Origin of the breed:
The Czechoslovak Wolfhound originated
in Czechoslovakia in 1955 as a military experiment. Its main aim was
to combine the training qualities of a German Shepherd with the
endurance of a Carpathian Wolf.
The experiment was developed by Karel Hartl, who crossed the two
species.
In 1982 the breed was finally recognized by the Czechoslovak Kennel
Club and in 1989 by the FCI.
The wolfdog is known for its lupine appearance, physical endurance
and intelligence.
They display specific behaviors that set them apart from ordinary
dogs, requiring experienced owners and proper training.
Behaviors of the Czechoslovakian
Wolfdog:
1) Training and intelligence;
Although they are extremely intelligent and learn quickly, they are
also stubborn and independent, requiring consistent and firm
training from an early age.
2.
Pack instinct;
They have a strong pack instinct and tend to form strong bonds with
their human family, suffer from their absence and can be quite
destructive with separation anxiety, are suspicious and fearful of
strangers, not a good choice as a guard dog.
3. Energy and activity;
They are high-energy dogs, especially from mid-afternoon onwards.
They need a lot of physical and especially mental stimulation, walks
with challenges and agility are ideal for keeping them strong and
healthy.
4. Socialization;
This is the key to raising a Czechoslovak wolfdog. Due to their
lupine nature, they are more withdrawn animals in the presence of
people and strange environments.
To prevent shy or aggressive behavior, they should be exposed to
environments, people and other animals from an early age.
5. Independence;
They are much more independent than other dogs and may prefer to
explore and solve problems on their own.
6. Vocalization and communication;
They have extensive bodily communication with several distinct
signals and howling is their main sound, although they can bark in
specific situations.
One of their characteristics is the absence of a “dog smell” and
they can camouflage themselves by burrowing into dead animals or
other things with an intense smell.
7. Hunting instinct;
They can develop a strong hunting instinct, which can be
a problem with small animals if they are not used to it
from a young age. Any contact with smaller animals
should be closely monitored.
8. Resistance and resilience;
They are physically robust and resilient, have a strong resistance
to pain and recover more quickly than normal dogs. They are
perfectly adapted to cold temperatures, rain and strenuous
activities.
9. Need for company;
Despite being independent, they don't cope well with loneliness and
can be quite destructive, with very marked flight behaviors.
For anyone wishing to keep a lobito at home, it is important to have
experience with dogs and to be prepared for the demands of the
species, especially in terms of socialization.
Main diseases:
Despite being a very robust and hardy breed, they are
also predisposed to some genetic and general health
diseases.
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Myelopathy
- Eye problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Autoimmune diseases
- Dental problems
- Dwarfism
Feeding the Czechoslovak
Wolfdog:
Their diet must be carefully planned to meet their
specific nutritional needs, taking into account their
activity and genetics.
A wolfdog's diet should be rich in high-quality proteins
essential for muscle development and energy maintenance,
lean meats, fish, eggs and animal protein sources are
ideal, complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, sweet
potatoes and oats should be included, healthy fats are
important for the skin and coat as well as energy, fish
oil, coconut oil and oil of animal origin are the best
options, vitamins and minerals found in fruit and
vegetables are part of a balanced diet, all these
nutrients can be found in a quality feed, which should
be offered 2/3 times a day, fresh water is always a
must.
You can supplement the food diet with BARF food or raw
meat, always with bones and offal, without cooking so as
not to remove the proteins from the meat, and you should
take care to freeze it at least 72 hours beforehand to
kill as many bacteria as possible.
It is essential to have a thorough knowledge of your dog
in order to adapt its diet to its lifestyle, routines
and physical exercise.
Characteristics of the
Czechoslovak Wolfdog:
- Size and weight;
Male, height between 65 and 70cm at the withers, and
26/36kg weight
Female, height between 60 and 65cm at the withers, and
20/30kg in weight.
- General appearance;
Of lupine appearance, robust and well-proportioned body,
agile and athletic, adapted for speed and endurance.
- Head;
Symmetrical and well-defined wedge-shaped, slightly
arched skull, straight and strong muzzle.
- Eyes;
Small, almond-shaped, characteristic amber color that
contribute to their wolf-like appearance.
- Ears;
Erect triangular and small compared to the size of the
body, quite expressive.
- Coat;
Double coat, with a dense undercoat that allows it to
adapt to cold climates, straight coat of medium length,
denser on the neck and chest forming a kind of
protective collar.
- Color;
The standard color is grey, which can range from silver
grey to yellowish grey and can be more or less dark. It
usually has a mask and markings on the chest and lighter
underbody.
- Tail;
The tail is high but droops downwards when moving or, in
cases of excitement, it can take the shape of a sickle.
- Movements;
Agile and fluid movements, with wide, efficient strides
reminiscent of a wolf being very economical and adapted
to long distances.
- Dentition;
Strong with a scissor bite, well-developed and complete
teeth.
In general, they have a lupine appearance with some
altered traits from their German shepherd heritage, and
have an average life expectancy of between 12 and 15
years.
General precautions to take into account before acquiring a Czechoslovak Wolfdog:
1. physical exercise
-Need for activity
-Variety of exercises
2. Mental stimulation
-Training
-Toys and games
3. Socialization
-Exposure to various environments
-Socialization classes
4. Health and veterinary care
Regular check-ups
-Genetic testing
-Parasite control
5. Nutrition
-Balanced diet
-Hydration
6. Hygiene and grooming
-Regular brushing
-Occasional bathing
7. Environment
-Suitable space
-Companionship
8. Training and behavior
-Continuous training
-Patience and consistency
All this care helps a Czechoslovak Wolfdog to lead a
healthy and balanced life, taking into account its
physical and emotional needs.
Rute Gaudêncio
