Cesky Terrier

People usually look up the Cesky Terrier when they’re trying to check the basics fast: how big they get, what their coat is really like, whether they suit unit living, and what health checks matter before committing to a puppy (or an adult dog from rescue). Those details shape daily life—grooming time, exercise needs, vet costs, and whether the dog settles easily in a busy household.

The Cesky is a small, long-bodied hunting terrier that tends to be steadier than many terriers, with a silky coat that’s clipped rather than hand-stripped. Below is a clear, breed-standard-led guide to size, temperament, care, and common health watch-outs, with practical notes for choosing a breeder or adopting.

Cesky Terrier at a glance

• Size: Small (low to the ground, longer than tall)¹
• Height: 25–32 cm at the withers (ideal: dogs ~29 cm, bitches ~27 cm)¹
• Weight: 6–10 kg (breed-standard range)¹
• Coat: Long, fine, slightly wavy, with a silky sheen; typically kept in a clipped trim¹
• Colours: Grey-blue or light coffee brown, with permitted lighter markings; puppies are born darker and lighten with age^{1, 2}
• Typical lifespan: About 12–15 years³

History and origin

The Cesky Terrier (also called the Czech or Bohemian Terrier) was developed in Czechoslovakia by František Horák, beginning in the late 1940s. The breed was created by crossing Scottish Terriers with Sealyham Terriers, aiming for a small, workable hunting terrier that could move through forest and cover and still live comfortably as a companion.^{2, 3}

Physical characteristics

In the hand, a Cesky feels compact and muscular, with short legs and a rectangular outline. The breed standard describes a slightly rising topline and a coat that’s fine and silky with a gentle wave rather than a harsh, bristly terrier texture.¹

The signature look comes from grooming: the body is clipped, while the furnishings on the legs and belly are left longer, and the face hair forms eyebrows and a beard. The transition between clipped and longer coat is meant to be gradual, not sharply carved.¹

Personality and temperament

Ceskys are often described as calmer and more biddable than many terriers, while still being alert and keen outdoors. Most form strong attachments to their people and do best when included in everyday life rather than left to entertain themselves for long stretches.⁴

They can still behave like hunting terriers when something small darts away—quick acceleration, nose down, attention narrowed—so early training and sensible management matter, especially around wildlife and smaller pets.⁴

Training and exercise needs

A Cesky generally suits a household that can provide daily walks plus a little training or scent-based play. They’re intelligent and tend to respond well to calm, consistent, reward-based work, particularly when started young and kept short and interesting.⁴

• Exercise: A daily walk, plus play and sniffing time (their brain tires before their body does).⁵
• Training focus: Recall foundations, loose-lead walking, and polite greetings.
• Common terrier tendency: Chasing—use a lead in unfenced areas until recall is reliable.⁴

Grooming and care

The Cesky coat is not maintained by hand-stripping like many terriers. It’s usually clipped (and tidied with scissors), with brushing to prevent tangles in the longer areas on the legs, belly, and face.^{1, 4}

• Brushing: Several times a week, focusing on the longer furnishings where knots form.
• Clipping: Regular grooms to keep the coat practical (many pet owners book every 6–10 weeks).⁴
• Ears and nails: Check ears routinely and keep nails comfortably short, as with any small breed.

Health concerns and lifespan

Most Ceskys are sturdy little dogs, with a typical lifespan around 12–15 years.³

The breed is reported to have a particular condition sometimes called “Scottie cramp” (a movement disorder seen in related breeds), and responsible breeders commonly consider screening for orthopaedic and eye issues as part of a broader health plan for breeding dogs.³

Hip dysplasia can occur in any breed. It involves looseness in the hip joint during growth that can lead to pain and progressive arthritis later in life. Genetics play a major role, and growth rate and weight can influence how severely it shows up.⁶

Choosing a Cesky Terrier: breeder vs rescue

If you’re buying from a breeder

Look for someone who breeds with transparency: clear pedigrees, health testing appropriate to the breed, dogs raised in clean home conditions, and a willingness to discuss grooming and temperament honestly. A good breeder will also ask you questions, because the match matters.⁷

If you’re adopting

Rescue can be an excellent path, especially if you’d prefer an adult dog with a known temperament. The RSPCA recommends taking time to consider your household, asking about behaviour and medical history, and working with staff to find a suitable match.^{8, 9}

Final thoughts

The Cesky Terrier is a small, muscular, silky-coated terrier built for purposeful movement rather than ornament. With daily exercise, steady training, and a grooming routine that suits their clipped coat, they tend to settle into family life well—especially in homes that enjoy a dog with a watchful presence and a strong nose for what’s happening just beyond the fence line.^{1, 4}

References

1. The Kennel Club (UK) – Cesky Terrier breed standard
2. Wikipedia – Cesky Terrier (overview and history summary)
3. PetMD – Cesky Terrier (lifespan, care, health notes, background)
4. American Kennel Club – Facts about the Cesky Terrier (coat, exercise, temperament notes)
5. WebMD – What to know about Cesky Terriers (exercise and care overview)
6. American College of Veterinary Surgeons – Canine hip dysplasia (overview)
7. RSPCA Australia – Adopting a dog or puppy (choosing and matching guidance)
8. RSPCA Australia – Adoptapet (adoption considerations and process)
9. RSPCA Pet Insurance – How to adopt a pet from the RSPCA (checklist)