Canadian National Cesky Terrier Club

Dogs In Canada "Breedlines" September 2005; VOL 97; No 1

Tail Carriage: In profile the Cesky Terrier when stacked and presented has a relaxed tail that falls downward from the root to the floor. The tail is almost always down when in repose, and so when presented for exhibition, the outline of a Cesky Terrier should be that of an elegant yet well muscled terrier in good coat with a very pleasing outline. This would include the fact that there is no visual stop from the top of the head, flowing down the back of the neck over nicely placed withers, then over the back to a slight rise over the loins and then following downward to the tip of the tail.

If unsure, think of the profile of other terriers in your line up that have similar tail carriage such as; the Manchester Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the Skye Terrier and the Bedlington Terrier for example. Clearly the tails on these dogs are not held up high or forced up over their backs for presentation.

In Europe where the breed is more popular you will see that handlers never hold the tail of their exhibit out towards the back of the dog, nor do they push it up as is done with other breeds of terrier in order to show a high set on tail.

In fact for the Cesky Terrier the standard clearly states.." The ideal tail length is 18-20 cm; relatively strong and low set. At rest hanging downward or with a slight bend at the tip; when alert the tail is carried sabre shape, horizontally or higher."

It is important to note is that the tail is often carried high when the Cesky Terrier is gaited or excited at seeing and giving chase to game. Yet as the standard states, it is a low set tail and therefore it is not to be carried over the back naturally nor in any fashion forced up and held as one would with say an Airedale, Fox Terrier, or Scottish Terrier to reflect a high set on tail.

If correctly built, the tail set would not even allow for this to be done on a Cesky Terrier and furthermore, it detracts from the outline and naturally elegant flow of the line when regarded in profile.

Dogs in Canada "Breedlines" October, 2005; Vol 97 No. 2

Movement: The correct movement for a Cesky Terrier on exhibition is actually at an easy and steady pace. He is not run in the ring, nor should he be strung up on his lead and encouraged to move far ahead of the handler at great speed either. To do so ruins his profile and most importantly detracts from showing his true movement and natural ability to cover ground easily at the normal pace of a handler.

As the standard states, the gait is ."Free, enduring, vigorous, with drive. Gallop rather slow but lasting. The fore legs extend in a straight line."

Remember that the Cesky Terrier was bred to accompany his master on the hunt sometimes travelling over much ground, hence the need for an enduring, vigorous yet lasting stride. In fact the only time that he would run is if giving chase. As a hunting Terrier that also goes to ground it is also a question of maintaining stamina and hence he would not unnecessarily waste energy through poor movement. Also as is mentioned in the standard, "Irregular, jerky, spasmodic movement." is a disqualifying fault. The gait must be seen at a slow and steady pace in order to ensure that movement is free and lasting with drive.

There are numerous other short legged Terriers that have a good vigorous stride when being presented in the ring. Think of the speed and cadence at which the Sealyham Terrier and certainly the Dandie Dinmont Terrier are moved both of which keep a strong steady pace without racing or running around the ring.

Properly moved, a Cesky Terrier will be able to cover ground quite adequately showing reach and drive. Yet most importantly at a decent pace the Cesky Terrier's musculature and overall construction will be nicely presented. In profile the front legs extend in a straight line while the well muscled thighs and angulated hocks provide the necessary drive. When approaching you the well boned front legs are straight and parallel. When moving from you, the strong, parallel hind legs will show the drive.

Overall, maintaining a good pace with your Cesky Terrier in the ring with a vigorous stride at a slow trot is more beneficial to his outline and presentation than is running and racing across the mats!

You may have been under the impression that the Coat of the Cesky Terrier is simply shaved down. Not so! Correctly prepared for the show ring, the coat is shaped and sculpted through the use of scissors, thinning shears and numerous clipper blades. There should always be at least 1.5 cm of top coat for example, that is blended into the longer flowing coat. Grooming a Cesky Terrier can be time consuming and takes much practise in blending the areas between the very short and the very long parts of the coat. In a perfectly trimmed show coat, a Cesky Terrier should not have any visual stops or demarcation or cutting lines apparent.

The Cesky Terrier is born black in colour and although exceedingly rare, there is occasionally a brown coloured one too. What is important to remember is that the genetics are such that the coat lightens and clears by about 24 months of age.

Some Cesky Terrier puppies will have a brownish tinge to their coats, some grey and even blue colouration. This is all acceptable given their age and the amount of clearing that the coat has to go through. Some specimens have what is termed a stripped or brindle coat where there are distinct lines or patterns of alternating dark grey and medium grey and silver stripes. This too should clear and develop into a solid body colour by 24 months of age.

The standard is clear with regard to coat and colour disqualifications: "white markings covering more than 20%; a white blaze on the head. Coarse or curled cotton-wool type hair. Long brindled coat on dogs older than 2 years."

One would not expect to see a specials class dog with a brindle or unchanged coat if were over two years of age. The basic colour of a Cesky Terrier must always be predominant. You should note that the coat is often comprised of many shades or even a mix of greys and not necessarily one distinct shade of grey either. Some blue-grey dogs will have black faces, tails and feet, but their body colour will be a solid predominant colour. It is also not uncommon for furnishings to be a lighter shade of the predominant body colour.

A well groomed Cesky Terrier should be pleasing to the eye and the touch. Good grooming highlights the construction and overall outline of the dog. And with a wide range of acceptable colours, an adult Cesky Terrier with a solid and cleared coat makes for a handsome specimen.