Franck Wang 
Is a Czech German Shepherd right for me?
So, you are considering the purchase of a Czech German Shepherd? But before pulling the trigger, you are wondering, “Is a Czech Shepherd the right choice as a family companion?” Let’s get into this question look at some possible answers. While Czech German Shepherds can be phenomenal for many families. Sometimes, they just may not be what the doctor ordered!
First, Let’s Look at the History of Czech Shepherds
What are Czech Shepherds and where did they come from? In short, Czech Shepherds simply German Shepherds with roots tracing back over decades to breeding programs located in the old Czech Republic. Historians recall the Czechoslovakian government funded a phenomenal military-run breeding program. Arguably, what made this breeding program so unique was its strict adherence to a no nonsense rules-based breeding program.
This Czech military breeding program was formally titled the “Kennel z Pohranicni Straze.” This Czech German Shepherd breeding program was set into motion sometime during the mid-1950’s. The prime directive of this program was the breeding of German Shepherd dogs suitable for use by Czechoslovakian military, border patrol as well as law enforcement. Not unlike the DDR German Shepherd breeding program, the Czech Pohranicni kennel placed great emphasis on developing strong dogs, sporing dark muzzle and eye pigmentation. Dogs lacking strong joint health were quickly culled, as were dogs lack strong nerves. Adding to these health requirements, dogs were required to pass objective exams proving their capacity to thrive in high level obedience, tracking and protection exams. Dog were required to excel in all three areas in order to enter the z Pohranicni Straze breeding program.
Czech German Shepherd Dogs were originally imported into early z Phranicni Straze from DDR German Shepherd Breeders
During the establishment of Czech German Shepherds as their own distinct animal, most of the dogs that were introduced into the z Pohranicni breeding program came from the “Deutsches Demokratishe Republic (DDR,” alternatively known as the German Democratic Republic). During the height of the Cold War, Germany had split into two parts— East German and West Germany. The East German Dogs imported to serve as foundation dogs for the Czech military breeding program were arguably world’s apart from their western counterparts. Under the East German and then the Czech strict breeding requirements, hip dysplasia was virtually eliminated. Like the East German dogs, Czech German Shepherds were likewise required to scale 6 foot walls. Not sloped walls like the West German dogs, but tall, vertical walls. Such feats required strong, active dogs. Powerful dogs! The Czech z Pohranicni Straze breeding program continued many of the same protocols that were the basis for DDR German Shepherds developing such a name for themselves.
Z Phranicni Straze in Border Patrol Work
Much like DDR German Shepherds, Czech line German Shepherds were true “working dogs.” They were put to work as canine border patrol agents. Czech Shepherds helped their human counterparts track down deserters as well as those seeking to cross borders without permission. At times these canine agents were credited with apprehending up to several dozen people seeking illegal entry into or out of Czechoslovakia. Dog training in this context was far more than the modern IGP sport. Without these highly trained border dogs, their human counterparts were putting their lives on the line.
Czech Shepherds were often needed to protect border patrol agents against the threat of bodily harm, even possible death. Protection work for these Czech German Shepherds was no laughing matter. These Czech Dogs were expected to work for a living. They were true, proven working line German Shepherds. Czech Shepherds for decades have been synonymous with health and trainability.
And so, is a Czech Shepherd right for you?
Czech German Shepherds are active dogs. And so you must answer the question, do you live the kind of active life necessary for a true Czech Shepherd to thrive. If you live in an apartment or small house, do you have access to a fenced backyard? If not, are you close to a large park where you dog might get plenty of exercise. Are you looking for a trained guard to serve as a deterrent dog? Basic obedience training is one thing. Yes, most people wanting a German Shepherd to serve as a trained protection dog will get some degree of puppy training, but if your end goal is a trained protection dog, are you willing to put in the hours developing the kind of training needed in a healthy deterrent dog with a good off switch. And that ought to be priority number one. For sure you don’t want a personal protection dog that won’t calm down and turn off that high drive to fit in with the family. Looking for a dog to sit on your lap, quietly. Get a lap dog. Wanting something genetically wired with ability to protect. Then you just might be in luck. Serving as world-class protection dogs is something for which Czech Shepherds were bred for. Not sure where to find a good quality Czech German Shepherd for sale. Consider www.czechworkingline.com. These Czech German Shepherd breeders produce and sell some of the world’s finest Czech Shepherds.
