Page 22 - ShowSight Presents- The Cesky Terrier
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20% of the coat coloring. Brindling can occur but should be penalized. Brindle is often hard to recognize because the coat fades from black to some level of grey. Dark coats make the brindling easier to see, but as the coat fades, so do the markings. With other brindled breeds, coloring is often bi- colored (black on red, black on fawn, etc.), but brindling on the Cesky Terrier is evi- dent as grey on grey; dark and light striping is evident when you know what to look for.
The topline is a very identifiable trait of the Cesky Terrier that needs close atten- tion. The topline should be a gradual rise, starting in the loin and rising up to the rump. In a correct topline, the highest point of the profile after the withers should be the rump. When the rise happens too quickly, it will give a roached appearance and the topline will fall mid-hip. This is not in keeping with the breed standard and should most definitely be discouraged. Many feel that because the topline is not level, a “roached” back is correct; this is not an acceptable profile for the breed.
Tails are carried relatively low. I say “relatively” because they do not have the spinal configuration of a Bedlington (where the spine drops off well before the tail) but have a configuration more like a Dandie Dinmont or Border Terrier (where the tail is a continuation of the spinal outline). When excited, a Cesky Terrier can bring its tail up relatively high for such a low set, but over-the-back carriage is indicative of a bad tail-set and perhaps of a questionable topline. When relaxed, the Cesky Terrier will drop its tail, which is part of the breed’s char- acter. It should not be tucked; hanging completely down is acceptable. When moving, they will bring the tail up, any- where from a very slight rise all the way to almost perpendicular. Judges in the terrier ring tend to favour exhibits with higher tail carriage as showing “true terrier” temperament. The measure of a Cesky Terrier’s temperament should not be the position of its tail, unless, of course, the tail is tucked.
Although the standard does not empha- size this, the Cesky Terrier is a true working terrier. They were built for go-to-ground work as well as for chasing down prey above ground. They should be very well muscled dogs, and the angulations of their front and rear should reflect this. They are sprinters; their oblong shape, well-muscled shoulder and rump allow them to move with ease in an effortless stride. Movement should be somewhat parallel since the chest is deep but rests between the forelegs and does not interfere with leg movement. The ribcage is oval in shape, not rounded. Fronts are relatively straight, elbows rest- ing along the sides of the ribcage. With the shortness of leg, forearms angle in only slightly from elbow to pastern. The stride of this terrier should exhibit purpose; it is not a “walking” terrier. Seasoned exhibi- tors know to give themselves some room on the go-around to allow the dogs to move out. Bear in mind, these dogs are bred to bolt after rabbits and foxes; they should show the reach and drive to do so.
