The Czechoslovakian vlcak, also known as the Czechoslovakian wolfdog, is a large working dog breed originally bred for border patrol in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s. As the name suggests, the Czechoslovakian wolfdog resembles a wolf in body shape, movement, coat texture, coat color, and facial markings. These dogs make great working dogs and are used for jobs including search and rescue, herding, dog sports, tracking, and more.

Learn more about the history, care needs, and characteristics of the Czechoslovakian vlcak.

Characteristics of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

Because they were originally bred to patrol the border in Czechoslovakia, the Czechoslovakian wolfdog is inherently suspicious of strangers. Without proper socialization, this innate wariness can go into overdrive. Although the breed can bark, many of the dogs are very quiet. They are, however, very loyal to their families and those in their inner circle.

History of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

The Czechoslovakian wolfdog breed was the byproduct of an experiment. From 1955 to 1965, in what was then the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, a man named Karel Hartl sought to breed wolves and German shepherd dogs for the border guard. Using German shepherds and Carpathian wolves, Hartl meticulously planned breedings.

After each first wolf and dog breeding, subsequent breedings of the resulting puppies were between hybrids and dogs only—no more wolf blood was introduced. The resulting progeny were studied to examine the hybrid dogs’ physical and temperament traits, including tenacity, capacity for training, stamina, and more. Dogs that were three and four generations removed from the initial wolf and dog breedings (called F3 and F4, respectively) were used as army service dogs. 

Once the experiment ended, other breeders got their hands on the hybrid dogs and further refined them to solidify desirable traits, using a few more wolves along the way. In 1982, the Czechoslovakian wolfdog received official recognition from the Club of Breeders, with 43 puppies entered in the main Pedigree Register in Prague that year. Since 1983, no wolves have been used in Czechoslovakian wolfdog breedings. 

In 2001, the Czechoslovakian vlcak was recorded in the American Kennel Club (AKC) Foundation Stock Service. The breed will be assigned to the Working Group when it achieves full recognition. In 2006, the breed was fully recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC). 

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog Care

The Czechoslovakian wolfdog is beautiful, loyal, and hardworking, but it's also independent, dominant, and has high energy. In the right hands, the Czechoslovakian wolfdog will shine. Due to its nature as a primitive breed and its high needs, this wolfdog is best cared for by a very experienced owner. The dog only requires somewhat basic grooming.

Exercise

Czechoslovakian wolfdogs require copious amounts of daily exercise and ample mental stimulation. You will need to give your dog at least two hours of exercise a day, including walks and playtime, to help it thrive. If you are an avid hiker or runner, this breed can make an excellent companion. They are great working dogs and can also excel in competitive dog sports.

Grooming

The Czechoslovakian wolfdog’s coat is easy to care for. It’s naturally weather-resistant, has very little doggie odor, and dirt brushes right out. Although this breed sheds heavily year-round, it will experience dramatic shedding twice a year (known as “dropping coat” or “blowing coat”).

The double coat looks dramatically different according to the season. In winter, the undercoat becomes extremely thick and immense, and, in summer, the undercoat is sparse. Regardless of the season, frequent brushing can help manage shedding hair.

Other than brushing, occasional baths and weekly nail trimming keep the Czechoslovakian wolfdog looking beautiful. Do a weekly peek inside the ears to clean them out. Use a pet-safe ear cleaner when necessary. It is also good to pay attention to dental hygiene and brush your dog's teeth two to three times per week.

Training

Czechoslovakian wolfdogs are extremely intelligent and capable of learning almost anything, but unlike many breeds, they are not push-button dogs that will simply do what you want them to. Training methods must be tailored to the breed’s primitive and independent nature. Positive, reward-based methods can be successful, but avoid too much repetition, which will become boring to the Czechoslovakian wolfdog.

Common Health Problems

In general, this is a healthy and robust breed. However, the Czechoslovakian Vlcak Club of America, the parent club for the breed in the United States, recommends that all Czechoslovakian wolfdogs have certain health testing performed prior to breeding, which includes screenings for the following:

• Hip Dysplasia: Abnormal development of one or both hip joints
• Elbow Dysplasia: Skeletal growth abnormalities causing lameness in forearms
• Degenerative Myelopathy: Affects the white matter of the spinal cord, which degenerates and causes lameness of the hind limbs

The dogs should also receive eye certification exams via the OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER, previously called “CERF” exams). 

Diet and Nutrition

Highly active and athletic, many Czechoslovakian wolfdogs expend a lot of energy. Working dogs and canine athletes require high-quality, calorie-dense performance diets. If you’re not sure what or how much to feed, ask your breeder or veterinarian for a recommendation.

That said, Czechoslovakian wolfdogs are meant to be lean, so be sure not to overfeed, especially for less-active dogs.

Feeding measured meals twice a day rather than free feeding (leaving food out all day) will help to avoid too much weight gain. Excess weight can contribute to health problems like hip dysplasia and diabetes. 

Where to Adopt or Buy Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs

If you have your heart set on a Czechoslovakian wolfdog puppy, be prepared to wait. According to the Czechoslovakian Vlcak Club of America, there were only about 200 of the breed living in the U.S. as of 2018. Rarely, some adult Czechoslovakian wolfdogs might find their way into a rescue situation. The club maintains a list of recognized breeders as well as any adoptable dogs on its website. If you are able to find a breeder in the U.S. to work with, expect to pay between $2,000 up to $8,000 for a purebred puppy of this rarity. 

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog Overview

Because Czechoslovakian wolfdogs were bred for a specific working purpose, they won't make the best companion dogs. They are not good for first-time dog owners, and if they live in a home environment, their owner needs to be committed to properly fulfilling the dog.

Pros of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

• Intelligent and loyal
• Hardworking and athletic 
• Beautiful wolf-like appearance

Cons of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

• Requires an expert-level owner
• Needs extensive socialization 
• Requires lots of exercise

9 Wild Facts About Wolf Dogs

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you like the Czechoslovakian wolfdog, you might also like these breeds: 

• Alaskan Malamute
• German shepherd
• Siberian husky