Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
A wolf-like working breed with huge stamina, a strong pack bond and a mind of its own. Rewarding, but rarely easy.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 65–70 cm · Females 60–65 cm
- Weight
- Males 26–32 kg · Females 20–26 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Double coat, short
- Colours
- Grey, Silver, Wolf grey
- Bred for
- Herding, Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Slovakia
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 332 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 1/5 – Very low |
| Open to strangers | 1/5 – Very low |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 1/5 – Very low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 1/5 – Very low |
| Copes with being alone | 1/5 – Very low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- are very active and love long outdoor activities
- have experience with demanding breeds
- are at home most of the day
Think twice if you …
- need a dog that can be left alone
- have small pets at home
- expect reliable off-lead obedience
Care
Temperament
Lively, loyal and intensely attached to its family, but reserved with strangers. It is quick to react and very perceptive. It has a strong prey drive and can be selective with other dogs.
Exercise
Needs well over an hour of strenuous activity every day. Canicross, bikejoring, tracking, hiking and long endurance walks suit it best.
Grooming
The coat needs only weekly brushing for most of the year, but the seasonal shed, when the thick winter undercoat comes out, is heavy.
Training
It learns readily but bores fast and questions repetitive drills. Use short, varied, motivating sessions and socialise widely from puppyhood.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, transitional vertebrae, degenerative myelopathy and pituitary dwarfism are known in the breed. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip, elbow and spine results and DNA tests.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Spine
DNA tests
- DM (SOD1)
- Pituitary dwarfism
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog began in 1955 as a military experiment in Czechoslovakia, crossing German Shepherds with Carpathian wolves. The aim was a dog with the wolf's endurance and senses and the shepherd's trainability. It was later used by border patrols and recognised by the FCI in 1999.
Living with one is closer to living with a very athletic, very social primitive dog. It bonds tightly with its people, dislikes being alone and can howl, dig and escape when bored. It needs huge amounts of exercise, secure fencing and an owner who enjoys a challenge and plans training around the dog's motivation.
Did you know?
Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs often communicate by howling and body language more than by barking.