Czechoslovakian Vlcak
捷克狼犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Czechoslovakian Vlčák (Czechoslovakian Wolfdog) was created from 1955 by crossing German Shepherd Dogs with Carpathian wolves for the Czechoslovak border guard, and it looks the part: a lean, wolf-grey, primitive dog with superior eyesight, hearing and scent and extraordinary endurance. The FCI standard calls it lively, very active, docile with quick reactions, fearless, suspicious and tremendously loyal to its master; the AKC scores it 1/5 for trainability, adaptability and openness to strangers and says plainly it is not for first-time owners. It is a companion for active people who run, cycle or hike — not for anyone who wants an easy dog.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 60–65cm |
| Weight | 20–26kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–16years |
| Breed group | AKC: miscellaneous FCI: 1 |
| Role | Working |
| Coat | Medium coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 90–180min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 1/ 5 |
| Barking | 1/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 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.
Hip dysplasia
The parent club recommends hip radiographs for all breeding stock and notes that hip dysplasia is influenced by diet, growth rate and exercise: a growing Vlčák should be kept lean and not encouraged to grow too fast. Ask your vet about hip screening and puppy feeding.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Degenerative myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy, a progressive spinal cord condition of older dogs, is reported in the breed; a DNA test identifies risk. Ask your vet if an older dog shows hind-leg weakness.
Pituitary dwarfism
Pituitary dwarfism (shepherd type), an inherited growth-hormone deficiency, is reported in the breed; the parent club recommends the DNA test for all breeding stock. Ask your breeder whether the parents were tested.
Heart conditions
The parent club asks breeders to have breeding stock cardiac-evaluated because dogs with suspected inherited heart disease have occurred and the condition has yet to be identified. Ask your vet to listen to the heart at routine visits.
Inherited eye conditions
The parent club reports cataracts in older dogs, retinal folds in puppies, retinal dysplasia and persistent pupillary membranes in the breed and encourages an ACVO eye examination before breeding. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Behaviour
Lively, fearless, suspicious, loyal
The FCI standard describes the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog as lively, very active and capable of endurance, docile with quick reactions, fearless and courageous, suspicious, showing tremendous loyalty towards its master, resistant to weather and versatile in its uses. The AKC adds that it is much more independent than most working breeds, with superior eyesight, hearing and sense of smell and excellent stamina.
For active, experienced owners only
The AKC says the CSV is an excellent choice for tracking or trailing sport and as a companion for active owners who bike, run or hike, but is not recommended for first-time owners; its trait chart scores the breed 5/5 for energy, mental-stimulation needs and protective nature and 1/5 for trainability, adaptability, playfulness, barking and openness to strangers. The parent club notes that trotting 25 miles is effortless for the breed.
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 1/5, barking level 1/5. 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 — Czechoslovakian Vlciak
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 — Czechoslovakian Vlciak (Working Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (standard no. 332, group 1)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Czechoslovakian Vlciak — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Czechoslovakian Vlciak — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Czechoslovakian Wolfdog — FCI standard no. 332 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]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)
- [6]The Czechoslovakian Vlciak Club of America Health Statement (December 2024) — Czechoslovakian Vlciak Club of America (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]FCI-Standard No. 332 — Czechoslovakian Wolfdog — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (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.