Cesky Terrier
The Cesky Terrier is a man-made breed — deliberately created in 1948 by Czech geneticist Frantisek Horak by crossing the Scottish Terrier with the Sealyham Terrier to produce a terrier that was narrower-chested (suitable for going to ground in Czech forests after fox and badger) but calmer and more trainable than other terriers.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Czech Republic
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
6–10 kg (13–22 lbs)
Height
25–32 cm (10–13 in)
Exercise
20 to 30 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality small breed food.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Cesky Terrier is a man-made breed — deliberately created in 1948 by Czech geneticist Frantisek Horak by crossing the Scottish Terrier with the Sealyham Terrier to produce a terrier that was narrower-chested (suitable for going to ground in Czech forests after fox and badger) but calmer and more trainable than other terriers. The Cesky has a clipped (scissor-cut) coat rather than the hand-stripped coat of most terriers, making grooming more manageable. It is one of the world's rarest breeds — appearing in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rarest dog breed.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A low, long-bodied terrier with a silky, wavy, and clipped coat. The coat is clipped rather than stripped — professional grooming every 6–8 weeks. The colour is blue-grey (adults — puppies are born black and lighten) or light coffee brown. The head is long and narrow with a beard. Drop ears. The legs are short relative to the body.
Grooming
High
Shedding
Low
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-3-4-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Calmer and less stubborn than most terrier breeds — the Cesky was specifically bred to be more biddable. Good with children. Less dog-aggressive than many terriers. Reserved with strangers. Playful and loyal.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
3/5Protectiveness
2/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
20 to 30 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 25°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
30%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
stubbornness, barking, food guarding, hiding
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Moderate exercise — 1 hour daily. Professional clipping every 6–8 weeks (scissor cut, not hand-stripping). Low shedding. Good for people who want a terrier without the extreme stubbornness.
Nutrition Notes
Scottie Cramp-like syndrome in some lines. Generally healthy. Moderate calorie needs. Pancreatitis awareness.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Scottie Cramp-like episodes. Cardiac issues in some lines. Luxating patella. Created by Czech geneticist Dr. František Horák in 1948 (Sealyham × Scottish Terrier cross). Rarest AKC breed for many years. Clipped, not hand-stripped. 12-15 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
600 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
400 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Scottie cramp (an inherited muscle disease causing abnormal gait when excited — from Scottish Terrier ancestry). PRA. Cardiac issues. Generally a healthy breed.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
One of the rarest terrier breeds. Grey-blue or light brown. India: unavailable.
Purchase Price
$1,500 to $4,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $500
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Cesky Terrier appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records as the rarest dog breed in the world — at its lowest point fewer than 100 individuals existed globally.
The Cesky is one of very few dog breeds created by a single named individual with a documented breeding protocol — František Horák's careful crossing records and breeding notes are preserved and provide one of the most complete breed development histories of any breed.
