The Czechoslovakian Vlcak has been our youngest domestic breed since June 13, 1989 - when it was recognized at the international plenum of the FCI in Helsinki.

The history of the creation of this breed dates back to 1955, when I began to be interested in the results of crossing German Shepherd Dogs with wolves, I paid particular attention to the study of the heredity of successive crossings in comparison with the original breed.

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The aim of the experiment was to examine the fertility of individuals from such matings, the degree of dominance of the wolf over the dog, the degree of adaptation and manifestation of traits inherited from the dog and the wolf, checking the endogenous activity of the wolf and its crosses in comparison with the dog, crossbreed biometrics and evaluation of their higher nervous activity.

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The crosses showed a high degree of endurance in difficult weather conditions and excellent health both in their youth and in adulthood. Crossbreeds from the first through to the third generation were more like wolves than German Shepherds. However, there were already visible physiological and morphological differences in relation to the German Shepherd, as well as to the wolf. The exterior has been leveled to a large extent. Zoopsychological tests have shown that these crosses have predispositions for training and work, and therefore utility.

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When the crosses overtook all working breeds in the endurance test and showed even more advantages, a project was developed to create a new breed. A group of experienced cynologists took up this work. In the first place, Mr. F. Rosík, who started his work in Slovakia and continues it as the chairman of the club of Czechoslovakian Vlcak breeders, also as an active and successful breeder of this breed. The well-known breeder of new breeds of dogs, Mr. František Horák, the breeder and trainer of dogs, Mr. Pavel Brožek, and Mr. Jar also provided advice. Driml, dog breeder and trainer A. Simáčková, MUDr. zd. Martínek and a group of other enthusiasts who were at the creation of the new breed.

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On the basis of special tests, animals were selected for breeding that met the genetic, physiological and morphological prerequisites to become the basis of the new breed. The selected individuals came from three groups derived from the crossing of the German Shepherd with the Carpathian wolf and their descendants.

Breeding was initially based on breeding in consanguinity of crosses of various degrees. At the next stage, individuals with different degrees of kinship were mated in order to establish basic breeding lines. The conclusion was drawn from previous studies that there is no direct relationship between the ratio of dog and wolf in crossbreeds and their phenotype.

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After several generations of crosses proved that the planned goal could be achieved, the results were collected in the form of a final standard for a new breed and in 1966 we asked for the possibility of entering these crosses in the pedigree book of the Czech Breeders Association as the beginning of a new breed. We were not directly refused, but in response there were articles with "professional" statements that such a breed would never be created. The authors also quoted the creator of the German Shepherd Dog breed: V. Stephanitz. We, however, had different results from his research and our own experiences.

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The second time we asked to be entered in the pedigree book was in 1970 and we were refused for the same reasons. This was repeated in 1976, in the Svazarm pedigree book, where the chairman of the Central Kennel Club of Svazarm ČSSR, Mr. General prof. MVDr. J. Hrušovský.

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It was only in 1981 that the central committee of the Czech Breeders' Union approved our request to allow crossbreeds to be entered in the pedigree book of dogs and at the same time allowed the establishment of a club of Czechoslovakian Vlcak breeders, which took place in the spring of 1982.

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Because breeding of this breed was developing very well, in 1988 the club of breeders of Czechoslovak Vlcak asked for recognition of this breed by the International Cynological Federation FCI. To this end, the breed standard had to be revised to meet international standards.

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It is a dog with a strong build, rectangular shape, with a height to length ratio of 9:10, which resembles a wolf in its coat and color. It is of a homogeneous type. His senses are highly developed, he is temperamental with an active defensive reaction, but distrustful. The head is wedge-shaped, with a slightly convex forehead, the expression must be clearly gendered. He has a full dentition with a scissor or tick bite, slightly slanted, light eyes. The ears are short, erect. The withers are well defined, without loose skin, well covered with hair. The back is straight, strong, sloping slightly on the croup, which is short and not wide. The belly is pulled up, strong. The tail is set high, hanging straight vertically downwards. When agitated, the dog carries a sickle-shaped tail curved upwards. The chest is capacious, pear-shaped, rather shallow, without a pronounced fore chest. In the limbs, attention is drawn to the long forearm, wrists, thighs and metatarsus. The paws of the forelegs, which are slightly bent outward, are also a characteristic sign. If dewclaws do occur - which is rare - they should be removed...

A very harmonious movement in the trot, with light lacing, is typical. Pacing is typical in the step.

The coat is straight, close, with a rich undercoat in winter and must cover the whole body.

The color of the coat can be grey-yellow to silver grey, with a light mask on the head and a light coloration of the underside and fore chest.

The smallest height for a dog is 65 cm, and for a bitch 60 cm. There is no upper limit.

There are currently 920 individuals registered in the pedigree book of the Czech Kennel Club. The evaluation of rearing in each year and its annual rating show what has already been achieved in breeding Czechoslovakian Vlcak: 78% of animals reach the required height and format, 85% have the desired color, 72% have a satisfactory character, 4% lack P1, 2% P2 and M3 and 1.7% are interiors.

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Czechoslovakian Vlcak show great perseverance, which they show at the 100 km endurance races organized every year. A whole lot of dogs and bitches have passed the utility exams. A whole bunch of Czechoslovakian Vlcak enter the draft dog competitions every year. And in this field, we cease to be an attraction and become a part of the kennel's everyday life.

- Margo Peron