Meet the Bohemian Shepherd, also known as the Czech Shepherd Dog, Chodenhund, or Chodsky pes. We’ve come across a bit of controversy regarding this breed. Some maintain that it’s nothing more than a strain of German Shepherd Dog that isn’t recognized by any major kennel club in the world (though the breed is recognized nationally in the Czech Republic). Note: Since this piece was written, the breed has been accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale).
Other sources write that the Bohemian, or Czech Shepherd was probably one of the predecessors of the German Shepherd Dog since it was known to existed in the Czech Republic as far back as the 1300s. Still another source states that it’s not really a Czechoslovakian breed, but Czech in name only because the Czech and Slovak Republics didn’t merge until the early 20th century, and are separate again. We leave it to the experts to sort out. We’re just passing along the information.
These are highly social dogs who love their people with breathtaking intensity, and lots of exercise. As a working breed, it does well in obedience, agility, and protection, but requires a gentle hand, as do most intelligent breeds.
Image uploaded to Wikicommons by Michaela Cerovská
Filed under Creative Commons licensed under Creative Commons ShareAlike 1.0 License.
The breed is far older than the GSD, they were the original border patrol dogs they have no GSD ancestors, although the Czech line GSD has Chodsky pes in their bloodlines from the 1930s. The nearest breed to a CP is a Gelbbacke an old German tending breed that went into the development of the GSD.
Apart from being recognised by the CMKU (Czech Republic), you can get dogs from Poland, Finland, Norway, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark with FCI pedigrees
Excellent information, Pam, thank you! Any chance this is your breed?
Hi Pam
I realise this is an old post but hope you are still linked in , my partner and I have been searching for a girl pup alas with no luck we have been close but the breeder decided to keep the only girl in the litter despite us being first on the waiting list.
You speak of being able to get a pup from several countries would you be kind enough to let us have some contact details of reputable honest breeders please.
Gary& Anne-Marie
Gary,
Ditto. We just lost our 9 year old German and I’m interested in this breed as our next family dog. Did you have any luck?
Hi Pam, I keep seeing your name pop up on all these forums! my name is Amy, I am based in the UK & have been searching far and wide for a chodsky. Breeders in the UK don’t have bohemian puppies. We are desperate for 1 of these dogs to add to our large family home. Can you advise me how we can get 1 to the UK???
Any help would be much appreciated
Thank you
Amy
Hi, my name is Amy, I am based in the UK & have been searching far and wide for a chodsky. Breeders in the UK don’t have bohemian puppies. Do you ever transport them to the UK? We are desperate for 1 of these dogs to add to our large family home
Any help would be much appreciated
Thank you
Amy