Český fousek
Český fousek is a Czech hunting dog bred to point, retrieve, and work in different terrains. The name means “Czech beard” in Czech, referring to its distinctive facial hair. The breed is part of the griffon family and has eyebrows, a mustache, and a beard with a wiry coat. Males are larger than females; height is about 60–66 cm for males and 58–62 cm for females, with weights roughly 28–34 kg for males and 22–28 kg for females.
It is a medium-sized, athletic dog with a strong, wiry body and a soft, alert face. The ears are velvety and hang, and the eyes are almond-shaped and can be amber or brown.
Written standards appeared in the 1800s and the FCI recognized the breed in 1964. The Český fousek nearly disappeared in the 1920s, but Czech breeders saved it by crossing it with German Shorthaired Pointer and German Wirehaired Pointer. In the United States, crosses with the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in the 1980s–1990s led to a split into two clubs: Cesky Fousek North America and American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association. The breed helped form the foundation stock of the Slovak Rough-haired Pointer.
Today the Český fousek is valued for hunting on land and in water, for its loyalty and trainability, and for being a good working dog as well as a family companion.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 01:42 (CET).