The Chodsky, Chodsky pes or Bohemian Shepherd is a dog with a long story to tell. This breed is said to have existed for over 8 centuries, admired for its great ability to defend herds and territories. He is also one of the predecessors of one of the most famous dog breeds in the world. Can you guess which one?
The Bohemian Shepherd is a dog that is characterized by its loy alty, its affability and its great passion for its family. He is very protective which makes him wary of strangers, but don't let a few warning barks fool you, the chodsky only needs time, once he gains confidence he is the dog the most. loveliest in the world.Do you want to get to know him a little better? On PlanèteAnimal we want to give you the opportunity to know all the characteristics of the Bohemian Shepherd, a unique breed of dog!
Origin
- Europe
- Czech Republic
FCI Nomenclature
- Group I
Physical Characteristics
- Muscular
- Lying
Size
- Average
Height
- 45-55
Adult Weight
- 10-25
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Active
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- House
- Shepherd
- The guard
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Long
- Smooth
- Big
Origin of the Bohemian Shepherd
The Bohemian Shepherd, known in his country as the Chodský pes, originated from the Chodsko region in southwestern Bohemia, in what is now the Czech Republic. There, and since its appearance many centuries ago, since there is evidence of its existence in the 13th century, it served as guardian of lands and homes, from the richest to the humblest.The Bohemian Shepherd also looked after the flocks in the region, protecting them from possible predators. All this made even King John I of Bohemia and Rudolf II recognize the value of this dog, allowing citizens to own it in order to protect the borders of Bohemia.
Given the age of this breed and its phylogenetic origins, this dog is considered one of the predecessors of the famous German Shepherd. The breed was officially recognized internationally in 1985, and its standard was established by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) in 2019. Yes, although it is a very old breed, its standard has been introduced very recently!
Characteristics of the Chodsky
The Chodsky is a medium-sized sheepdog, weighing between 19 and 27 kilograms in males and 17 to 24 kilograms in females. The height at the withers is 52 to 55 centimeters in them and 49 to 52 centimeters in them.
The body of the Bohemian Shepherds is rectangular in shape, rather elongated, but with harmonious and elegant shapes. Of compact appearance, the chodsky has a royal posture thanks to its high withers, its long neck, its curved tail and the proportions of each of the parts of its body, very balanced. The head is of a size proportional to the body, it has a flat forehead, with a narrowing at the stop, which is somewhat pronounced, and tapers at the end of the muzzle slightly to become a medium nose and always black in color . He has medium-sized, almond-shaped, oblique-angled eyes, a dark brown color, and an expressive gaze full of vitality.
Another of the most representative characteristics of the chodsky is its coat. The coat of the Bohemian Shepherd is lustrous, silky and long (about 5-12 centimeters), of high density and rough to the touch. It is smooth, or at most with very slight undulations.It has a bilayer structure, that is, it has a very dense and softer undercoat of hair than the outer coat. The length of the hair is not homogeneous, since it presents fringes at the base of the ears, and a longer hair in areas such as the back, the neck or the hocks.
Colors of the Bohemian Shepherd
The color accepted by the official chodsky standard is between black and lead black, with fire markings. It is considered that the more marks there are and the brighter the color of these, the better. These markings usually appear above the eyes, on the edges of the ears, on the cheeks, sides of the muzzle and throat, as well as under the tail, feet, thighs and hocks.
Bohemian Shepherd Puppy
At birth, chodskys have an identical coat to each other, but as they grow they show their adult coat, with their well-defined markings and the length according to each area of the body. This doesn't happen until they are about 6 months old.
The chodsky is an intelligent, very alert and inquisitive dog that shows its intelligence while still a puppy. He's usually neither too mean nor too loud, as long as he receives a basic education in due time.
Character of the Chodsky
The chodsky is a fairly energetic dog, very active, but also very docile and obedient and not at all nervous. He is always alert, which makes him an excellent watchdog, fiercely guarding what he considers his own, whether it is something material or emotional, like his family. This makes him suspicious of strangers, and if he has not been socialized since childhood, it is very difficult to accustom him to contact with strangers, but not impossible. Likewise, such a protective character can make him develop a certain protection of resources if he does not receive an adequate education, which is not at all desirable.
On the other hand, he loves his family very much, he gets along well with other animals as well as with children, with whom he is very careful and attentive. He is very much like a guard dog, doing his job with will and tenacity.
Caring for a Bohemian Shepherd
Caring for a chodsky is no more complicated than caring for any other breed of dog or crossbreed. Like all dogs, this one also needs a series of basic care. Among the most notable are the nutritional aspects, since it is necessary to provide them with a quality diet adapted to their energy needs. Keeping him hydrated is also vital, so make sure he always has access to fresh water.
Being such an active dog, the Bohemian Shepherd needs daily physical exercise. The activity does not have to be extremely intense, but it should be at least moderate in intensity.Too light physical activities do not allow him to release all the accumulated energy. Likewise, it is essential to provide him with adequate environmental enrichment, with a variety of toys that keep him stimulated both mentally and physically.
Another chodsky care is the maintenance of its coat. Its coat requires a lot of attention due to its density and length. It requires regular brushing, at least 3-4 times a week under normal conditions and once a day during the moulting period. Baths should be limited to the occasions when they are really necessary, so it is not recommended to practice them assiduously. It's also good to trim his nails and check his eyes and ears, cleaning them properly to keep them clean and free from infections.
Education of the Bohemian Shepherd
Chodsky dogs have a great learning ability, as they are attentive and very docile, being always ready to acquire new knowledge.They are hard-working dogs, with a high will for activity, which makes it easy to apply positive reinforcement techniques, based on rewards, whether it's treats or petting, sweet words. In this way, As with all animals what works best is patience and persistence, being firm but not harsh, always avoiding punishment and any type of humiliation towards the animal.
On the other hand, as we have already mentioned, the chodsky needs special attention in terms of socialization, and it is very desirable that this be done on a continuous basis during its development, starting From the earliest age. If you have any doubts about how to start, we leave you this article on How to properly socialize your puppy.
Chodsky He alth
The most common conditions in dogs of the chodsky breed are those related to their morphology, such as hip dysplasia, which affects medium and large breeds a lot.For better prevention and better diagnosis, it is advisable to carry out veterinary checks that include radiological examinations, which allow the condition of the hip joint to be assessed. By taking preventive measures or starting treatment early, the long-term prognosis is improved.
Another issue that plagues the Chodskys is their tendency to suffer from ear infections. The most common is usually otitis. That's why it's so important to clean their ears regularly, because the cleaner they are, the less germs and dirt build up in their ear canals and the less likely they are to develop an infection.
Ocular he alth issues are also reported, such as progressive retinal atrophy, as well as the danger of gastric torsion. But in general, most specimens of the Bohemian Shepherd breed enjoy good he alth, being necessary to carry out periodic checks, vaccinations and deworming, but without there being any major complications.
Where to adopt a Bohemian Shepherd
If you want to adopt a Bohemian Shepherd, we remind you below of some important aspects to take into account. One of the main challenges when adopting a Chodsky is that they are often mistaken for a long-haired German Shepherd. Therefore, if you don't have an expert eye, it's hard to tell the two breeds apart. Because, in addition, it should be noted that the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the world, therefore it is more likely to find a copy of this breed in shelters and kennels than to find a Chodsky. Also, it is essential to keep in mind that this is a very active dog that needs daily physical exercise. It is also necessary to be constant in the maintenance of its coat to avoid the accumulation of dirt and the formation of knots.
If it is clear that you want to adopt a chodsky, it is recommended to contact associations, shelters and nearby protection services, which can inform the person concerned about the procedures necessary for any adoption.We would also like to point out the advantages of adopting a crossbreed dog, which is always an option to seriously evaluate.
Photos of Bohemian Shepherd or Chodsky
