Czech Spotted Dog (Český strakatý pes)

The Czech Spotted Dog (Český strakatý pes) is a pleasing and easy-going breed with its homeland in Czech Republic. This dog was bred specifically for scientific purposes in the 50s of the XX century and was previously known as the Horak Laboratory dog. Presently it won wide popularity as a companion animal in its native land but it hasn’t yet gained any international recognition.

Photo:www.cmku.cz

The Czech Spotted Dog was initially developed as a lab dog at the Czechoslovakian Academy of Science by František Horák, the most well-known Czech cynologist. Among possible progenitors of the breed were the German Shepherd Dog and the Smooth-Haired Fox Terrier. It was used for several dozens of years in medical experiments, which contributed to the advancement of humankind in medical science. The dog was first exhibited to the public in 1961 at a national dog show in Prague.

In the late 70s of the XX century the Czechoslovakian Academy of Science started to curtail the medical projects with participation of the Czech Spotted Dog. Gradually it aroused interest of individual breeders. Unfortunately due to some administrative impediments majority of the 40 breed members simply passed away. Only several dogs were adopted by private breeders.

Initial passion to breed the Czech Spotted Dog quickly died out and the following decades of oblivion almost led it to extinction. But in the beginning of 90s several breed fanciers combined their efforts to save the breed. They found out that only few offspring of first lab dogs were of satisfied quality to be used in a breeding program. These were three dogs whose origin was confirmed by documents and three bitches without any documents (they were lost as they were frequently rehomed). These specimens became the foundation stock for resumed breeding.

Presently the long-term well being of the Czech Spotted Dog is no longer threated although it hasn’t yet gained recognition of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). It’s attributed to so-called national breeds and twenty local kennels are now engaged in its breeding. More specifically the Association of Czech Spotted Dog and the Kennel Club for Rare Breeds demonstrate active interest to its fate by maintaining its number and popularising it. In its homeland the Czech Spotted Dog is prized as an ultimate canine companion, friendly, undemanding and even-tempered.

The Czech Spotted Dog is an average-sized companion dog with an outgoing and joyful personality. It fits perfectly well to all lifestyles as long as it receives sufficient amount of love and attention from its beloved people. This breed strives for constant human companionship and may suffer from severe separation anxiety if left alone frequently and for long periods of time. Children like its playful and adventurous demeanour and the dog usually reciprocates their feelings.

As the majority of breeds the Czech Spotted Dog tends to manifest distrust and aloofness by the first meeting with an unfamiliar person. However it’s able to quickly discern the difference between a foe and a friend and will be glad to acquire a new playmate. With its alertness and well-developed protective instinct it can be turned into a dependable watchdog. This breed will never allow an ill-intended person to trespass its territory so it can perform effectively the work of a property guardian.

The Czech Spotted Dog has few issues with other dogs and will be glad to share its existence with one or several of other canines. It’s essential though that initial introduction of two strange dogs was performed under supervision of their masters. The breed inherited substantial part of hunting instinct from its sporting ancestors so sometimes it just can’t resist a good chase. Nonetheless it commonly gets along with an individual home cat with which it has been brought up since a young age.

The most common problems for the breed include:

• patellar luxation;
• canine hip dysplasia.

The Czech Spotted Dog is an unpretentious breed as far as it concerns its grooming. It comes in two types of coat’s length, short and long. It will be quite sufficient to brush the short-haired specimen only once a week. The dog with longer hair will probably require more frequent brushing to prevent its coat from matting and tangling.

Other than that this breed needs fairly standard care, which includes monthly trimming of its nails and cleaning its ears if they look dirty. It should be bathed only when it’s absolutely necessary.

The Czech Spotted Dog is an easy-going and smart breed whose training is usually an easy task. It’s notable for strong eagerness to please so it learns basic commands almost effortlessly. Manyattest of its owners attest to its outstanding performance in agility, dog trekking, obedience, therapy dog training and frisbee.

This docile dog can be taught very advanced tricks if its training is accompanied with its favourite treats and plentiful of verbal praise. Negative reinforcement won’t bring desirable success in the work with the Czech Spotted Dog and will only cause defiant behaviour, which is untypical for this good-natured breed.

The Czech Spotted Dog is an active and sturdy companion animal, which needs moderate amount of daily physical exercise. It should be walked for at least 45 minutes every single day although it would be grateful for an occasional chance to let off steam in a securely enclosed area. This dog usually makes an excellent companion for a jogger or bicyclist.

Once its exercise need has been properly met it’s prone to become somewhat lazy indoors and will occupy your couch for hours on end. Remember that an under exercised dog can demonstrate such nasty behavioural patterns as excessive barking, destructiveness and over excitability.