Page 312 - ShowSight - September 2019
P. 312

                The Cesky Terrier
BY BOB AND LINDA COMER continued
  The Standard defines anatomy important to a dog hunting prey in burrows as well as above ground.
and applying the standard’s criteria defin- ing the head and muzzle does this portion of the dog’s anatomy look like a long blunt wedge? And, is this not an ideal tool for hitting prey? Are the ears dropped forming a triangle the bend of which does not rise over the crown of the skull? Do the forward edges of the ears lay close to the cheek? It stands to reason that having these traits a Cesky pursuing prey in the burrow would have these body parts tight to its frame? The Cesky fall, of course, protects the eyes.
Full dentition is required in the Cesky Standard. In any hunting dog this is criti- cal. When examining the Cesky don’t just look at the teeth from canines forward. Most importantly, do those lower canines fit easily and smoothly into the notches either side of the mouth in the upper set of teeth. This is the “locking” mechanism to hold prey.
The chest should be cylindrical and well sprung. A judge should place a hand between the dog’s front legs and let the dog’s chest rest there. A judge’s hand should only feel the center of the rib cage. The rest of the chest rises up and out. With the chest down and flat the Cesky would be a wide body and unfit for a burrow. For the same reason the set of the shoulders, and the shape of the legs and feet are also important.
The shoulders are muscular, well laid back and powerful. The elbows fit closely to the sides of the animal presenting a compact no wasted motion to the gait; again similar to an athlete. Forelegs are short, straight, well boned and parallel. Forefeet are large with well-developed pads. In the hindquarters the thighs are longer in proportion to the lower leg with the stifle well bent. Hind feet are smaller, with smaller but equally well developed pads. Everything here is predi- cated on digging, moving underground, capturing and bringing the prey out of the burrow or simply dragging bigger prey across a field.
Judges know how important a Standard is. Perhaps what should be stressed in Judg- es’ Education is how the breed was created and/or refined to facilitate its mission and how the standard is meant to give the judge a guideline in presenting awards to ani- mals who best present traits that exemplify that mission.
Judges wishing further clarification on the Cesky Standard or on Cesky anat- omy are invited to contact the American Cesky Terrier Fanciers Association for a Judges’ Education Slide Presentation as well as a copy of the new standard. Class- room seminars may also be arranged. Contact ceskyTerrierfanciers.org.
  310 • ShowSight Magazine, SepteMber 2019
When judging the Cesky it is important to understand that when all the nuances of the Standard
are clearly understood, there’s no question concerning the animal’s worth as a proven Terrier.
     






















































































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