The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is often mistaken for a wolf! Strong and powerful, this breed is one of the closest to the wolf, even more so than the very popular Husky. Don’t let this put you off though — in the right environment, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a loving and devoted pup that thrives on attention from their owner.
A working dog, these pups have excellent stamina and want to be active all the time! Their size doesn’t necessarily make them the best family dog, but if you’re looking for a strong and hard-working companion then they might be the dog for you. Keep reading below to find out everything you need to about this interesting Wolfdog.
History Of The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
With lots of stamina, power and endurance, it is no wonder that the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog makes an excellent working dog. In fact, these wolf hybrids were bred to be protective, intelligent and loyal with the purpose of being used as a military attack dog. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2011.
Breed Origin
The first Czechoslovakian Wolfdog was bred from a German Shepherd and Carpathian Wolf. They were first bred in 1955 through a biological experiment in Czechoslovakia, with the aim of breeding a new working dog.
Czechoslovakia recognized the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog as their national breed in 1982. While they are primarily a working dog, they are also becoming more and more popular as a companion dog thanks to their loyalty and ability to love!
Characteristics Of The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog puppies are normally born in litter sizes of between six and seven puppies. These dogs are usually only born once a year, in the winter, as female Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs retain the wolf’s trait of only being in heat once a year.
You can expect to pay between $800 to $1,200 for a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog puppy. The price may vary depending on the breeder and what bloodlines the parents come from. Due to the fact that this dog is a fairly new breed, finding a breeder may be a little difficult. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs are often mistaken as wolves as they can look very similar. They have a strong jaw, amber eyes and erect ears. Their body is extremely athletic and agile, which helps with their stamina and endurance levels.
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog’s wolf heritage also gives this breed the amazing ability of night vision!
A male Czechoslovakian Wolfdog can stand up to 26 inches tall and weigh up to 55 lbs. Females are usually a little smaller, standing roughly 24 inches tall and weighing 44 lbs.
Coat
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog has a medium, dense and straight coat that is very similar to that of a wolf’s. Their coat means they thrive in a cooler climate, although they can easily adapt to any environment.
Their coat is a double coat and therefore these dogs shed a lot. That means they are not hypoallergenic and are not the dog for those with allergies! We will go into detail about how to groom your Czechoslovakian Wolfdog later on.
Color
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog can come in three different coat color variations. These are gray, silver and gray or yellow and gray. They may also have a light mask and a black muzzle.
Temperament
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog has a wonderful temperament when placed in a home with those who understand their needs. Loyal and loving, they bond to their owners very quickly and will believe it is their job to protect you, because they will see you as part of their pack. They will also been wary and aloof with strangers for this reason, which can make them great guard dogs and watchdogs! Early and continued socialization will help them to reduce this protective temperament.
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a very active dog that needs to be kept exercised. They are also very intelligent, so you must also be able to keep them mentally stimulated. These dogs don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time and need to be out, exercising interactively for a large portion of the day, so they can’t just be left alone in your backyard.
Without enough playtime and interaction, they can begin to develop unwanted behaviors due to their boredom. The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is especially known to howl when frustrated thanks to their wolf heritage, so you must be able to meet their energy levels and activity needs before buying.
Lifespan
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog has a relatively long life expectancy and can live on average between 12 and 16 years.
Known Health Issues
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a healthy breed with a long lifespan. Fortunately, this breed is not prone to very many health problems.
The main health concern for the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia, just like many dogs of this size. Dysplasia is a condition that is seen in many large dogs and is a disease of a malformation of the joints. The joints can become very painful and may worsen over time causing lameness.
The best way to ensure your pup is less prone to dysplasia is to buy from a reputable breeder and to ensure you get health clearances from both parents. You should also check your dog often for any signs of the issue and take them to the vet regularly for checkups.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, it is time to take a look at what daily life with one of these wolf-dog hybrids is like. Unfortunately, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog can be a handful, especially when it comes to their activity levels and exercise requirements. Read on below to find out more.
Food And Diet
Considering their activity levels, it is no surprise that the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog breed eats a lot! These dogs need roughly 1,450 calories a day and often do best on a raw diet. However, raw diets can be difficult to prepare, so a kibble diet is fine too.
The exact amount you feed your dog should be based on their weight. Check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding them. It is advised you feed them once a day.
You must ensure that you are feeding your Czechoslovakian Wolfdog a kibble that meets all their nutritional requirements. Try to look for one that is formulated for active breeds. Take a look at the food we recommend below.
Best Dog Food For The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
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We recommend the Extreme Athlete dog food from Diamond Naturals for the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. Formulated for very active dogs such as the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, this food will ensure your pup gets all the nutrients they need. Included in the recipe is high-quality chicken that provides an excellent source of protein for strong and lean muscles.
There are also vitamins, minerals, fruits, vegetables and superfoods included in this formula, all of which are easily digestible. Even better, this food contains K9 Strain Probiotics which is bacteria that supports their immune systems and helps your dog maintain an active lifestyle.
Exercise
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is, unsurprisingly, an incredibly active dog with very high exercise needs. These dogs need constant physical and mental exercise, which is one of the reasons they are best suited as a working dog or for those who have a lot of time to take them out and burn off energy!
You should be walking your Czechoslovakian Wolfdog for no less than 120 minutes a day. These dogs love to hike and run as well, so they can make an excellent exercise buddy. Their intelligence means they love to play games and they must be kept entertained to prevent unwanted behaviors that result from boredom.
As a working breed, keeping up with the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog’s activity levels can be a struggle. You will also need to train them to ensure they stay by your side when you take them for a walk in the park.
Family Compatibility
We have mentioned above that the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog can bond very quickly to their owners and will become very protective of them. However, they do not do well in homes with children or other family pets and it is for this reason that they are not normally recommended as a family dog. This is largely due to their strength and activity levels, and it can be dangerous to have them around very young children as they may hurt them without meaning to!
Thanks to their high prey drive, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog will not get on with other small animals (such as rabbits, hamsters and cats) and also does not normally get on with other small dog breeds, although socialization can help. If you are going to pair the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog with another dog in the home, try a dog with similar characteristics, such as a German Shepherd dog or Husky Dog, as they have been known to tolerate these dogs a lot better.
While the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog does get on with their owners and can be very loving, they don’t seek out companionship. Rather than needing you to give them love and cuddles, these dogs will need you to keep them entertained and exercised all the time. We mentioned above that these dogs don’t really like to be left alone and need stimulation at all times. You certainly shouldn’t be thinking about adding one of these dogs to your home unless you have a lot of time to dedicate to being outdoors.
Training
While the Czech Wolfdog is an intelligent dog breed and likes to please their owners, training them can be difficult. This is because they can be a little stubborn at times, so training will require patience and perseverance from you.
These dogs respond best to reward based training and positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise as well as treats. You should never get angry or annoyed with your Czechoslovakian Wolfdog because this will make them not want to learn.
Keeping training fun and introducing games and puzzles will keep your Czechoslovakian Wolfdog entertained.
Socializing
Socialization is extremely important for your Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. Thanks to their wolf heritage, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog develops a pack nature and can become very protective of their owners. This means they are aloof with strangers, children and other animals.
Socialization can help your Czechoslovakian Wolfdog to understand they do not need to be afraid and can help to minimize their possessive nature. Introduce your Czechoslovakian Wolfdog to different sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe and controlled way. This will help them to develop into a well-rounded and good mannered pup!
Grooming
Unfortunately, thanks to their double coat, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog sheds a lot. That being said, they do not have very high grooming needs. Regular brushing can help to minimize the shedding, but you will only really need to do this a few times a month.
You shouldn’t bathe your Czechoslovakian Wolfdog as this can strip the natural oils from their fur and cause health problems. However, you should clip their nails when needed and keep on top of teeth brushing. Brushing their teeth can help to prevent dental decay and disease.
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog FAQ’s
How much does a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog cost?
A Czechoslovakian Wolfdog can set you back between $800 and $1,200. The price can vary based on which breeder you buy from and factors such as the bloodlines that the parent Wolfdog’s come from.
Finding a breeder may be difficult because of the rarity of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who can give you health clearances for both parent breeds.
If buying is out of your price range or you want to adopt, you can always check your local shelter. You never know, there may be a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog there who is looking for their forever home!
Is the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog good with children?
The Czech Wolfdog is not recommended for those families with children. These dogs are extremely strong and powerful and could end up hurting young children without meaning to. They are also very active and energetic, and children may find it difficult to keep up with them. The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a great dog for adult only homes or for homes with older children.
Summary
Very similar to their wolf ancestors, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a strong and powerful dog that can thrive in the right family. With love and loyalty towards their owners, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is very protective and, wary of strangers, believes it is their job to keep you safe. Socialization and training is a huge need for this dog and they have very high exercise needs that you must be able to meet. That being said, when placed with an experienced dog owner that understands their requirements, the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a wonderfully devoted dog that’ll certainly keep you on your toes.