A calm, low-set hunting terrier developed in the 1940s by crossing Sealyham and Scottish Terriers. More mellow and trainable than most terriers, with a distinctive clipped silky coat in shades of gray-blue.
ℹ️
Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
🩺 Need expert help with your cesky terrier?
Connect with a specialist near you or ask a licensed vet — never substitute online guidance for hands-on care in an emergency.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Apartment or small home with daily walks
Apartment + 2× daily 30-min walks
A small dog adapts well to apartment living with two structured walks a day plus indoor enrichment. Crate-train for alone-time and give supervised free-roam of the household when settled.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Home with secure yard + daily routine
House + fenced yard + 45 min daily exercise
A house with a securely fenced yard, two structured walks per day, and indoor enrichment (chews, training, puzzle feeders). Most small breeds settle well as household pets when this baseline is met. High-drive working breed — the recommended tier still demands daily structured mental work (training, scent games, herding ball, fetch with rules), not just walks.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Household companion with varied enrichment
House + fenced yard + sport or hobby
Czech earthdog — scent and earthdog work suits the breed. — ideal is acreage or rural property paired with a daily job or canine sport: herding stock, scent detection, agility, protection sport, sledding, gundog field work, or a structured working role. Without that outlet, expect destructive behaviour, reactivity, and welfare-relevant frustration.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
Photo coming soon
Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Adaptable and apartment-friendly thanks to its small size and relatively calm temperament. Still a working terrier at heart, so it needs daily walks and play — moderate activity (around 30-60 minutes) plus some mental enrichment. Enjoys a secure yard to explore but does not require large acreage. Should be exercised on lead or in a fenced area, as terrier prey drive can trigger chasing.
Diet
Feed a quality small-breed diet measured to maintain lean condition; the breed can gain weight if overfed and under-exercised. No major breed-specific dietary disease, but watch for obesity which strains the long back. Dental care matters in small breeds — support with appropriate chews or dental routines.
Behavior & temperament
Notably calmer, more patient and more biddable than typical terriers — described as reserved with strangers but devoted and gentle with family. Good with children when socialized, and generally better with other dogs than many terriers, though prey drive toward small pets remains. Intelligent and eager to please, making training easier than for many terrier breeds; still benefits from positive, consistent methods. Moderate energy and a generally easygoing house companion.
Health
A relatively healthy breed. Best-known concern is Scotty Cramp (Cesky Terrier Scottie Cramp), a movement disorder, and the breed is monitored for primary lens luxation, patellar luxation, and cardiac issues. Recommended screening: patella evaluation, ophthalmologic exam (including for lens luxation), and cardiac check; DNA testing where available for inherited conditions. As a low-set, long-bodied dog, protect the back from excessive jumping.
Tips, DIY & hacks
The wavy, silky coat is clipped (not hand-stripped like most terriers), typically every 6-8 weeks, leaving longer furnishings on the legs, belly and face. Low-shedding, which suits some allergy-sensitive owners, but requires regular brushing to prevent mats. Coat is usually born black and lightens to gray-blue with maturity. Start grooming-handling and socialization early; reward-based training works well with this sensitive, intelligent breed.
