Breed Type: Gun Dog
Country of Origin: Czech Republic
Popular Names: Rough-Coated Bohemian Pointer, Bohemian Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon, Barbu Tchèque
Size: Medium
Height: (At the withers) Males 60 – 66 cm, Females 58 – 62 cm
Weight: Males 28 – 34 kg, Females 22 – 28 kg
Best suited as: Pet, hunting, or show dog with an active owner or family.
Lifespan: 12-15 years

Intro
They are an excellent hunting dog from the Czech Republic. The males are called ÄŒeský Fousek “ches-key fow-sek”) and females are called ÄŒeský Fouska (“ches-ka fow-ska”). “Cesky” means they are Bohemian in origin (Czech) and “Fousek” means that they have a beard, moustache, and sideburns.

Appearance
They are a medium-sized wirehaired pointer, with the typical facial furnishings (beard and moustache) of other wirehaired breeds. The slightly narrow, long head is barely smaller than the muzzle, with the upper part of the forehead being rounded and more broad in males than females. They have dark brown noses, and almond-shaped, deep-set eyes that range in colour from dark yellow to deep chestnut. The eyelids may be any shade of grey, or black. Their backs slope slightly from withers to croup. They carry their tail either horizontally or only slightly upwards.

They have three types of hair: undercoat, topcoat, and that on the groin/shoulder/chest/groin. The undercoat is around 1.5 cm long, and soft and dense to protect the dog’s skin from dampness. This is shed almost completely during warm months. The topcoat is three to four centimetres long, straight, and harsh. The topcoat is shorter on the front of the hind and front legs, and longer on the rear of the legs. The fur on the forehead, cheeks, and cranial area is short and smooth, while the eyebrows are longer and point upwards. The hair on the lower jaw is long and soft, and forms a beard. The fur on the shoulder, back, chest, and groin areas are very hard, wiry, and five to seven centimetres in length

They come in roan with or without brown marks, brown without markings, and brown with ticked markings on lower legs and forechest.

Their long hair and somewhat thick skin protects them in sharp underbrush, but makes them somewhat at risk of overheating in hot weather.

History
In the Middle Ages, there were what was called Bohemian water dogs. They were used for hunting, particularly in water work. Those dogs were then renamed ÄŒeský Fousek, and were used (supposedly) to breed all other wire-haired pointers.

In the end of WW1, the breed became almost extinct. Very few suitable dogs were left in the Czech Republic. In 1924, in an effort to save the breed, some fanciers set up an Association for the Wirehaired Pointer ÄŒeský Fousek. They developed a breed standard in 1931. Only dogs that passed very strict requirements were bred, and very shortly, the breed was built back up to be saved from extinction. In 1958, the FCI approved the CF breed standard.

Temperament
These dogs love to be in the water, forest, or field hunting pointing, tracking, and retrieving alongside their companions. They are easy to train, and have an instinctual working ability to point. They are persistent, loyal, and enthusiastic. Basic training should begin in puppyhood and hunting training should begin when basic obedience is mastered.

They are friendly, affectionate, gentle, and social. If properly trained and socialized, they make a wonderful hunting companion and friend for the whole family. They are friendly and charming when they greet strangers, and more likely to lick than bite. They get along well with children, as long as they’ve been properly socialized, and are very gentle with their children family members.

They respond very well to positive reinforcement, and are extremely sensitive to harsh criticism. They are very intelligent and learn quickly. They are eager to please – they will learn pretty much any task their owners are willing to teach.

They have a high hunting drive, and if permitted, will hunt the fields around their home searching for roaming predators. They can get along fine with other dogs and cats they are raised with. Given their high hunting instinct, most are not safe around small animal pets. They can pose a danger to neighbourhood animals and other wild animals, so must be kept on-leash at all times when not in a secured area.

Care and Grooming
They are moderate shedders and need to be brushed only once a week. Pay particular attention to the longer areas of the coat. They need to be hand-stripped once a year, like all wirehaired dogs.

They need their ears cleaned once a week, and their teeth brushed or cleaned once a week. Check their nails once a month and trim as necessary.

They are very active dogs that need to be kept both physically busy and mentally stimulated. A bored dog develops undesirable behaviours such as “forgetting” housetraining skills, whining, barking, chewing, digging, and clawing.

Health
Although the breed is generally healthy, they do suffer from a variety of health concerns. Some of the health problems to which they are prone include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, ectropion, entropion, dislocation of the knee, distichiasis, elbow dysplasia, and bloat.

Suitability As A Pet
These dogs are best used as hunting companions as well as family pets. Their high energy does not make them suitable for small home living, and should not be kept inside all day. Someone wishing to attain one of these dogs needs to be dedicated to the training, socialization, and exercise it requires.

Cesky Fousek Organisations in Australia
No club information listed

Cesky Fousek Organisations in the UK
Cesky Fousek – American Canine Association

Cesky Fousek Organisations in the US
United Kennel Club: Cesky Fousek
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Rescue Board

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