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Training (Scroll below to links with videos and photos of vlcaks
in action)
One of the biggest concerns for potential new owners of this breed is the ability of the dog
to be trained for work and for sport. Having trained 5 of them from (4 from puppyhood and
one from 11 months), I can assure you - yes, they are very, and often easily trainable. But it's
also necessary to consider the reasons why, and the context in which, the breed was
created. They are not German Shepherd Dogs, they are not Malinois, they are not border
collies or Siberian Huskies. They are not wolfdog "hybrids" either. They train differently,
and while versatile, they have their own unique strengths as a breed. they achieve better
results in real work vs. sport (they get quickly bored with routines).
Czechoslovakian vlcaks were originally bred to work as border patrol dogs during the
cold war. Their job was to alert handlers (and protect from, if necessary) to people trying
to sneak across the border. Sometimes the dogs worked independently from their handlers in
confined areas between border posts. During the Cold War, border crossers were not
necessarily the dangerous criminals (terrorists and drug cartels, for example) that we,
especially as Americans, associate with the term today. They were often family members
trying to escape to loved ones, or everyday people trying to make a new life for themselves
beyond the veil of communism. One of my good friends from Romania once shared the story of
smuggling her grandmother across the border into western Germany - rolled in a large
carpet in the car. While natural ability (along with training) in protection work was vital, it
became almost secondary to the ability of the dog to stealthily mantrail (what search and
rescue dogs do). In working dogs, there was a need for dogs with certain traits, and a
structure that supported those activities.
High energy and high endurance (photos)
Scent Trailing (video and photo)
obedience (video and photos)
Agile and versatile in physical capabilities (videos and photos)
Constantly alert to surroundings
Quick in reaction/easily detectable body language
Suspicious and protective if necessary (videos)
Loyal to handler/Able to work independently
Long lived and good health
in action)
One of the biggest concerns for potential new owners of this breed is the ability of the dog
to be trained for work and for sport. Having trained 5 of them from (4 from puppyhood and
one from 11 months), I can assure you - yes, they are very, and often easily trainable. But it's
also necessary to consider the reasons why, and the context in which, the breed was
created. They are not German Shepherd Dogs, they are not Malinois, they are not border
collies or Siberian Huskies. They are not wolfdog "hybrids" either. They train differently,
and while versatile, they have their own unique strengths as a breed. they achieve better
results in real work vs. sport (they get quickly bored with routines).
Czechoslovakian vlcaks were originally bred to work as border patrol dogs during the
cold war. Their job was to alert handlers (and protect from, if necessary) to people trying
to sneak across the border. Sometimes the dogs worked independently from their handlers in
confined areas between border posts. During the Cold War, border crossers were not
necessarily the dangerous criminals (terrorists and drug cartels, for example) that we,
especially as Americans, associate with the term today. They were often family members
trying to escape to loved ones, or everyday people trying to make a new life for themselves
beyond the veil of communism. One of my good friends from Romania once shared the story of
smuggling her grandmother across the border into western Germany - rolled in a large
carpet in the car. While natural ability (along with training) in protection work was vital, it
became almost secondary to the ability of the dog to stealthily mantrail (what search and
rescue dogs do). In working dogs, there was a need for dogs with certain traits, and a
structure that supported those activities.
High energy and high endurance (photos)
Scent Trailing (video and photo)
obedience (video and photos)
Agile and versatile in physical capabilities (videos and photos)
Constantly alert to surroundings
Quick in reaction/easily detectable body language
Suspicious and protective if necessary (videos)
Loyal to handler/Able to work independently
Long lived and good health