Quo vadis Czechoslovakian Wolfdog?

Since 1999 I observe breeding activities in Germany- ever since I was looking 
for a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. And it was quite easy because there was only a 
handful of breeders in Germany. 

First information of this breed I found on the Internet. I had the opportunity to get in touch with Breeder and Owner in the Eastern European Countries. 

Many people give me detailed und honest information. I was fascinated by the 
wolfish Inheritance mixed with sportiest appearance. I though these dogs will 
be healthy and persistent. 

I thought because of their German-Shepard blood they would be easy to train 
and to handle. Some people said yes, that’s true, some people were saying no, 
they are not. 

Anyway I felt in love with this breed. 

For many years I had the opportunity to meet people with their wolfdog from 
the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and other Countries. 
We are visiting meetings everywhere in Europe. We took part in Training camps 
and competitions in the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, and Poland. We visited exhibitions and special dog shows to see the breed. 

At competitions and bonitations can learn a lot about dogs and their kennels. 
At a bonitation the dogs get measured and the proportions of the dog are 
checked. Furthermore the is a test which should show the character of the dog. This means at a bonitation you can get a better picture of the dog as at an exhibition. And it is great to meet people and see the differences of the dogs. 

And now, after knowing so many dogs I do not want to see them at exhibitions 
but a training and working. I want to know what you can do with this dog. How 
he works and how he behaves everyday. 

It is not the beautiful appearance that matters but the working attitude. 
Which differences are between dogs from different countries? Are there any? 
The answer is yes and No. Upbringing, Handling and breeding of wolfdogs are 
linked closely. 
Slowly the differences of the wolfsdogs are getting clearer. And in fact there 
are differences in each country. 

How do are the handled in different countries? How do they work with their 
dogs? And what are the differences? 
I have seen very professional dogs and owners/breeder. Dogs having a good 
working attitude and reliable, hard working dogs in various areas such as 
protection work, tracking, agility and obedience. On the other hand I have 
seen people who where not able to train the dogs with basic commands. I have 
seen dogs, being so fearful that they could not be in a crowd of people and 
they were not able to do anything but trying to get away. And their owner were 
not able to make their dog feel comfortable. 

But in each country are frightened and self-confident dogs. The conditions 
where the dogs are brought up do not vary very much. What makes the difference then? 
The answer is simple but extensively: The breeding makes the difference!

In general there is no certain country with good or bad dogs. There are 
certain breeder. They have different dogs and different goals. Many of the 
dogs were breed for working. These selections were made for many years. 
Breeders still have this kind of dogs and some still breed for working dogs. 
Other are trying to breed good looking, beautiful dogs and the character does 
not matter. 

Distinguishing marks are different breeding regulations in each country. 

In Slovakia and the Czech Republic you need:
1. Two Exhibitions
2. Hip Dysphasia -x-ray result
3. Endurance Test 40 km in given time
4. bonitation with character test

In Germany you need 1 & 2 plus an eye examination. Character and working 
quality does not matter. 

The breeding regulations influence the breed very much. For a continuing 
success and a developing structure we need to start at these regulations. If 
these differ from country to country there will be different dogs as well. 

It is interesting that more than 50% of all off-springs in Germany are coming 
from dogs which would not pass the bonitation or are not allowed for breeding 
in the origin countries because they are excluded from breeding because of 
faults. This is possible because of different regulations. 

What are the Consequences for the breed? 

There is no set-of and developing of the breed. 
Most important: the capacity of a working breed is getting lost

Every German Shepard has to attend exhibitions, a 20 km endurance run, and a 
IPO exam before he is allowed to be a stud dog. Almost any sheep- and cattle 
dog breeds, in the same class of the FCI, have to pass working exams before 
they get the breeding permission. 
Any Labrador Retriever is working harder to be a stud dog as any CSV. But both 
of them are working dogs. Here is a little reminder for you form the breed 
standard: 


BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Lively, very active, capable of endurance, docile 
with quick reactions. Fearless and courageous. Suspicious. Shows tremendous 
loyalty towards his master. Resistent to weather conditions. Versatile in 
his uses. 

Now it is on you. If you want a dog for working and for fun, which are healthy 
and have lots of power you should make sure, that the dogs proved their 
ability on working events and not only on shows.

The alternative: There will be a show line in Germany with dogs which attend 
shows only and do not have any working ability anymore. They do not match the 
standard. 

I have seen a dog failing the character test – The comment of the owner was: 
The dog has a bad day. For a working-breed which is able to safe lives and 
which have to be trustful I think this comment is alarming and anxious. 

Actually for sport I would definitely look for a different breed, but for 
civil defence or search and rescue they are pretty good. Well, they might not 
pass the obedience parts of the exam with highest points- but they work good 
in real situations. 

Who is he perfect CSV-Owner? 
For me it is someone who has a lot of time for his dog(s), loves them for the 
attitude, or because of the attitude. He works with the dogs and has fun with 
the dogs. He knows the good and bad points of the dogs, but likes him for his and want to keep the dog forever. 

Who ist he perfect CSV-Breeder? 
For me it is one who has a lot of time for me and my questions. Someone who 
has a lot of time for the dogs. Someone open and honest, telling me fault and 
distinguishing marks. Someone who has a goal in breeding. This does not mean 
maximum profit. Someone who is looking for the perfect partner. Someone who 
brings out great puppies and improving the breed. 

What it the true/ideal CSV? For me it is pretty easy. It is a healthy, 
self-confident dog, matching the standard, with all faults and preferences. 
There is no perfect dog, but some are close. 

Now it is your turn. What is a CSV for you? And how is he going to be in 
Germany and the rest of the world? 
Will we have Working dogs and Show dogs? Healthy, endurance Working dogs or 
shy “Wolves”?

Will we take the valuation criteria from the origin countries and use these 
for the breeding regulations? 

Where are you going Czechoslovakian Wolfdog?