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Cesky Fousek (CF) is a gundog belonging to the family of wirehaired pointers of Continental Europe. It is even believed that he is the founder of this family. As other members of this family, Cesky Fousek is bred and trained to work in the field, forest and water. "Cesky" \`ches-key\ indicates that he is of Bohemian (Czech) origin, "Fousek" \`fow-sek\ (fow as flow) means that he has a beard, sideburns and a moustache. At the present time, Cesky Fousek, or Ceska Fouska for a female, is also quite popular outside of the Czech Republic. In The Netherlands, there is a Cesky Fousek Club.
We hope, that with the help of this page, we shall get in contact with people who are owners of CF, or are just interested in this breed, and can provide more information on CF. It would be interesting to be able to establish the whereabouts of Cesky Fousek in the world.
The history of Cesky Fousek started way back in the Middle Ages in the Kingdom of Bohemia, on the territory of the present Czech Republic. We have a number of articles and books on CF in our possession, but some of the facts mentioned in these publications concerning the history of CF are not documented, though most probably true. We shall cite the documents we shall use in our article. There also exist ancient pictures of the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointer, but these are so far not in our possession.
Let us start with the history from the ancient times up to the First World War (1914-1918). The Bohemian water dogs, as they were then called, existed already in the times of the Bohemian King and Emperor of the Roman Empire Charles IV (1316-1378). This means that the breed is older than the Charles' Bridge in Prague, which dates from that period. Vilem Zajic (1), who was the educator of the young Emperor, wrote a letter which was found in the archives of the Castle Karlstejn, which states: "In 1348, the Emperor Charles IV gave as present to Markgraaf Ludwig von Brandenburg a number of able hunting dogs called Canis Bohemicus"
It appears, from a number of other old documents, that in the times of the Emperor Charles IV, and also later, this Canis Bohemicus, or the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointer, was used primarily for hunting because of his swiftness, tenacity, power of endurance and sharpness. These dogs were easy to train and to use for hunting. Because of the above qualities, this breed was popular in all the European countries. There existed no other wirehaired hunting dogs in Europe in those times, so that we can assume that this Canis Bohemicus, named later Cesky Fousek, was used for breeding of other European wirehaired pointers, and is thus the originator of this canine family (1).
In a treatise "The Perfect Hunter" (1724), Fleming (1) describes this Bohemian Wirehaired Waterdog. They were used for water-work because of their suitable coat. Fuchs (2) writes in his book, that a German breeder Hanus z Kadichu was sure that the wirehaired dogs originated in Bohemia. He adds, however, that some experts on Russian dogs claim that these wirehaired pointers originated in Caucasus mountains.
The modern history of Cesky Fousek begins at the end of the First World War. It begins very sadly, for because of the difficult war years, Cesky Fousek became almost extinct. Remaining dogs, suitable for breeding, were scattered all over the young Czechoslovak Republic (1918). To rescue the breed, an Association for the Wirehaired Pointer Cesky Fousek (1), was set up in 1924. A breed standard was drawn up in 1931.
In quite a short period of time, thanks to the enthusiasm and great effort of the breeders, the Cesky Fousek breeding stock has been rebuilt. The male and female dogs, specially selected, could be used for breeding only if all the requirements agreed upon were met. In the spring of each year, the hereditary (gundog) characteristics of each young dog were tested. The quality of the descendants was used to verify the breeding qualities of the parents. As a result of this policy, only those dogs who complied with the strict requirements, and who passed successfully a number of required hunting tests, could be used for breeding.
In that period the selection was very important and taking of breeding decisions extremely rigorous. All the decisions and notes about the breeding dogs were being carefully noted down in a genealogical register. In that period, until 1958, wirehaired pointers of other breeds were used for breeding too, to strengthen and refine the hunting properties of Cesky Fousek. And so, when there were enough breeding lines (eight) in existence, a standard for Cesky Fousek was drawn up. This standard was approved by F.C.I. (Federation Cynologique Internationale) in 1958.
References
Cesky Fousek is a multi-purpose gundog working with inborn joy in the fields, forests or water. He is easy to train and easy to lead. He has a natural instinct to go on point, stretching his body long, taking in the scents. It is pleasing to the eye to watch him as he works. With his keen hunting instincts, he has the ability to cover vast areas of land or search patiently in the thicket to give finally a perfect sitting retrieve of a bird (if properly trained, of course). Being a keen worker, he follows the scent persistently. He has a natural policing instinct to guard the open country against the beasts of prey, especially roaming cats. Needless to say, he is a very loyal friend to his master.
Scotty, Brit z Jesene, was born on December 19, 1989 in the village of Jesenice in West Bohemia. We brought him to our (high-rise) apartment as a 10 weeks old puppy. His first self-imposed task was to renew our collection of shoes. He started bringing dead birds to us very early in his life, which was commendable. When he was four months old we began with obedience training, later, for three years, gundog training, which he followed with great enthusiasm. He has two kinds of behaviour: when free he obeys almost perfectly (if there is no cat nearby), when on a leash he pulls and barks at everybody who, according to his (cop)dog's mind, is behaving suspiciously (like bycicling on a side-walk, or wearing large red shorts).
Scotty doesn't mind staying at home alone. He is usually sleeping underneath in our wardrobe closet near the door, his den which he chose very early in his life. He is always hungry, and stealing food is his strong point. He does forget food, however, when kept busy (a dummy is of uppermost importance to him).
If you'd like to meet other members of Scotty's family, look at the picture taken in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic, with three generations of CFs, including Scotty's Grandma back left.
Scotty turned 10 Dec. 19, 1999; see him pointing and approaching prudently in the new millennium (March 19, 2000).
On Friday, August 10, 2001, Scotty departed to the eternal hunting grounds.
He had a serious kidney problem, his vet found in March. He started losing
weight and grew weaker and weaker. He suffered no pain, sleeping peacefully
through day and night. The last week of his life he refused to eat and drink,
couldn't walk and was in pain. His ashes have been strewed above the North Sea.
Lussy was born in the Czech Republic, Feb 7, 2001. She spent there her early
puppyhood and enjoyed there her basic education. When about 7 months old,
Lussy moved to the Netherlands.
She earned a number of gun dog diploma's and now she is a young
girl who can have puppies of her own.
Though she has perfect hunting dog instincts, she doesn't like shooting.
That's why Lussy moved to us
to Delft, Nov 13, 2002. She is very friendly, knows her canine rights perfectly
and
respects our human rights completely. She enjoyes some cuddling and hugging
now and then.
Outside, she changes into a hunter full of energy and enthusiasm. She loves
to play with other dogs, her preference, however, is searching and pointing.
Scotty in Prague: "Urbem conspicio
fama quae sidera tanget"
Scotty and three ladies in Meijendel
Beach near
Scheveningen, The Hague
Scotty pointing
Training near
Rakovnik, Czech Republic
Praga Bohemiae Metroplolis - Praga Caput Regni
Bourka, Jaga and Scotty in Elst
Scotty 4 months old (7 to 4 correction July 5, 2000)
Scotty 10 weeks old
Scotty's little sister: "Don't
fence me in!"
Dasha retrieves
a Hungarian Partridge
(Oregon, USA). A picture of Dasha with her
pups Affie and Angus, Montana 1998. Dasha passed away later that year.
Dasha and Jake admire a Chukar (Oregon, USA)
What's cuter than a fousek pup?? (Oregon, USA)
Scotty in December 1996, 7 years
old
In The Netherlands
Ilonka Oostenbrink-Balvert
In the Czech Republic: New Address for Cesky Fousek
Ceskomoravska kynologicka jednota ** Ceskomoravska kynologicka jednota CMKU is a member of FCI. The Czech
and Moravian Hunting Association (Ceskomoravska myslivecka jednota) has
the same address.
Dr. Jaromir Dostal
Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the
Czech Republic
277 21 Libechov
Czech Republic
phone: +420-206-697020 or 697308 or 697503
fax: +420-206-697186
email: dostalj@iapg.cas.cz
From the Contents: Origins and development of pointers. Dog's exterior. Standard, Hereditary colour and judgement of CFs. Hunting qualities. Breeding and registration statutes of the CMKU (see further on this page). Breeding and puppy care. Breeding methods and selection procedures. Some hereditary defects.
Mr. Doslal writes: "I have spent a lot of time to describe the
history
of the Cesky Fousek, because, so far, it has not been thoroughly and
chronologically treated. Every owner of a breeding dog, or a starting
breeder, should have this handbook (some information is, naturally, only
for the Czech breeders). My aim is to give in my book information about
everything a
breeder might encounter, and things which senior breeders cannot
always explain.
I have also described how to make Fousek a National or International
Champion."
France
In Scandinavia
Ms Anita Ollila, Breeding adviser
Scotty's and Lussy's humble servantAnatol and pictures from 1978 of Scotty's predecessor Brok1 and Brok2
email 
