The name  

The name of the breed has some synonyms. In englishspeaking countries the breed is sometimes referred to as "Bohemian shepherd", "Czech shepherd" - both names with a clear connotation of the German shepherd...

 

The swiss have translated the name directly into "Chodenhund".

In France it's called "Berger de Bohème".

 

In its native country, the Czech Republic, it's called "Chodský Pes" where "Pes" simply means "dog". "Chodský" referrs to the people who had the dog.

I don't know what the region is called or how the name is used grammatically. In some texts there are examples of "The Chodove people".

You can find a map that points to the approximate location of the region here.

 

The breedclub in Czech Republic is called "Klub přátel chodského psa" which means (according to the google translator...) "Friends of the Chodsky dog"

 

 

The breed belongs to, according to the breed standard, group 1, but since it isn't recognized by the F.C.I. as of yet, most countries classify it as a mixed breed.

It's kind of sad that a breed with history from at least the 14th century doesn't get the recognition it deserves. This may very well also be the reason why it is generally a lot more healthy than other F.C.I. breeds that have been ruined because of bad and often malicious breeders. (I'm thinking of the white boxer, the Rhodesian ridgeback, King Charles Cavallier for example).

 

 

The breed was professionally bred during the 1500s but the start for the modern breedingprogram (the reconstruction) began in 1984.

The studbook was closed for dogs without ancestry in 1988.

 

In it's native country there are about 70 breeders. In the rest of the world there are six breeders (but only two are producing puppys as of yet.

 

 

In Germany there is a very similar breed called "Altdeutscher schäferhund" (old German shepherd).

This breed is also, I've been told, working to get recognition by the F.C.I.

 

 

In the Czech Republic there are about 3.500 animals registered in the studbook.

The breed can (according to different sources online) also be found in Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Slovakia, Poland, England, Norway, Finland and now also in Sweden.

 

The total number of animals outside the Czech Republic is - I'm guessing - very low. Perhaps 100 animals.

 

As far as I know there are only, besides my own Kalista, two litters that were taken 2008 by Carolyn Dahl (www.equestria.se).

 

I can't unfortunately recall exactly how many puppys that were born, but it should be 6-8 puppies in total.

Two of the puppies was exported to Norway (Izzy and Akela). One to Denmark (Mimmi). One remains in Björkvik (Sally) and a fifth puppy is probably living in Kungsbacka (unconfirmed but probable). 

 

September 2010: Two more puppies have been located. They are living under the same roof in Hedemora!

 

PS. Please take a look here for information about all Chodskys outside the Czech Republic.