Breed Ideals

As with any breed of dog, perfection is impossible. UKCSV strives for the correct standards through breeding of health & bonitation approved dogs only. The guide presented here is the standard set by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1999, generously translated by Mrs. C. Seidler.

HEALTH - We advocate testing the following for breeding.

  • DM : Degenerative Myelopathy
  • DW : Pituitary Dwarfism
  • PRA : Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • HC : Hereditary Cataracts
  • HIPS : Hip Dysplasia
  • ELBOW : Elbow Dysplasia
  • SAS : Heart Testing (recommended)

BONITATION - Evaluation of dogs against breed standard.

Dogs are presented to assess their proximity to the correct breed standard for conformation, movement, temperament & suitability for the continued improvement of the breeds' future.

EN FCI-Standard N° 332

The general appearance of the Czechoslovakian Vlciak should present as a firm type in constitution with above average size & a rectangular frame. In body shape, movement, coat texture, colour of coat & mask the dog should generate impressions very similar to that of the wolf.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS - Ratios

  • Length of body : Height at withers = 10 : 9
  • Length of muzzle : Length of cranial region = 1 : 1.5

HEIGHT

  • Bitches at least 60cm
  • Dogs at least 65cm

WEIGHT

  • Bitches at least 20kg
  • Dogs at least 26kg

TEMPERAMENT - Overview of character traits.

Lively, very active, capable of endurance with quick reactions. Fearless & courageous - can appear be reserved / suspicious. Shows tremendous loyalty towards his master & can present with family as docile. Robust health & resistant to weather conditions he is versatile in his uses.

GAIT & MOVEMENT

Harmonious, light-footed, ground covering trot in which the limbs skim over the ground as closely as possible. Head and neck should incline to the horizontal in movement. Pacing can be observed when walking.

COAT - Hair, colour & skin.

Hair should be straight and close. Winter and summer coat differ greatly. In winter an immense undercoat is predominant and, together with the topcoat, forms a thick coat all over the body. It is necessary for the hair to cover the belly, the inside of the upper thigh, the scrotum, the inner part of the ear and the area between the toes. The breed should show a well coated neck. Desired colours are yellowish-gray to silver-gray with a charateristic light mask, underside of the neck and the forechest. Dark gray colour with light mask is permissible. Skin should be elastic, well tensioned, without wrinkles & unpigmented.

CONFORMATION (FRAME) - specific skeletal & muscular body traits.

HEAD - Symmetrical, well muscled. Seen from the side and from above, it forms a blunt wedge. Sex should be unmistakable.

CRANIAL REGION

SKULL - seen from the side and from the front, the forehead is slightly arched. No marked frontal furrow. Occipital bone clearly visible.

STOP - moderate.

FACIAL REGION

NOSE - oval shape, black.

MUZZLE - clean, not broad, straight bridge of nose.

LIPS - tight fitting. No gap at corner of mouth. Rims of lips are black.

JAWS & TEETH - Jaws strong & symmetrical. Well developed teeth, especially the canines. Scissor or pincer bite with 42 teeth according to the usual tooth set. Regular teeth set.

CHEEKS - Clean, sufficiently muscled, not markedly protruding.

EYES - Small, slanting, amber coloured. Well fitting lids.

EARS - Pricked, thin, triangular, short (i.e. not longer than 1/6th of the height at withers). The lateral point of the set on of the ears and the outer corner of the eyes are in a direct line. A vertical line from tip of ear would run close along the head.

NECK - Dry, well muscled. In repose forms an angle of up to 40 degrees to the horizontal. The neck must be sufficiently long for the nose to touch the ground effortlessly.

BODY - Topline / Flowing transition from neck to body. Sloping away slightly.

WITHERS - Well muscled, pronounced. Though pronounced, they must not interrupt the flow of the topline.

BACK - Firm and straight.

LOINS - Short, well muscled, not broad, sloping slightly.

CROUP - Short, well muscled, not broad, falling away slightly.

CHEST - Symmetrical, well muscled, roomy, pear-shaped and narrowing towards the sternum. The depth of chest does not reach to the elbows. The point of the sternum does not extend beyond the shoulder joints.

UNDERLINE & BELLY - Taut bellly, tucked up. Slightly hollow in flanks.

TAIL - Set on high, hanging straight down. When dog is excited, generally raised in sickle shape.

CONFORMATION (LIMBS) - skeletal & muscular standards for limbs.

FOREQUARTERS

GENERAL - front legs are straight, strong, clean and close together with slightly turned out feet.

SHOULDER - shoulder blade is placed rather far forward, well muscled. It forms an angle of nearly 65 degrees to the horizontal.

UPPER - Strongly muscled, forms an angle of 120 to 130 degrees to the shoulder blade.

ELBOW - Close fitting, turned neither in nor out, well defined, flexible. Upper arm and forearm form an angle of approximately 150 degrees.

FOREARM - Long, clean and straight. The length of the forearm and pastern is 55% of height at withers.

PASTERN JOINT - Solid, flexible.

PASTERN - Long, forms an angle of at least 75 degrees to the ground. Lightly springy in movement.

FORE FEET - Large, turned slightly outwards. Longish arched toes and strong, dark nails. Well defined, elastic, dark pads.

HINDQUARTERS

GENERAL - Powerful. The hind legs stand parallel. An imaginary vertical line drawn from the point of the ischium, would run midway through the hock joint. The dewclaws are undesirable and must be eliminated.

UPPER THIGH - Long, well muscled. Forms an angle of 80 degrees to the pelvis. The hip joint is sturdy and flexible.

STIFLE - Strong and flexible.

LOWER THIGH - Long, clean, well muscled. Forms an angle of about 130 degrees with the hock.

HOCK JOINT - Clean, solid, flexible.

HOCK - Long, clean. Position almost vertical to the ground.

HIND FEET - Longish, arched toes with strong dark nails.