Herding dog Medium size 16-25 kg

Chodsky Pes

A friendly, versatile Czech herder - trainable, family-oriented and healthier than many, a solid all-round active pet.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
16-25 kg, 49-55 cm
High
Activity
Active and playful
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with normal work days
Easy
Trainability
Very trainable and willing
Moderate
Coat care
Longer double coat, regular brushing
Excellent
Fit with kids
Excellent with children
Good
Other pets
Generally good with other pets
Light
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, Progressive retinal atrophy

The Chodsky Pes typically weighs 16-25 kg, stands 49-55 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a smaller, friendlier take on the German Shepherd type,
your family is active - hiking, dog sports, daily training games,
you want a breed with a relatively clean health record,
you are willing to import or wait; the breed is rare outside Czechia.

Do not consider this breed if…

you need a puppy locally and soon - US breeders are nearly nonexistent,
the dog would sit in a yard alone; it is people-focused and needs inclusion,
you dislike seasonal shedding from a longer double coat,
nobody has time for daily activity - an idle herder invents work.

A typical day with a Chodsky Pes

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Brisk walk or run before the day starts
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rests while the household works
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk, a few obedience reps
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Play with the kids, fetch, trick training
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer outing - hike, sport or off-leash time
  6. 21:30 · Night
    Settles wherever the family is

Temperament and training

Trainability High
Friendliness High
Energy High
Watchdog tendency Moderate
Sensitivity High
Independence Low
Common owner mistakes
Expecting a guard dog - it alerts, but the temperament is friendly · Leaving the brain idle; obedience and nosework matter as much as walks · Skipping coat care until the undercoat mats in shedding season

Family and environment

Kids Excellent
Gentle, patient and playful with children.
Dogs Good
Sociable with well-mannered dogs.
Cats Conditional
Fine when raised together; may chase strange cats.
Apartment Conditional
Works with committed daily exercise.
House with a yard Suitable
Great base, but activity happens with you.
City Manages
Adaptable and stable in traffic and crowds.
Countryside Ideal
The environment it was bred for.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Progressive retinal atrophy Genetic eye disease
Epilepsy Seizure risk in some lines
Dental disease Routine care helps

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The bigger, more intense version of the look
German Shepherd
A loyal, highly trainable working dog that needs a job and a confident handler - and carries a well-documented joint and spine burden.
View profile →
Another rare, handy mid-size European herder
Croatian Sheepdog
A quick, energetic Balkan herder - highly trainable and healthy, but needs a job and daily activity to stay content.
View profile →
More drive and demand in a similar size
Border Collie
An exceptionally quick-learning working dog that needs daily physical and mental work - without it, it invents a "job" of its own.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Chodsky Pes cost?
In Czechia puppies are affordable, but in the US the breed is essentially import-only: expect roughly $1,500-$3,000 once the puppy price, transport and paperwork are added, plus a long lead time working with a Czech breeder. Over a 12-15 year life, food and routine care typically add another $12,000-$20,000 or more.
Is the Chodsky Pes just a small German Shepherd?
It looks like one - a long-coated, black-and-tan shepherd about two sizes smaller - but it is an old, separate Czech landrace with its own standard. Temperament runs friendlier and softer than working-line German Shepherds, with less guarding edge and a strong family orientation.
Can I even get a Chodsky Pes in the US?
Realistically, only by importing from Czechia or a handful of European breeders, and being patient. The breed is not AKC-recognized, so plan on FCI paperwork and possibly a trip. If import logistics are a dealbreaker, a Shetland Sheepdog or a moderate-line German Shepherd covers similar ground.
Is a Chodsky Pes good for a first-time owner?
Temperament-wise, yes - it is forgiving, willing and less intense than most shepherds. The honest obstacles are practical: rarity, import logistics and an activity budget of an hour-plus daily. An active beginner who can handle those does well with this breed.