Cesky Fousek

Also known as: Bohemian Wirehaired Griffon

The Cesky Fousek, often called simply the Fousek, is an old Czech pointing breed that nearly vanished after World War II and was rebuilt only through the effort of a small circle of dedicated breeders. The harsh, wiry coat, with its characteristic beard around the muzzle, protects against cold and thorns while hunting. A build up to 34 kilograms stays sturdy, working equally well on land and in water. The breed remains mostly a working dog in Czechia and neighboring countries, and is rarely seen elsewhere. At home it tends to bond closely with its family but needs consistent physical outlet. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Cesky Fousek: how old in human years?

56–66 cmHeight
22–34 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Braque Français, Pyrenean type

FCI group: Pointing Dogs
FCI section: Section 1.3: Continental Pointing Dogs, Type Griffon
FCI: 245
Country of origin: Czech Republic

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Height

Males 58–66 cm

Females 56–62 cm

Weight

Males 22–34 kg

Females 22–34 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

harsh, wiry, dense (wire-haired)

Temperament & Family Life

Cesky Fousek's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Cesky Fousek's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Cesky Fousek's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Cesky Fousek's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 3/5

Living with the Cesky Fousek

It dunks its muzzle into the water bowl up to the eyes, then comes over to rest a soaking beard on your knee as if granting you a great honour. The Cesky Fousek is a Czech versatile gundog, bred to search, point, track and retrieve on land and from water, and that working character doesn't switch off just because there's no hunting in your life.

It has enough energy that a half-hour loop round the block is a mere warm-up for the real day. It needs long off-lead runs somewhere safe every day, plus swimming, search games, tracking or gundog training. It learns willingly and quickly, especially when the task makes sense to it, and consistency and praise get further than a harsh voice. Prey drive and hunting instinct are very strong, so recall takes patient practice, and cats and small pets need careful introductions.

At home it is affectionate, likes to be close to its family and tends to get on well with children. It usually gets along with other dogs, meets strangers with some reserve and will let you know someone has arrived, but it won't become a guard. A flat is too tight for it and long hours alone bore it; it is happiest with an active family or a hunter who has a garden and spends weekends in the fields and by the water.

Grooming and coat

The Cesky Fousek wears a harsh, wiry, dense coat that keeps out more water and thorns than you would expect, and dried mud often just falls out of it. It sheds little, so you won't be chasing tumbleweeds of hair across the floor. Go over it once a week with a stiff brush and a comb, paying attention to the longer hair on the beard, eyebrows and legs. A few times a year the dead coat is worth plucking out by hand, or asking a groomer to do it; clipping tends to soften a coat like this.

The beard gives the breed its name and is also your floor's natural enemy: after every drink it carries half the bowl into the living room, so keep a towel by the water. After a walk in the woods, check the beard, armpits and between the toes for burrs and seeds. Lift the hanging ears once a week and look inside; redness, discharge or a bad smell is a reason to see a vet. Trim the nails if they don't wear down on their own.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (34 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 360 g of dry food a day, from €19,68 a month For a neutered, normally active 28 kg dog. Calculate for your dog