“Take this trouble for me: Make sure my shepherd dog remains a working dog, for I have struggled all my life long for that aim.”       Max von Stephanitz 1864 – 1936

In 1899, Max von Stephanitz was attending a dog show when he was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein.  Hektor was the product of few generations of selective breeding and completely fulfilled what Max Von Stephanitz believed a working dog should be. He was pleased with the strength of the dog and was so taken by the animal's intelligence and loyalty, that he purchased it immediately. After purchasing the dog he changed its name to Horand von Grafrath.  Horand was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog and was the first dog added to the society's breed register.

"Horand embodied for the enthusiasts of that time the fulfillment of their fondest dreams. He was big for that period, between 24" and 24 1/2", even for the present day a good medium size, with powerful frame, beautiful lines, and a nobly formed head. Clean and sinewy in build, the entire dog was one live wire. His character was on a par with his exterior qualities; marvelous in his obedient fidelity to his master, and above all else, the straightforward nature of a gentleman with a boundless zest for living. Although untrained in puppy hood, nevertheless obedient to the slightest nod when at this master's side; but when left to himself, the maddest rascal, the wildest ruffian and incorrigible provoker of strife. Never idle, always on the go; well disposed to harmless people, but no cringer, mad about children and always in love. What could not have been the accomplishments of such a dog if we, at that time, had only had military or police service training? His faults were the failings of his upbringing, never of his stock. He suffered from a superfluity of unemployed energy, for he was in Heaven when someone was occupied with him and was then the most tractable of dog."

~Captain von Stephanitz
Originator of the breed

 History of the Czech Border Patrol Dogs

Prior to 1956

The Czech GSD bloodlines had a lot of German bloodlines bred into their own native herding dogs.  The amount of German influence depends on when we are referring to. 

Shortly after Max von Stephanitz founded the GSD, the Czechs began importing German stock to improve their bloodlines by breeding to their own native dogs.  Many of the native Czech dogs were very similar to the Southern German herding dogs of that time.  Smaller and slighter of build but a bit sharper and harder dogs. 

By the 1930’s the bloodlines in Czechoslavakia had become heavily influenced by the German, the Hungarian and Swiss bred GSD’s, with only limited amount of influence remaining from the native Czech herding dogs.  Czech bred German Shepherd dogs did have some influence on the German bred dogs.  Some breeders regularly added to their bloodlines by using Czech studs and dams while others continued to use mostly native herding dogs.  When the iron curtain went up, it became harder for West German breeders and Eastern Europe breeders to share the bloodlines so easily, even though many times a guard did “look the other way” as dogs were moved across borders.

Z Pohranicni Straze

The kennel Z Pohranicni Strace (Z PS) was founded in the year 1955 for the single purpose of production and training of dogs that would be solely used for the protection of the Czechoslovakian People’s Republic’s, since 1968 Czech Socialist Republic’s borders.  Most of the dogs were acquired from the territory of former East Germany (DDR) and also there were dogs from Czechoslovakia used for breeding; the ones that excelled in their character qualities.

The breeding program was established in 1956.  The breeding program has been since the foundation focused mainly on strengthening the good power of bones, dark pigmentation, strong nerves and willingness to work in tracking, obedience and defense work.    

There were three breeding facilities with a total of 80 breeding females that made up the “Z Pohranicni Straze” kennel.  Combined to these 80 females were 30 stud dogs, all of which were on active duty with their handlers.  The breeding facilities were located within Czech Border Police compounds of Domazlice, Libejovice and Prackovice.  The original 3 kennels were: 

Z Pohranicni Strace

Z Jirkova dvora CS

Z Blatenskeno

 These compounds had a high security status with access to them strictly forbidden to anyone, including Czech Border Police, who did not work at the specific facility. 

The stud dogs, females and puppies were taken care of by military service conscripts.   

The dogs were trained at the kennels for about 12 months then afterwards relocated to Border Patrol training facilities in their quarters (nowadays they’re located in Czech police training facilities)

During the years under the communist regime, the Czechoslovakian Border Patrol and their dogs would apprehend 20 to 30 people on a daily basis.  While nine out of ten people would give up when confronted, the dogs were regularly called upon to defend their handlers from those intent on crossing the border at whatever cost. 

After the fall of the iron curtain the Czech Border Patrol Police shared border stations with their German counter parts who maintained a tight control over economical refugees from the Eastern Block entering Germany.  Those who were not given visa’s to legally enter Germany attempted to cross this same Czech border.  Many were crossing to seek a better life in Western Europe and usually did not resist arrest.  An increasing number are connected with organized crime and pose a considerable threat. 

There were three ways to obtain these quality dogs from these highly desired kennels:

Stud fees:  The Z Pohranicni Straze kennel bred their females occasionally to dogs owned by civilians.  The stud dogs chosen were outstanding working dogs selected for their ability to consistently produce dogs with exceptional working ability.  The owner of the stud had the option of being paid or taking a puppy for payment.  Most people took the latter option in order to own a “Z Pohranicni Strace” dog. 

Whelping litters:  Kennels owned by civilians, at times, were given the opportunity to take a Z Pohranicni Straze bred female and whelp the litters.  In return, these private kennels, could keep half of the litter, which bears the kennel name “Z Pohranicni Straze”.

Dog for dog:  There were also times in which Z Pohranicni Straze kennel would trade dogs with the 2 other original kennels as another way to bring desired dogs and bloodlines into the Z Pohranicni Straze breeding program. 

All of the dogs used in the breeding program had at least velmi dobry (very good) body conformation, strong bones, good pigmentation and strong health.  They were also significant for their high food drive, high working drives and early working maturity.  The selection of their stud dogs and females was focused on their trainability, solid nerves and ability to protect their territory. 

Today these bloodlines have managed to be at the center of breeding in both former Czechoslovakia and the present Czech republic.  Many of these bloodlines excelled in Schutzhund in Western Europe, USA and Canada and often placing high at the championship events.  These dogs can be trained for real life situations and are family raised.