The Bohemian Shepherd has a two-pronged history, ancient and modern. We will visit their origins, learn the devastating world events that led to their decline, and celebrate their revival!
Origins:
The Bohemian Shepherd (also known as the Chodsky pes) is an ancient breed, indigenous to southwest Bohemia (Czech Republic). It first appeared in the medieval Chodsko region during the reign of King Premysl Ottokar II (1253-1278). The King of Bohemia recruited the Chodove people to patrol the borders of the kingdom. Drawings from that time showed that it was a long-haired shepherd dog with prick ears. In 1325, the then King of Bohemia, John of Luxembourg granted the Chodove by royal decree the privilege of owning and breeding such dogs to serve as guard dogs on the Bohemia-Bavaria border and as herders and trackers. In 1864, J.A. Gabriel wrote about this people and described them as ‘Psohlavci’ (Dog heads in Czech) as their pennon (flag) had a silhouette of a Bohemian sheepdog. The Chodsky was a source of great pride for the Chodove people.
The Decline: WWII & Communist Era
The 20th century was devastating for the Chodsky Pes – they suffered both at the hands of the Nazis and the Soviet Communists. Under Nazi rule, from March 1939, border villages were annexed and the working border patrols ceased. Traditional rural life – and along with it, regional dog breeding, collapsed. The Chodsky Pes was replaced by the Nazi regime’s dog of choice, the larger German Shepherd. After 1945, Communist control centralized animal breeding. To the Soviet Communist, all allegiance is to the state. Therefore, the regime discouraged and suppressed regional identity symbols like the Chodsky pes – they did not align with state goals. A 1948 proposal for international recognition was officially blocked and by the 1960’s the Chodsky pes was nearly extinct.
Return of the Bohemians!
The world just doesn’t understand the gift that FCI Judge Jan Findejs and cynology expert Dr. Vilem Kurz gave them. In 1984 these two men teamed up to formally establish the Chodsky Pes aka Bohemian Shepherd breed! They began by placing advertisements in local Czech newspapers searching for surviving Chodskys and a few owners came forward. Dogs were compared with preserved documentation, written materials and period drawings. Their primary mission was to restore the breed – while raising healthy dogs with good temperaments. In 1985, the first litter was born to this program. There are currently about 7,300+ Bohemian Shepherds in the world!
Born in the USA!
SchubertUS Kennel in Illinois, became the first in the USA to both breed and whelp Bohemian Shepherd puppies in 2022! As of 2023 it is estimated that there are roughly 100 Bohemian Shepherds in North America. SchubertUS Kennel is a true leader, passionate in the cause for Bohemian Shepherds. Jolanta Schubert pioneered FCI registration through Federacion Camofila de Puerto Rico (Kennel Club of Puerto Rico) AND in 2022 initiated Foundation Stock Service status with the American Kennel Club! Once twenty litters are registered, the requirements for AKC recognition!!! We are so proud that Shadow is from the first litter!