typical terrier, wary of strangers and protective of loved ones, a good watchdog without being particularly yappy, and one that trains well and wants to please.
A versatile, pack-friendly earthdog
The parent club describes an easy-to-train, easy-to-groom terrier bred to work in a pack — to go to ground, hunt above ground and track — and calls it intelligent, loyal to family, easy to live with and full of zest for life. The AKC trait chart rates it 5/5 with young children, 3/5 for energy and 2/5 for shedding; the Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at up to an hour a day.
Temperament
The AKC summarises the breed's temperament as "clever / adventurous / family-oriented".
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Cesky Terrier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Cesky Terrier (Terriers)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Cesky Terrier
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Czech Terrier (standard no. 246, group 3)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Cesky Terrier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Cesky Terrier — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Cesky Terrier — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Czech Terrier — FCI standard no. 246 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]AKC Official Breed Club Health Statement for the Cesky Terrier (September 2021) — American Cesky Terrier Fanciers Association (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]FCI-Standard No. 246 — Cesky Terrier — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [9]About the Cesky Terrier — American Cesky Terrier Fanciers Association — American Cesky Terrier Fanciers Association (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.