East European Shepherd dog. Description, features, care and price of the breed

The East European Shepherd (also East European Shepherd, abbreviated VEO, English East European Shepherd) is a breed of dog obtained in 1930-1950 in the Soviet Union for the army, police and service in border areas.

They have also been used as guide dogs and therapy dogs. In the territory of the former USSR, East European Shepherds have become popular for their intelligence and loyalty, but outside its borders they are rare and little-known.

This is a service breed, created for work and stress. Because of this, it is less suitable for living in an apartment, preferably a private house and a large yard. If the owner keeps the dog busy enough, he will be able to live in an apartment.

VEOs are smart, but they only listen to those whom they consider to be higher in status than themselves.

They are attached to one person and may completely ignore others.

They shed a lot.

They are not particularly suitable for families with children, as they avoid them and often do not understand them.

They get along with other dogs, but can attack small animals.

History of the breed

The history of the East European Shepherd began long before the creation of the breed. In 1914, Serbian revolutionary Gavrilo Princip assassinates Archduke Ferdinand, ruler of Austria-Hungary.

The Russian Empire, which considered itself the elder brother of this country, came to the defense of Serbia, and its allies, including Germany, supported Austria-Hungary.

This is how the First World War begins, and, it would seem, what does shepherd dogs have to do with it? Among the new products that the Russian soldier had to deal with were dogs. , schnauzers, and shepherd dogs.

They especially stood out: fast, smart, versatile, they were used in various tasks and worried opponents a lot. The Russian troops of that time did not have specialized military dog breeds, although there were quite a lot of ordinary ones.

When the Bolsheviks came to power, they began to rebuild the structure of the country and the army. Many of the military leaders of that time learned from the experience of the First World War and remembered German shepherds.

Unfortunately, these dogs were not able to work throughout the entire territory of the USSR and were not universal.

It can be cold in Germany, especially in the mountainous regions of Bavaria, where German Shepherds originated, but these cold temperatures cannot be compared with Karelia, Siberia, and Kamchatka. froze to death, and in more temperate climates they had to be warmed up every 4 hours.

In 1924, the “Red Star” nursery was created, which will breed new breeds for the Soviet Army. It is there that the Russian Terrier will later be bred, and first work on the East European Shepherd will begin. The task that was set for the kennels was difficult: to obtain a large, manageable dog, capable of working in different climates, including very cold ones.

However, the material support left much to be desired, and work really began after the end of World War II. Together with the Soviet troops, a large number of purebred German shepherds entered the country.

As a result, the basis of the East European Shepherd Dog was still the Germans, but the blood of Laikas, Central Asian Shepherds and other breeds was added to them. The authorities needed large dogs capable of guarding camps, and the new breed turned out to be larger than the classic German ones.

The first VEO standard was approved in 1964 by the Canine Council of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture. The East European Shepherd will become one of the most popular dogs among the military and other security forces, but will also find its fans among private individuals.

Together with the army, it will go to other countries of the Warsaw bloc, but will not achieve the same popularity. Interest in VEO will decrease significantly only with the collapse of the Union, when new, exotic breeds pour into the country.

Although VEO is still represented in many countries of the former USSR, the number of purebred dogs is steadily falling. For the most part, this is due to indiscriminate owners crossing them with other Shepherds.

The efforts of clubs and amateurs cannot save the situation and, although the future of VEO is still cloudless, in the distant future they may cease to exist as a purebred breed.

Description of the breed

East European Shepherds are similar to, and ordinary people cannot distinguish them from each other. Some of the obvious differences between the VEO and the German Shepherd are: larger size, thicker coat, different back line, different type of movement and fewer colors. But, since many dogs have crossed with each other and with other breeds, VEOs can vary significantly in appearance.

This is a medium-large breed, males reach 66 - 76 cm, females 62 - 72 cm. Since tall dogs look better in a show rig, they are preferred by breeders. Weight depends on the gender, age and health of the dog, but usually an adult East European Shepherd weighs between 35-60 kg for males and 30-50 kg for females.

However, they are prone to obesity and some dogs weigh significantly more. VEOs have a less inclined back line than German Shepherds and because of this they differ in the type of movement.

The head is proportional to the body, although rather large. When viewed from above, you can see that it is wedge-shaped, with a smooth but pronounced stop. The muzzle is half the length of the skull, although both are long and quite deep. Scissor bite.

The ears are medium in size, pointed and pointed forward and upward, erect. The ears of East European Shepherd puppies go up at 2 - 4-5 months. The eyes are medium in size, oval in shape, and their color is brown, amber or hazel. General impression of the dog: confidence, seriousness and hidden threat.

The coat is of medium length with a well-defined undercoat. The standard color is scoop with a mask (let's say deep) or black. Zone-gray and zone-red colors are acceptable, but not desirable.

Character

East European Shepherds are a service breed that works in the army and police, and its character corresponds to the tasks performed. This breed is known for its loyalty and devotion; they form such a strong relationship with their owner that it is almost impossible to give them away to another family.

This is definitely a one person dog that bonds with one family member and ignores others.

Although she may be affectionate with him, she is not servile. Most breeders do not recommend VEOs as family dogs, as they are not particularly affectionate with children (unless they choose a child as their owner) and some do not tolerate them well.

Although socialization helps build relationships, VEOs play with children with exactly the same intensity as they would play with adults. But, the main thing is that they cannot stand rudeness and can bite back if the limit of their patience has come to an end.

East European Shepherds are extremely suspicious of strangers. Without training and socialization, they are usually aggressive towards them, but even well-mannered ones are distrustful and aloof. If the dog is not prepared, then aggression towards humans is very likely. Moreover, these dogs need a lot of time to accept a new person in the family, for example, a spouse. Some may ignore them for years.

Despite the fact that VEOs are very sensitive, they are not the best guard dogs, as they work in silence and do not warn the owner about strangers. But they are excellent watchdogs; they will defend their territory and family until their last breath.

Only owners need to remember that they bite first and then sort themselves out. Naturally, this is an ideal bodyguard for the owner; anyone who wants to offend him must first deal with a powerful, purposeful and heavy dog.

If the East European Shepherd has been raised correctly, they get along well with other dogs, as they are designed to work in pairs or in packs. However, there are also aggressive individuals, especially males. They are characterized by dominant, possessive and same-sex aggression.

But in relation to other animals, it all depends on the character of the particular shepherd. Some attack any four-legged creature, others are not interested in them at all. They can live quietly in the same house with a cat if they grew up together and attack unfamiliar cats.

In terms of learning ability, they are excellent, how could it be otherwise if they served in the army and special services? This is one of the smartest dog breeds, there are practically no tasks that VEOs cannot cope with. But at the same time, for beginning dog breeders, raising a VEO is a difficult and thankless task.

They are dominant and will not listen to the commands of someone they consider below them on the social ladder. The owner needs to take the role of leader, and people who have not had dogs do not always know how to do this. In addition, they can ignore commands if they are not given by the owner. An experienced trainer who works with the East European Shepherd will have it perfect, although even they think it is a tough nut to crack.

Built for hard, long hours of work, this dog is active and energetic. The level of physical activity required for her is at least an hour a day, and preferably two.

Those dogs that cannot find an outlet for energy in running, playing or training find it in destructiveness, hyperactivity, even aggression. Moreover, physical activity alone is not enough; they also need mental activity.

General disciplinary training, a general obedience course in the city, agility and other disciplines are desirable and necessary for the education of a controlled VEO.

Due to their load requirements, they are poorly suited for keeping in an apartment; they need a private house, yard, aviary or kennel.

Care

The East European Shepherd does not require special care. Regular brushing and occasional baths are all she needs. Naturally, you need to check the cleanliness of the ears and trim the nails, and you need to train a puppy, not an adult dog.

VEOs shed, and they shed thoroughly and profusely. If there was a top 10 shedding breeds, she would definitely be on it. Wool can cover carpets, furniture and clothing throughout the year, and becomes even thicker as the seasons change.

Health

Since no studies have been conducted on the health of East European Shepherds, it is difficult to say so confidently. However, these dogs inherited the genes of several breeds, and they were created for serious needs.

VEOs are considered a healthy breed, especially in comparison with modern, purebred dogs. This opinion is shared by dog owners, saying that they did not notice any special diseases. The lifespan of the VEO is 10-14 years, which is excellent for a large dog.

They are characterized by diseases that large dogs suffer from - dysplasia and volvulus. And if the first causes changes in joints and pain, then the second can lead to the death of the dog. Volvulus occurs more often in large dogs with deep chests than in small ones.

A common cause is activity after heavy feeding. To avoid it, you need to feed the dog in small portions and not load it immediately after eating.

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The first representatives of this fearless and loyal breed were bred back in the Soviet Union. The East European Shepherd is still in high demand today, because such dogs have an extraordinary intelligence, exceptional devotion and rare reliability.

Origin story

The parents and grandparents of the breed were brought to our country back in 1904 from Germany. These were the best German Shepherds. At the very beginning, dogs were not used for breeding, exploiting their working qualities - excellent guarding and herding capabilities. During the First World War, animals were used as ambulance dogs. After this, it was decided to involve representatives of the breed in police work. During the revolution, almost the entire livestock was destroyed, but after the civil war the required number of animals was purchased from Germany. In the first years, the new government simply used dogs without trying to breed the breed locally.

However, already in the years 24-36 the situation changed: the task was set to develop a new breed that would be more adapted to climatic conditions. For this purpose, German Shepherd males were matched with females of other breeds or even mongrels, taking into account the phenotype. The result of this selection was a dog that was called the “East European Shepherd”.

The first breed standards were developed and approved in 1955. The RKF adopted the standard for this type of shepherd dog only in 2002.

Breed characteristics

Representatives of this breed have powerful muscles and developed bones. The hind legs are located almost at right angles to the level back. The average height at the withers is 70 cm. Males are noticeably larger than females and taller, in addition, their chest is more developed and their heads are larger. Weight - about 50 kg. The coat is coarse, the undercoat is thick. The East European Shepherd, whose color does not have strict boundaries, can be black, zone-red, black-and-white, zone-gray or black and tan.

Dogs of this breed are distinguished by endurance, activity and tirelessness. The standard states that the animal must be ready to obey the owner's commands at all times. Protecting the property entrusted to them or their own owner, these dogs can act independently, showing incredible courage. At the same time, aggression that has no basis is a reason to consider the animal defective.

By nature, the East European Shepherd, whether black or any other color, is distrustful. But this only applies to strangers. Moreover, she is merciless towards her enemies and the enemies of her owner. At the same time, she is very gentle with children, being an excellent nanny for them. The dog will be happy to play any games with children, but especially loves active ones like chasing. She loves to bring objects thrown to her. A dog full of dignity and calm will become a full member of the family. A well-bred dog does not experience negative emotions towards other pets.

These shepherd dogs are very balanced, have strong nerves, keen hearing and sense of smell, and do not have the habit of raising their voices while working. These qualities are highly valued in guard duty, for which the breed is used today.

Differences with German

Despite the fact that the breed originated from the “Germans,” today the difference between the German and East European Shepherd is very significant. Of course, both breeds have fans, however, in order to decide on your preferences, you need to know exactly what the differences are.

So, first of all, the East European Shepherd is noticeably larger. Even VEO females, according to standards, are larger than the male representatives of the “Germans”. And this despite the fact that females are always smaller than males of the same breed. In addition, the “Eastern” is wider in the chest, it is deeper, with a more pronounced turn.

The girth of the pastern is also important - an “Eastern European” has a much thicker paw than a “German” of the same age and gender. It is very important to pay attention to the dog’s back - in VEO the difference between the withers and croup is about 3 cm, while the back of the German Shepherd resembles an arc, forming a large difference in the height of the withers and croup. "Germans" have longer legs, making their movements somewhat crouching.

These dogs are also very different in temperament. “Germans” are athletes: noisy and quite cheerful, while VEOs are active but serious.

Standards

Like any other breed, the East European Shepherd has characteristics that all members of the breed must meet. These standards were adopted by the RKF on November 1, 2002.

The dog is moderately elongated, large in stature, with strong bones and well-developed muscles. The sexual type is clearly expressed. Males are more massive and larger.

Temperament and Behavior: This breed cannot be expected to be patient with strangers. According to the standard, the dog must be self-confident, balanced, and have a strong active-defensive reaction. You should treat strangers with distrust.

Males reach 66-76 cm at the withers, females - 62-72 cm.

The dog's head is proportional to the whole body, its length is about 40 percent of the height at the withers. Massive, slightly pointed, wide and deep. The cheekbones are rounded, the muscles are developed. The forehead is rounded.

The limbs are straight, set almost parallel. The pasterns are long and springy. Hind legs extended, parallel to each other. The thighs are muscular and set at an angle.

Vices

Until now, German Shepherd males are used in breeding, capable of adding “fresh blood” to the VEO branch. But despite all the efforts of breeders, East European Shepherd puppies may appear that have defects for which they may be discarded or simply not allowed for further breeding.

Disadvantages that can affect a dog's health:

Strong deviations from the sexual type;
- insecure behavior;
- stretched or flattened body shape;
- uncharacteristic expression of the muzzle;
- light, convex or round strips;
- absence of premolars;
- poorly erect ears;
- ring tail;
- twisted limbs or loose gait;
- depigmentation of the nose.

Defects that lead to disqualification of a dog:

Cowardice or unmotivated aggression;
- non-compliance with standards;
- deviation (except for the cases specified in the defects);
- non-scissor bite;
- drooping ears;
- eyes of different colors;
- albinism;
- short or stubby tail;
- deviations in color;
- cryptorchidism, complete or partial;
- curly, too long or too short hair;
- unsteady or non-standard gait.

An East European Shepherd dog that has at least one of these defects cannot be admitted to exhibitions, breed competitions, or put into breeding.

Breeding

Today there are two types of breeding: with the participation of fresh blood of German Shepherd males or crossing only within the breed. The Eastern European type includes puppies bred in both ways. In the rings, both options can be equally successful, since judges prefer well-trained dogs, competently shown. After the end of the exhibition, analyzing the descriptions of the experts, breeders and clubs select pairs and draw up breeding plans.

Prices

Like any other breed, the price for a good dog with great ancestors cannot be low. Of course, you can buy a shepherd puppy without documents for a thousand or two. But if you need a good, promising puppy from working parents, you need to go to the service dog breeding club. And here you should no longer expect low prices. The correct East European Shepherd, the price of which is quite reasonable, with an excellent pedigree and good data will cost from 30 thousand rubles.

Raising a puppy

Most often, there are no problems raising cubs of this breed. East European Shepherd puppies receive their first “education” at four months of age. However, one cannot rush too much, because raising any living creature is a long process that requires maximum patience.

In addition, proper and balanced feeding of the East European Shepherd puppy is very important. The diet must include meat, cottage cheese, eggs, and vegetables.

Training

This dog - the East European Shepherd - is distinguished by its intelligence, so its training and education are quite simple. The animal is able to assimilate new elements very quickly. Jumping and overcoming obstacles is the favorite part of any dog of this breed. Training with a variety of tasks is the best way to spend your pet's energy.

This breed needs firm management, so it is important to interest the dog - it will not perform empty tasks. It is necessary to ensure that the animal itself wants to obey, and not just because it was trained that way - then it will enjoy the exercise. It is impossible to achieve obedience and devotion from VEO through punishment.

It is very important to establish a connection with a dog from childhood - this is the only way to get a truly understanding friend. In addition to their owners, puppies should be socialized with other animals, especially dogs, to avoid further hostility toward them. It is important that the puppy goes to crowded places so as not to raise an angry, withdrawn dog.

By raising an East European Shepherd correctly, you can get an excellent bodyguard, an excellent security guard, who adores and cares for the owner and his family.

If you ask the owner what the difficulties are in keeping this breed, he will most often think about it. And this is not a pretense at all; the East European Shepherd is extremely healthy. Reviews from the owners indicate that she does not require special living conditions: she can easily get used to living both in an apartment and in the courtyard of a house. The wool is very easy to care for - just wash it when it gets dirty and brush it when shedding. Apart from a predisposition to volvulus, the breed does not have any serious transmissible diseases. To avoid this trouble, it is enough to follow the feeding rules: never feed immediately before or after a walk - at least an hour should pass. It is best to give small portions of foods that contain a lot of calories, since the larger the food, the higher the chance of bloat.

Like other large dogs, VEOs are susceptible to arthritis and other joint problems. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent such problems within 5-6 years, without waiting for the first signs.

Character

The character of this shepherd is flexible, which makes it easy for the animal to adapt to various types of lifestyle. Depending on the situation, it can be either a sofa pet or a devoted guard. But still, we should not forget that these dogs were bred for service, so they need education, training, and long walks. Participation in various rings and competitions is very important for the animal’s mental health. This can be not just OKD or ZKS, but also sled dog competitions, towing, and agility.

Among other things, this dog is extremely owner-oriented - it does not tolerate not only long business trips, but even short-term separation. Even in a small space, the Easterner will follow the owner, strive to lie next to him, and constantly see him. Some people may be annoyed by such strong devotion - this must be taken into account when choosing a pet.

Breed today

Today the East European Shepherd is not the most popular breed. However, every year more and more people choose her as a pet. Despite the fact that quite recently VEO almost disappeared forever from the lists of breeds, lovers and connoisseurs prevented this from happening. That is why we have the opportunity to see the best representatives of this breed in the region at almost any exhibition.

Old Russian films often featured large, powerful white-gray dogs with an expressive muzzle. Most often, four-legged actors played the roles of border or police dogs, brave and smart, who could handle any criminal. In reality, everything was like this: East European Shepherds not only stood guard at the border of the USSR and looked for thieves and murderers, but also guarded manufacturing enterprises, were guides for the blind and lived in the families of ordinary citizens. The breed was so popular and recognizable that even children knew the shepherd dog, and the breed was surrounded by an aura of respect.

In the thirties of the last century, in the context of the need to toughly fight crime and protect the state border along the entire perimeter of the USSR, the task was set to create a new, domestic breed of dogs. It was supposed to become universal and multifaceted and work successfully in various climatic zones: from the Far North to the southern deserts. They decided to take the German shepherd as a basis, and by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the army and the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had a varied and heterogeneous, but numerous population of German shepherds of the Eastern European type.

The war destroyed a huge number of breeding animals However, several purebred breeding animals of the desired type, exported there at the beginning of the war, survived in the Urals. Already in 1946, at a Moscow dog show, the attention of experts was drawn to the large, bright and beautiful male Ingul. Matings with him produced puppies that were very similar to him, that is, he was surprisingly prepotent and passed on his characteristics to almost all the puppies in the litter.

The Ingula line was the main one in domestic breeding, and very soon, by 1964, the breed of German shepherd dogs of the East European type had changed so much that experts started talking about creating a new, domestic breed. The dogs have become much higher at the withers due to the lengthening of the bones of the limbs, their body weight has increased and their movements have changed, as well as their mental characteristics.

Important! In many ways, such rapid modification was due to inbreeding, as well as official permission for the breeding use of cryptorchid males.

After the start of perestroika, in the nineties, the breed experienced times of extermination; it was banned in many kennel clubs. The efforts of enthusiasts from Moscow and St. Petersburg, where the best representatives of the breed remained, only ten years later bore little fruit and the breed began to revive. Today, the population of East European Shepherds, although not of the same type, is gradually coming to a single standard, showing its best qualities.

Main differences from the German Shepherd

The East European Shepherd is very different from the German Shepherd, so much so that typical representatives of the breed cannot be confused with each other. These are two completely different breeds, possessing not only different anatomical features, but also different mental properties.

The East European Shepherd differs from the German one in height, weight, behavior, movement and other qualities.

The East European Shepherd differs from the German Shepherd in the following main characteristics:

Height and weight of the animal. VEO is much larger, the minimum height of a female is 62 centimeters, the desired height is not lower than 65 centimeters. The maximum height of a German female is no higher than 60 centimeters.

Important! Males of both breeds are much larger and more courageous than females.

Head size and shape. The skull, the fullness and length of the muzzle, the shape and color of the eyes are completely different in anatomical structure.
Animal build. VEO has less pronounced limb angles, a steeper pastern, a higher neck extension, a straight back line, and a shorter tail.
Pigment or coat color. Most East European Shepherds have light fawn, gray or off-white tan. The German Shepherd has paws of all shades of red, with a more saturated color being encouraged.
Coat. German Shepherds have a more elegant covering coat that is longer, especially on the neck and hind legs.
Movements. The famous trailing trot of the German Shepherd is inaccessible to VEO due to a different body structure.
Behavior. The prudence and calmness of the East European Shepherd is strikingly different from the fiery temperament of the German Shepherd.

Appearance, standard and photographs

Male East European Shepherds are larger than females.

The East European Shepherd gives the impression of a self-confident, proud and intelligent dog that looks at the world with philosophical calm. A large, beautiful animal above average height, with wide, powerful bones and free movements. Males are always more powerful and courageous than females and have larger heads.

The body of the animal seems slightly elongated in length, with a strong straight back, a wide, convex loin and a rounded, long croup that smoothly descends to the tail. The chest is deep, fairly wide, with rounded ribs. The neck is strong, dry, the withers are well defined.
The forelimbs are long, the shoulder blades and shoulders are muscular, the forearms are parallel to each other, straight, strong. Pasterns slightly sloping and strong. The hind legs are erect, with muscular thighs and long shins. The hock joints are clearly angulated, flat and dry. The paws are large, rounded, with large toes.
The head is massive, wedge-shaped, with pronounced cheekbones and a wide skull. The forehead is flat, the transition to the muzzle is smoothed, but noticeable. The muzzle is pointed, well filled, equal to the length of the head. The jaws are strong, the lips are dry, close fitting, scissor bite, full set of teeth. The ears are set high, medium in size and triangular in shape. The eyes are almond-shaped, obliquely set, the eyelids are dry, eye color depends on the color, dark brown or hazel eyes are preferred, light eyes are allowed in light-colored dogs.
The tail is thick, saber-shaped, in a calm state it is lowered to the hock joints, in an excited state it can be raised to the level of the back.
The coat is hard, thick, and the undercoat is well developed. The color can be black, black and tan, saddleback or zoned. In black, a small white blaze on the chest is allowed. The zonal color can be zonal gray or zonal red. Black and tan and black saddle colors always have a mask, while the tan can vary from almost white to deep brown.

The vices are: in behavior - cowardice, unbridled aggression, lethargy and indifference. In the exterior there are all sorts of deviations from the standard that interfere with the normal use of the animal in work and reduce its endurance.

East European Shepherd in the photo

Characteristics and character of the breed

The East European Shepherd is an extremely intelligent, loyal and courageous dog that can become exactly what its owner wants it to be. Dogs of this breed can guard the house or be an excellent nanny for small children, be a faithful companion and friend to a teenager and serve as eyes for a blind pensioner.

Important! They have a calm disposition, are quite patient, and get along well with any pets.

This is a truly universal dog breed in which loyalty and the desire to please the owner prevails over aggression towards strangers. You can leave children with the East European Shepherd without fear; she is careful and attentive to people who have some kind of health problems. At the same time, you can rely on a dog of this breed in an emergency. She will fearlessly meet intruders and protect her home from intrusion by uninvited guests.

The East European Shepherd matures late, Only by the age of three does the dog reach its full physical and mental development. But even during the period of puppyhood and then growing up, a pet of this breed is not inclined to show destructive tendencies, loudly express his feelings or strive to dominate family members. Of course, like many puppies, the baby can chew his favorite shoes or chew on an abandoned magazine, but he is not capable of destroying an apartment in two hours, as they can do.

Subtleties of training

The East European Shepherd is highly trainable.

Training an East European Shepherd is quite simple, because dogs of this breed simply love to learn. They literally look into the trainer's eyes, trying to understand what is required of them. Their reactions of excitation and inhibition are balanced, the pet equally well assimilates commands that require an instant reaction and a command to endure. You can train an East European Shepherd even at home, without the help of a dog handler.

Until the quarantine is over, the baby is carried outside in his arms, not allowed to communicate with other dogs. As soon as the quarantine is over, the baby is put on a leash and led through the streets, introducing him to the world around him. You should constantly change where you walk, go into entrances, walk along crowded streets, and travel in a car or on public transport. As a result, the adult dog will calmly and intelligently perceive any changes in the environment; it will be easy and calm to be with him in any conditions.

The East European Shepherd is trained in almost the same way as the German one, read the article on our website, as well as.

Important features of care and nutrition

The East European Shepherd can be kept both in apartment conditions and in an enclosure. The excellent adaptive abilities of dogs of this breed to any climatic conditions make them immune to cold or heat. But still, you should equip the animal’s enclosure with a canopy to protect it from the sun and precipitation, and also build an insulated booth.

Important! Caring for a dog of this breed comes down to regular brushing of the dense coat, and during periods of shedding, the pet should be brushed daily, and hygienic care of the eyes and ears.

The East European Shepherd needs regular walks, combined with physical activity in the form of jogging or cross-country, swimming and walking uphill. These exercises, as well as running in shallow water or shallow snow, perfectly strengthen the animal’s muscles and ligaments. Joint walks and activities also strengthen the friendship between the dog and the owner, which teaches both the animal and the person to understand each other at a glance.

It is necessary to feed a high-calorie and balanced diet.

A large animal that takes a long time to develop needs a high-calorie and balanced diet. The East European Shepherd can be fed natural food, but it is desirable that seventy percent of the diet consist of meat products, about twenty percent of fermented milk products and cereals, and ten percent of fish and vegetables. It is imperative to give teenagers calcium supplements after changing teeth so that the bone structure is formed correctly.

Health status and what diseases the breed is prone to

The East European Shepherd is a fairly healthy breed of dog, with an average lifespan of ten to thirteen years, but it does have some hereditary diseases and is also predisposed to certain viral and bacterial diseases.

Important!, which can only be detected by fluoroscopic examination.

Mating of an East European Shepherd should be carried out only after careful selection of pairs, since the breed is still heterogeneous and its restoration is still underway. The most common practice is hand knitting.

How to choose an East European Shepherd puppy, kennels and prices

Before purchasing a puppy, you need to carefully study all offers and call nurseries that deal with this breed. It is unwise to take a puppy from random breeders without RKF or SKOR documents. Yes, the mother bitch of the puppies may look like an East European Shepherd, but not be a purebred, and the father is known only from the words of the breeder. In this case, there is a high risk of acquiring a baby with a bunch of hereditary pathologies and mental defects.

Photo. East European Shepherd puppy

If everything is in order with the documents, and the time has come to choose a puppy, then you need to ask the breeder to give the opportunity to watch the kids for a while. An active, cocky little naughty dog who pesters his littermates and happily jumps on the rug will grow up to be a brave and smart dog. A loner who sits gloomily on the sidelines and does not want to leave his corner is most likely sick or afraid of the guest, and no matter how good he is in appearance, it is better not to take such a pet.

A good baby East European Shepherd can be purchased from the following nurseries:

In Moscow: nursery “Silver Style”, http://veo-stil.ucoz.ru, cost from 400 dollars.
In St. Petersburg: nursery “Verny Friend”, vdveo.ru, price from 450 dollars.
In Yekaterinburg: nursery “My Pride”, https://vk.com/club90267003, cost from 400 dollars.

How to name a pet

The pride of domestic dog breeding, the East European Shepherd dog, must have a sonorous, proud nickname. It is most appropriate to name a pet with a name synonymous with the words “courage”, “courage”, “strength”, you can use the names of great rivers and elements as a nickname.

For a male dog. Typhoon, Nord, North, Lord, Corsair, Genghis, Akbar, Icarus, Yary, Dnepr, Leader.
For a bitch. Kama, Blizzard, Vesta, Utah, Anthea, Darina, Thunderstorm, Storm, Normandy, Medea.

The German Shepherd has left its mark on the creation of many modern breeds. But no one imagined that her heirs would fit so well into our harsh conditions.

The Krasnaya Zvezda nursery, created in 1924, gave a start to life to more than one breed. The East European Shepherd became not just one of them, it turned into one of the symbols of service dog breeding, maintaining its position to this day. The service orientation of the nursery largely predetermined the priority of working qualities and psychological balance over other qualities. This breed is still in demand in law enforcement agencies. Orientals differ in appearance from their ancestors, but their strength lies not only in the size and strength of their jaws. The main advantage is character, inner spirit, if you like. There is no other way to say about this serious dog.

Photo of East European Shepherd

Intelligence and character of the East European Shepherd

She was always trusted with the most valuable thing a person could have: the protection of important objects, law and order, and the state border. Thanks to their ancestor - the German Shepherd, one of the ten smartest dogs on the planet, the Orientals initially had a high chance of success. And any doubts regarding the issue of working qualities, the range of their application were dispelled by the professional work of the Red Star dog handlers. Even at the dawn of the formation of the new breed, both cowardice and uncontrollable aggressiveness were recognized as disqualifying characteristics.

Due to its youth, the breed has not received recognition from the International Canine Federation. This does not make it possible to comply with all the formalities and take the Orientals their rightful place among the recognized breeds. But, their long service in various structures did this instead of the IFF. In 2002, the Russian Canine Service officially recognized East European Shepherds, and breed standards were established.

An untrained eye may confuse an Oriental with a German Shepherd

By their nature, Eastern Shepherds are balanced; among them there are fewer choleric people than among German Shepherds. They have a later psychological formation in comparison with them, closer to the age of three. Easterners require more consistent and persistent education than their closest relatives. If all conditions are met, taking into account the mandatory completion of OKD and ZKS courses, then the owner receives a strong, stress-resistant, well-controlled dog. She gets along well with other family members and pets living under the same roof with her.

Distrust and wariness towards strangers are in the blood of representatives of this breed. Unlike their German relatives, Easterners were originally created to work in various harsh conditions. The typical working environment for Germans is urban.

Breed standard and main characteristics

Males of this breed reach up to 66 - 76 cm at the withers; for females, a height of 62 - 72 cm is considered normal. This is on average 6 - 8 cm less than that of German shepherds.

The dog handlers of the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel initially created a dog that would have excellent protective and guard qualities. The dog's weight reaches 45 to 60 kg, which gives an advantage over its German counterpart from 5 to 15 kg. This difference gives the Easterners a tangible advantage in the fight against the offender and his successful detention. When training with dogs of this breed, it is advisable not to use light types of training sleeves.

Resistance to hip dysplasia is due to a less pronounced body fit. This gives an advantage over the Germans in working over long distances and makes them more durable, although it somewhat reduces agility and mobility.

The head of the Orientals is proportional to the body, and has a noticeable transition from the muzzle to the forehead. The nose has a large black lobe. The eyes are medium sized, slanted. The ears are of medium size, stand up by 6 months from birth, and have the shape of an isosceles triangle. The neck is of moderate length, muscular, set at an angle of 45 degrees. The teeth have a scissor bite, where the incisors are located in one line. The number of teeth is 42, all large in size. Any deviation from a scissor bite is a breed disqualifier.

East European Shepherd black color

The coat of shepherd dogs is thick and has a thick undercoat, which allows them to feel great from Central Asia to the Far East and Kamchatka. She is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature during the day. In the spring, during shedding, you need to brush your pet at least twice a week. The predominant color is saddleback; black shepherds are less common.

Training and education

The German Shepherd is often held up as the standard for handling a service dog. But, it turned out to be not so in demand in the Soviet Union, where it was enough for only one owner to be perceived flawlessly. Yes, character development takes longer, but the payoff is also higher. The conditions in which the breed was formed were more complex in terms of climate and the seriousness of the tasks facing it. Initially, she had to successfully work to detain the offender, including doing it independently, without the support of an instructor.

The size of the dog predetermined sufficient physical strength, not only to hold the leash. Young dogs begin to show character and leadership qualities as they approach the age of one year, when their active growth is almost complete. A dog weighing more than 50 kg, with high intelligence and a developing psyche is a serious animal. In order for the owner to be accepted unquestioningly, the makings of a leader and stable knowledge about raising dogs are needed. It is better not to get this breed for beginners, or, without fail, take OKD (or IPO-1) courses. An experienced instructor will tell you how to behave in various situations, what to pay attention to, and will help put the dog owner in the role of the unconditional leader.

An experienced trainer is required for the East European Shepherd

Care and maintenance of the East European Shepherd

The recommended type of housing is an aviary. A private property with an internal perimeter is well suited for these dogs. They were specially created for service in the harsh conditions of the vast Soviet state from the Kazakh steppes to the Magadan taiga. Washing is carried out 1-2 times a month, and also as needed. During the shedding period, you need to comb out the loose undercoat 2 times a week.

Feeding is carried out both with dry food and prepared in the kitchen. The diet is based on cereals, vegetables, meat, offal, and dairy products for puppies. Priority should be given to home feeding or a service kitchen.

German Shepherds are more prone to living in apartments. Their smaller size, the focus of training courses on use in urban conditions, and the official recognition of the breed have made these dogs hostage to urban apartment living. They feel good in an enclosure, but they cannot compare in this ability with eastern birds, especially in most climate zones of our country.

This once again confirms that in the Soviet Union it was possible to create a new breed in the shortest possible time, both in terms of physical qualities and in character.

Choosing an East European Shepherd puppy

The criteria are the same as when choosing Germans. The lack of constant activity should not be considered a disadvantage. Easterners differ in character from birth. But, if, upon attracting attention, the puppy stood up and headed towards you, then don’t think twice - he has already made his choice. All that remains is for the owner to make a decision. For protection purposes, use the first born puppies. They are larger than their brothers and sisters, which, with proper care and feeding, will persist into adulthood.

Due to the lack of official recognition, Easterners do not have the opportunity to express themselves at international competitions. If on the territory of the former Soviet republics they have established themselves as a strong, balanced breed, with high learning abilities, then outside their borders they are little known.

East European Shepherd puppy

The unbridled fashion for German shepherds that began in the 90s led to the fact that they began to disappear from exhibitions and from among competition participants. It was possible to preserve its best representatives only in departmental and some private nurseries. Therefore, you need to pay special attention to the parents of your future ward, be sure to ask “where he is from,” and ask to present Russian documents. This will save you from disappointment in the future.

How to dispel doubts when choosing between a German or East European Shepherd

It's easy to choose a German. It has many advantages:

Compactness for apartment living;
Recognition of the breed by the FCI, which opens the doors to many exhibitions and competitions;
The German Shepherd is a wonderful and active companion;
Excellently trainable.

Easily tolerates heat and cold;
Less susceptible to a number of diseases common to Germans (for example, colds, hip dysplasia);
Due to her greater balance, she is resistant to various stressful situations, which makes her more suitable for service;
Able to successfully resist a serious intruder due to her physical capabilities and character.

Fashion for a certain breed and the possibility of recognition in the show ring play a big role. But, do not forget that the same German Shepherd was bred as a dog with high working qualities. And it is in relation to its representatives that a large number of questions arise. Still, Max von Stefanitz wanted a slightly different fate for his pets. He always focused on maintaining performance rather than on appearance. Perhaps, during the 90s, the East European Shepherd was able to preserve them better, even taking into account the decrease in the number and the lack of official recognition. And in terms of its adaptability to the conditions of service in our country, it has no equal among service dogs.

The East European Shepherd is a breed of dog bred artificially in the USSR. Initially, it was considered a subspecies of the German Shepherd, but relatively recently it acquired the official status of a separate breed.

Its representatives are excellent watchmen and security guards, good companions and nannies, excellent guides and service dogs. They have a wide range of positive qualities, which is why they are especially popular.

This shepherd dog was created in the 30s of the 20th century by Soviet breeders. Its purpose was to fulfill the needs of the national economy, serve in the army, and help people with disabilities.

The first standard was approved in 1964. In the 70s, the second and final standard was approved, but the breed continued to be considered only a type of purebred German shepherd. The status of a separate breed was assigned to it in 2002. Today it is recognized by almost all cynological associations.

It is worth mentioning the 40s, when they tried to exterminate it, like everything connected with Germany. VEO managed to survive only through the efforts of the dog handlers club, which became interested in this breed. They kept the VEO gene pool purebred by continuing to breed and hide the dogs. Five years later, the threat disappeared, and the shepherd dogs began to live a “normal” life, becoming more and more popular every day.

Appearance

Photos of the East European Shepherd speak for themselves. The dog looks impressive. She is moderately elongated and has a strong and muscular build with strong bone structure.

Almond-shaped eyes of a dark color are set obliquely. Erect ears in the shape of an isosceles triangle are set high. Many breeders distinguish VEO from a German shepherd by its pointed ears.

The limbs are straight, the tail is long and directed downwards. A distinctive feature is the back, which becomes lower towards the tail. It looks like the dog is crouching. The German Shepherd has a straight back.

See also: West Siberian Laika: photo, history, features

VEO's coat is hard and tight-fitting, of medium length. It is shorter on the head and paws. There is also a well-developed undercoat that does not extend beyond the outer coat. It is worth keeping your pet away from direct sunlight.

These are large dogs. Acceptable height is 62-76 cm, and weight is within 45-65 kg. Female representatives are significantly smaller than male representatives.

Vices

It is worth mentioning the defects of the breed, due to which dogs do not participate in exhibitions and are not allowed to reproduce.

There are quite a lot of them:

Weak muscles;
Long wool;
Problems with bite and presence of less than 42 teeth (standard);
Limb problems;
Light eyes;
Tail curled into a ring or bobtail;
Bright red color;
Cryptorchidism;
Non-black nose;
Cowardice or uncontrollable aggression.

Defects are treated with particular importance, carefully ensuring that the breed was purebred and consisted only of its best representatives. The sale of East European Shepherd puppies with any of the listed defects is profitable, since they cost almost a penny. But if you need a purebred dog, it’s better not to skimp.

Character

The most striking character trait of VEO is its focus on its owner. The dog does not dominate, completely submitting to his will. He has a balanced psyche and very strong nerves, so he is calm. Strangers are not trustworthy, but a pet can attack only when the owner is in danger. Acutely senses any aggression or evil emanating from a person. Especially in relation to the dog's family.

If you buy an East European Shepherd puppy, you can use training to make it an obedient friend and guard. The Easterner will protect his entire family. He will never hurt other animals. She will happily play with children, acting as a nanny.

Care

The East European Shepherd is unpretentious in grooming. Regular physical activity, minimal hygiene procedures and proper nutrition are enough for her.

Of the products that are especially important for VEO, we note the following:

Boiled meat;
Vegetables;
Greenery;
Raw sea fish;
Porridge;
Dairy products.

It is forbidden to give VEO raw river fish, milk, smoked meats, sweet, spicy, too salty and fried.

Initially, you should decide on the place where the pet will live. An aviary in the backyard of a private house is preferable, but a spacious apartment is also suitable. However, the dog will not want to leave the apartment for the enclosure and will let you know about it with a piercing howl. In its normal state, it tries to remain silent so as not to irritate its owner.

Every day you need to comb your pet, take care of its ears, eyes and teeth. The latter need to be cleaned with a special brush using toothpaste for dogs. The ears are cleaned with a dry cotton swab. It is advisable to wash your dog as little as possible. The best option is once every three to four months. Be careful with shampoo, as representatives of the breed are allergic to chemicals.

It is important to give VEO anthelmintic drugs and carry out flea treatments, especially in May-June and October.

Health

VEOs live 12-16 years. So far, two ailments that representatives of the breed often suffer from are known for sure: gastric volvulus and arthritis.

However, dog experts cite a number of other diseases that shepherd dogs are prone to:

Rickets;
Dysplasia;
Allergic reactions;
Enteritis;
Rabies.

To avoid them, you need to give your pet the necessary vaccinations, monitor its diet and not allow it to communicate with stray dogs. At the first symptoms of illness or strange behavior of a pet, there is no need to self-medicate or let everything take its course. The best option would be an urgent visit to the veterinarian.

Price

East European Shepherd puppies cost 20,000 - 75,000 rubles. The price depends on the pedigree, the merits of the puppy’s parents, its qualities and even the place of purchase. Moscow nurseries charge the highest prices.

Hand puppies are sold for 3,000 - 10,000 rubles. But there is no guarantee that the puppy is purebred. Only an experienced breeder will be able to distinguish a VEO from a German Shepherd. Many scammers take advantage of this.

Finally

Before you buy an East European Shepherd, think about whether you can keep such a massive animal. If your answer is yes, you can find a true friend who will give his life for his family. He will be faithful to you, will become a quiet shadow that does not cause inconvenience and is always on the alert.

Modest, and at the same time, majestic VEO is a breed that can be considered one of the best created by man. It retains the positive qualities of the German Shepherd, and also adds others that help to establish contact with the owner from the first days of life.