Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog came from an experiment begun in 1955 in Czechoslovakia: German Shepherds were crossed with Carpathian wolves to produce a working dog combining the wolf's stamina with the dog's cooperation.

The breed was recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1999.

Deeply attached to its owner and its 'pack', it is often wary or even fearful of strangers. It communicates a lot through howling and body language.

Independent and sometimes hard to motivate, it needs very early, intensive socialisation and copes very badly with being alone.

This is a fairly robust breed. Hip and elbow dysplasia and some inherited conditions are monitored by responsible breeders.

Regular veterinary follow-up is recommended.

Good-quality food matched to its high activity suits it. It can have a sensitive stomach.

Introduce dietary changes gradually.

Extremely tireless, it needs long daily outings, ideally hiking, canicross or harness work.

Its prey drive calls for caution with small animals.

It needs shade, coolness and walks at dawn or in the evening in summer. It is a dog for very experienced owners with a large, secure property; it is unsuited to apartments and city life.

Its wolf-like coat, very dense in winter, needs weekly brushing and much more during the moult.

It has little odour and stays fairly clean.