Photo of an East European Shepherd. East European Shepherd - description and features of the breed East European Shepherd features

For each breed there is a standard that sets out the characteristics that the dog must meet. These required parameters include height and weight. Compliance with them, at each stage of development, tells the owner that his pet is healthy and developing well.

Height and weight of the East European Shepherd

Breed standard

On a note! The formation of body proportions continues in the East European Shepherd up to 12 months, and changes in weight and height at the withers stop already at 8-9 months of age.

Changes in physical indicators over a period of up to a year

The greatest concern about whether a pet meets developmental standards occurs before the age of one year, when fast growth and development of the dog.

Height and weight table (by month)

On a note! After reaching the age of 12 months, physical parameters do not change so significantly.

Body weight changes at 8-10 months due to growth muscle mass, the strengthening and development of the dog’s muscles continues.

The angularity and fragility characteristic of teenagers disappears, the silhouette becomes more massive.

After 10-12 months, the gain continues due to an increase in the amount of subcutaneous fat.

Girth and shape chest depend not only from the structural features of the skeleton, but also on the volume of the muscles of the shoulder girdle at the dog. Its indicators vary from 34-35 cm at one month of age to 80-89 cm at the age of one year.

During the formation period, all physical parameters are dynamic, their ratio changes quite easily.

They are largely genetically determined, but

It has been very popular with us for a long time. Films, TV series, books, stories, photos by Veo, the memories of employees - all this brought to the fore the intelligence, intelligence, obedience, devotion and incredible courage of dogs of this breed. But is this really so?

In our country, until recently, Orientals prevailed over all other breeds. People took these because they could easily master many professional areas, although its main purpose was faithful service to man. Veo, This dog with a wonderful psyche, with a stand nervous system and sanguistic type of character.

If the dog’s nervous system is not damaged from puppyhood, if the owner competently approaches the upbringing and maintenance of this pet, then as a result the owner will have a calm, balanced pet.

Veo dog will not bark in vain, even unforeseen situations do not make her nervous, a dog of this breed is self-possessed at any time, confident and unquestioningly follows the owner’s commands.

Other animals living with veo shepherd, they are perceived by her quite peacefully, this one does not express aggression, it can play with children for a long time or calmly sit nearby. A striking feature of this breed is its strong attachment to humans. Only when the owner is nearby, this dog for real happy.

This breed tolerates loneliness very poorly, although the pet can easily wait for its owner as long as necessary (for example, waiting from work). If her person is next to her, then the pet tries in every possible way to attract his attention, although importunity is not characteristic of the veo. She wants and knows how to work, she can easily learn even very complex tricks.

The appearance of the Eastern European is harmonious. There is hardly a person who denies the beauty, strength, dexterity and intelligence of the Oriental. Compared to the “Germans,” Orientals are larger, which is why Veo puppies mature a little later.

Description of the Veo breed (standard requirement)

VEO is expected dry structure body, well-developed muscles and strong musculoskeletal propulsion system. Males veo noticeably larger in size than females, that is, all representatives of this breed have a well-defined sexual type.

Height, weight and other body parameters must comply with the standards confirmed by the Union of Cynological Organizations of Russia. So the height at the withers of males should be from 65 to 76 cm, and for females from 62 to 72 cm. The weight of males should be from 35-60 kg, and that of females 30-50 kg.

The head of the Oriental is elongated, a short muzzle is not welcomed and is considered a disadvantage. A small head is not allowed; there are clear parameters - the size of the head must be at least 40% of the height of the shepherd at the withers.

The eyes are black or brown. The teeth are strong, healthy, without defects, Veo has 42 teeth. The ears are triangular in shape and erect. Other ear shapes are not permitted.

The body is flexible, harmoniously developed, and has a slightly elongated shape. It's with strong bones. The back should be straight and not arch - this is an indicator of insufficient physical development.

The chest is deep, reaching down to the elbow of the foreleg. Moving dog veo easily, without straining, movements are not constrained. The coat is black, black or zonular in color.

Owners who wish to show their pets at shows should be aware that there are some factors due to which the dog may not achieve excellent diplomas or, even worse, the dog may be removed from the show and not allowed to be bred.

Many of these factors can be corrected with physical exercise, but there are also those that cannot be corrected. And yet, even with such deviations they can work great or be pets.

Care and maintenance of veo

Care and maintain shepherd veo not quite difficult. The main thing is regularity and patience. The Oriental's luxurious coat requires combing, but you should not constantly wash and bathe your pet.

The owner must ensure that the dog has a place, proper feeding, timely walking and training. The place should not be in a draft, not next to a radiator and, preferably, where the traffic of residents is not too high.

Proper feeding is ready, purchased food or food cooked only for the shepherd, with well-balanced ingredients. Feeding your pet leftover human food can lead to serious illness.

VEO must be walked at least twice a day. It must be remembered that it is not enough for an animal to just satisfy its physiological needs, long stay exposure to air is necessary for the health of the pet. Walks should be long, with games, training, and sufficient physical activity.

It is better to train under the supervision of a specialist. Easy commands can be learned independently, however, it is the dog trainer who will be able to advise how, when and with which command to introduce the pet in order to ensure their obligatory execution.

Price and reviews from owners about the Veo breed

The color of the Veo is not at all rare among outbreds, so it is too easy for an unknowing buyer to confuse a purebred Veo puppy with a mongrel. Because of this, it is highly recommended to purchase puppy veo exclusively in trusted nurseries or responsible breeders. It is better if the owner chooses the baby with a dog handler. When choosing, you need to ask to see your parents and present all documents.

By the time puppies go for sale, ideally, they have already been treated for fleas, helminths, and have received their first vaccination. Also, the puppy must be microchipped or branded. Therefore, it is worth asking for the puppy’s veterinary passport, which indicates the date of vaccination and other procedures.

It is very important that the puppy is healthy, for this you need to examine the eyes, ears, the belly is clean, the baby must be playful, mobile and active. Price VEO available, you can find a puppy for 10,000, although it is very difficult to say specifically.

It depends on how rich the pedigree is, on the breed qualities and even on the region where the pet will be taken.

But, I want to say, no matter how much this one costs, it will be worth the money spent. Owners of Orientals write only positive reviews about their pets. A lot of owners have tested the Oriental as a working dog and, according to them, a more perfect and versatile veo for serving humans has not yet been invented.

It’s hard to disagree with them, because the Eastern European is a dog whose reliability, endurance, devotion and intelligence have been tested for decades.

Dog East european shepherd bred in Russia specifically for service and rescue operations in the climatic conditions of the country. The progenitor of the representatives of the breed was the German Shepherd, brought to the Soviet Union in order to improve the qualities and characteristics of the breed.

Historical reference

The East European Shepherd was created on the basis of the German Shepherd, from which it differs in its impressive physique, unpretentiousness, stable psyche and resistance to cold weather. climatic conditions. Together with Dobermans, the dog breed was used in government agencies. The first old-type German shepherds were brought to Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century. They showed themselves exceptionally smart dogs with excellent working qualities, they were used in search work and as orderlies. German Shepherds remained close to humans on the fronts of the First World War and the Russo-Japanese War.

Since 1924, organized and systematic breeding of dogs began in service dog breeding kennels. VEOs were bred in the USSR in a planned and purposeful manner and were used in economic sectors: border protection in the border troops, investigative service in the police, on the fronts of the Second World War. After the war, Vostochniks became the most common service dogs in the USSR.

It is noteworthy that opinions on the new breed, recognized in 1964 by many Russian cynological communities, were divided. Most believe that the new breed has worse qualities than its ancestors; others tend to think and evaluate the improved skills and characteristics of the breed.

There are known attempts to “renew” the breed. Some breeders tried to cross the new breed of German Shepherds with the stereotypical "East Europeans", but not a single attempt was successful. Systematic improvement of the dog's performance characteristics and selection work to adapt to domestic climatic conditions led to a sharp difference between the VEO and the German shepherd.

In the 1990s, the breed experienced a serious crisis and found itself on the verge of extinction. A significant contribution was made by the fact that the breed did not become officially recognized by international canine organizations. Even being unrecognized, “Easterns” find a lot of fans in Russia and outside the country.

Today, the East European Shepherd Dog breed is recognized by the International Canine Union, but remains unrecognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

Description of the breed

Due to the similarity in the descriptions of the East European Shepherd breed with the German Shepherd, some people confuse the two breeds with each other. In fact, there are a number of cardinal differences.

1. Country Russia.
2. The group is not recognized by international canine organizations.
3. Life expectancy is 10-13 years.
4. The physique is strong and athletic. The dog is large, the bones are strong, the muscles are well developed.
5. The body is slightly stretched, the bones are well developed. The gender characteristics are very different in appearance. Males are much larger than females, with a large head and developed chest.
6. The head is large and proportional. The bite is scissor-shaped.
7. The ears are set high and erect.
8. Height: at the withers, males reach 66-76 cm, and females - 62-72 cm.
9. The average weight of females is 30-50 kg, males - 35-60 kg.
10. The coat is thick, rough, and has a dense undercoat. The hair on the head and ears is short.
11. Color: black, black with tan, black and tan, zone-red, zone-gray.

VEO puppies grow quickly. Changes up to 12 months. Month-old kittens are babies 22-27 centimeters tall and weigh 3-5 kilograms. Every month, a healthy puppy grows by an average of two centimeters, gains up to 5 kilograms in weight, and by the time a mature puppy reaches 72 centimeters at the withers, it reaches 72 centimeters at the withers. An adult East European Shepherd weighs 30 - 60 kilograms, with a female weighing 30 kg, a male being much heavier and more massive.

The following are considered disqualifying faults: any bite other than a scissor bite, a non-black nose, underdeveloped testes, long, shaggy hair, a short or docked tail, drooping ears. Cropping of ears is unacceptable.

The East European Shepherd is a large animal, taller than average. The dog is strong, with developed strong bones. VEO has prominent muscles and a pronounced gender characteristic - females are smaller than males. The shepherd has a massive head with a wedge-shaped muzzle, topped with medium-sized, high-set pointed ears, the tips of which point forward and upward. The dog moves confidently and quickly, the movements are strong and balanced.

Character of VEO

The species has clearly expressed protective reactions. They are extremely distrustful of strangers. Otherwise they are balanced and self-confident. They are friendly and obedient towards their owners. VEO's defensive reaction is clearly expressed. The Shepherd is a service dog; the dog has an innate caution and unpretentiousness.

Regarding temperament, VEO:

1. Balanced.
2. Confident in yourself.
3. No outsiders allowed.

The East European Shepherd shows the world the best qualities of a dog. Strength, natural beauty, loyalty, sense of duty - everything is fully expressed in the East European Shepherd Dog, or VEO, bred in the 30s in the USSR. Puppies are clumsy, but adorable, they grow quickly, and with proper care for your tiny dog, you will soon find a friend and protector. The ancestor of the East European Shepherd was the German Shepherd. Exported from Germany, the dogs served as the base breed, and the long-legged VEO was “molded” based on the variety.

Unpretentiousness and excellent service qualities are combined in the dog with nobility, intelligence and loyalty. She's full inner dignity and confidence (not without reason) in his own abilities, he will become an excellent bodyguard and a full member of the family. The East European Shepherd gets along well with children and will keep company in outdoor games. Does not strive to sort things out with other dogs in the family. Jealousy, intrigue - for the rest, the “Eastern” has no time to engage in such a waste of time.

Having decided to get an Oriental, be aware: you are taking a serious service dog, with specially instilled security qualities. Since childhood, the East European Shepherd has been undergoing an OKD course with a professional trainer. A dog is not suitable for living in an apartment; a country house with a yard is an ideal option. Dog owners are supposed to remember: the “Eastern” cannot be kept on a chain forever, at the risk of raising a dangerous and uncontrollable dog.

VEO becomes very attached to its owner. The dog is harmoniously built and has improved anatomy, which primarily affects the dog’s working qualities.

The Shepherd has excellent hearing and scent, exhibits a distrustful character and is capable of rapid acclimatization. “Vostochnik” does not lose his or her indicative reaction and soberly assesses a person’s capabilities.

VEOs accept training so easily and quickly that a novice dog breeder, even a teenager, can easily cope with dog training. VEO is strongly attached to his owner and senses his mood. Being a formidable dog for strangers, the “Eastern” takes care of and protects the owner’s family.

A valuable quality of a dog is considered to be its remarkable intelligence and intelligence; the dog perfectly distinguishes between a training area and a working situation, where it is quite capable of independently making a decision to protect the owner without receiving commands.

Caring for the East European Shepherd

Proper care of the East European Shepherd - first of all, grooming, regular examinations of the ears, eyes, and claws. There are no particular difficulties in keeping a shepherd dog. Good care is needed. You will need to comb the coat 2 times a week. During the molting period, the procedure is performed more often (daily!). The dog sheds heavily; it is especially problematic to cope with the abundance of hair during the period of intense shedding in autumn and spring.

• The dog's fur is combed with a metal comb.
• During the molting period, a “puffer” is added to the comb.

Clean the ears regularly and monitor the condition of the claws. If the nails do not grind down in time, they will need to be trimmed.

Hygiene procedures are introduced into at a young age. East European Shepherd puppies will get used to hygiene procedures from an early age, and in adulthood they will accept manipulations calmly. Puppies need to be walked several times a day, creating the need to relieve themselves outside.

It is better to start care procedures as a game. A young individual will more easily accept the need for the process, bypassing the negativity during hygiene procedures.

You should not wash your pet frequently; it should be done as needed. When bathing, it is recommended to use special washing shampoos. For shepherds, it is advisable to use protein-based shampoos.

Disadvantages and diseases of the breed

1. VEO is a large dog, prone to diseases of this type of dog.
2. If raised incorrectly, a dog will show aggression towards other animals and humans.
3. It is unacceptable to keep a dog in a small city apartment.
4. Wool all over the house and yard.
5. The dog is strong and large. Badly well-mannered dog A weak girl or child cannot walk, VEO tends to rush at people with a cane, an altered gait, or running athletes.

What to feed

Avid dog lovers and experienced dog handlers know the saying: “The breed enters through the mouth.” The external data or exterior of the VEO puppy, the pet’s health, growth and full development depend on proper feeding. Feeding the puppy is consistent with the baby's growth rate.

A puppy settling into a new living space, getting used to its owner, experiences stress. IN initial days It is better to adhere to the feeding regime that was practiced by the breeders who run the nursery. Even food and feed should be selected with an eye to feeding in the nursery. As a rule, breeders are happy to advise the owner on emerging issues.

The puppy's diet depends on age periods associated with the energy expenditure of a growing organism. There are two known types of feeding: natural products and ready-made factory feeds. In the first case, the owners will need to ensure that many foods are included in the diet and that the diet remains balanced. In the second, everything has already been thought out for the owners. Industrial decent food already contains what a puppy needs nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

• The one-month-old puppy VEO needs to be fed 6 times a day.
• The VEO puppy, 2 months old, receives 5 meals a day.
• At three months of age, the puppy is fed 4 times.
• A six-month-old puppy is taught to eat 2 meals a day.

If the puppy is active, he is trained or kept in harsh conditions (on fresh air in the enclosure even in winter time), the need for feed increases due to rising energy costs. But the diet of the “Eastern” is supposed to be balanced, able to replace the loss of energy after exercise and exercise. From now on, nutritious food is available to all breeds.

If, when deciding what to feed the East European Shepherd puppies, you decide to opt for dry food, do not forget to make sure there is fresh water in the animal’s bowl. Food is chosen taking into account the age and breed of the pet. Don’t forget to change your diet, reduce the number of feedings, and the size of portions as your dog gets older.

It is possible to feed a mature East European Shepherd with dry food or prefer a diet with products of natural origin. Adult dog It is better to feed twice a day.

Regardless of the method you choose, monitor and supplement your dog's diet with vitamins and mineral supplements. If your work schedule leaves little free time, it is better to prefer a diet based on dry food, selected according to the dog’s structural features. From proper nutrition The health of the pet depends. Representatives of the species are predisposed to diseases:

• allergy;
• joint disease;
• If you eat improperly, stomach problems often occur.

To protect your dog from diseases, enter correct mode day, with obligatory long walks and physical activity. Exclude from your diet:

1. Sweets. It is better not to give your pet any chocolates, sweets or other goodies. Give your dog a piece of cheese as a treat, or buy special sweets for dogs at the pet store.
2. Fat meat. Meat containing excess fat is difficult to digest. It is better to replace fatty pork with veal or boiled beef.

Pet training

The East European Shepherd is required to serve; you will need to keep the dog in shape. Training representatives of the breed is a mandatory requirement for owning dogs. Education and training of the East European Shepherd begins in early childhood in the form of light play. Raising a VEO puppy is a delicate art. East European Shepherd puppies are vulnerable and sensitive, however, it is a mistake to allow a dog to sit on a person’s head.

Shepherd dogs are highly intelligent and take training easily. General physical fitness is directly related to the health of the dog. The main principle of raising a puppy is self-control and consistency in actions. If the puppy has committed a fine or, conversely, the baby’s behavior is worthy of praise, you should praise and scold immediately, without delay, otherwise the puppy will not understand why you were reprimanded, and why you patted him behind the ear and called him affectionately.

The East European Shepherd breed is descended from German Shepherds of the East European type. Over a long period of selection (more than 70 years), the differences in appearance between modern “easterners” and those with whom it all began have become obvious, and mostly positive. Modern VEOs are distinguished by improved, higher-quality anatomy.

Characteristics of VEO

When dog experts want to give a striking example of an excellent service dog, an intelligent, loyal and devoted dog, they remember such legendary dogs as “Dake”, who played “Mukhtar” in the film “Come to me, Mukhtar!” or "Brutus" from the film "Scarlet the Border Dog". But both dogs belong to the East European Shepherd breed.

The characteristics of the breed cannot but rejoice: it is a reliable, unpretentious breed of service dog, perfectly adapted to the Russian climate.

We can say about VEO that these are time-tested dogs. In addition, “Eastern dogs” have an amazing ability to work, which is especially important in service dog breeding. Compared to German Shepherds, the VEO standard is different. They are larger, more massive, more physically developed.

It is best to keep VEO in a private home. It is also possible in an apartment, but it is less comfortable for both the owners and the dog.

Temperament and character

Compared to others service breeds VEOs are distinguished by a strong nervous system, balanced character, and good ability to train. Compared to the German Shepherd, the Eastern Dogs are slightly inferior in speed and maneuverability due to their larger dimensions. For the same reason, “growing up” happens the same way, a little later.

The East European Shepherd cannot be called loyal and trusting in relation to strangers. As a rule, they have an active defensive reaction and are moderately aggressive.

Areas of use

As service dogs, the East European Shepherd is used in search, escort, to search for explosives and devices, and drugs. In addition to the listed “specialties” of VEO, the characteristics of the breed of these dogs eloquently indicate that they make excellent companions for families, rescuers and/or guides.

Breed standard

The VEO breed standard was initially recognized by the Union of Cynological Organizations of Russia and the club " Good world" Then the Russian Cynological Federation joined them. Today, the East European Shepherd breed has received recognition from the UCI (United Clubs International - International Union of Kennel Clubs), ISS (IKU - International Kennel Union, which is translated as the International Kennel Union). However, the FCI (FCI - F?d?ration Cynologique Internationale. From French. International Canine Organization) does not yet recognize the breed.

The East European Shepherd is considered a giant breed. These dogs have a strong, dry constitution, a well-developed musculoskeletal system and prominent muscles. The gender type of the “Easterns” is noticeably pronounced: males are much larger than females.

VEO, height and weight: height at the withers in cm for males in the range of 66-76, for females - 62-72, live weight - 35-60 and 30-50 kg. respectively. The proportions of the “Easterns” are such that the body length is 10-17% greater than the height at the withers, while the size of the skull is 40% of the height at the withers. The boneiness index is 1-19, and the leg height index is 50-53.

Front part

Head has a wedge shape, fairly dry, clean lines. It should not be overly rough or light. The length of the head is 40% of the height at the withers. The transition from the forehead to the nose is of medium length and is quite moderately expressed. The bridge of the nose is smooth and straight. Slight hump nose is acceptable.

Muzzle It also has the shape of a blunt cone - it tapers to a rather large nose, pure black.

Forehead area flat and moderately wide. The longitudinal groove is poorly marked or absent. Occipital protuberance and brow ridges not very pronounced.

The forehead and bridge of the nose should be parallel to the horizon line as standard.

Lips black, closed. The color of the gums is also predominantly dark shades.

Both jaws powerful, well developed.

Teeth covered with white enamel, smooth, large, well adjacent. The dental formula, like that of German Shepherds, implies the presence of 42 teeth. The normal bite is scissor bite.

Language quite long, from pale to dark pink.

Cheekbones slightly rounded, do not stand out forward.

Eyes harmoniously located. Size is medium. The iris is brown to almost black. The eye shape is oval. On the muzzle, the eyes should be set quite wide, but not too wide, and slightly slanted. Eyelids dark color, smooth, even, tightly closing.

Ears They are of medium size, proportional, have the shape of a triangle (isosceles), erect, with the ears set quite widely forward, with slightly rounded tips. In a relaxed state, the ears look slightly to the sides, and in a state of excitement they stand clearly vertical in relation to the horizon and parallel in relation to each other.

Neck developed, muscular, dry, widening towards the shoulders, proportional, without dewlap, in relation to the horizon at an angle of 40-450.

Frame

Body slightly elongated format, with voluminous breasts. The length of the body according to the standard is 10-17% greater than the height at the withers. The skeleton is strong and heavy.

Wide and deep breast(the depth of the chest reaches 47-50% of the height at the withers) accommodates large-volume lungs, which ensures good endurance. The chest has an oval shape (in cross section) and is lowered to the level elbow joints.

Well defined long withers.

Back strong, sturdy, long, straight and fairly wide. A slight slope towards the croup is allowed. The lumbar region of the back is wide, strong, and short.

Croup long, muscular, moderately sloping, round in shape. The belly line is tight.

Tail from the base it is a continuation of the koop line and descends down in a smooth arc. It should be long enough - at least to the level of the hock joints, maybe a little lower, saber-shaped, moderately fluffy. When emotionally excited, it is allowed to raise the tail in the first third of its length to the level of the dog’s back, and then smoothly bend upward, but only to the level of the dog’s back.

Reproductive system

Male dogs must have two healthy, full-fledged testicles descended into the scrotal cavity.

Limbs

Front legs should be straight, with smooth hair, parallel to each other. The height to the elbow joints is equal to or slightly exceeds 1/2 the height at the withers.

Fingers closed, trace oval shape, pads and claws are dark in color. The pasterns are elongated and strong.

shoulder blades medium in size, located obliquely, at an angle of 450 relative to the horizon and fit snugly to the chest area.

Forearms even, straight, parallel in relation to each other. Directly humerus should be moderately long. The angle of articulation of the scapulohumeral joint is approximately 1000.

Hind legs They have a wide set, moderately drawn out. When viewed from behind, they are straight and parallel to one another.

Hips distinguished by well-developed muscles.

Knees round, not prominent.

Hocks dry, have a pronounced angle of approximately 450. The lower legs are quite long and proportional.

Metatarsus dry, collected, placed almost vertically.

There should be no dewclaws. If a puppy is born with such toes (6th toe), they must be removed.

Nature of movements

The movements of the “Eastern” look smooth, free and sweeping, well coordinated. The trot is a typical VEO gait. It should be high and have a fairly strong push. When moving, the dog has a good opening of the joints of the limbs. The level of the withers and croup at the trot should be equal. With increasing speed at this gait, the limbs reach midline, back, and lumbar region moderately springy.

Coat

The coat of the East European Shepherd is thick, quite hard, with a rich undercoat of light gray, silver color. In the head area and on the front side of the limbs it should be short, in the neck area, in the collar area, longer. Near back surface The fur on the thighs is just as long, and forms a kind of “pants.”

The color of VEO is reminiscent of the color of German shepherds. They are also characterized by saddleback, black and zoan colors. On the face - traditional black mask, only often deeper than that of the “Germans”. The “deep saddle coat,” almost “black and tan,” is also characteristic of the East European Shepherd. A rather striking distinctive feature is that the light zones of the “Easterners” are colored light gray, silver, whereas among the “Germans” they are more likely to be red in color. Zone colors (zone-red, zone-gray) may well be present in the breed. They are not a conformation defect.

Disadvantages, defects and defects of VEO

Minor deviations from the listed breed standards in conformation are considered faults (or defects). More significant and pronounced deviations that negatively affect the working qualities of the dog are defects, incl. and disqualifying.

Vices:

• Rough, light or loose constitution.
• Weak muscles.
• The coat is too long or too short.
• Weakly expressed gender identity.
• Missing teeth.
• Weak ligamentous apparatus.
• Curvature of the limbs.
• Unbalanced movements.
• Deformation or weakness of the ears.
• Light color of the iris.
• Uncertain, cowardly behavior in the presence of unfamiliar stimuli.
• Red or brown “tan” with saddle color.
• The tail is corkscrew-shaped or curled into a ring.

Disqualifying faults:

• Complete or unilateral cryptorchidism (undescendancy of one or both testicles into the scrotal cavity).
• Any deviation from a scissor bite.
• Any non-standard color.
• Inconsistency with the breed type.
• The nose is not black.
• Bobtail (tail of insufficient length).
• Dysplasia of the hip and elbow joints.
• Marked cowardice or unreasonable excessive aggression in behavioral reactions.

Choosing a puppy

It is best to purchase puppies from trusted breeders with a good reputation. These can be both private individuals and specialized nurseries. In both the first and second options, breeders must conduct breeding work and keep records on it. It would also be useful to first visit the VEO monobreed exhibition, get to know the breed firsthand and communicate with experienced owners of dogs of this breed.

After determining the place of purchase, you should choose the puppy wisely. For this:

1. Ask the breeder to show the puppy’s parents and their pedigree documents and show awards. Also find out if there is a conclusion on them veterinarian about the presence/absence of dysplasia. When examining the parents, make sure that they are at least visually healthy.

2. Choose a puppy with support experienced dog handler. He will help you choose a baby with a strong nervous system, without exterior and behavioral defects.

3. Remember that, as a rule, by the time of weaning, puppies must already be treated against helminths, fleas, and vaccinated.

4. When choosing a puppy, be sure to pay attention to its health. The ears must be clean. Eyes – clear, without discharge. There should be no formations or hernias on the stomach. The anus should be clean, without any adhering traces of feces. All primary teeth are required. The puppy must be active and have a good appetite.

5. The color and size of the puppy must correspond to the breed standard. Below is a table of VEO's height and weight by month.

Males	Bitches
Age in months	Height at withers (cm.)			Weight, kg.)
2	30-35	25-30		8-12
3	40-45	35-40		13-18
4	45-50	40-45		20-23
5	50-55	45-50		25-28
6	55-60	50-55		28+/-5
7	60-65	55-60		30+/-5
8	65-70	60-67		32+/-5
9	Slightly	Slightly		35+/-5
10	Slightly	Slightly		35+/-5
11	Slightly	Slightly		40+/-5
12	Slightly	Slightly		40+/-5

The most active growth in VEO offspring is observed for up to 7-8 months. At the 9th month of life, muscles are actively formed; after 12 months, body volume increases due to accumulations subcutaneous fat. The growth of “easterners” is finally completed only by 2-3 years.

For most dog lovers, the East European Shepherd breed is closely related to the German Shepherd, many even believe that they are the same breed. In fact, there is some truth in this; the fact is that the German Shepherd is the direct ancestor of the VEO, which became an independent breed on the territory of the Soviet Union. This transformation was associated with the purposeful activities of Soviet dog handlers. The influence of a different climate than in Germany on the formation of the breed also played a certain role, but the most important thing was the purposeful work of people.

Performance has been rated in many countries, but due to negative attitude After the First World War, in addition to everything that had German roots, this breed was renamed and modified. It was Soviet dog handlers who achieved particular success in working with the breed, since the young state needed strong working dogs. Therefore, breeding a new breed was not just an amateur hobby, but a task that was set Soviet power before professional dog handlers.

In 1924, the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel was created in Moscow, where work began on creating a new breed based on the blood of the German Shepherd. Due to insufficient funding for this industry and the inability to buy imported manufacturers for foreign currency, a massive infusion of new blood occurred only in 1945. After the end of the Second World War, many trophy German shepherds appeared in Soviet nurseries and were actively used in breeding work.

Cynologists set themselves the goal of creating a breed that would differ in behavioral reactions from the German Shepherd and would be more massive and hardy, and they succeeded. Despite the external similarity, which also shows a number of differences, the “Easterners” are very different from the “Germans” in behavior and character. Also VEO should have become more universal dog, suitable for use throughout the entire length of the Soviet Union, from the southern Asian territories to Kamchatka.

After the end of the Great Patriotic War General G.P. Medvedev proposed officially recognizing the new domestic breed and giving it the name East European Shepherd. For her heroism and services during the war, she was named the most patriotic dog. The first BEO standard was adopted in 1964, the next standard with some additions was recognized in 1976. It is characteristic that this breed was a domestic subspecies of the German Shepherd, that is, there was no division of these two breeds into two independent ones. Breeding work to improve the breed was actively carried out until 1990, then the crucial moment in the history of the East European Shepherd.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, many of his achievements were questioned and criticized. This fate did not spare the “Easterners” either, who, at someone’s instigation, began to be associated with Stalin’s repressions. Although the track record of this breed was much broader: during the Second World War they were messengers, mine detectors, and were later used for service on the borders, in rescue work, in searching for explosives, and for protecting people and their property.

However, in 1991, the German Shepherd was recognized at the world level and received an international standard by the FCI. This fact immediately put the VEO in an illegal position, and even attempts were made to completely eliminate the breed. Representatives of this breed were simply excluded from kennel clubs and associations and were not allowed into exhibitions as mongrel dogs. Only thanks to the efforts of true Vostori connoisseurs, who sincerely loved these dogs, was it possible to preserve interesting breed. They continued to breed VEO in private nurseries, in clubs, and held their own special breed exhibitions. One could even say that this “black” period in the history of the breed also made a positive contribution to its development, since all random people, whose interest was associated with self-interest.

The response to the beginning of persecution of the breed was the formation in 1991 of the “Association of breeding nurseries VEO”. In 1999, the Unified Pedigree Book of Matings VEO appeared. The breed continued to actively develop, not only in terms of exterior characteristics, but first of all, training and development of unique service qualities continued.

The activity of connoisseurs of the breed led to the fact that it was preserved, the number of the “Eastern” livestock grew slowly but surely, and gradually they began to be recognized by cynological associations in Russia. The result of this activity was the recognition of the East European Shepherd as an independent breed by the cynological organization RKF in 2002. An official standard was approved, and the breed was restored to its former respect and honor.

Representatives of the VEO breed created a beloved image of man’s faithful friend in our country in such films as “Border Dog Scarlet”, “”, “Come to Me, Mukhtar!”. The last film starred two brothers Vargun Luthar and Duncan Luthar.

The East European Shepherd is a large dog above average height: males at the withers - 66-76 cm, females - 62-72 cm. The bones are strong, but the physique is not coarse; the body is characterized by elongation, which is 10-17 cm higher than the height at the withers . The muscles are prominent and dry. Males are larger and more massive, so it is easy to determine their gender by their appearance.

The head looks proportional. It is moderately long and massive, shaped like a slightly pointed wedge. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is not very pronounced, but noticeable. Dark lips fit tightly to the jaw. The nose is black. The ears are in the shape of an isosceles triangle. The eyes are almond-shaped, obliquely set, dark or lightish in color. The look is smart and confident.

Scissor bite. Complete set of 42 teeth. The jaws are well developed.

The neck is strong and muscular.

The chest is oval, the stomach is tucked. The withers are well defined.

The back is straight and strong. The croup is rounded, smoothly transitioning to the line of the tail.

The tail is saber-shaped, and in a calm state is dropped below the hock joint.

The forelimbs are muscular and located at an angle allowing free movement.

The hind legs are straight and parallel, the hock joints are well defined and dry.

The paws are rounded, collected in a ball, the toes are removed.

The typical gait is a creeping trot with a strong drive from the hindquarters.

The coat is hard and lies tightly to the skin. Longer hair is found on outside forearms and thighs, wool in other places middle length. The dense undercoat is well developed.

The following type of color is desirable: saddleback or black with dark mask on a light background that varies from light gray to fawn. A deep saddle-back color is also allowed; zoned gray and zoned red colors are possible, but less desirable.

East European Shepherds participated in the Victory Parade on Red Square in May 1945, and were recognized as the most patriotic dog breed.

How is the East European Shepherd different from the German Shepherd?

Despite the fact that the International Canine Federation does not recognize the individuality of the VEO, considering it a type of German Shepherd, it has many distinctive features. The main differences between these two shepherd breeds:

• Easterners are larger and taller than Germans,
• the back is not so inclined, the withers are slightly higher than the sacrum;
• the chest is wider;
• movements are more sweeping, with a strong supporting push;
• differences in colors: VEO often has a light background;
• Easterners are calmer, Germans are more active and playful;
• Orientals are a universal service dog, they are more suitable for performing various services, while Germans are more often purchased as a human companion.

Character of the breed

The most striking character trait of VEO is its focus on its owner. She is ready to give her life for him, showing miracles of courage and obeying his will. He is distrustful of strangers, but has a balanced psyche and strong nerves, therefore he does not show his strength unless necessary and does not show obvious aggression. At the same time, it has a lightning-fast active-defensive reaction to a dangerous situation.

The breed is ideal for training and readily demonstrates obedience without trying to dominate the owner or show its independence. A dog will never offend other smaller animals. If a puppy has grown up surrounded by other pets since childhood, then later, having already become big and strong, he will not only be friends with them, but even take care of them. “Easterns” are friendly by nature, but they show this quality only when surrounded by their family, and when they do not sense danger. The innate instinct of a guard and protector is developed so strongly that the slightest suspicion of a threat to the owner or his property puts the previously peaceful dog on alert.

Dogs of this breed have very good character in all its manifestations. This is a devoted friend of man, who is always cheerful, active and ready to protect his owner and his family. East European Shepherds love children, can play with them and will never offend them. But do not forget that all this excellent genetic heritage must be accompanied proper upbringing, otherwise a dog will grow up that does not correspond to VEO’s ideas about the character and behavior.

In Moscow, on Poklonnaya Hill, there is a bronze monument to a front-line dog, which became an East European Shepherd. During the Great Patriotic War, more than 60 thousand dogs of this breed took part in hostilities.

Education and training

The East European Shepherd's natural abilities for training must be developed from the first months of the puppy's life. This process must begin by establishing contact with the puppy; the owner and dog must learn to understand each other. In order to develop basic obedience skills, you need to spend at least 15 minutes a day exercising your puppy. Anyway, at this age the dog will not be able to exercise for hours; some puppies cannot even concentrate on following commands for more than 5 minutes. In this case, you need to divide the total time, for example, train for 5 minutes in the morning, afternoon and evening.

At first, the main stimulus for the development of reflexes is food. After executing the command, give the puppy a piece of treat, and soon the reflex of executing the command will be developed, and he will carry it out automatically.

From 3 months of age, the shepherd dog needs to be taught obedience during walks. There is always extraneous noise on the street, and some distractions can always arise: a running cat, someone screaming, a car horn. Against the backdrop of all this, the dog must learn to carry out the owner’s commands, without being distracted by extraneous impressions.

From the age of 4 months, teach your “Eastern” to overcome barriers, carry out the fetch command, and then you can do scent tests, forcing him to look for hidden things by smell. From the age of 5 months, the shepherd dog needs to develop service qualities, if, of course, you are interested in this. These are exercises involving strangers, when the dog is given the task of guarding things, chasing and detaining an intruder. It should be said that many “Easterns” have this knowledge at the genetic level, so the training process is very easy provided that they have an experienced owner or instructor. In such staging, it is important to create preferential conditions for the puppy so that he always achieves victory. Otherwise, he may become unsure of his abilities.

An East European Shepherd that has passed must follow the following commands: “Come to me!”, “Next to me!”, “Sit!”, “Stand!”, “Lie down!”, “Walk!”, “Fetch!”, “Crawl.” !”, “Place!”, “Barrier!”. She must also be able to overcome booms and stairs, not be afraid of shots and not take food from strangers or pick it up from the ground.

Usually, such a list of commands already makes a well-mannered and disciplined friend out of a dog, but you can go even further and undergo special training. As a rule, this is required if the dog will be used for service. Depending on the plans for the use of the East European Shepherd, it is taught the skills of protective guard, search, guard and other types of services.

At the Moscow metro station Ploshchad Revolyutsii there is a bronze sculpture of a Border Guard with a VEO dog. People believe that rubbing a bronze shepherd's nose or touching its paw will bring good luck.

This breed is quite unpretentious, and all it needs is to provide the minimum hygiene procedures, give regular exercise and feed properly. You can keep an East European Shepherd either in an enclosure or in an apartment, although due to the size of the dog, the first option is, of course, preferable.

The ideal place to keep it would be a spacious enclosure with a booth, but it should be remembered that if the dog first lived in a house, then it will be difficult to accustom it to life in an enclosure: it will howl and ask to go home. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately decide on a place for the dog, and from the first days of its appearance in your home, accustom it to this place.

The Shepherd does not need to be completely washed more than twice a year, and this should only be done when necessary. Usually it is enough to brush your dog regularly and it will look clean and well-groomed. Regular combing is also a kind of useful massage that improves blood circulation, so do not be lazy in performing this procedure.

Also, don’t forget about caring for your pet’s teeth, ears and eyes. If the dog is healthy, then there is no need to do these procedures daily. But still, once every 2 weeks you need to clean the dog’s ears with a dry cotton swab to remove excess wax. Occasionally, you need to brush your dog's teeth to remove plaque, which leads to the formation of tartar, which only a veterinarian can handle. This is especially important for show dogs, because the condition of the teeth also affects the final assessment. If the eyes do not bother you, then it is better not to touch them, but when discharge appears from the eyes, you need to remove them with a cotton swab.

Periodically treat your dog against fleas, it is especially recommended to do this at the beginning and end of the flea season: in May-June and then in October. Don't forget to give your pet anthelmintics.

East European Shepherds served heroically in the Chechen War. In the city of Primorsk-Akhtarsk there is a monument to the dog Elga, who saved dozens of human lives by detecting mines and ammunition depots of militants.

Feeding

How to choose and buy a good VEO puppy?

Due to the fact that not long ago they tried to eliminate the East European Shepherd as a breed, there are some difficulties with purchasing puppies. Often people who want to buy a shepherd do not understand the difference between “Germans” and “Easterners”, and they buy a “German”, thinking that it is a VEO, or they buy a half-breed. In a word, if you really want to buy an “Eastern Dog,” then you need to contact specialized nurseries that trace the pedigree of dogs and keep strict records of all matings and litters. When buying a shepherd dog from an advertisement or on the market, it is difficult to obtain reliable information about its origin.

For interested people It will not be a problem to visit a special breed show or find videos from this show. This way you can find exemplary representatives of the breed, contact their owners, and find out about planned matings. If you take this issue seriously, you can always buy a purebred East European Shepherd, even if you have to wait a few months waiting for the puppies to be born. An easier way is to follow advertisements on nursery websites and negotiate with breeders to book and purchase puppies.

Prices for puppies

East European Shepherd puppies with RKF documents are standing from 15 thousand rubles and above. Much depends on the presence of eminent ancestors in the pedigrees, awards at exhibitions, and the service achievements of the parents. More affordable prices:from 3000 rubles and above they say that the puppy’s parents do not have a pedigree. In this case, there is also a chance to purchase good dog with all the typical characteristics of the breed, but this is already a risk, since you can buy a mestizo or not a VEO, but a German shepherd. Therefore, if the choice of an “Eastern” is important for you, then it is better to spend more money, but get guarantees of the thoroughbred of your friend.

Photo of the East European Shepherd breed

Did you like it? Share with your friends!

Give it a like! Write comments!