CZECHOSLOVAKIAN VLCAK CHARACTERISTICS
The CsV is temperamental and very active, with excep- tional endurance and intelligence. They are quick to learn, but do not respond well to repetitive tasks and may not be interested in doing a task when asked. Often, traditional training methods used with the average dog are not suc- cessful. Calm, consistent training made to be a fun game is required. The CsV should be interested to perform the task and the understanding behind it if you expect to get good results. They need daily training and activities with their human. CsV do well if they have a job to do on a daily basis. They learn to love the work, enjoy it, and expect it. To do well with a CsV, you need to know that you have an intelligent partner and work as a team. CsV excel at any- thing to do with using the olfactory senses. Since CsV want to be with you, they do not do well when left alone, even out in the yard with other canine companions. They view their human as the leader, so you are who they want to be with. They are also prone to separation anxiety, which usu- ally results in destructive behavior. They are often escape artists, going over, under, and through fencing, doors, win- dows, etc. This is not to escape from you, but to try to gain access back to you. You and the family are “their pack,” and because of this strong bond, they do not do well with rehoming. In fact, some never recover if they are rehomed as an adult. They are not a traditional guard dog; in that they often don’t guard or bark like a traditional guard- ian breed. Some do bark, but not as persistently as other guardian breeds; others make more of a huffing sound and bark very little. They will protect their family if the fam- ily is in real danger. They know and understand the dif- ference between a real and perceived danger. Because of this understanding of the difference, the CSV rarely looks or acts like it is guarding. They can be territorial towards other animals in the space that they understand is “their territory.” CsV do best on a raw diet; many dogs have few or no ancestors that have ever eaten kibble. That said, there are CSV that do well on kibble diets, while others never adapt. Living with a CsV is a way of life. Whether you like it or not, the human most often adapts his or her lifestyle to work around the CsV’s needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Terri Wemigwans’ life has, in one way or another, been devoted to working with dogs. She has been a Board Member of The Czechoslovakian Vlcak Club of America, Inc. since 2018. Terri began showing in AKC conformation when she was seven years old, showing her family’s Standard Schnauzer. She became very involved with the rescue and proper containment of wolfdogs/wolves due to the huge number of wolfdog puppy mills throughout North America. She realized there was a need to educate prospective owners and make sure that these animals found proper homes. This led her to working with and placing every type of breed imaginable. Teri’s involvement with Czechoslovakian Vlcaks (“CSV”) began in 2005 when she acquired a dog from a
breeder who could no longer care for its needs. Because of this experience, Terri decided to take a closer look at the breed. In 2012, when she was looking for a new breed to show in conformation, Terri decided to import her first CSV from the Czech Republic. This amazing CSV has gone on to win an amazing 23 Bests in Show, including five AKC BIS FSS Open Shows. She has since imported several other CSV, and is now operating a kennel called “Native Canines” and looking forward to continuing to show this wonderful breed in AKC events.
302 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2022
Powered by FlippingBook