Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is since 13. 6. 1989-when it was internationally declared by plenary session of FCI in Helsinki- our youngest national breed.
The history of the development of the breed has beginning in the year 1955. That time I started to occupy myself by crossbreeding of German Shepard with wolf with regard to searching heredity in interspecific crossing of original specie with cultivated breed.
The goal of the attempt was: verify the fertility of the offspring, the dominance level of wolf and dog, the level of adaptation and demonstration of inherited wolf’s and dog’s features, studying of endogenous wolf activity and his crossbreeds in comparison with dog, biometry of crossbreeds and symptoms of their higher nerve activity.
The crossbreeds demonstrated the high immunity level in hard climatic conditions and excellent health conditions at the juvenile age as well as in the adulthood. The higher similarity to wolf then to German Shepard appeared by the crossbreeds of the third generation. However, they were apparently different from both wolf and German Shepard. The uniformity of exterior was on the high-level. Zoo-psychological tests showed the crossbreed’s preconditions to the education and training and that means usability.
There was work out a breeding project of a new breed when the crossbreeds surpassed other service breeds during the tests of endurance in hard weather conditions. Many experienced kynologists joined the working on this project. Above all, Mr.František Rosík, who started this task in Slovakia. He still successfully goes on as a chairman of the Csw’s club and also as a prosperous and active breeder of this race. Well-known breeder of the new dog breeds Mr. František Horák contributed by his advices, breeder and dog trainer Mr.Pavel Brožek, Mr. Jan Driml, breeder and dog trainer Ms.Anna Šimáčková, MUDr.Zd. Martínek. Many others enthusiasts stood by the birth of the new breed.
For crossbreeding there were chosen animals according to special tests. These animals had genetic, physiological, and morphological preconditions to become a base of the new breed. Three chosen individuals originated from three initial groups including individuals from covering German Shepard with Carpathian wolf and their offspring.
The breeding was based on non-related inbreed of different level of crossing. Individuals with various level of relationship were mating in the further period to lay the foundations of the breeding lines. The knowledge from the anterior tests-that there isn’t direct connection between a part of dog and wolf by crossbreeds and their phenotype-was usable.
When was proved in a few crossbreed’s generations that the expected goal can be reached, the results were summarized into final standard of a new breed. We applied for the possibility of crossbreed’s registering to Czech union breeder’s pedigree book in the year 1966. This should be a beginning of the new breed. Our request wasn’t satisfied. In addition, there appeared articles including expert theses-that successful breeding of race like this cannot be reached. These authors quoted the founder of breed German Shepard V. Stephanitz. However, we had different information about his tests and different own experiences.
We applied for registering in pedigree book for second time in 1970. We were refused for the same reasons. This repeated again in the year 1976 in pedigree book of Svazarm (organization for cooperation with Army). General prof.MVDr.J.Hrušovský, DrSc. that time chairmen of Central kynological council of Svazarm in ČSSR authoritatively intervened.
In the year 1981 Central expert committee of Czech breeder’s union finally approved the application for registration of our dogs in dog pedigree book. At the same time they permitted establishment of the Club of Czechoslovakian Wolfdog breeder’s. This was founded in the spring 1982.
Because the breeding of this race was successfully developing, the Club of breeders of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs applied for recognition of this breed by International kynological federation FCI.
The standard of the breed had to be modified to accord with international requirements.
This is a dog of firm constitution, rectangular frame, with height / length ratio 9:10, which is in coat texture and colour of the coat similar to wolf. He is uniform in type. His senses are strongly evolved. He is lively with active-defensive reaction but suspicious. The head is wedge-shaped with slightly arched forehead. The expression must indicate the sex.
He has regular teeth set with scissor bite. Typical are lightly coloured and slightly slant eyes. The ears are short, upright. The neck is well muscled, without free skin, notably coated. The back is straight and firm, slightly sloping. The loins are short, not broad. The belly is tucked up, firm. The tail is set on high, straight, hanging freely down. When the dog is excited then raises the tail in sickle-shape. The chest is roomy, pear- shape, rather narrow, without marked sternum.
The limbs have noticeably long forearm, pastern, shank and hock. The forequarter’s feet is slightly turned out-that’s other characteristic sign. When the dewclaw rarely occurs, it is removed.
Characteristic is fully harmonious movement in trot, light footed. Pacing when walking is typical.
The coat is straight, closed. In winter huge undercoat is covering the entire body. The possible colours of the coat are yellowish-grey to silver-grey with a characteristic pale mask on the head. The light hairs are also on the underside of the neck and the forechest.
The lowest height for males is 65cm, for females 60cm. The upper limits aren’t defined. In pedigree book of Czech union of breeders are registered 920 animals.
The annual evaluating of breeds and their demanding bonitation shows, what has been in breeding of Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs reached: 78% animals have specified height and size, 85% have required colour, 72% proved desired nature features, 4% didn’t have P1, 2% P2 and M3 and 1,7% cryptorchids.
Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs keep their high endurance. This is approved at annual endurance exams at a distance of 100m.
Quite a number of dogs have passed through exams of achievement. Whole teams of Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs annually take part in races of draught dog-teams. In this way we stop to be just an attraction. We became a part of kynological events.
Ing. Karel Hartl (Czech Republic)
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