It was a Český Terrier, which is a breed from the former Czechoslovakia.
Technically, we can call it a Czech breed, because it was developed in the part of the country that became the Czech Republic. One has to be careful in what you call breeds from this former Communist country, because it includes two separate people (the Czech and Slovaks) who now live in separate countries. For example, it is wrong to call the wolf-hybrid dog that was developed here a “Czech wolf-dog.” It was developed in both the Czech regions and the Slovak regions, so technically, it is a Czechoslovak wolf-dog. (I know that sounds like trivia, but it is something you need to know when talking about breeds that originated in that former country. It is generally not good manners to call a Slovak breed a Czech breed)
Now, the Český Terrier was founded by a Czech breeder named František Horák. His breeding program began after the Second World War, and he wanted to create a Czech working terrier. However, he used two breeds of terrier that are not commonly used as working terriers today, and even back then, they were not considered working terriers. The two breeds in question were the Scottish terrier and the Sealyham terrier.
Horák eventually worked for the Czechoslovak Academy of Science, where he learned all sorts of interesting theories about selective breeding. Now, all of these things sound good, but there is a problem.
His breed never truly took off as a working terrier. Most citizens of Czechoslovakia were not out hunting in the forest, and most of these dogs were never selected for working ability. Instead, they were selected for their calm and docile temperaments. The breed became a pet breed, and soon fanciers in the West wanted them.
He wound up having so much contact with the West that the Czechoslovak secret police began investigating him. Boy, I’m sure they were surprised when they found out his only contact with the West was to talk about his breed of terrier!
Unlike its ancestors, the Český Terrier is not stripped. Its coat is clipped so that it remains soft.
Český Terrier is a pet dog. It’s not very common in this country, and thus, that’s why I remember seeing lots of ads for them in the dog magazines ten years ago.
Also speaking of interesting things from the former Communist Czechoslovakia, check this out:
[…] Answer: A Cesky Terrier. […]
Wasn’t schnauzer also used in the formation of the breed?
I don’t think so.
The Dandie Dinmont was added at a later date.
Now that explains a lot.
Dandies are probably the most docile of terriers.
I wonder if back then he took a lot of heat from the purist type breeders who believed their Scotties and Sealyhams just appeared in their given form one day through a divine act somehow. If he did this today he may even get some death threats from the real dog fancy wackos who live for just their dogs.
Hell no!
That was in a communist country.
So that’s how to do it in present times….. move to a Communist country. So much for the free world. LOL
Well, the Communists did all kinds of interesting experimental breeding that never, never would be allowed here.
I guess having an isolated authoritarian state is a good way to keep the fancy at bay!
Found the source I was thinking of for schnauzer, and it’s not a reputable one (other errors in the book which make me suspect it’s not well-researched, which is an encyclopedia of breeds)
What’s interesting is that the Eastern Bloc’s bloodlines for all sorts of breeds were split off from the West, so you can find all sorts of interesting things in those countries. The Russians have working Irish setters that look like they stepped out of a dog history book, as well as what we’d think of as dual purpose Labradors today.