At a glance the quick version
FCI standard.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long, fine, slightly wavy
A long, soft-but-firm coat with a light wave and silky shine. It is clipped rather than hand-stripped, leaving a beard and eyebrows on the face and a longer skirt on the legs and underside.12
Personality what they are like
An even-tempered, pleasant little terrier that is quieter and less busy than many of its cousins. It is kind with its people and a touch reserved with strangers.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Up to about an hour of exercise a day.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs brushing more than once a week and regular clipping to keep the coat in shape.31
Home where they are happiest
A small, adaptable dog that suits both houses and flats given daily walks.3
Company who they like around
The story where it all began
Czech geneticist and breeder František Horák created the breed in the late 1940s by crossing a Sealyham Terrier with a Scottish Terrier, aiming for a hunting terrier suited to Bohemian forests. The dogs were first shown in 1959 and the FCI recognised them in 1963. They reached the UK in 1989 and gained full AKC recognition in 2011.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Grey-blue puppies are born black and lighten as they grow; brown ones are born chocolate.1
- 2
Unlike most wire-coated terriers, it is groomed with clippers and scissors instead of hand-stripping.1
- 3
It was purpose-built by a single breeder, František Horák, starting in the 1940s.2
- 4
Its final adult colour may take until about three years of age to settle.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 246, Group 3 Terriers, Section 2 Small-sized Terriers; recognised 1963.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Terrier group; recognised 1990 per Wikipedia; not a vulnerable native breed.3
- AKC
- Foundation Stock Service from 2004; full recognition in 2011.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Cesky Terrier. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Hand strippingHand stripping keeps the harsh texture; clipping also worksevery 12 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 246 Cesky Terrier fci.beused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Cesky Terrier - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, history dates, AKC and UK recognition
- The Royal Kennel Club - Cesky Terrier royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, lifespan
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.