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Discover everything about Bohemian Shepherd
Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
Looking for a Bohemian Shepherd?
At a glance
Bohemian Shepherd overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
S
A
B
C
D
E
Very healthyHigher risk
The Böhmischer Schäferhund is considered a robust working breed, but like many shepherd dogs, it is not free from genetic health risks. Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as these joint issues can severely limit mobility. Additionally, degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a known concern, which is why a corresponding genetic test for the parent dogs is strongly recommended.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
49–55 cm
Weight
17–27 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,000 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Long, dense, slightly wavy with plenty of undercoat
- Origin: Czech Republic
Typical coat colors
- Typically black with brown markings
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Bohemian Shepherd, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Bohemian Shepherd right for you?
The Böhmischer Schäferhund (Bohemian Shepherd) is an agile, extremely people-oriented, and vigilant Hütehund (herding dog)—bred to guard farms and herd livestock in the rugged forests of Bohemia, which has instilled in him a high level of responsiveness and a constant readiness to work.
Perfect for you if:
- You are looking for an indefatigable partner for dog sports like agility, obedience, or search and rescue—this dog needs a real job to keep from mentally stagnating.
- You lead with love but absolute consistency, as his quick wit will immediately see through any lack of resolve.
- You have a house with a securely fenced garden where his deeply rooted guarding instinct can be channeled in a controlled way.
- You want a dog that bonds closely with his family and wants to be part of every daily excursion.
Less ideal if:
- You expect him to greet visitors silently and with indifference—as a historical border and farm guard, he reliably, and often vocally, reports changes in his territory.
- You are away from home for many hours every day and are looking for a dog that accepts being alone without complaint.
- You get annoyed easily if a dog follows you around the house at every turn to keep his 'herd' together.
The real vibes check
A Böhmischer Schäferhund is like a highly sensitive radar that scans your movements and views daily life as a joint project. You aren't getting a dog that just tags along; you're getting a real colleague who asks every morning, 'What are we working on today?' If you channel this energy, you have the most loyal shadow in the world—but if you leave him to his own devices, he will find his own tasks, which are guaranteed not to be to your liking.
Breed Profile
The Bohemian Shepherd, also known as Chodsky pes, is a medium-sized dog with a strong, harmonious build. He has a beautiful, dense coat that is often slightly wavy and has a lush undercoat. The ears are set high and hang slightly forward in the typical shape. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped, giving it an intelligent and friendly expression. The Bohemian Shepherd Dog belongs to FCI Group 1, a herding and driving dog. There is no division into performance and show lines in this breed, which means that all Bohemian Shepherds have in common both the character traits of working dogs and the attractive appearance.
- Height
- 49 - 52 cm (Female), 52 - 55 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 17 - 24 kg (Female), 19 - 27 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 14 years
- Character
- Loyal, Intelligent, Alert
- Coat
- Long, dense, slightly wavy with plenty of undercoat
- Coat Color
- Typically black with brown markings
- Price
- 1000 - 2500 €
History
The breed comes from the Czech Republic and has a long history dating back to the 14th century. Originally, these dogs were bred by the Chods, an ethnic group in Bohemia, to guard their land and herds. Hence the name Chodsky pes, which means “dog of the Chodes”. means. During the 19th and early 20th centuries the breed became increasingly popular in the Czech Republic. The dogs were not only used for herding, but also as guard dogs and companion dogs. The Bohemian Shepherd Dog gained recognition as an independent breed in the 1980s when breeders began working to preserve the breed. The Bohemian Shepherd Dog has also been recognized by the FCI since 2019.
Original Use
The Chodský pes was used as a herding and guard dog in the Choden region and is known for its long, black fur.
Origin
Czech Republic
Date
1300
Character & Temperament
If you are looking for a loyal, intelligent and alert companion, the Bohemian Shepherd could be just the thing for you. Their origins as guard and herding dogs have given them strong protective behavior. They are very people-oriented and build a deep bond with their family. This makes them wonderful family dogs. Their intelligence makes them easy to train, but it's important to give them varied tasks to keep them mentally occupied. They are very observant and quickly notice when something is wrong in their environment, which makes them good watchdogs. Although the Bohemian Shepherd is active, he does not tend to be hyperactive. He enjoys walks and playtime, but he's also happy just being around his people. He can learn to stay alone, but it is important to teach him that this is a normal routine. Staying alone should be practiced gradually to avoid separation anxiety. The Bohemian Shepherd Dog does not usually show strong hunting or prey-catching behavior, but it is always advisable to socialize him well from an early age and teach him how to behave in the presence of other animals. Even when alert, Bohemian Shepherds are generally not aggressive. They are rather reserved towards strangers, but they are very loving and gentle towards the people they know. As working dogs, they are used to having a job. If they are kept as family dogs, it is important to find alternative ways to keep them occupied. They can participate in dog sports or simply serve as a service dog. Their intelligence and empathy also make them excellent therapy dogs.
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
| Watchfulness Strong territorial instinct — may actively confront intruders. | Very high |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Noticeable drive — needs attention around small animals. | Moderate |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Bohemian Shepherd was originally bred to guard the borders in the Chodov region of what is now the Czech Republic? This is where his name comes from: “Chodsky pes”, which means “dog from Chodov” in Czech. means.
What Awaits You
The Bohemian Shepherd (Chodský pes) is an intelligent and eager-to-learn dog with a strong protective instinct. It is alert and well-suited as a family and guard dog. This breed requires consistent training and sufficient activity to fully realize its potential. The Chodský pes is robust, active, and shows a close bond with its people.
Housing & Care
The Bohemian Shepherd is an active and intelligent dog that can be kept both in the city and in the country, provided it gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He is known to get along well with children and is generally friendly with other pets as long as he has been properly socialized.
- Family Friendly
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Family-oriented - Child Friendly
Gets on well with children — with adult supervision.
With supervision - Dog Friendly
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Dog-friendly - City Friendly
Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners.
Difficult in cities
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
Training & Education
The Bohemian Shepherd is an intelligent and willing to learn dog that is easy to train. Its original use as a herding dog is reflected in its willingness to work and its need for mental and physical activity. It is important that he is not overwhelmed and that he receives enough rest periods. Frustration tolerance and impulse control should be encouraged in training this breed. Due to his high willingness to learn, he can also be used well in various dog sports such as agility, obedience or search games.
Nutrition & Care
The Bohemian Shepherd Dog has no special food requirements and gets along well with a balanced, high-quality dog food. He has a long and dense coat with a thick undercoat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting. The Bohemian Shepherd Dog does shed, especially during the shedding phases. The climate in Germany should not be a problem for this breed as it originally comes from a similar climate.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Health
B
Solid
Health grade
The Böhmischer Schäferhund is considered a robust working breed, but like many shepherd dogs, it is not free from genetic health risks. Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as these joint issues can severely limit mobility. Additionally, degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a known concern, which is why a corresponding genetic test for the parent dogs is strongly recommended.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
Without a consistent rearing phase and good preventative care—such as regular check-ups—health problems and veterinary costs can rise significantly later on.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips and elbows checked and use appropriate DNA tests to reduce known risks in the lineage as much as possible, ensuring the dogs can stay active for a long time.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
What owners say about the Bohemian Shepherd
Christian S., Halter aus Hessen (Rüde, Welpe seit 2025)
Wir haben uns einen Chodsky Pes Rüden geholt, der mittlerweile 17 Wochen alt ist. Er ist mein dritter Welpe (nach einem Hovawart-Mischling und einem reinrassigen Hovawart), aber charakterlich noch mal eine ganz andere Hausnummer. Er ist unglaublich aufgeweckt und lernwillig, aber wir kämpfen aktuell mit einer typischen Herausforderung der Rasse: Er bellt draußen jeden Hund an, den er sieht.
Da er beim Züchter nur mit seiner Mutter, Schwester und einem älteren Hund aufgewachsen ist, müssen wir jetzt extrem viel Arbeit in die Sozialisierung stecken. Er ist sehr wachsam und reagiert schnell auf Reize, weshalb wir das kontrollierte Begegnungstraining sehr ernst nehmen müssen, damit das Bellen nicht zum Dauerproblem wird. Man unterschätzt leicht, wie viel Trieb und Wachsamkeit in diesen vermeintlich 'kleinen, süßen Schäferhunden' steckt.
Paraphrased from real owner reports
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Frequently asked questions about the Bohemian Shepherd
Is a Bohemian Shepherd the right dog for me?
The Bohemian Shepherd is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Bohemian Shepherd live?
The average life expectancy of a Bohemian Shepherd is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Bohemian Shepherd need?
Bohemian Shepherd grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Bohemian Shepherd good for families with children?
The Bohemian Shepherd can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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