Cesky FousekCharacteristics, history, training and care

Cesky Fousek. · Canarian / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.

The Český Fousek is a medium-to-large Czech pointer with a wiry coat and a beard, bred for hunting in the field, in water and in the forest. It was the most widespread wire-haired pointing dog in the Czech and Slovak lands before the First World War. The standard describes it as easy to train and very devoted to its owner.

Quick facts

Common name	Český Fousek (Czech wire-haired pointer)
Scientific name	Canis lupus familiaris
Country of origin	Czech Republic
Official recognition	FCI, definitively since 21 May 1963 (group 7, continental pointing dogs, griffon type, with working trial; standard no. 245)
Lifespan	No published data for the breed; large breeds usually live 10–12 years
Size (males)	60–66 cm at the withers; 28–34 kg
Size (females)	58–62 cm at the withers; 22–28 kg
Coat type	Wiry, with three types of hair; beard and moustache
Common colours	Dark roan, with or without brown patches; brown
Energy level	High
Suited to an apartment?	No
Temperament	Easy to train, devoted, hardy
Tendency to aggression	Low towards people
Good with children	Good, with socialisation
Good with other animals	Poor with small animals; hunting instinct
Genetic predispositions	No breed-specific diseases are known

Primary category:Dog breeds
Explore this animal's categories:
Dog breeds Hunting dog breeds Large dog breeds

History and origin

The FCI standard says that before the First World War the Český Fousek was the most widespread wire-haired pointing dog in the lands of today's Czech Republic and Slovakia. The war and its aftermath brought the breed close to extinction in the 1920s.

The breed was rebuilt through planned breeding, starting from a few typical dogs that remained. Wikipedia says other hunting breeds, such as the German Shorthaired Pointer and the German Wirehaired Pointer, were also used in the rebuilding. Today, according to the standard, it is the second most numerous hunting breed in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

How the breed developed

Before 1914 – It is the most widespread wire-haired pointer in the region.
1920s – The breed almost disappears.
After 1920 – The breed is rebuilt through planned breeding.
21 May 1963 – The FCI recognises the breed.

Breed rating

Feature	Stars
Training and intelligence	★★★☆☆
Easy to train	★★★★☆
Intelligence	★★★★☆
Independence	★★★☆☆
Stubbornness	★★★☆☆
Behaviour and temperament	★★★★☆
Affectionate with family	★★★★★
Friendly with children	★★★★☆
Good with other dogs	★★★☆☆
Good with cats and other animals	★★☆☆☆
Loyalty	★★★★★
Tendency to be aggressive	★★☆☆☆
Tendency to bark	★★☆☆☆
Needs and care	★★★☆☆
Shedding	★★★☆☆
Needs frequent grooming	★★☆☆☆
Activity and lifestyle	★★★☆☆
Energy level	★★★★☆
Daily exercise needs	★★★★★
Suited to apartment life	★☆☆☆☆
Health and longevity	★★★☆☆
Life expectancy	★★★★☆
Predisposition to genetic diseases	★★☆☆☆
Working abilities and uses	★★★★☆
Good hunting dog	★★★★★
Good companion dog	★★★☆☆

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.

Physical characteristics

The standard describes it as a noble, wire-haired, medium-sized pointer whose appearance shows strength and stamina. It is a versatile dog, good in the field, in water and in the forest.

General appearance

The head is lean, fairly narrow and long. The coat has three types of hair: a soft, dense undercoat, 1.5 cm long, which falls out almost completely in summer; a harsh topcoat, 3–4 cm long; and very harsh guard hairs, 5–7 cm long, mainly on the chest, back and shoulders.

Feature	Cesky Fousek
Size	Large
Height at the withers	males: 60–66 cm; females: 58–62 cm
Weight	males: 28–34 kg; females: 22–28 kg
Coat	Wiry, in three layers
Head	Lean, long, with a beard
Use	Versatile pointing dog

The accepted colours are dark roan, with or without brown patches, brown with small ticking on the chest and lower legs, and brown without markings.

Training and socialisation

The standard says that, although it has an innate sharpness towards vermin, it is easy to train and very devoted to its owner.

Like any hunting pointer, it needs an active owner who makes use of its searching and pointing instincts.

Tips for effective training

Use its nose. It loves scent games.
Work in water too. It is also bred for hunting on water.
Practise recall. On a trail, its instinct may carry it away.
Be consistent. It learns easily, but needs clear rules.

Activity needs and lifestyle

As a strong, hardy hunting dog, it needs plenty of exercise and mental activity every day.

Activity	How often	Why it matters
Long walks or running	daily	Great stamina
Tracking or retrieving	several times a week	Hunting instinct
Swimming	in summer	It loves water

Tips for a balanced life

It is best suited to hunters and very active people.
It needs a fenced yard.
Do not leave it unsupervised with small animals.

Care and health

Coat and skin care

The wiry coat should be brushed once a week. The undercoat falls out almost completely in summer, so it should be brushed more often then. Clean the beard after meals.

Common health problems

No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any large, active dog, it is worth watching for:

Condition	Description	Common symptoms
Hip dysplasia	The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops	Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain

Other care

Check the ears after swimming.
Check for ticks after outings in nature.
Check its paws after hunting.

Diet and nutrition

A large, active hunting dog needs plenty of energy, especially during the hunting season.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

Dog's weight	Calories per day (neutered)	Calories per day (not neutered)	Dry food per day (approximate)
22 kg	1,140 kcal	1,280 kcal	280–370 g
28 kg	1,360 kcal	1,530 kcal	340–440 g
34 kg	1,580 kcal	1,770 kcal	400–510 g

Split the food into two meals a day.
Do not let it run right after a meal.
A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Reproduction and development

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

Interesting facts

The name comes from the beard. Wikipedia says “fousek” comes from the Czech word “vousy”, meaning facial hair.
The male and the female have different names. The female is traditionally called “Česká Fouska”.
Three types of hair. The coat has an undercoat, a topcoat and guard hairs.
Almost extinct. In the 1920s the breed was on the verge of disappearing.
A big difference between the sexes. Wikipedia says the difference in weight can reach 11 kg.