History of the CSV

In 1955, engineer Karel Hartl initiated a biological experiment involving the crossing of Eurasian wolves with German Shepherds. The first generation of offspring was born on 26 May 1958 from a she-wolf named Brita and a German Shepherd named Cézar.

The aim of the project was to preserve the wolf's appearance and health while creating working temperament qualities. In subsequent generations, the proportion of wolf blood decreased — by the fourth generation it represented only 6.25%.

Early generations proved difficult to train, however individuals of the second generation, if separated early and raised individually, became fully trainable. The third and fourth generations were able to complete standard training courses.

Compared to ordinary dogs, these dogs demonstrated significantly better orientation skills, night vision, hearing and sense of smell. In endurance tests they completed 100 km routes at an average speed of 11–13 km/h without exhaustion.

The breed was officially recognised in 1982 by Czechoslovak breeding authorities. The FCI standard was approved in Helsinki on 13 June 1989 under number 332. In 1999, recognition was confirmed as permanent at the FCI general assembly in Mexico.

Currently the largest populations are in Italy (approximately 400 puppies per year), while Czech populations number 120–180 puppies per year.