Bohemian Shepherd: Breed History, Temperament and Adoption

The Bohemian Shepherd is a dog breed native to the Czech Republic. Possibly the oldest of all local Czech breeds, the Bohemian Shepherd, a versatile working dog, has traditionally served as a companion and watchdog in addition to its shepherd role. After nearly becoming extinct in World War II, this breed is experiencing a significant resurgence in popularity in its homeland, though it remains virtually unknown elsewhere.

Weight	37-60 pounds
Height	19-22 inches
Colors and Patterns	Black with tan markings
Lifespan	12-15 years
Suitable for	Sheepdogs, guard dogs, and therapy dogs

History of the breed

The Bohemian Shepherd was bred many centuries before the written records of breeding, so there is practically no reliable data on its origin. It is known that the breed developed in the densely forested southwestern part of the Kingdom of Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic) and appeared no later than the 1300s.

The breed first entered the written annals as companions of the unique sub-ethnos of the Czech people who had lived in this region since the 14th century. The Bohemian Shepherd is very similar in appearance to several other continental shepherds, especially the German Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd, and Dutch Shepherd. Although these breeds are much better known worldwide, they are all much younger than the Bohemian Shepherd and may be its descendants.

The breed’s birthplace has one of the most turbulent histories in Europe; after the fall of the Roman Empire, the region known as Bohemia experienced countless battles, invasions, and waves of immigration. Located almost in the center of Europe, Bohemia sits right between the various cultures, languages, religions, and nations in this region.

The region’s longest and most intense struggle was between the Germanic and Slavic peoples who inhabited and attempted to dominate Bohemia from at least the 1st century AD. e. Eventually, most of Bohemia (and the neighboring region of Moravia) came to be inhabited and controlled by native Czech speakers.

One of the wildest and most contentious parts of Bohemia was its southwest. Much of this area is covered by the Bohemian Forest, one of Europe’s few remaining large wilderness areas. Sparsely populated by humans, the Bohemian Forest was, until recently, home to many large carnivores, such as wolves and bears. One reason for the region’s lack of population is that it has long served as a border among the major regional powers of Bavaria, Austria, and Bohemia. It has been the subject of bitter disputes between all three for centuries.

The result of this significant instability and competition was that the kings of Bohemia constantly needed to protect their lands, especially the frontier areas. To do this, they recruited rangers or patrolmen. They offered them the opportunity to settle in the Bohemian forest on the condition that they swear allegiance to the king of Bohemia and defend the territory from the rival Germanic powers.

One of the main factors in the success of these patrolmen was their dogs, which were of great help to them in their national defense efforts. It needs to be made clear where they first adopted these dogs. Some suggest that they brought them with them from Silesia or Poland; others that they were from the Bohemian Forest, and others that they acquired them after arriving in the area. The parentage of the breed could be clearer. It has been suggested that the Bohemian Shepherd is descended from other herding dogs such as the Pinscher and the Schnauzer, the Spitz, some combination of the three, or, perhaps, even a dog/wolf hybrid. Because this breed shares many traits with Spitz’, cattle dogs, and Schnauzers, it is likely to have been heavily influenced by all three.

As a separate breed, the Bohemian Shepherd puppy was recognized by the Czech Cynological Association in 1984. The first official breed standard appeared in 1997 in the book by Jan Findeis, which was dedicated to this dog.

Interesting facts about Bohemian Guard Dogs

• The approximate origin of this species dates back to the 14th century in the Czech Republic. Around the 20th century, the population began to seriously decline and fell to almost zero. It was only possible to revive it by the 1980s.
• This breed is considered the direct ancestor of the well-known and beloved German Shepherd. Therefore, such a name as the Bohemian Shepherd is often heard.
• In the Czech Republic, the breed was very popular and was depicted on flags.
• The official standard was defined only in 1997, but there was no recognition by the FCI.

Appearance Bohemian Shepherd Dog

This breed is large and strong, with a slightly elongated physique. The standard specifies the following description:

The head is wedge-shaped, medium or large; robust, no sharpening The forehead is moderately broad, without pronounced sharp lines

The bridge of the nose is straight, tapering slightly towards the lobe The jaws have a scissor-like bite. The color of the teeth is white, large in size, and are of considerable length

The eyes are oval, medium-sized, not deep set, and with an inconspicuous obliqueness and rich brown irises

The body is rectangular, but the line of the back is slightly lowered The neck curves, smoothly passing into the shoulders The back is muscular, with a powerful lumbar The sternum is broad, deep, and elongated

The paws are wide, strong, and collected in a ball. The front is straight, and the back is at a natural angle

The fur in the area of ​​​​the muzzle, tips of the ears, and forelimbs is not long. The rest of the body is covered with long hair with a beautiful, reflective sheen, and there is an undercoat The tail is pubescent only on the underside The color is black with a red tan – the brighter the red shade, the better – and there are marks with distinct contours

Personality

Playfulness	4 out of 5
Activity level	5 out of 5
Friendliness to other pets	4 out of 5
Friendliness to children	5 out of 5
Grooming requirements and shedding	4 out of 5
Need for attention	4 out of 5
Affectionate towards its owner	4 out of 5
Intelligence	5 out of 5
Independence	3 out of 5

The Bohemian Shepherd was bred as a working dog and family companion and has a temperament suited to both roles. In the Czech Republic, this breed has an excellent reputation. The Bohemian Shepherd is incredibly devoted to its family, with whom it has strong bonds. This breed can be very affectionate with those they know well, although some are more reserved.

This breed wants to be in the constant company of its family, which in some cases, can lead to separation anxiety. In its homeland, it has an excellent reputation with children, and with proper socialization, most of the breed is gentle and tolerant. The Bohemian Shepherd dog has a significantly less strident and dominant temperament than most working breeds and is considered an excellent choice for beginners and experienced dog owners alike.

Different dogs react differently to strangers. Bred as a guard dog for nearly 700 years, this breed has a strong protective instinct. As a result, members of a species that have not been properly socialized often treat strangers with suspicion.

Activity levels and exercise

This breed is incredibly physically gifted. As you might expect, it has very high activity demands. The Bohemian Shepherd should receive 45 minutes to an hour of intense physical exercise daily (and ideally more). Breed members not provided with a proper outlet for their energy will almost certainly develop behavioral problems, such as destructiveness, excessive barking, hyperactivity, and excitability.

However, this breed does not have the extreme and constant drive of a breed like the Border collie or Jack Russell terrier, and active families willing to devote the necessary time and effort will almost certainly be able to meet the needs of Shepherd Dogs. The dog prefers a house with a yard and is an excellent companion for jogging or cycling. It also loves the opportunity to run in a safe, enclosed area.

The Bohemian Shepherd can do any canine job, no matter how extreme, and would be a great choice for families who like to go on intense weekend adventures but only have time for a daily run the rest of the week.

READ MORE: Outdoor Activities for Dogs?

The trainability of Bohemian Shepherd Puppies

Bohemian shepherds are considered to be extremely intelligent and trainable animals. Compared to other breeds, they are likely in the top ten regarding intelligence. There is probably no problem that the Bohemian Shepherd cannot solve. These dogs have proven capable of work, law enforcement and military service, search and rescue, sledding, and any canine sport.

This breed is highly motivated to please and is usually trained fairly quickly and easily. While all dogs respond best to experienced trainers, the Bohemian Shepherd does very well with beginner trainers, as well.

Care and health

The dog has significant grooming requirements, as you would expect from a breed with such a long and thick breed’s coat. Owners should groom this breed regularly, ideally two to three times a week, as it sheds heavily. It will cover furniture, carpets, and clothes with long, black hair all year round.

Ears and eyes should be cleaned weekly, and nails cut monthly, especially if the animal does not wash them. Since the pet has a developed intellect, mental engagement is required, as are active games.

The Bohemian Shepherd is considered a healthy breed, especially when compared to most similar breeds. Since the beginning of their revival in the 1980s, breeders in the Czech Republic have put the health of the breed first.

As such, genetic diseases have not been seen in this species; it is famous for its good immunity. But still, you need to pay attention to the following:

• Digestive tract
• Eyes and ears
• Possible allergic reactions

In addition, special attention was paid to reducing the incidence of hip dysplasia. However, despite these efforts, Bohemian Shepherds still experience a number of problems, although their numbers continue to fall.

RELATED: Best Brush For Australian Shepherd

Diet

Since these pets are prone to stomach diseases, you need to monitor their diet and feed them regularly. The choice of food depends only on the owner. Dry food is filled with vitamins and minerals, and special supplements are required for natural nutrition. The main product is meat, which must be at least 70% of the food served.

The natural menu should consist of:

• Lean meats
• Croup
• Vegetables
• Dairy products
• Eggs

Feeding should be done twice a day after walking.

Bohemian Shepherd breeders and adoption

Finding and rescue dog of this breed will be difficult, as they are quite rare in North America. But you can bring such a breed from the Czech Republic. Communicate your interest in this breed online on social media and follow rescue efforts, such as All Shepherd Rescue.

People also ask

Conclusion

The Bohemian Shepherd or Czech Sheepdog is energetic, non-aggressive, easy to train and gets along well with children and other pets. An excellent watchman and a great companion, it is highly intelligent, benevolent, obedient, and flexible and can be not only a pet and a guard but also an indispensable assistant. These shepherd dogs are actively used as service dogs, rescue dogs and companion dogs.

These dogs are unpretentious, like most herding dog breeds. And even their luxurious coat does not require particularly complex care; in fact, it cleans itself very well. It is enough to comb out dogs living in enclosures 1-2 times a week; apartment keeping animals, more often for cleanliness in the house. The eyes and ears should be treated as needed, as should the claws. The breed is quite strong, hardy, and healthy.

The Bohemian Shepherd does not like cramped spaces and will not enjoy living in an apartment. It will be easy company on a long trip, will find a common language with your household and will obey its owner. It is an ideal companion dog, as it quickly learns and helps alleviate loneliness with its presence and attention.