The Bohemian Shepherd, as its name clearly indicates, originates from the Bohemia region of the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, apart from the Czech Republic, no other country or kennel club recognizes this breed as an official breed. And this is a pity really, seeing how many wonderful things this dogs has to offer - not to mention the longevity of the breed, which has been around as early as the 14th century and is considered by some to be the ancestor of the German Shepherd. This is a herding dog that has all the best qualities of a shepherd, particularly the energy and intelligence; it is one of the most active dogs of its kind.
If you are looking for a dog with a wonderful temperament and personality, then the Bohemian Shepherd surely meets your standards. Like other shepherds, it is a family dog, very loyal and caring and perfect with children. It is also more than suitable for getting along with other pets. Apart from all these qualities and from being a wonderful watch dog, it is also used for helping handicapped people, most testimonials from blind and deaf people attesting that this dog has become the closest friend they now have. Other aptitudes of this dog include agility, excellent nose and rescuing capacities. With so many diverse skills, it is easy to see why this dog is so appealing and useful to many people. Also, it is obvious that it will be very easy to train.
Unlike most shepherds, this is a medium-sized dog, with small erect pointy ears. The coat is very rich, dense and long and usually comes in a mixture of black and tan yellow. This little guy needs plenty of exercise, seeing as he was historically used to defend the Czech southern borders. So if you are considering adopting a Bohemian Shepherd, make sure you have the time for a few hours of daily workout. If you really want to keep him stimulated, do no just resume yourself to walks, try and engage him in different games and training activities, as these dogs love challenges.
This is probably one of the friendliest and happiest dogs there is and the only way you can make him nervous and depressed is if you keep him isolated. He loves humans and the company of humans, so it is important he does not stay alone for extended periods of time.
The Bohemian Shepherd has no particular health problems. Grooming is not that time-demanding either; however, regular checks for burs are very important. Apart from this, it is more than enough if you brush him thoroughly once every couple of weeks. Like all shepherds, they have a spur of heavy shedding in the summer.
For the many qualities it possesses, both in personality and looks, it is only fitting that the Bohemian Shepherd soon gets the recognition it deserves, but even without the international fame, it still makes a wonderful pet.
