The Gaucho Sheepdog

The Gaucho Sheepdog (AKA the Ovelheiro Gaucho or Brazilian Collie) hails from Brazil, and seems to have evolved from dogs brought over by European immigrants which were then bred to local Brazilian dogs. While the exact history is unknown, it seems that a variety of herding breeds as well as the Estrela Mountain Dog are in the lineage. Used primarily for herding, this agile and physically robust breed would also stand guard over the flock while they grazed, protecting them from the potential foe of wild animals, stray dogs and strange humans. This breed is recognized by the Brazilian Confederation of Cynophilia but not by the FCI or other major kennel clubs worldwide, although international recognition is currently being pursued by breeders and fanciers.

Gifted with sweet temperaments, Gaucho are gentle with both humans and livestock. As such they are not good candidates as guard dogs although they can make useful watchdogs since they are quick to alert to the presence of strangers on the property. Overall they are friendly, social, lively and happy. They make very loyal and affectionate companions to their owners, and also tend to bond to their flock as well. It should come at no surprise that this breed gets along with children as they are patient and tolerant while still being playful, but supervision is recommended (mostly to make sure the kids don’t tease the dog). As with all herding breeds, they will undoubtedly try to herd the children so one must be prepared for that! Finally, this breed gets along well with other pets such as cats and/or other dogs.

Gaucho Sheepdogs usually learn obedience commands quickly and are known for their intelligence. When it comes to herding, they can do it naturally and need no (or very little) formal training! This is a breed that loves to work and it shows! Most could spend all day outside with their flock and would be quite happy with their life situation. They are also excellent at problem solving as they were bred to work both with, and without people. Very adaptable, this breed can be trained in any number of dog sports or activities (such as agility or therapy work) which is recommended if they are not used specifically for herding. This is a breed that must have a job to do in order to be happy.

The Gaucho Sheepdog lives an average of 14 years as long as he is given proper care. Proper care should include regular exercise! A walk every day should be seen as the minimum requirement, supplemented by brain games and training (mental stimulation). While this breed isn’t known for being hyper or needing insanity-levels of exercise like some related herding breeds, it is good healthy practice to make sure most days include a long walk or similar form of physical stimulation. Very adaptable, the Gaucho can live in most types of homes whether large or small, as long as his needs are met. The one thing that the Gaucho loves more than everything else is his owner, so prospective owners should be prepared for a “shadow” to follow them wherever they go!

The Gaucho is a large breed with a medium length, but somewhat abundant coat that can come in any color. The tail is set high yet carried low, except when moving when it may rise above the back. The ears can either be erect, semi-erect or hanging atop the triangular head. One will immediately notice that some are similar in appearance to a Border Collie while others look more like the old-type working Collie. While there is likely no Border Collie in the genetic makeup of this breed (Border Collies weren’t introduced to Brazil until after the Gaucho was already established), the Collie lineage is strong and can be seen in the phenotype of these dogs.

The Odis

The Odis is the first national breed of Ukraine, and was always bred purely for companionship. The name stands for “Odessa Decorative Ideal Dog” – and he was created by selectively crossing the Wire Fox Terrier, Miniature Poodle, and Maltese with the aim of breeding a social and beautiful toy breed. This project began in the late 1970’s in the city of Odessa. As time went on, gradually the result was a breed that was friendly and gentle towards people and other animals, exceptionally healthy, and reasonably easy to care for. This is a fairly young breed in terms of age, recognized recently in 2008. While they are seen mostly in Ukraine, these little dogs are gradually expanding to other countries as well including America.

Despite his small size the Odis is hardy and durable, not only in terms of disease resistance and an absence of any health issues, but also in regards to being physically fit. He is quite capable of accompanying his owner on long walks or participating in other outdoor activities. For prospective owners who aren’t super active, he doesn’t require very long walks either. This makes him very adaptable to a variety of lifestyles (or energy levels of owners). Furthermore, his energy level is not over-the-top or obnoxious and he should be relatively easy to live with. When given regular care it is common for this breed to live a very long time. The very first Odis in existence (the first deemed to be purebred) lived 19 and a half years!

The Odis is very easy to train and is known for being quick-witted and curious about the world around him. It is not unusual for even young dogs to quickly pick up obedience commands! Very intelligent, the Odis loves to please and to show off the tricks he is taught. This is a breed that is quite capable of learning high-level commands and even performing well in many dog sports. Once trained, this breed is a joy to live with in a home of any size (even an apartment).

The Odis gets along well with children as he is both playful and fairly gentle. When properly bred and raised he should never be aggressive, and instead should possess a balanced temperament and well-developed self-esteem! This happy breed is agile enough to romp with kids of all ages although supervision is always recommended. Furthermore he also gets along fine with cats and other dogs. In terms of living with a family this breed doesn’t choose favorites and will tend to treat everyone the same unless one member in particular makes a point to give him extra attention. The Odis is known for his faithful nature and his ability to form a strong, lasting bond with his owner. With strangers, however, while he is generally social he may be slightly cautious at first until he gets to know the person. Furthermore he will carry out the role of watchdog at home when someone shows up at the house.

The Odis is a small breed with a relatively strong and stout build, covered with a long, thick double coat. The standard states that there should be a similarity to the South Russian Shepherd Dog, except obviously much smaller in size. Color possibilities include white, white with spots of various colors (except liver), white with gray, dark gray, or fawn of various shades (except orange). The head should resemble a blunt wedge both from the top and the sides, and the muzzle should house thick, well-pigmented lips. All of this is somewhat hidden by the presence of a beard, mustache and bangs. The hanging ears are high set and triangular. The tail should reach the hock in length, and is normally carried low unless excited. The skin is moderately thick and elastic.

While one might think that the coat of the Odis requires extensive work, in fact this is not the case at all! He was bred to have a lower-maintenance coat (in comparison to other long haired dogs, that is). It isn’t prone to matting and although it does require brushing, it doesn’t need as much as breeds with a similar length of coat. Furthermore it only needs to be washed when dirty, and definitely no more than every two weeks. Eyes should be checked weekly for grime, and teeth should be be brushed regularly. Finally, this breed drops coat (sheds) about twice per year. Otherwise this is a relatively low-shedding breed and the coat must instead be brushed to remove the dead hair which is trapped on the body rather than falling to the floor. Once again, keep in mind that his “low grooming” is based on similarly coated breeds, and he obviously requires more grooming than a smooth coated dog.

Photo By Canarian

The Patagonian Sheepdog

The Patagonian Sheepdog (AKA the Magellanic sheepdog, Barbucho, or Ovejero Magallanico) hails from Chile, where it has been used as a herding dog for years. Developed from sheepdogs brought from Britain in the late 1800’s and early 1900s (particularly the now extinct Old Welsh Grey), the breed was developed over time specifically to work sheep. At that time, breed standards weren’t as important as working qualities and therefore the Patagonian was lumped into the general group of “working collies”. This said, the Magallanes region (the specific region of the breeds’ origin) is somewhat of an island geographically, which kept the gene pool of this breed relatively untouched and intact. Today, the breed is recognized by the Kennel Club of Chile but otherwise is rare and unknown in most of the world. According to recent DNA research, the Patagonian is the most closely related modern dog to the original sheepdog of the United Kingdom.

Patagonian Sheepdogs are wickedly intelligent and have loyal natures – both qualities that lend themselves well to obedience training. While they have natural and innate abilities to herd animals, they learn other tasks quickly and enthusiastically. Furthermore, they tend to be submissive and soft when working with their human counterparts. This is a dog that needs a job to do in order to be happy!

The Patagonian Sheepdog was developed to withstand the sometimes-harsh climates of their region which means they aren’t fazed by snow or cold weather. They also have enough endurance to allow them to work long hours. In fact, it was common for small groups of these dogs to travel alongside their horseback-riding owners on long expeditions. Not only were they expected to keep up, but they also had to manage and guard up to a thousand sheep in the process! Furthermore, it was common for meals to be served only every few days so these dogs would be working tirelessly with little calories. While this situation would be frowned upon today, it has forged a breed that is exceptionally hardy and resilient!

The Patagonian Sheepdog is a medium sized dog. The coat can be either medium or long in length, but always hard to the touch and with an abundant undercoat. Most have a beard of hair on the chin. Long haired dogs were frequently sheared in the summer along with the sheep! Coat color can include black, bay, gray, gray tricolor, merle, various shades of brown, and various shades of blue tricolor. Any of these colors can appear with or without white. The eyes can be either dark, blue, mottled or marbled and should have a “lively look”. The ears normally hang to the sides of the head although a semi-erect ear is also allowed.

Patagonian Sheepdogs are agile, active and playful. They are affectionate to humans and especially loyal to their human families, and they prefer to stay close to their owner’s side whenever possible. They have a natural confidence and an innate curiosity about the world. While they make great pets to those whom can meet their needs, their herding instincts are unmistakable and they will try to herd other animals, children and full grown adults! Patagonians have a medium to high energy level, depending upon how much exercise they get each day. This is a great dog for an outdoor adventurer as they will be up for just about any physical activity you can throw at them! This said, when given proper exercise they iare content to lounge around the house. The smaller the home or the yard, the more exercise they need.

Photo By Gernikatar

The Gotland Hound

The Gotland Hound is a scenthound that has existed for about 200 years and was bred to hunt hare and fox. This Swedish breed is bred solely for hunting and is rarely seen in dog shows. Together with the Smaland Hound (which this hound is highly related to), they are the two oldest Swedish breeds in existence. Once a popular farm dog on the island of Gotland up until the 1950’s, it was recognized at the time by the Swedish Kennel Club. When numbers dwindled (possibly due to politics) they lost their recognition and were only recently re-recognized in their country in 1990, although numbers are still extremely low and they are considered a very rare breed. Fanciers are currently working to keep the breed alive and afloat, as they consider the rich history one that is worth preserving!

Breeders of Gotland Hounds are focused on keeping working ability and temperament while still maintaining a healthy gene pool. With a breed as rare as this one (between 100-120 total for the last several years), there is concern about the gene pool becoming too small. Thankfully there are currently no health issues known in the breed which means that inbreeding isn’t as “dangerous” as it might be if large portions of the population were afflicted with health conditions, but a wider gene pool is always better. There have been some recent crosses with the Hygen Hound, a similar Swedish scenthound, with hopes of widening that gene pool a bit. In addition, members of the parent club are working hard to “advertise” this breed to the public who might be otherwise completely unaware these dogs exist. Fanciers are mindful that in order for the breed to survive, there must be more litters born per year than there currently are.

Gotlands are friendly with people and lively on the hunting field – traits that allow them to excel at the double-duty of companion and hunting dog. Their medium size allows them to remain very functional at both tasks. Furthermore they are also known for their abilities to get along with kids, and possess excellent health and general longevity (average lifespan being 14-15). A talented nose is the cherry on top of this versatile hound’s abilities! In order to reach their full potential in the home, it is essential that they be exercised every single day lest they become frustrated and destructive. Games in a fenced backyard, long walks and/or extended hiking sessions are all good options for fulfilling this need. Also, remember that these hounds were bred to hunt and they all have very strong instincts whether or not their owner formally takes them hunting… they will hunt on their own if they need to!

Gotland Hounds are loyal to their families but can be rather vocal and loud – common traits of scenthound breeds. Prospective owners who have never before owned a scenthound might be surprised by their vocal natures, and may also be unprepared for the extreme amount of physical endurance they possess on walks as well! These traits are valued in hunting hounds but can take a novice owner by surprise. Those whom have never cared for a scenthound may furthermore be surprised by the dogs’ prey drive. Many are not safe around cats or other small animals – whether wild or domesticated. Traits that definitely need to be considered when deciding whether this breed is for them. Fortunately, they are generally very good around other dogs.

Appearance-wise, the Gotland is light in bone and rectangular in body. The coat is smooth, dense and coarse, and always yellow/white in color – in which the yellow is the dominant color. White may appear on the face, under the neck, as a collar, on the chest, belly, legs, tip of tail and on the paws. The ears are relatively short and hang down to the sides of the head, framing dark-brown almond shaped eyes. The back should be flat and strong. They are low-maintenance as far as grooming – needing only a weekly brushing and a once-over to check ears, eyes, teeth, etc. With the right owner they can be a wonderful choice of pet!

Photo By Canarian

The Chongqing Dog

The Chongqing Dog is said to be one of the oldest breeds in the world – its history can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago! This Chinese breed was originally bred as a hunting dog but as urbanization grew, it gradually lost its purpose and numbers began to fall. The breed was revived in the 70’s and took on more of a utilitarian purpose – being used for a number of varied jobs including protecting crops from wild pigs and as a guard dog. Today, he is primarily used as a protection dog, and he excels at this task thanks to his fearless and courageous nature. This primitive molosser is one of the rarest breeds of dog today and while it is recognized by the China Kennel Union, is still yet unrecognized by FCI or any clubs in America. To make matters somewhat confusing, the original breed – Chinese Chongqing Dog, was split into two breeds just recently in 2018: into the Chongqing Dog and the Chuandong Hound.

The Chongqing is outgoing with people he knows, aloof with those he doesn’t, but fierce with small animals thanks to a strong prey drive. Despite his small size he has a huge personality and possesses confidence in spades! As stated above, his specialty is guarding and not only will he alert to the presence of danger but he will back up his threat if he feels it necessary to do so. However, this loyal and dignified guard is gentle with his family and gets along well those whom he loves, including children. The guarding talents of this Chinese breed are natural and require little training, although it should be noted that they aren’t recommended for competition bite work.

Chongqings enjoy all manner of activity and exploring new places with their noses (they are talented with scent detection skills). They are always on alert, whether it be looking out for possible danger or an animal to chase! Being both tough and agile they don’t mind “getting dirty” if the situation calls for it, and in fact many relish the opportunity! While they aren’t known for being aggressive with other dogs for no reason, they aren’t terribly social either and aren’t a good choice for the dog park.

In terms of color, the Congqing Dog comes in either black or red (of dark or light shades) with a dark black mask on the head. Like several other Chinese breeds, the tongue is blue or has blue spots. The coat itself is extremely short and very harsh in texture. His square head has natural wrinkles on the brow beneath naturally erect ears, and features a powerful muzzle with prominent cheeks and a well-defined stop. He is squarely built and extremely muscular with an unusually-shaped tail which is set high and carried stiffly. Although he is small in stature his weight upgrades him into the medium-size category.

The Chongqing is intelligent but powerful, which means that obedience training is important to establish control. Naturally independent, he requires an owner who is stable-tempered (cool and collected) that can be consistent with lessons. Furthermore he needs training that is firm, yet fair and should only be owned by the experienced dog person. Once trained, he will take his job seriously.

The average lifespan for the Chongqing is 12-13 years and they remain playful for many of their years. They only require a brushing and nail trim about once a week and the occasional bath, making them fairly low-maintenance in terms of grooming. Like all dogs, they do need regular dental care. The majority of their care will be in the form of early and frequent socialization, consistent obedience training, and routine exercise.

Chongqing Dogs can live in apartments if they are sufficiently exercised but only IF they are sufficiently exercised! They do need regular, daily excursions to work out their impressive muscles so unless an owner is able to provide this, they would be better suited to a home with a small yard. A long daily walk is the bare minimum for these stocky little guys and they’d be even more thrilled to accompany their owner on a hiking expedition! Just make sure any hikes are carried out on-leash, as their prey drive necessitates that they be kept safely clipped to a lead at all times. In addition (when it comes to owner compatibility), the breed is most suited to calm households as they don’t do well with an excess of household chaos.

By Markus Monroe

The Czech Spotted Dog

The Czech Spotted Dog is recognized by the Czech Kennel Club although not yet recognized internationally. Sadly, this wonderful breed was originally bred as a laboratory dog for medical research, starting in 1954. Researchers wanted a dog that was docile and calm, easy to care for, with high fertility and a “suitable body structure, size and coat”. A dog similar to a German Shepherd was bred with a dog similar to a Smooth Fox Terrier, and later German Shorthaired Pointer was crossed in. Thankfully, in the 1980’s they were no longer used for research and soon thereafter the animals that remained were given to the public. With the later addition of Small Munsterlander and a few dogs of completely unknown ancestry, current dogs are bred purely for companionship and as such are not aggressive with people, other dogs or animals, and have generally pleasant, happy temperaments. Life is a game and they love to play!

Spotteds enjoy dog sports and have been successful in a number of venues including dog trekking, obedience, frisbee, agility, conformation, lure coursing, freestyle, and participation as therapy animals. These are athletes that love physical activity almost as much as they love engaging with their owners – which makes them naturals when it comes to competition! Their social nature is also a boon as they are enjoy going new places and meeting new people (and dogs) – all beneficial traits for competition. And at the end of the day they are more than content to lay on the couch with their owners! Prospective owners should realize that the flip side to having a dog that is ready to “do it all” also means an excess of energy (and an enthusiastic bark to go along with it). Owners must be just as active as the dog in order to fulfill the needs of this spirited breed. The first couple of years in particular can prove challenging as young CSDs are particularly…enthusiastic.

Spotteds usually take quickly to training as they are very intelligent and enjoy learning obedience. This said, their particular “zest for life” means that they can also be mischievous and prone to naughtiness. Patience and regular training is key here, especially with youngsters! While obedience is important for every dog, it is especially important for this breed – not because they will try to assert dominance, but because of impish behavior. Many also have natural hunting instincts which result in high distractability around small animals. An owner should be prepared to work through this trait. While they are adaptable to many different household settings it is important that the owner be ready to provide lots of mental stimulation.

The CSD is an extremely social animal that doesn’t like to be left alone for long periods of time (he does suffer from separation anxiety). He enjoys it when guests come over and is great with kids. This is a “velcro” breed which usually prefers to follow his owner from room to room. While many owners enjoy this trait, some may find that giving the dog a household canine companion will provide another social outlet and render a bit more alone time for the human! When it comes to people, this is a gold-standard breed that will form a deep and loyal bond with his owner and those whom he trusts.

The Czech Spotted Dog can be a good candidate as a breed for a first-time dog owner (as long as the person fits his lifestyle). First, this is a medium sized breed which is not too big or too small. Second, he can make a good watchdog (alert dog) without actually being prone to dangerous guarding behavior. Third, he can adapt well to living in an apartment. These factors have made him somewhat popular in his home country although worldwide he is all-but unknown. He can make a fine companion in a home with a single person or a large family, and can even be a good choice for an elderly individual provided they can meet his energy needs.

CSDs come in two basic coat color patterns: black tricolor and chocolate tricolor, and two coat types – short and long. Both coat varieties are double-coated and the long coat is often slightly wavy. Sometimes a “transitional coat” variety appears, which is essentially a short coated individual with longer hair on the back of thighs and tail. The breed has a wedge-shaped head, folded V-shaped ears, and a saber-shaped tail often carried high.

The Swedish White Elkhound

The Swedish White Elkhound all started from a very pale puppy born into a litter of Swedish Elkhounds in 1942. Light colored puppies are rare now, although occasionally showed up in litters of the various elkhound breeds and is speculated to have come from an early cross with a Samoyed. It was said that these white puppies possessed special “powers” that would cause moose to stand stock still while this breed was nearby. Interested by this phenomenon, fanciers began to investigate whether the white dogs (from both Swedish and Norwegian Elkhound litters) were also skilled hunters in addition to having this moose-hypnotizing skill set. As luck would have it many of them were, which led to the continued breeding and eventual recognition of the breed by the Swedish Kennel Club in 1993. Despite the word ‘elk’ in the name, this breed primarily hunted moose and also occasionally lynx, bear and badger.

The double coat of the Swedish White is easy to care for although does shed regularly. The coat is dense, straight and coarse to protect the dog from the elements. As might be guessed from the name, the breed is always solid white but can sometimes have a faint yellow tinge to the coat. This is a rectangular, medium-sized spitz with characteristic prick ears and curled tail. Breeding for the proper conformation is important – so much so that the parent club insists that every dog bred must have at least a rating of “sufficient” at a dog show in order to even be considered as a breeding prospect. In addition, each dog must also pass a hunting test as well as several health tests. This is to ensure the breed stays healthy, retains its hunting instincts, and doesn’t deviate physically from the standard.

White Elkhounds are always alert to the goings-on of their surroundings but are fairly calm in demeanor. They can make wonderful companions in the right home although it is important to understand that they are hunting dogs that will not be happy without a job. This is not a breed for someone looking for a dog to lounge around the house all day! When matched with a knowledgeable active owner and given training and engaging tasks to do, this spitz will thrive. Despite being fairly young as a breed, the future is bright for this hardworking and adept hunting dog!

Photo By Canarian

The Sicilian Shepherd

The Sicilian Shepherd (AKA the Spino Degli Iblei) is Italy’s 17th dog breed, having been recently recognized as a local breed by the Italian Dog Association (ENCI) in 2015. Although not yet recognized by the FCI or abroad, this is still a great accomplishment for a breed that had been in danger of extinction. Evidence of bearded dogs have been recorded in the region of Sicily since the 17th century and there is even talk of the breed having been around since the Bronze Age, however it wasn’t until 2014 that the first breed club was founded. This is a livestock guarding dog, used primarily to protect sheep and goats from wolves.

As might be assumed by a dog bred to face off against wolves, the Sicilian is very brave and confident which makes him a wonderful choice as a family guard dog as well! This said, with his family he is affectionate, sweet and very loyal. He can do well living with children, and is gentle enough to make a good therapy dog. This dual nature is one of the key traits that the breed is known and bred for. Not all livestock guardian breeds are as well-adapted to family life as the Sicilian! The breed is also obedient, docile and intelligent which makes him a good house companion although he does love to spend a lot of time outdoors. As he has fairly high exercise requirements, he does best with active owners.

The Sicilian Shepherd is a large, robust and rustic dog. It has thick bone and should look strong when observed, with a massive head. The coat is long, thick and fairly wavy with a very substantial texture to it. The face is equally covered in thick hair which should form a “wig” of eyebrows, mustache and beard. Colors include white/black, white/fawn (in all shades) or solid white, and there must always be at least one white spot on the chest. The tail is long and carried low, but will raise substantially in movement or excitement. The dog’s gait should be free and fluid, and the dog should never trudge while trotting.

By Canarian

The Mantiqueira Shepherd

The Mantiqueira Shepherd was created to herd sheep and cattle in the tough Mantiqueira Mountains of Brazil. Known for its agile working ability, good health and rustic constitution, this breed is a solid worker known for getting the job done in harsh conditions. It is speculated that the Belgian Tervuren, the Dutch Shepherd, the German Shepherd Dog and the White Swiss Shepherd Dog make up some of its ancestry, although various Spanish breeds may also be in the bloodlines (such as the Garafiano Shepherd, Basque Shepherd Dog and Can de Palleiro). As there is no official documentation, the exact makeup of the breed is unknown although it is fairly certain that they were created in the 19th century by dogs brought over by Europeans, and due to the difficulty of accessing the region in which they were bred, this new breed was virtually untainted. This herding dog is recognized by the Brazilian Cinophilia Confederation but not yet recognized by the FCI.

The Mantiqueira also has a talent for guarding property which was the secondary job of this breed. This is a loyal companion that develops a strong bond with their owner, and wants to keep their owners and possessions safe. Interestingly, Mantiqueiras traditionally had another job – protecting mule trains and the cargo carried by the mules. To do this they would often ride on the saddle of a horse, right behind their owner, as said owner transported the train of mules! Matiqueira Shepherds have strong work ethics and enjoy being given a job to do.

The Mantiqueira Shepherd can come in a variety of colors including white, black, blue (which is white and black mottled), various shades of gold, and black/tan (with either a black mantle or black with tan points). Some have a black mask. The coat itself can be short, medium-length or long, and either straight or curly. In all varieties the coat should be very dense. This is a medium sized breed with erect ears and a long triangular muzzle.

Unfortunately the Mantiqueira is currently facing extinction as their original job is becoming obsolete, and the population number is fairly small. It is hoped that the breed club will be able to keep them alive and generate enough interest to grow the gene pool and increase numbers before this lovely breed is lost to time!

By Canil Império da Mantiqueira

The Czech Mountain Dog

The Czech Mountain Dog (AKA Bohemian Mountain Dog) is the youngest Czech breed – formed in the late 1970’s. Originating from a combination of the Slovak Cuvac and various Canadian mixed-breed working dogs, primarily those of sled-dog origins, they were eventually recognized by the Czech Kennel Club in 1984. While originally used as a mushing dog, today this Czech breed is used primarily as an avalanche rescue dog and loyal companion. They are well-suited to mountainous regions and are capable of being used for a number of hardy jobs, however are equally adept at numerous dog sports as well! This has given them a small but devoted following in their home country, despite the fact that they are basically unknown elsewhere. It is thought that there are only about 200 registered at the time of this blog’s publishing date.

The Czech Mountain should never be aggressive when raised correctly, and in fact tends towards being submissive in general. However if a real threat exposes itself he is fully ready and capable of defending the family! He gets along with all sizes of animals including other dogs, and is well-behaved and playful around children. It may take him a minute to warm up to strangers but will quickly make friends once he sees there is no reason to worry. In general he is devoted, friendly and easy to be around, with a sparkling personality and calm affectionate nature. He was created to be an easy-to-manage and undemanding dog.

Czech Mountain Dogs are generally easy to train for those who can be firm yet fair, and the breed tends to do well in competitions. They can naturally herd livestock, guard the homestead, work as therapy animals, and can be easily taught skills for search and rescue. This is a breed that needs a job in order to be happy so obedience is recommended as a baseline followed by other more-specific tasks. Agility, canicross, skijouring, bikejouring, canine freestyle, carting and sledding are all activities in which this breed excels! This intelligent breed is also known for solving problems on their own, making them wonderful partners in all manner of tasks. Because they form very strong bonds with their owners, they can become sensitive to their owner’s moods which can either help or hinder them in performance.

The Czech Mountain is lively and active so he does require daily exercise and a home with a large yard. He would be a great hiking companion as he enjoys being in the outdoors and thrives on exercise that is based on endurance. Cross-country skiers take note – this dog will gladly run with you! Barring that, a long daily walk and/or a several-mile jog is a necessity – and this will hold true even in the worst of weather! In his home country it is common for him to live outside since he is so hardy and built for harsh environments – so while he can live inside, his owner must provide plenty of “nature time” throughout the day. He’s also built for the cold and will likely be unhappy in a house with the heater blasting.

Czech Mountain Dogs are always parti-colored (white in combination with any other color) and the head must never be solid white. The coat is straight and medium-long in length, slightly longer on the back of the thighs and tail. This is a large breed with a body structure that should suggest strength. The hanging ears are set high and wide apart, and the eyes are oval shaped and dark in color, with dark pigmented eyelids. There is a slight variation in appearance between many members of this breed, likely due to to its versatile working background, but the breed’s standard seeks to regulate that appearance. Ideally this will be done while not losing any of the wonderful working abilities or even-temperament of the breed.

Photo By DeinaAjax