Almost 40% of Czechs own a dog, which is more people than in Germany, France or Great Britain. Moreover, 20% of those “outsiders” without a dog are actually thinking about getting one in the future! What “secret” is hidden behind these high statistical figures? Why do Czechs love dogs so much? Besides the the obvious universal reasons such as their unconditional love and devotion, Vladimira Ticha, the spokesman for the Czech dog breeder’s union adds some more specific facts:
- it is easier to have a dog in the Czech Republic because it is qualified as an object, hence no one can tell you what you can/cannot do with it.
- The landlords have almost no way of preventing people from keeping a dog in the apartment
- there are many old and lonely people in Czech and for them their dog is their partner and also a way to meet new people
What are currently the most popular breeds?
- German shepherd (still!!)
- dachshund
- In recent years: Labrador and golden retriever
CZ: Vice nez 40% Cechu vlastni psa, coz je vice lidi nez v Nemecku, Francii nebo Velke Britanii. To ale neni vse, protoze 20% techto “cernych ovci” v budoucnosti totiz psa chteji. Proc jsou Cesi takovymi blazny do techto chluptaych ctyrnozcu? Kromne tech zjevnych, universalnich duvodu jako je bezpodminecna laska a naprosta oddanost nam Vladimira Ticha, mluvci za cesky chovatelsky svazek, odhaluje vice mene zrejmych duvodu:
- v Cechach je mnohem jednodussi vlastnit psa nez kdekoliv jinde, protoze je kvalifikovany jako “predmet” a nikdo vam tedy nemuze naridit co s nim mate (nebo nemate) delat – vcetne pana domaciho
- V Praze je mnoho starsich, osamnelych lidi, pro ktere pejsek je proste jejich partak; maji take prilezitost se skrze pejska seznamit s jinymi pejskari.
Jake psi rasy jsou v nynejsi dobe nejpopularnesi?
- Nemecky ovcak (stale!!)
- Jezevcik (klasika)
- O prvni mista se take zacinaji prat labradori a zlati retrivri
Source: http://www.radio.cz/en/article/106235
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At least part of the Czech peoples’ admiration for dogs comes from their use as food during hard times during the 19th Century. There is at least one celebration yet today honoring dogs for giving their lives so that Czechs could continue to live.
I can’t agree with the previous comment at all… Czechs love dogs because they can eat them in case hard times strike? Nonsense! I am proud to be Czech and love the way Czechs treat dogs. Everything in CZ is very dog friendly..you can bring a dog on a train, bus, to the zoo, some restaurants. Some of them even have doggie menus. There are always plenty of people to “baby-sit” if you need to go away for a week.
I am married to an American guy and have been in this country only 1 year. I had a lab in Europe who died 2 years ago and now we got a labradoodle puppy a few months back. We were gonna adopt a dog from a shelter but weren’t allowed to because we had no vet references in this country. Incredible!
Anyway, the main difference between Americans and Czechs (my opinion) is that many Americans get rid of their dogs way too easily… moving, having babies, too much shedding, getting a NEW dog!!! I have never heard of anything like that in CZ. You get a dog and you grow old with him/her. You move, you take them with you; you have a baby, you still keep the dog.
I’ve learned each nation has different attitudes to dogs. My husband’s family is Greek and I must say Greeks do NOT like dogs. Not in their house at least. For them they’re dirty animals that should be kept in the yard if at all. I don’t like that at all but it’s the way they were brought up. Luckily, I managed to change my husband but it took quite a long time.
Back to CZ…One more thing, which I think is very important, is the cost of vet care in the Czech Republic. It is SOOOOO much cheaper! I regularly pay $150 for a visit here in the US. In CZ I paid $300 for a hip surgery after my dog got into an accident. I would have ended up paying thousands of dollars here. I did get my dog an insurance after I experienced a few vet visits.
To Bob…I would like to know the name of the celebration honoring dogs for you know what… 🙂
I am kind of curious about the name of the dog celebration as well….hmmmmm….zajimave…
Hi Alenka….My comment related to times long ago , not contemporary
times. I am well aware of the love of dogs in the country of my
ancestors and meant no disrespect to the animals or the people. If
you investigate the history of the area you will eventually come
across the name of the celebration. As you probably know, there
were times in the country that were very difficult. Poachers in the
royal forests were shot when caught and so what was a man to do to put
meat on the table. Please understand that my comment was not made in
any way to exhibit disrespect. The celebration was a way to honor
the animals who gave their lives to save humans. Best Wishes, bob
My ancestry is Czech/Bohemian and my comment was about times long ago when poachers in the royal forests were shot on sight. The celebration was to honor the animals who sacrificed their lives to save humans. I mean no disrespect to the beloved pets of current owners or to the poor peasants who were forced to do what they did to survive. I do not recall the name of the celebration but I am thinking that the word “masi” was part of it. I love dogs and I also love the country of my ancestors…..some of whom risked their lives as poachers to keep their families alive.
I am an American, and my boyfriend and I are moving to Prague, partially because of how dog-friendly it is compared to America. It is much easier to take out babies out everywhere with us, to travel with them, and to find doggy sitters. I am very surprised that you have to have vet references to adopt a dog here, but I suppose it is helpful. It would ensure that every doggie goes to a home that will care for it, which is certainly not the case in America.