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

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

In addition, they were used as guide dogs and therapy dogs. On the territory of the former USSR, East European Shepherd Dogs became popular for intelligence and loyalty, but outside it they are rare and little known.

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

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

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

They shed a lot.

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

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

History of the breed

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

The Russian Empire, which considered itself the elder brother of this country, comes to the defense of Serbia, and allies, including Germany, come forward for Austria-Hungary.

So the First World War begins, and, it would seem, what does the shepherd have to do with it? Among the novelties that the Russian soldier had to face were also dogs. , schnauzers, and sheepdogs.

Particularly stood out: fast, smart, versatile, they were used in various tasks and bothered opponents a lot. There were no specialized military breeds of dogs in the Russian troops of that time, 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 the experience of the First World War and remembered German Shepherds.

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

It is cold in Germany, especially in the mountainous regions of Bavaria, where the German shepherds appeared, but these colds cannot be compared with Karelia, Siberia, Kamchatka. froze to death, and in more temperate climates they had to be thawed every 4 hours.

In 1924, the Krasnaya Zvezda 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 Dog will begin. The task set before the kennels was difficult: to get a large, manageable dog capable of working in different climates, including very cold ones.

However, the material support left much to be desired and the real work 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 Germans nevertheless became the basis of the East European Shepherd Dog, but the blood of Laikas, Central Asian Shepherd Dogs and other breeds was added to them. The authorities needed large dogs capable of guarding the 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 Kennel Council of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture. The East European Shepherd Dog will become one of the most popular dogs among the military and other law enforcement agencies, but will also find its fans among private individuals.

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

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

The efforts of clubs and amateurs cannot save the situation and, although the future of the VEO is still bright, 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. Among the obvious differences between the BEO 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 the show rig, they are preferred by breeders. Weight depends on the sex, age and health of the dog, but usually an adult East European Shepherd Dog 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. The BEO has a less sloping back line than the German Shepherds and because of this they differ in the type of movement.

The head is in proportion to the body, although rather large. When viewed from above, it can be seen 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 fairly deep. Scissor bite.

The ears are medium in size, pointed and pointing forward and upward, erect. The ears of East European Shepherd puppies rise at 2 - 4-5 months. The eyes are medium in size, oval in shape, 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. Zoned gray and zoned red colors are acceptable but not desirable.

Character

East European Shepherd Dogs are a service breed that works in the army and the 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 the owner that it is almost impossible to give them 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 obsequious. Most breeders do not recommend BEOs as family dogs, as they are not very attached to children (unless they choose a child as an owner) and some do not tolerate them well.

Even though socialization helps build relationships, BEOs play with children with exactly the same intensity that they would play with adults. But, the main thing is that they do not tolerate 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 a person 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 VEO is 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 protect their territory and family until their last breath.

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

If the East European Shepherd is properly raised, then they get along well with other dogs, as they are designed to work in pairs or 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 nature of the particular shepherd. Some attack any four-legged creature, others are not interested in them at all. They can safely live 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 else if they served in the army and special services? This is one of the smartest dog breeds, there are practically no tasks that VEO could not handle. But at the same time, for beginner dog breeders, the upbringing of the 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 a leadership role, and people who have not had dogs are not always able to do this. In addition, they can ignore commands if they are not given by the owner. For an experienced East European Shepherd trainer, it will be perfect, although even they consider it a tough nut to crack.

Built for hard, long hours of work, this dog is active and energetic. The level of physical activity necessary 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, one physical activity is not enough, they also need mental.

General disciplinary training, a general course of obedience in the conditions of the city, agility and other disciplines are desirable, 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 booth.

Care

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

VEO molt, and thoroughly and plentifully. If there were a top 10 shedding breeds, then she definitely entered it. Wool can cover carpets, furniture, and clothes throughout the year, and becomes even thicker during the change of seasons.

Health

Since no studies have been conducted on the health of East European Shepherd Dogs, it is difficult to speak with confidence. However, these dogs inherited the genes of several breeds, and they were created for serious needs.

BEOs are considered a healthy breed, especially when compared to modern, purebred dogs. This opinion is shared by dog owners, saying that they did not notice any special diseases. The lifespan of a VEO is 10-14 years, which is great for a large dog.

They are characterized by diseases from which large dogs suffer - dysplasia and volvulus. And if the first causes changes in the joints and pain, then the second can lead to the death of the dog. Volvulus occurs more often in large dogs with a deep chest 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 immediately after eating.

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

Origin story

Parents and grandparents of the representatives of the breed were brought to our country 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 security and shepherd capabilities. In the First World War, animals were used as sanitary dogs. After that, it was decided to involve representatives of the breed in the work of the police. During the years of the revolution, almost all livestock was destroyed, but after the civil war in Germany, the required number of animals was purchased. In the first years, the new government simply used dogs, not trying to breed the breed on the spot.

However, already in 24-36 years the situation changed: the task was to breed a new breed that would be more adapted to climatic conditions. To this end, German Shepherd males were bred with females of other breeds or even mongrels, taking into account the phenotype. The result of this selection was a dog, which 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, developed backbone. The hind legs are set 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 head is larger. Weight - about 50 kg. The coat is coarse, the undercoat is thick. The East European Shepherd Dog, whose color does not have a strict framework, can be black, red-spotted, black-backed, gray-spotted or black and tan.

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

By nature, the East European Shepherd Dog, it will be black or any other color, is incredulous. But this only applies to strangers. Moreover, she is merciless to her enemies and the enemies of her master. 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 moving ones like catching up. She loves to bring objects thrown to her. A dog full of dignity and calm will become a full member of the family. Well-bred does not experience negative emotions towards other pets.

These shepherd dogs are very balanced, have strong nerves, sharp hearing and instinct, do not have the habit of raising their voices during work. These qualities are highly valued in guard duty, for which the breed is used today.

Differences from 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, fans exist in both breeds, however, in order to determine your preferences, you need to know exactly what the differences are.

So, first of all, the East European Shepherd Dog is noticeably larger. Even VEO females, according to the 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 "Easterners" are wider in the chest, it is deeper, with a more pronounced turn.

The girth of the metacarpus is also important - the "Eastern European" paw is much thicker than that of the "German" of the same age and gender. It is very important to pay attention to the back of the dog - 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 squatting.

These dogs are also very different in temperament. "Germans" - athletes: noisy and rather cheerful, while VEOs are active, but serious.

Standards

Like any other breed, the East European Shepherd Dog has characteristics that all representatives 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 gender type is pronounced. 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, have a bright active-defensive reaction. Outsiders should be treated with distrust.

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

The dog's head is in proportion 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. Pasterns are long, springy. The hind limbs are drawn back, parallel to each other. The thighs are muscular, 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, puppies of the East European Shepherd Dog may appear with defects for which they may be culled or simply not allowed for further breeding.

Disadvantages that can affect the health of the dog:

Strong deviations from the sexual type;
- insecure behavior;
- stretched or flattened shape of the body;
- uncharacteristic facial expression;
- light, convex or round gases;
- absence of premolars;
- ill-fitting ears;
- tail ring;
- curvature of the limbs or loose gait;
- depigmentation of the nose.

Flaws that lead to the disqualification of a dog:

Cowardice or unmotivated aggression;
- non-compliance with standards;
- deviation (except for the cases specified in the defects);
- not a scissor bite;
- hanging ears;
- eyes of different colors;
- albinism;
- short or curly tail;
- deviations in color;
- full or partial cryptorchidism;
- curly, too long or too short coat;
- unsteady or non-standard gait.

An East European Shepherd Dog with at least one of the indicated defects cannot be admitted to exhibitions, breed competitions or allowed for 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 ring, both options can be equally successful, as judges prefer well-trained, well-displayed dogs. After the end of the exhibition, by analyzing the descriptions of experts, breeders and clubs match pairs and draw up breeding plans.

Prices

Like any other breed, the price of a good dog with great ancestors cannot be cheap. Of course, you can buy a puppy from a "sheepdog" without documents for a thousand or two. But if you need a good, promising puppy from working parents, you need to go to a service dog breeding club. And here you should not expect low prices. The correct East European Shepherd Dog, the price of which is quite adequate, with an excellent pedigree and good data, will cost from 30 thousand rubles.

Puppy education

Most often, there are no problems with raising cubs of this breed. Puppies of the East European Shepherd Dog receive their first "education" from the age of four months. However, one should not rush much, because the upbringing of any living being is a long process that requires maximum patience.

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

Training

This dog - East European Shepherd Dog - is distinguished by intelligence, so its training and education are quite simple. The animal is able to absorb new elements very quickly. Jumping and overcoming obstacles is a favorite part of the activities 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 lessons. It is impossible to achieve obedience and devotion from the VEO by 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. Apart from their owners, puppies need to socialize with other animals, especially dogs, to avoid further hostility towards them. It is important that the puppy be in crowded places, so as not to raise a vicious, withdrawn dog.

Having raised the East European Shepherd correctly, you can get an excellent bodyguard, an excellent guard who loves and cares about the owner and his family.

If you ask the owner what are the difficulties of keeping this breed, he will most often think. And this is not a pretense at all, the East European Shepherd Dog has an extremely good health. The owners' reviews indicate that she does not need special conditions of detention: she can easily get used to living both in an apartment and in the courtyard of the house. Wool is very easy to care for - just wash it as it gets dirty, comb it during the molting period. Apart from a predisposition to gastric volvulus, the breed does not have any serious transmissible diseases. To avoid this trouble, it is enough to follow the rules of feeding: never feed immediately before or after a walk - at least an hour should pass. It is best to give small portions of high-calorie meals, because the larger the amount of food, the higher the chance of getting a bloat.

Like other large dogs, BEOs are prone to arthritis and other joint problems. Therefore, it is necessary in 5-6 years, without waiting for the first signs, to carry out the prevention of such problems.

Character

The nature of this shepherd dog is plastic, which makes it easy for the animal to adapt to different types of lifestyle. Depending on the situation, it can be both a sofa pet and a devoted guard. But still, do not forget that these dogs were bred for service, so they need education, training, long walks. It is very important for the mental health of the animal to participate in various rings and competitions. It can be not just OKD or ZKS, but also sled dog competitions, towing, 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 Oriental will follow the owner, strive to lie down next to him, constantly see him. Such strong devotion can annoy some people - this must be taken into account when choosing a pet.

Breed today

Today, the East European Shepherd Dog 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, amateurs and connoisseurs did not allow this to happen. That is why we have the opportunity to see the best representatives of this breed in the region at almost any exhibition.

In old domestic films, large, powerful white-gray dogs with an expressive muzzle were often shot. Most often, four-legged actors played the roles of border or police dogs, brave and smart, who can handle any criminal. In reality, everything was like that: East European Shepherd Dogs not only guarded the borders of the USSR and looked for thieves and murderers, but also guarded industrial 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 sheepdog, and the breed was surrounded by an aura of respect.

In the thirties of the last century, in the face of the need for a tough fight against crime and the protection of 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 in the army and in the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs there was a diverse and heterogeneous, but numerous population of German Shepherds of the East European type.

The war exterminated a huge number of breeding animals, however, several purebred breeding animals of the desired type, taken there at the beginning of the war, have been preserved in the Urals. Already in 1946, at the Moscow dog show, the attention of experts was attracted by a large, bright and beautiful male Ingul. Breedings with him produced puppies very similar to him, that is, he was remarkably prepotent and passed on his traits to almost every pup in the litter.

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

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

After the beginning of perestroika, in the nineties, the breed experienced a time of extermination; it was banned in many dog breeding clubs. The efforts of enthusiasts from Moscow and St. Petersburg, where the best representatives of the breed remained, only after ten years gave little fruit and the breed began to revive. Today, the livestock of East European Shepherd Dogs, although not of the same type, is gradually coming to a single standard, showing its best qualities.

The 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. having not only different anatomical features, but also different properties of the psyche.

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

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

The height and weight of the animal. VEO is much larger, the minimum height of the bitch is 62 centimeters, the desired height is not less than 65 centimeters. The maximum height of a German bitch is not more than 60 centimeters.

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

The size and shape of the head. The skull, the fullness and length of the muzzle, the shape and color of the eyes are absolutely different in anatomical structure.
Animal composition. In VEO, the angles of the limbs are less pronounced, the metacarpus is more steep, the neck is higher, the back is straight, and the tail is shorter.
Pigment or coat color. Most East European Shepherds are light fawn, gray or almost white tan. The German Shepherd's paws are all shades of red, and a more saturated color is welcome.
Wool cover. German Shepherds have a more elegant covering coat, it is longer, especially on the neck and hind limbs.
Movement. The famous creeping trot of the German Shepherd is not available for the 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 photos

East European Shepherd males 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 a wide, powerful skeleton and free movements. Males are always more powerful and courageous than females, they have a larger head.

The body of the animal seems to be slightly stretched in length, with a strong straight back, a wide, convex loin and a rounded, long, smoothly descending to the tail, croup. 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. The pasterns are slightly sloping, strong. The hind limbs are straight forward, with muscular thighs and long shins. Hocks well angulated, flat and dry. Paws are large, rounded, with large fingers.
The head is massive, wedge-shaped, with pronounced cheekbones and a broad skull. The forehead is flat, the transition to the muzzle is smoothed out, but noticeable. The muzzle is pointed, well filled, equal to the length of the head. Jaws strong, lips 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, the color of the eyes 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 hocks, in an excited state it can be raised to the level of the back.
The coat is hard, thick, the undercoat is well developed. The color can be black, black and tan, black-backed 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-and-black colors necessarily have a mask, while tan can vary from almost white to rich brown.

Vice are: in behavior - cowardice, unrestrained aggression, lethargy and indifference. In the exterior - all sorts of deviations from the standard, preventing the normal use of the animal in work and reducing its endurance.

East European Shepherd in the photo

Characteristics and nature of the breed

The East European Shepherd Dog is an exceptionally smart, loyal and courageous dog that can become exactly what its owner wants to see. 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, get along well with any pets.

This is a truly versatile dog breed, in which devotion and desire to please the owner prevails over aggression towards strangers. With the East European Shepherd, you can safely leave children, she is careful and attentive to people who have some kind of health problems. At the same time, a dog of this breed can be relied upon in an emergency. She will fearlessly meet intruders and protect her home from intruders.

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 inclinations, loudly express their feelings or seek to dominate family members. Of course, like many puppies, a baby can chew on his favorite shoes or gnaw on an abandoned magazine, but he is not capable of destroying an apartment in two hours, as they can do.

The subtleties of training

The East European Shepherd Dog lends itself well to training.

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

Until the quarantine is over, the baby is taken out into the street in his arms, not allowing him to communicate with other dogs. As soon as the quarantine is over, the baby is taken on a leash and led through the streets, introducing them to the outside world. You should constantly change places for a walk, enter entrances, walk along crowded streets, carry in a car or on public transport. As a result, an adult dog will calmly and reasonably perceive any changes in the environment, it will be easy and calm 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 Dog can be kept both in apartment conditions and in an aviary. The excellent adaptive abilities of dogs of this breed to any climatic conditions make them immune to cold or heat. But still, it is necessary to equip the animal 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 combing of dense wool, and during periods of molting, it is necessary to scratch the pet daily, and hygienic care for 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 muscles and ligaments of the animal. 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 form needs a high-calorie and balanced diet. The East European Shepherd can be fed with natural food, while it is desirable that seventy percent of the diet is meat products, about twenty - dairy products and cereals, and ten percent - fish and vegetables. Be sure to give adolescents after the change of teeth calcium preparations in order to properly form the backbone.

Health status and what diseases the breed is prone to

The East European Shepherd Dog is a fairly healthy breed of dog, averaging ten to thirteen years of life, but it has some hereditary diseases and is also predisposed to certain viral and bacterial diseases.

Important! which can only be detected by X-ray examination.

Mating of the East European Shepherd Dog should be carried out only after careful selection of pairs, since the breed is still heterogeneous, it is still being restored. Most often practiced by hand knitting.

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

Before you buy a puppy, you need to carefully study all the offers, phone the nurseries that deal with this breed. It is unreasonable to take a puppy from random breeders without RKF or SCOR documents. Yes, the mother bitch of 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 moment has come to choose a puppy, then you need to ask the breeder to give you the opportunity to watch the kids a little. An active, cocky naughty, pestering littermates and merrily jumping on the rug, will grow up to be a bold and intelligent dog. A loner, sullenly sitting aside and not wanting to leave his corner, is most likely sick or afraid of a guest, and no matter how good he is in appearance, it is better not to take such a pet.

A good East European Shepherd baby can be purchased in nurseries:

In Moscow: nursery "Silver Style", http://veo-stil.ucoz.ru, cost from $400.
In St. Petersburg: "True friend" nursery, vdveo.ru, price from $450.
In Yekaterinburg: My Pride nursery, https://vk.com/club90267003, cost from $400.

How to name a pet

The pride of domestic dog breeding, a dog of the East European Shepherd breed, should have a sonorous, proud nickname. It is most appropriate to call a pet a name, a synonym for the words "courage", "courage", "strength", you can use the names of great rivers, elements as a nickname.

For a male. Typhoon, Nord, North, Lord, Corsair, Genghis, Akbar, Icarus, Yariy, Dnieper, Leader.
For the 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.

Established in 1924, the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel gave a start to the life of more than one breed. The East European Shepherd Dog has become not just one of them, it has become one of the symbols of service dog breeding, retaining its position today. 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 power structures. Easterners differ in appearance from their ancestors, but their strength lies not only in the size and strength of the jaws. The main advantage is the character, the inner spirit, if you like. It is impossible to say otherwise about this serious dog.

Photo of an East European Shepherd Dog

Intelligence and character of the East European Shepherd Dog

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

Due to its youth, the breed has not received recognition from the International Cynological Federation. This makes it impossible to comply with all the formalities and take the easterners their rightful place among the recognized breeds. But, their long service in various structures made it instead of the IFF. In 2002, the Russian Cynological Service officially recognized the East European Shepherd Dogs, breed standards were established.

An inexperienced eye can 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 development compared to them, closer to the age of three. Easterners require a more consistent and persistent upbringing than their closest relatives. If all conditions are met, taking into account the obligatory passage of OKD and ZKS courses, then the owner receives a strong, stress-resistant, well-controlled dog. She gets along well with other family members, pets living under the same roof with her.

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

Breed standard and main characteristics

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

Cynologists of the kennel "Krasnaya Zvezda" initially created a dog that would have excellent protective and sentry qualities. The weight of the dog reaches 45 to 60 kg, which gives an advantage over the German counterpart from 5 to 15 kg. This difference gives the Easterners a tangible advantage in the fight against the intruder, his successful detention. During 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 fit of the body. This gives an advantage over the Germans in working at long distances, makes them more enduring, although it somewhat reduces agility and mobility.

The head of the Easterners is proportional to the body, has a noticeable transition from the muzzle to the forehead. The nose has a large black lobe. Eyes of medium size, set obliquely. The ears are of medium size, stand up by 6 months from birth, 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 in one line. Number of teeth - 42, all large. Any deviation from a scissor bite is a breed disqualification.

East European Shepherd black

The coat of shepherd dogs is thick, has a thick undercoat, which allows you 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 the molt, you need to comb your pet at least twice a week. The predominant color is black-backed, black shepherds are less common.

Training and education

The German Shepherd is often held up as the benchmark for handling working dogs. But, it turned out to be not so in demand in the Soviet Union, where it was enough for only one owner to be perfectly perceived. Yes, the formation of character takes more time, but the return is higher. The conditions in which the breed was formed were more difficult in relation to the climate, the severity of the tasks facing it. Initially, she had to successfully work to detain the offender, including doing it on her own, 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, leadership qualities already closer to a year, when their active growth is almost completed. A dog weighing more than 50 kg, with high intelligence and a psyche in the formation stage, is a serious animal. In order for the owner to be perceived unquestioningly, the makings of a leader and stable knowledge about raising dogs are needed. It is better not to start this breed for beginners, or, without fail, take OKD courses (or IPO-1). An experienced instructor will tell you how to behave in various situations, what to look for, and help put the dog owner in the role of an unconditional leader.

An experienced trainer is required for the East European Shepherd

Care and maintenance of the East European Shepherd Dog

The recommended type of content is aviary. A private home with an interior perimeter will work well 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 outgoing undercoat 2 times a week.

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

German Shepherds are more prone to housing. Their smaller size, the orientation of training courses for use in urban conditions, the official recognition of the breed made these dogs hostages of urban housing. They also feel good in an aviary, but they cannot be compared with easterners in this ability, especially in most climatic 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 the Germans. Do not consider the lack of constant activity as a disadvantage. Orientals differ in character from birth. But, if, when attracting attention, the puppy got up and went to you, then you should not think about it - he has already made his choice. It remains only to decide the owner. For guardian use, apply to puppies born first. They are larger than their brothers and sisters, which, with proper care and feeding, will continue 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 of them it is little known.

East European Shepherd puppy

The unbridled fashion for German Shepherds, which came in the 90s, led to the fact that it began to disappear from exhibitions, from among the participants in the competition. It was possible to save 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 does he come from”, ask for Russian-style documents. This will save you from disappointment in the future.

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

Choosing a German is easy. It has many advantages on its side:

Compactness for apartment living;
IFF breed recognition, which opens the doors of many exhibitions and competitions;
The German Shepherd is a wonderful and active companion;
Excellent for training.

Easily tolerates heat and cold;
Less prone to a number of diseases inherent in Germans (for example, colds, hip dysplasia);
Due to greater balance, it is resistant to various stressful situations, which makes it more suitable for service;
It is able to successfully resist a serious intruder, due to its physical capabilities and character.

Fashion for a certain breed and the possibility of recognition in the show ring plays 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 Stephanitz wanted a slightly different fate for his pupils. He always relied on the maintenance of working qualities, and not on the exterior. Perhaps, over the 90s, the East European Shepherd was able to keep them better, even with the decrease in the number of herds 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 Dog is a breed of dog bred artificially in the USSR. Initially, it was considered a subspecies of the German Shepherd, but relatively recently acquired the official status of a separate breed.

Its representatives are excellent watchmen and 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, 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 club of cynologists who became interested in this breed. They kept the BEO gene pool pure by continuing to breed and hide the dogs. Five years later, the threat was gone, and shepherds 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 awesome. She is moderately elongated, has a strong and muscular build with strong bones.

Almond-shaped dark eyes set obliquely. Erect ears in the shape of an isosceles triangle set high. Many breeders distinguish the VEO from the German Shepherd by its sharp ears.

The limbs are straight, the tail is long, pointing down. 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

The coat of the BEO is hard and close-lying, of medium length. It is shorter on the head and legs. There is also a well-developed undercoat that does not extend beyond the outer coat. Keep your pet out of direct sunlight.

These are large dogs. Permissible height - 62-76 cm, and weight in the range of 45-65 kg. The female representatives are significantly smaller than the male representatives.

vices

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

There are quite a few of them:

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

Vices are treated with particular importance, carefully ensuring that the breed was purebred and consisted of only its best representatives. Selling East European Shepherd puppies with any of the listed defects is profitable, as they cost almost a penny. But if you need a purebred dog, do not be stingy.

Character

The most striking feature of the VEO character is its focus on the owner. The dog does not dominate, completely obeying his will. It has a balanced psyche and very strong nerves, therefore it is distinguished by calmness. Outsiders do not inspire confidence, but a pet can attack only when the owner is in danger. Acutely feels any aggression or evil emanating from a person. Especially in relation to the dog's family.

If you buy a puppy from an East European Shepherd, you can use training to create an obedient friend and guard out of him. The easter will protect his entire family. He will never hurt other animals. She enjoys playing with children, acting as a nanny.

Care

In care, the East European Shepherd is unpretentious. She needs regular physical activity, minimal hygiene procedures and proper nutrition.

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

Meat in boiled form;
Vegetables;
Greenery;
Raw sea fish;
Kashi;
Dairy products.

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

Initially, it is worth deciding on the place where the pet will live. An aviary in the door of a private house is preferable, but a spacious apartment is also suitable. However, the dog will not want to leave the apartment in the aviary and will let you know about it with a piercing howl. In the normal state, she tries to be silent so as not to annoy the owner.

Every day you need to comb your pet, monitor his ears, eyes and teeth. The latter need to be cleaned with a special brush using toothpaste for dogs. Ears are cleaned with a dry cotton swab. It is advisable to wash the 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 anthelmintics and flea treatments, especially in May-June and October.

Health

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

However, cynologists cite a number of 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 his diet and not allow him to communicate with stray dogs. At the first symptoms of diseases or the strange behavior of a pet, you do not need to self-medicate or let everything take its course. The best option would be an urgent visit to the veterinarian.

Price

Puppies of the East European Shepherd Dog 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 set the highest prices.

From hands, puppies are sold for 3,000 - 10,000 rubles. However, there is no guarantee that the puppy is purebred. Only an experienced breeder will be able to tell the difference between a VEO and 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 will be able to 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 retained the positive qualities of the German Shepherd, and added others to help establish contact with the owner from the first days of life.