The American Kennel Club Official Breed Standard
of the
Czechoslovakian Vlciak 

The most distinguishing fact about the Czechoslovakian Vlciak is its physical resemblance to the wolf in its facial mask, coat, hair color, texture, and movement.

General Appearance: The national dog of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the Czechoslovakian Vlciak was bred to be an all-purpose utilitarian dog for the Czechoslovakian Military between 1955-1965. The most distinguishing fact about the Czechoslovakian Vlciak is its physical resemblance to the wolf in its facial mask, coat, hair color, texture, and movement. They have excellent olfactory properties, and orientation abilities which makes them superior natural trackers. The versatility of the Czechoslovakian Vlciak allows it to be used for many purposes (guard, scent work/tracking, rescue dog, and mushing). The Czechoslovakian Vlciak is an alert, intelligent, loyal dog with superior eyesight. They have immense endurance even against adverse external influences. Its perseverance is admirable – trotting twenty-five miles can be done effortlessly. The Czechoslovakian Vlciak’s relatively narrow chest is flexible allowing the lungs to expand. They are extremely lithe, having greater mobility in their joints, which accounts for their effortless, light movement. They have an energy saving, longer low trot (typical movement). The Czechoslovakian Vlciak can spring to great heights from a standstill. They are focused and vigilant. The Czechoslovakian Vlciak is extremely loyal to his master and his family. Males are distinctly masculine and females feminine.

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Size, Proportion, Substance: No matter the type or size, the most important consideration should be that the dog looks balanced. There is a natural range in size in the breed. Males are ideally more than 25 1⁄2 inches tall at the withers and weigh at least 57 pounds. Bitches are ideally more than 23 1⁄2 inches tall at the withers and weight at least 44 pounds. It is a large breed with a rectangular framed body. The length to height proportion should be 10:9, this is an important trait. The length of leg should be 55% of the total height. The entire conformation is the impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness, exhibiting wolf-like strength, endurance, and agility. Faults: Massive build.

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Head: The head is symmetrical and is a well-muscled blunt wedge when viewed from the side and above. The sex of the dog should be readily apparent. Eyes: Small, slanting, color can vary from amber to yellow with black, tight-fitting rims. Ears: Pricked, thin, triangular, and short. The Lateral point of the set of the ears and the outer corner of the eyes are in direct line. Ears are set moderately wide so that a vertical line down from the tip of the erect ears would run close to the side of the head. Backskull: When seen from the front, the topskull is slightly arched with a clearly visible occiput and no marked frontal furrow. The cheeks are clean and sufficiently muscled, but not protruding. There is a slight to moderate stop. Muzzle: The muzzle is clean and not broad, with a straight nasal bridge. The ratio of back skull to muzzle is 3:2

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Nose: Black. Lips: The lips are tight fitting with full black pigment Jaws/Teeth: Jaws are strong and symmetrical. Well-developed teeth with notable canines. Full dentition is preferred but the absence of two PM1 (premolar 1) or of both M3 (molar 3) is not to be penalized. Bite: Scissor or level. Any deviation should be faulted in accordance with its severity.

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Neck, Topline, Body: Neck: Dry, well-muscled. The neck must be sufficiently long for the nose to touch the ground effortlessly. In repose, the neck forms an angle of up to 40 degrees to the horizontal. Faults: Presence of dewlap. 

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Topline: flowing transition from the neck to the body. The topline slopes away slightly. The back is firm and straight with short, well-muscled loin which is not broad. The loin slopes slightly to a moderately sloped croup. The croup is well-muscled, but not broad. Body: Length of body to height at the withers is ideally a 10:9 ratio. The chest is roomy, pear-shaped, and narrowing towards the sternum. The depth of chest does not reach to the elbows. The prosternum does not extend beyond the point of the shoulder. Underline: Taut with a moderately tucked-up abdomen. Tail: High set, hanging straight down. The ideal length of the tail bone is to the hock. Carried in a sickle shape when dog is at attention.

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Forequarters: The shoulders are well muscled and pronounced but they must not interrupt the flow of the topline. Front legs are straight, strong, and close together, with slightly turned-out feet. The well-muscled shoulder blade is positioned to the front of the torso. It forms an angle of about 65 degrees with the horizontal plane. The strongly muscled upper arm forms an angle of 120-130 degrees to the shoulder blade. The well-defined, flexible elbows fit close to the chest and turn neither in nor out. The forearms are long, clean, and straight. The length of the forearm and pastern is 55% of height at withers. Dewclaws on the forelegs should not be removed. The pastern joint is solid and flexible. The pastern is long and forms an angle of at least 75 degrees to the ground. Light and springy in movement. The forefeet are large and turned slightly outwards with long arched toes and strong dark nails. Foot pads are elastic and dark.

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Hindquarters: Powerful and stand parallel. An imaginary vertical line drawn from the point of the ischium, would run midway through the hock joint. Dewclaws on hind legs are undesirable and if present should be removed. The upper thigh is long, well-muscled and forms an angle of 80 degrees to the pelvis. The hip joint is sturdy and flexible. The stifle is strong and flexible. The long, clean, and well-muscled lower thigh forms an angle of about 130 degrees with the hock. The hock joint is solid and flexible. The long, clean hock is almost vertical to the ground. The hind feet are long and have arched toes with strong dark nails.

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Coat: The skin is elastic and tight without wrinkles or dark pigment. The coat is straight and close. Winter and summer coat varies greatly. In winter months a large undercoat is prevalent when combined with the upper coat creates a dense coat covering the whole body. Hair should cover abdomen, upper thighs, inner ear, scrotum, and the area between the toes. Neck is well furred. Faults – Open or curly coat.

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Color and Markings: Yellow–gray, brown-gray, silver- gray, dark- gray, and sable each with a characteristic light mask on the lower part of the face and under the chin. Light hair also on the underside of the neck and the chest. Faults – A non-pronounced mask.

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Gait: Harmonious, light-footed, ground covering trot in which the limbs skim over the ground as closely as possible as possible. Head and neck incline to the horizontal. Pacing when walking is typical. Faults: short, cumbrous movement.

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Temperament: The Czechoslovakian Vlciak is a lively, alert, and challenging breed. They are extremely intelligent, self-thinking, persistent dogs with a quick reaction. Fearless and courageous, can be suspicious of strangers. Very loyal to its master Faults: Extremely timid with flight reaction.

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Disqualifications: Any solid-colored coat.