Puppies
Buying A Cesky Terrier Puppy
When the time comes that you hear of a litter for sale, please take a little while to think carefully about your purchase. All Cesky Terrier puppies are gorgeous, but there are some points that you should think about.
If you are looking for a show prospect, please be aware that no-one can guarantee that an 8 week old puppy is really of show quality. All that a breeder can say, with honesty, is that the puppy has no obvious faults at that time, and has the potential to succeed as a show dog.
There are several faults that could be evident at this age. The most obvious is missing teeth. A puppy that does not have 6 incisors top and bottom will never have complete dentition as an adult. Look also at the width of the jaw. A common fault in this breed is a narrow bottom jaw that causes the lower incisors to grow up into the roof of the mouth, rather than fitting correctly. The Cesky Terrier has a comparatively long head, which takes up to two years to develop fully. The bottom jaw will grow more slowly than the the top, and therefore a puppy that has a correct scissor bite may still finish level or even undershot. Personally, I prefer to see a bite that is somewhat overshot on a young puppy. Tail carriage can also be a problem. The Cesky Terrier should never have a curly tail, and although puppies will naturally carry their tails higher than an adult, it should not curl over the back. Finally, no matter how beautiful an example of the breed, a dog with a poor temperament can never succeed in the show ring. Puppies that are shy and run away from visitors may be encouraged with correct socialisation, but they will never be really happy in the show ring.
If you are looking for a family pet, cosmetic considerations are not as important - temperament and health must come at the top of your list of requirements. The Breed Standard describes the Cesky Terrier as 'reserved with strangers'. This means simply that they will often weigh you up before deciding that you are nice to know - perhaps because you are offering them a titbit! It does not, and should never mean that the puppies or their sire and dam are shy or nervous.
The Cesky Terrier is very healthy and responsible breeders endeavour to maintain that status. Therefore you should make sure that both sire and dam have an up-to-date KC/BVA eye certificate. The breeder should also explain to you the symptoms of Scottie Cramp and point out any carriers of this condition in the puppy's pedigree. (Don't worry - it's highly unlikely that you will come across Scottie Cramp, but it is important that you are aware of any SC carriers if, in the future, you ever decide to breed from your Cesky Terrier.)
All puppies must be wormed systematically in order to prevent the spread of Toxicara canis. Historically, worming preparations were very difficult to obtain in the former Czechoslovakia. Because of this Cesky Terrier puppies may carry a higher worm burden than we would consider normal in the UK. For this reason, it is essential that breeders are scrupulous in their worming regime of both pups and their dam. I recommend the use of Panacur for the in-whelp bitch and Drontal for the puppies.
The Cesky Terrier is highly intelligent, and has a very good memory. Therefore puppy experiences must always be positive as anything bad or unpleasant will be long remembered.
Online petition - Compulsory Microchipping of Dogs
The Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme encourages high standards of care and welfare. An Accredited Breeder is subject to inspection by the KC Breeder Adviser, and accreditation can be withdrawn if facilities are not satisfactory.
A healthy, well-reared and well-socialised puppy will give you great joy for many years, so it is surely well worth a little trouble to find the right Cesky Terrier for your family.