Characteristics of the East European Shepherd, selection of puppies. East European Shepherd - description and characteristics of the Veo breed - all about the breed and puppies

The East European (VEO) Shepherd is an amazing dog, with an easy-going character, excellent working qualities, physically strong, and friendly. The European Shepherd is practically unpretentious in its maintenance, will ideally fit into a young family, will be loyal and true friend, for the rest of your dog's life.

It may not be suitable for everyone, as it requires good physical activity, time spent on training, a certain type of activity and, of course, love and care. For everyone who believes that the German Shepherd and VEO are identical, first of all, it is worth knowing that the German is just a descendant of the European, but not itself.

People have been fighting for decades to improve its exterior and certain working qualities, and in the end this has led to an ideal combination that managed to unite in one animal, and thousands of people around the world instantly fell in love with these dogs.

Now there are a huge number of representatives of this breed in the world, according to statistics - it is impossible to understand the accuracy of the data, many of them do not participate in exhibitions, and some do not even register their litters.

The European Shepherd repeatedly received new names, was renamed around, received prefixes, and all because after the end of the First World War, many felt negative about the name, and tried to mention German roots as little as possible.

The best part is that it was the Soviet representatives of cynology who achieved the best and highest quality achievements; the state was in a depressing state; working dogs were needed that could make human work easier.

In 1924, a nursery was registered in the capital, which was engaged in breeding the ideal breed, based on German representatives. “Red Star” could not get enough funds to purchase individuals from Europe, there was no money, and the purchase through payment with foreign money further aggravated the whole process.

Only by the age of 45 did it become possible to infuse new, good blood. And even after the end of the war, representatives of German individuals appeared, received as trophies, which made it possible to use them to improve Soviet animals.

The main goal facing the dog handlers was to improve the bone structure, larger size, ideal working qualities, and a better character.

Eastern European shepherd beauties turned out exactly like this, they are much better in terms of performance, have an ideal character and the ability to live in any climatic conditions, which is very important for our country. Later they dispersed throughout the geographical Russian Federation, in every corner of our homeland, there is definitely a VEO.

After the end of the Second World War, they were awarded the title of heroes and defenders, they helped carry the wounded from the battlefield, warmed them, protected them, they were used as demolitions, there was a whole detachment, training took a short time, the dogs died, but made an incredible contribution.

Thousands of fighters owe their lives to them. For their merits and heroism, they received the honorary title of “patriotic dog”. People definitely wanted to have her representative in their homes.

The first description was adopted in 1964, minor changes were prescribed in 1976, breeding actively lasted until the 90s, and then significant changes occurred.

The collapse of the USSR brought dissatisfaction in various areas and fields of activity throughout the country. The dog began to evoke a direct association with Stalin, which was annoying. In 1991, representatives of German shepherds received a standard and registration with the FCI, which curtailed the rights of VEO - putting it in the position of an “illegal”.

Their rights began to be infringed, they were removed from exhibition life, mating, and some even demanded that they be completely eliminated. But fortunately, real amateurs and dog handlers filmed her rights.

Regular work and constant matings did not stop, people tried to get best qualities and preserve the existing ones, only in 2002 the RKF recognized the VEO as an independent breed of dog.

Honors and awards for the Second World War were returned, fully restored in all rights, representatives began to appear in films that we still remember (To me, Mukhtar), wonderful films were shot that told about the exploits during the Second World War, everything returned to its place .

In the main parade of the country in 1945, shepherd dogs participated along with the fighters.

Standard

The East European Shepherd is a large animal, slightly above average height, the size of males at the withers is 65 - 71 cm, females - 61 - 71 cm. They have a large, powerful skeleton, there is a distinctive elongation, developed muscle mass, drier type. Bitches, being smaller in comparison to males, differ significantly in appearance; you can identify a girl by eye.

East European Shepherds have a beautiful, proportional head, medium length, wedge-shaped. Neutral transition from forehead to muzzle, dense lips, strong jaws, medium-sized triangle ears, round, almond-shaped eyes.

Eye color - brown. The nose, lips and eyelids are painted.
The bite is correct, scissor-type, the jaws are strong, the canines are powerful, not a full set of teeth, two premolars are missing.
The chest is more rounded, oval in shape. The abdomen is significantly tightened, good tone.
The back must be straight and strong enough. The croup is a smooth transition to the tail, rounded. The shoulder blades are smooth. Shoulders are straight, not short.
The tail is a saber, low in the resting position, but not on the stomach, hanging freely.
The forelimbs and paws are even, straight, with pronounced muscles, movements are light and free. Dense paws, round, collected in a ball, the presence of toes for removal. Trot-type movements.
The coat is hard, straight, fits very tightly to the skin, has a glossy sheen, the longest length is on the hip and shoulder, and the length of the coat is medium. They have a soft undercoat.
Colors: Walnut, light gray, fawn, with the obligatory presence of a black mask on the face. Black color, maybe blue, gray-red, more in demand.

Deviations from the standard are considered:

Incorrect bite, jaw misalignment, incomplete set of teeth;
Unpainted nose, lips, eyelids, eversion of eyelids, drooping eyelids - damp;
Ears are irregularly shaped, drooping;
Short lower back, shoulder, narrow hip;
Restricted movements, not free type;
Curvature of the limbs;
Wrong angle;
Insufficiently strong skeleton;
Color problems long hair, curls by type - curly;
No black mask;
Deviations of character and temperament: cowardice, timidity, increased aggression;
The Eastern European Shepherd is completely black - considered a defect of the breed. This color shouldn't exist.

Such individuals are not allowed to participate in exhibitions and breeding. If the dog has no visible physical disabilities that could affect his quality of life, this will not affect his stay in your home.

Such representatives are able to live a long and happy life, but without participating in breeding.

How does VEO differ from German?

Unfortunately, the FCI still does not recognize the VEO - as a separate breed, the European Shepherd is considered a variety of the German, but in fact they have a number characteristic differences, both in appearance and performance.

Index	VSO	German Shepherd
Height at withers	Males 65 - 75 Females 62 - 72	Males 54 - 60 Females 58 - 64
Weight	Males 42 - 62 Females 32 - 50	Males 32 - 42 Females 25 - 35
Structure	The angle of the back and lower back varies significantly, the lower back is lower.	More inclined, the difference in angle is not pronounced.
Movements	Free, fast, like a trot.	More squat, creeping, not sweeping.
Character	Security guard; Defender; Watchman; Missals; Rescuers; Emotionally dependent on the owner.	Watchman; Shepherd; Bloodhound; More aggressive; Independent.

What is the difference between the East European Shepherd and the German

Character

East European (VEO) Shepherds have a wonderful character that can make you fall in love instantly.

The character of the East European Shepherd is an ideal combination of devotion, efficiency, love for the owner, and responsibility. They are rightfully called one of the smartest dogs. They are distinguished by devotion, emotional attachment to the owner, have a hard time with separation, are sad and may even refuse to eat for this reason.

Most dog handlers serving in internal organs, prefer VEO for family and service. She is so loyal and focused on her owner that she always tries to perfectly fulfill any assignment and earn his favor.

Smart and exceptionally brave, distrustful of strangers, but without unnecessary aggressiveness, capable of making independent decisions, acting alone in unusual situations. Quickly responds to the threat of danger, both to itself and to its owner.

Gets along well with other animals and will not infringe on them despite the strength of its dominant character. They love little children, treat them carefully, and are ready to endure a lot.

They are friendly, but if they see a person for the first time, they are unlikely to be allowed into the house, the owner must show that this is a friend, then they will retreat. They have the peculiarity of showing increased care towards pets, children and animals.

They cope well with the function of a protector and guard, but it is worth considering that sometimes they can regard increased attention to the owner or a bad joke as aggression and will immediately go to protect the owner.

In general, their character suits absolutely everyone, but preferences are on the side of young people, as they require certain training, physical strength and upbringing.

Dogs are ideal for families; on Poklonnaya Hill in the capital, there is a memorial, bronze dog, which reminds that during the Second World War the dog suffered serious losses in its population while saving people.

Education and training

A dog breed such as the East European Shepherd is an ideal example of obedience and speed of learning. However, this process must be started from a very early age of the puppy, that is, upon his arrival in his new home. Ideal age for starters - 3 months. You can learn the simplest and most basic commands “come to me”, “paw”, “place”.

When the baby grows up, from about 5-6 months, a more specific program will be required; you can start training yourself, but the best option There will be training with a specialist at the initial stage, and then on your own.

Until this moment, it is important to socialize the baby, accustom him to a leash and collar, loud noise, cars, and going out to crowded places.

During training, be patient and be positive yourself. It is important to follow some recommendations in the education process:

Repeat the command alternating with a game or another command, the puppy may get tired of monotony and repetition;
Start with the very basics, gradually moving on to more complex training;
Do not raise your voice, do not become irritated or show aggression, and in no case use physical force or corporal punishment;
Be sure to praise the puppy and encourage it, this can be done either with a treat or with physical touch and with a kind word, but it’s better to alternate;
Show restraint, patience, be persistent, showing that you will not pay off until the command is carried out;
Pay attention to gestures, this is necessary so that the dog can receive a signal without a voice, if it is impossible to receive it - with a voice;

In professional programs conducted by dog handlers, not only the dog, but also its owner is trained. If you understand and learn how to train your pet yourself, then you may not need help, but in order to know how to do this, you must initially have knowledge.

The East European Shepherd is not as difficult to care for on a daily basis as it might seem; it is enough to follow certain recommendations.

A dog can live well both on the street and in a house or apartment. For the street you need to prepare - an aviary or warm booth. It is not recommended to chain a dog; it cannot live in such conditions.

The main feature of care is proper nutrition and maintaining hygiene procedures. It is important to give your dog enough physical activity, the ideal option is free walking without a leash on open area, an opportunity to release physical and emotional energy.

Morning and evening jogging with a person, cycling, as well as going fishing and hunting are good options.

The importance of care lies in its regular use, which will significantly improve the quality of life and protect your pet from many problems.

Eastern European shepherd dogs are quite strong, but sometimes it is possible to miss the onset of the disease, which will lead to complications.

Therefore, if you notice that your dog is behaving strangely, feel an unpleasant odor, discharge, hear a cough or noticeable changes in behavior, the first thing you need to do is take the temperature, or even better, immediately take it to the clinic to see a specialist.

Feeding rules

European Shepherds are not picky, but they require special nutrition that can provide essential microelements for life. The dog is active, constantly on the move, it needs increased content protein and vitamins.

The most ideal way would be to feed dry food 2 times a day; it is already balanced and contains everything a dog needs.

Adult shepherds and VEO puppies eat differently. Puppy eats 5-5 times a day, in small portions, and adults 2 times a day, in large portions. Water must always be available.

Feeding is best done before a walk; the portion should be appropriate for age and activity. The advantage of premium feed is ease of use, clear calculation of the amount of feed in grams.

You cannot feed your pet human food, it is not able to give him everything he needs. It is strictly forbidden to give:

Tubular bones - can injure the esophagus, intestines and stomach;
Spicy, sweets, bread, salty, peppered, fried;
Fat meat;
Citrus;
Candy and any other sugar.

Some sources indicate that the dog should not be walked once after feeding, I would like to draw attention to this - this is a lie, the pet should be walked immediately after feeding.

If you feed your dog natural food, you must correctly calculate his diet, the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, plus add minerals and vitamins; unfortunately, this can only be done by a specialist with veterinary education, therefore it is recommended to contact him, or choose premium-class dry food such as “Pro-plan” or “Go”.

Diseases and treatment

The life expectancy of the East European Shepherd is approximately 14 - 16 years, with proper care and a regular vaccination regimen. Much depends on nutrition and heredity; they have some predispositions:

The Soviet Shepherd is susceptible to diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthritis and hip dysplasia;
Intestinal volvulus is common in representatives of this type of breast structure, there is a rapid progression, the first sign is an enlargement of the animal, absence of feces, take it to the clinic immediately;
Rickets is rare, it depends more on nutrition and care, but it occurs quite often recently;
Viral diseases of the gastrointestinal tract transmitted from other animals, it is important to vaccinate during the period and exclude contacts with strangers;
Hip problems like genetic disease- are more common than other diseases.

It is not uncommon for bitches to fail to give birth, which leads to death. For this you need to breed your pet exclusively after 1.5 - 2 years, inviting a specialist to the first birth.

The Eastern European Shepherd will feel great if you pay due attention to prevention and do not delay a visit to a specialist.

Pros and cons of the breed - table

pros	Minuses
Sociable, friendly, friend, assistant, comrade.	Depends on the person on an emotional level, sometimes he gets excited.
Mind.	Capable of making decisions independently, which can provoke fights.
Physically tough.	Constant loads, a lot of time for walks.
Excellent obedience.	Long-term education and training.
Loves children	Considers himself human child occupies the sofa.
Love for the owner.	Dependent, may feel sad and refuse to eat.

How to choose a good VEO puppy

Characteristics of the breed gives detailed description breed standard, but when puppies are small, not everyone is able to choose the right pet. The first thing to do is to choose a breeder, this could be a person from another city, now it is normal practice to send the animal to other cities.

Study the pedigree of the parents, find out about their health, and get to know the kids better. You can evaluate appearance and character. Babies move to their owners between 1.5 and 2 months; they are active, inquisitive, and should not be cowardly.

They look like little bear cubs and have a pleasant smell. Chat with the bitch, see how she behaves, the puppy that is developmentally appropriate and seems more harmonious is not necessarily the best.

Prices

It depends on the parents’ indicators; if the baby is applying for a show career, mating, or shows promise - the cost will be calculated from these indicators. Starting price from 30 thousand rubles, maximum 70 thousand.

The East European Shepherd is the personification of boundless devotion and enormous intelligence. Despite the fact that the breed is not recognized by world cynological organizations, in the countries of the former USSR it is still actively bred and valued. the smartest dogs. Such determination of domestic dog handlers and loyalty to the breed is due to the outstanding qualities of the breed: amazing endurance, extraordinary intelligence, high performance and sincere friendliness.

VEO – universal dog, which will serve faithfully in law enforcement agencies or become a loyal friend and constant protector of all members of the owner’s family. Before purchasing a cute East European Shepherd puppy, it is useful for the future owner to learn everything about the breed: history of origin, standards and character, features of care, feeding and training.

Origin

The VEO breed is a direct descendant of the widespread and internationally recognized German Shepherds, which were bred at the end of the 19th century in northern Europe. Germans were considered herding dogs and were originally used only for cattle breeding. Shepherd dogs guarded livestock, chased predators, hunted game, and served their master faithfully. Long marches with a shepherd in any weather conditions have formed the breed's protective instincts, endurance, efficiency, courage and loyalty to humans. Thanks to these qualities, Germans around the world began to be used in intelligence work.

Veo was bred for guard, search and military service

The European climate is much milder than the harsh conditions of the former Soviet Union, so German Shepherds had a hard time withstanding the freezing cold of the Far North or the heat of the eastern borders. At the beginning of the 20th century, by crossing Germans, Caucasians and Laikas, Soviet dog handlers created a new breed of shepherd dog, superior to its German counterparts in height and level of endurance. The East European Shepherd breed was bred for use in various industries: for work in guard, search and military services, national economy and medicine.

History of the development of the breed

1904-1905– during the Russo-Japanese War, the first mentions of “Easterners” are found, who served in the communications and sanitary services. Besides higher level endurance and efficiency, the new breed was distinguished by unquestioning discipline, selfless devotion and high intelligence.

1922-1940- with the coming to power of I.V. Stalin continued work to consolidate positive qualities in a new breed. With increasing repression, the new government needed huge numbers of hardy guard dogs to guard prisoners. In 1924, the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel and service dog breeding clubs were created to control matings, select purebred sires and register offspring. For further work of dog handlers and breeders who bred new breed, new purebred German Shepherd breeders were needed. “German” puppies from Germany were purchased exclusively for foreign currency, but due to a shortage of financial resources and the injection of fresh blood, the selection of VEO was suspended until the end of World War II. During this period, East European and German shepherds in the USSR were often considered the same breed.

1941-1945– during the Great Patriotic War, about 60 thousand individuals of East European Shepherds were actively used on the front line and in the rear, thanks to which the breed earned recognition and received the name of the most patriotic breed. In honor of the brave and selfless front-line dog, a bronze monument was erected on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow, the prototype of which was VEO. After the end of hostilities, many adult trophy German shepherds remained on the territory of the USSR, which were used for further breeding of the breed and consolidation of outstanding qualities.

1964-1990– VEO officially became considered a subspecies of the German Shepherd and received recognized breed standards in 1964 and 1976. Before the collapse of the USSR, Soviet cynologists carried out active breeding work to improve and consolidate the positive breed qualities.

East European Shepherd Efa, winner of exhibitions in 1965, 1966 and 1967.

1991-2002. – after the collapse of the USSR, the German Shepherd received an international standard, and the “Eastern Europeans” were recognized as an illegal breed. Representatives of the New Soviet breed were not allowed to participate in exhibitions and were excluded from cynological associations. In it hard times The Association of Breeding Kennels VEO and the Union of East European Shepherd Lovers were formed, which are still involved in breeding VEO, monitoring matings, preserving the purity of the breed, holding exhibitions and competitions.

In 2002, the Russian Canine Federation officially recognized the East European Shepherd as an independent breed with the approval of modern standards.

Standard, description of appearance, color

The East European Shepherd is a fairly large, hardy dog with strong bones and prominent, lean muscles.

Main characteristics of the breed according to the modern VEO standard:

Height

The height of an adult male at the withers is 66-76 cm, females - 62-72 cm. Males are larger and more massive, so it is quite easy to determine the gender of the dog by the appearance of the dog.

Weight

The weight of an adult male East European Shepherd is 35-60 kg, females - 30-50 kg.

Body

VEO has strong backbone, sculpted, toned muscles, an elongated straight body, rounded at the point of transition to the tail. The neck is dense with pronounced withers, the chest is strong and wide. In the stance, the level of the chest is higher than the level of the croup.

Head

The dog's head is large, proportional to the body, has the shape of a wedge with a smooth transition from a wide frontal part to an elongated muzzle. The cheekbones are rounded and well muscled, the lips are dark and fit tightly to the jaw, the nose is black with wide open nostrils. The ears are straight, standing upright, the eyes are oval with dense eyelids.

Veo's head is massive and moderately long

Teeth

According to the standard, the animal must have 42 white large teeth, developed jaws and a scissor bite.

Tail

The dog should have a saber-shaped tail, which in a calm state falls below the hock joint, and when in service or protection rises above the level of the spine.

Limbs

VEO has high, strong paws with well-developed muscles in the upper part. The forelimbs should be level and parallel, the hind limbs should be at a slight angle back. The paws are round, compact, without dewclaws, the claws and pads are black.

Gait

The East European Shepherd is characterized by trotting and pushing with its hind legs.

Wool

The coat is hard, even, adjacent to the body, and the undercoat is well developed. The coat should be short and of equal length, with slight lengthening of the hair at the withers and hips allowed.

Color

The breed standard defines several colors of the East European Shepherd. Black saddle against a background of light colors from gray to fawn and rich black saddle are considered classic. Zone-red or zone-gray colors are allowed, but not recommended.

East European Shepherds of saddle-gray and saddle-black color

Comparison with the German Shepherd

It is recommended to bathe your dog no more than 2 times a year, and brush your teeth and treat your ears preferably 2 times a month. Unnecessarily, you should not touch your pet’s organs of vision again, but if watery eyes and redness appear, you should rinse and instill the eyes with special drops. It is recommended to comb the dog 2-3 times a week with a special comb; this procedure is necessary for the health of the pet’s coat and skin.

Or . When using factory-made feed, you must choose a line for large breeds dogs, taking into account the age and physiological condition of the animal. Many well-known companies produce separate lines for puppies, pregnant and lactating bitches, and older large breeds. The daily dosage of feed is indicated on the manufacturer's factory packaging.

When using a traditional diet, the owner must prepare food for his beloved pet himself. This method is more energy-consuming, but natural food contain more beneficial nutrients. VEO's diet when using "natural" should consist of raw beef and sea fish (30-50%), cereals (20-30%), vegetables (5-20%), fermented milk products (20-30%), offal, fruits and healthy treats.

Life expectancy, health

There is no clear answer to the question of how long Eastern European Shepherds live. The average lifespan of a VEO ranges from 12-16 years, but sometimes dogs only live up to 9-10 years of age. The life expectancy of a brave pet depends on heredity, the presence of chronic and acute diseases, quality of care and nutrition.

Veos were bred to work in the harsh climate of the USSR, so they are very hardy and rarely get sick

East European Shepherds have a genetic predisposition to the following diseases:

dysplasia of the elbow and hip joint - destruction of articular elements caused by genetic disorders, errors in feeding and excessive physical activity at a young age;
arthritis and arthrosis - inflammatory and degenerative processes in the joints against the background of bone tissue regeneration or age-related changes;
volvulus of the stomach or intestines - twisting of the stomach or intestinal loop after eating against the background physical activity. The pathology for VEO is deadly;
rickets - a metabolic disorder caused by insufficient feeding, manifested by a characteristic curvature of the limbs;
oncology – formation on the dog’s body in the internal organs and tissues of benign and malignant neoplasms which may cause premature aging and death of the animal;
injuries to bones, ligaments and muscles during training and service.

At proper education and training, the East European Shepherd becomes an irreplaceable friend, protector and outlet for a loving owner. A person who has had the happiness of communicating with VEO in his life remains fascinated by this worthy and smartest dog for the rest of his life.

Video: all about the East European Shepherd

The East European Shepherd is one of the breeds that were bred in the former Soviet Union - thus dog handlers wanted to give rescuers, military and law enforcement agencies worthy helpers.

If you look at a photo of an East European Shepherd or meet live dog, an association immediately arises in the imagination with the German breed - a similar build, muzzle, color. In this case, you will not be mistaken - to breed the East European Shepherd, it was the Germans who were used as the starting step.

East European Shepherd dog standing

A little history

As mentioned above, the East European Shepherd was created on the basis of the German breed, but it is still different from it. The difference lies in a stronger body build, mental stability and balance of temperament, as well as the ability to more easily endure harsh winter conditions.

The appearance of the first German Shepherds dates back to the beginning of the last century - they were used as service dogs and orderlies in the Russian-Japanese and First World Wars.

As a result, they were recognized high quality this breed, and in 1924, the breeding of a new species based on it began - it was planned that the newly bred breed would participate in border troops, search activities and rescue operations. And after the Great Patriotic War, the East European Shepherd became one of the most common service breeds in the Soviet Union.

The East European Shepherd is one of the breeds that originated in the former Soviet Union.

The breed was officially recognized by dog handlers in 1964 - and a lot of discussions arose about the properties of the bred dogs. There were many dog breeders who claimed that the “newbies” were inferior in characteristics to the Germans.

At one time, some breeders tried to improve the breed by crossing new Germans with Eastern Europeans, but these attempts were essentially unsuccessful. Classic VEOs significantly surpassed the German breed in their characteristics, so additional crossings did not yield anything.

In the 90s, after the Soviet Union ceased to exist, there was a certain crisis situation in this regard - after all, the East European Shepherd Dog is recognized only in Russia - they refuse to recognize it abroad. In connection with this it was sharp drop demand and a decrease in the number of people willing to engage in this breed.

Today the situation looks somewhat better - within the country, the East European Shepherd has many connoisseurs who are ready to make every effort to provide it with the necessary conditions for its continued existence.

The East European Shepherd is recognized only in Russia

Description of the breed

Compared to the German breed, the East European Shepherd has a somewhat elongated body with well-developed bones. She has a strong athletic build with well-developed muscles. The large head has high erect ears and a scissor bite.

Males of this breed are significantly larger in size than females. The height of a male at the withers is on average 66-76 cm, females - 62-72 cm, weight of a male is 35-60 kg, females - 30-50 kg.

Thick, coarse coat with dense undercoat. Colors come in the following types:

Black;
Black and tan;
Black and tan;

Males of this breed are significantly larger in size than females

Zanarny gray;
Zonar-red.

It should be noted that East European Shepherd puppies grow very quickly - at 2 months they weigh 8-13 kg, at 3 months - 13-18, and at 5 months - 23-28 kg. Babies gain 2 cm in height and 5 kg in weight per month.

Character and temperament

I would like to immediately note that East European Shepherds have highly developed guard instincts - they are suspicious of strangers and are always on the alert. At the same time, such dogs have an extremely balanced character - they are self-confident, friendly to their owner, and obedient. Such a dog does not attack without a reason - for this he needs good reasons or a command from the owner.

Since the East European Shepherd was bred as a working breed, it has all the properties necessary for this. She is loyal, brave and smart - these qualities of VEO are emphasized by all dog breeders.

I would like to note right away that East European Shepherds have highly developed guard instincts.

At the same time, Eastern European dogs are extremely unpretentious to living conditions - they can easily tolerate harsh winters, frosts, and snowfalls. Such a dog can cope with any difficult conditions and survive - the breeders took care of this.

Representatives of VEO are distinguished by high intelligence, nobility and good learning ability - they are easy to train and educate. In addition, such a dog gets along well with children - he is able to become their friend and caring nanny, of which many examples can be found.

If there are other animals in the family, you don’t have to worry at all about possible jealousy on the part of the East European Shepherd - this simply won’t happen. Such dogs do not want to waste time and energy on sorting things out and useless fights.

VEO representatives are highly intelligent

When deciding to get yourself a VEO, you must realize that you need leadership qualities to cope with the dog. You will have to spend a lot of time on his upbringing, training and training. In addition, such dogs are not suitable for living in a city apartment - for them, a country mansion can be an ideal place to live.

A dog of this breed becomes strongly attached to its owner - you can count on loyal and sincere friendship on his part. Do not try to keep it on a chain - this may lead to serious problems with character and uncontrollability.

Raising a puppy is a necessary condition for it to grow into an intelligent and loyal dog. If you find mutual language with a dog and take the time to train and educate it, there is no doubt that it will fully reveal the full potential inherent in nature. In this case, you will receive a faithful assistant and friend who will not let you down even in the most difficult situations.

Raising a puppy is a necessary condition for it to grow into an intelligent and loyal dog.

Learning to choose a puppy

Before choosing a puppy Eastern European breed, ask yourself what you need it for - for home, for work, for security, or to win medals at exhibitions. In the first case, you don’t have to worry about the pedigree - if you need a good friend, buy yourself a cute and cute East European Shepherd puppy, even if he doesn’t have well-deserved parents.

If you need a puppy to train as a champion or for a rescue service, you will have to be more picky. Study his pedigree well - if the parents showed good results in the professional field, these skills will most likely be passed on to the baby.

To participate in exhibitions, you will need to seek advice from dog handlers - they will help you choose deserving parents and show which of the puppies has a chance of becoming a celebrity.

Choosing an East European Shepherd puppy

The lion's share of caring for an Eastern European pet falls on the care of the coat, ears, eyes and claws - no difficulties are expected here. As already mentioned, such dogs are unpretentious, so you will need basic procedures.

You will need to brush his coat twice a week - when the dog sheds, do this more often. To do this, use the following tools:

Puhoderka;
Rubber brush.

If the dog moves a lot, his nails will wear down on their own - if this does not happen, start trimming them. Otherwise, they will begin to peel and even bleed.

Slicker brush for dogs

Examination of his ears is very important - it helps to identify early stage various diseases. It is extremely important to start these procedures on puppies at a very young age to give them time to get used to it. Otherwise, you may have problems if you approach for the first time with hygiene procedure to a mature dog.

Frequent washing is contraindicated for dogs - do it as needed. If you still decide to buy an East European Shepherd, use special protein-based shampoos and detergents.

In order for your dog to easily get used to you brushing him, examining him, or cutting his nails, start doing this as a game. Then everything will happen naturally, naturally, which will relieve the dog of stress and discomfort.

Metal comb for dogs

Feeding rules

Every dog breeder knows that proper nutrition Not only the health of the dog depends, but also its appearance and even character. Therefore, it is very important to feed your dog as recommended. experienced dog handlers– the breeder from whom you are taking the dog can first advise you on these issues.

To begin with, the Eastern European dog is fed exactly the same type of food that he received from the breeder - this is done in order to alleviate, as much as possible, the stress caused by separation from his mother and moving to a new home.

After a month, you can gradually transfer the dog to a new type of food - while you need to carefully monitor his well-being. Any threatening symptoms - nausea, intestinal upset, vomiting, lethargy - are good reasons to return to the old type of diet and consult a veterinarian.

Dry dog food

Regarding the number of meals for the East European Shepherd, there are the following recommendations:

6 times a day in one month;
5 times a day every two months;
4 times a day for three months;
3 times a day at four months;
Twice a day for six months and beyond.

When reducing the number of feedings, do not forget to increase the portion size - this is necessary. Leave the bowl of food for about 15 minutes - then remove it, even if there is uneaten food left on it.

For Eastern Europeans, there are two types of food:

Dry food is a ready-made mixture with a ready balance of all essential vitamins and minerals. For the owner, this approach is much easier - there is no need to rack your brains over creating a balanced menu.
Natural products – this option is more interesting and varied for your pet. However, its owner bears the responsibility for the correct preparation of the diet - it must contain full complex all the vitamins and minerals necessary for a dog's health.

Whatever feeding method you choose, remember that your dog should always have a bowl of clean food. drinking water– don’t forget to change its contents regularly. To ensure your dog has proper posture, purchase food and water bowls on tripods - this will allow your pet not to reach for food and will not damage his spine.

Education

University: Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine.
Year of release: 2010.
Specialty: Veterinary medicine, Veterinary medicine.

Experience

I have more than 7 years of experience working in a veterinary clinic.

experience

FSBI "All-Russian state center quality and standardization medicines for animals and feed"

Among the huge number of the most various breeds dogs special attention The European Shepherd is noted, which is divided into several types, which have their own characteristic features.

General signs

The average representative of this group of breeds is a large animal with a height of up to 75 centimeters and a weight of up to 60 kilograms for a male and up to 70 centimeters in height and 50 kilograms for a female.

The photo on the left shows a long-haired East European Shepherd.

What does it look like?

The strong body is proportionally built. The head is wedge-shaped, medium in size. The eyes are dark, almond-shaped, slightly slanted, the eyelids are dark and dry. The nose is smooth or slightly hump, and the nose is black.

These are dogs with the ability to train, great caution, and increased attention. Balanced, calmly tolerates children. This is a wonderful service and guard dog.

It is worth noting! Despite its impressive size, this dog breed is distinguished by its elegance. appearance, speed and ease of movement.

East European Shepherd

The character is calm, very serious. Service for VEO is above all.

Color may vary: saddle color, with a mask on a lighter background of various shades (from light gray to rich fawn); zone color with different shades, black, deep saddle. Photos of black East European Shepherds are provided in the article below.

Western European Shepherd

This breed can be safely called the standard of beauty and grace. Regular winner of contests and competitions.

She is slightly smaller than VEO, energetic and intelligent, amenable to training, and devoted to her owner and his family.

She is distrustful of strangers and moderately aggressive.

An excellent guard and service dog, but at the same time balanced and tolerant.

On a note! Keeping such a dog in an apartment is easier than, for example, . Thanks to these qualities it has gained great popularity.

The color and physique of the Western European are similar to the color of other breeds of the same group, but pure red individuals are found.

Black European Shepherd

Dogs are black common among representatives of all European Shepherd breeds. Their physique, size, and character traits correspond to breed standards.

Black East European Shepherd (photo):

A small drawback is a small amount of white fur on the chest, which is fully permitted by the standards.

Photo of a black East European Shepherd:

South European Shepherd

Animals of this breed are close in size and build to VEO. Among them black ones are most common and dark-colored saddlebacks, but the red and gray zonal colors also fit into the breed standards.

Dogs have excellent guard abilities, are wary of strangers and require strict training. Like representatives of related breeds, they respond well to training.

East European Shepherd white

The Swiss line of the European Shepherd has white color. Black nose, black paw pads and claws. Her physique is similar to that of VEO, she is also smart, easy to train and at the same time kind. A good guide dog, search engine and pet.

Factor of color distribution of East European Shepherds

The need to study colors and their inheritance when working with the breed is dictated by their close relationship with pigmentation, and, consequently, with the constitution, nervous system, anatomy and physiology. The Domestic Breed Standard for the East European Shepherd and the International Breed Standard for the German Shepherd provide THREE MAIN COLORS: zonal, black, black, which have many variations and tones, often characterized as separate types of colors. Identifying the genotype of a particular manufacturer is not difficult; it is enough to know the pattern of inheritance of traits according to the simplest Mendelian Laws. Let's move on to a detailed description of each of the colors of East European Shepherds.

ZONARY color. In various sources, this color has different names: “wolf”, “gray”, “gray-haired”, “agouti”. All these names, in general, correctly reflect its essence. The zone color is characterized by an overall gray tone with a relatively light undercoat and base of the guard hairs and darker ends. In addition, the color is most intense in the back, on the tail and on the muzzle with a gradual weakening downwards. body, with lighter limbs. While maintaining the structure of the color, its variations are still very significant: from light gray, almost smoky or yellow to dark brown. Dark tones are characterized by black “strokes” on the dog’s toes and metatarsals. Puppies are born zonal. With age, the structure of the color does not change, but it is typical that after molting the general color background becomes significantly darker.

The zone color of the East European Shepherd is dominant over all colors. This explains the fact that when a zonal color is established in the genotype of a breed, it necessarily manifests itself externally, suppressing the effect of other colors that remain in a recessive (non-manifested) form. We can formulate the opposite - never, not a single dog of black or black color will have a zonal color gene in its genotype, because in its recessive form it simply does not exist. If we assume that zonal sires suddenly disappear from the breed, then this color will be lost forever - it is impossible to restore it on the basis of black and black dogs. From here it becomes clear why zonular puppies are born only when at least one of the parents has this color. When mating two zonular dogs, the offspring may produce puppies of both black and black color. If a zonal puppy was suddenly born in a litter of two saddle or black dogs, there is no doubt that the bitch was also bred to a zonal male. The zone color itself counteracts the weakening of the pigment in the breed, so the use of zone color producers in breeding is very appropriate and justified.

BLACK color .There are black-brown, black-yellow and black-gray saddle colors, depending on the color of the dog’s tan. Darker, richer tones of tan are preferable. What matters is the degree of spread of the “saddle cloth” and the background color. The VEO must have a “saddle cloth” of at least half the body area, covering top part neck and tail, back, sides of the dog. A “mask” on the face is required. The weakening of pigmentation in saddle-back coloring should be considered, first of all, gray tan, regardless of the extent of the spread of the “shabrack”, as well as a weakly marked “saddlecloth” and the complete absence of a “mask” on the muzzle. Black puppies are born almost black, with light markings around the anus, under the larynx, on the limbs and belly. The darker the pigment of the future adult dog, the smaller and darker the puppy’s marks are. With age, black-haired puppies become significantly lighter in color. The black-and-white color is recessive (suppressed) in relation to the zonal color, but dominant (predominant) in relation to the black color. The birth of black-backed puppies is possible from the following combinations:

saddle cloth + saddle cloth;
black+black;
saddle + zone;
zonal + zonal (provided that one of the parents of these sires was black-backed);
zonal+black (subject to the same conditions)

BLACK color. This color does not require any special characteristics. With this color, the dog has a uniform, glossy black color without any marks or shades. If there are white spots on the chest and (or) paws, which is a defect in the exterior, the color is also characterized as black. Pure black dogs with bright eyes, with a piercing brown or gray undercoat, with piercing tan or white spots, are insufficiently pigmented, and the inheritance of weak pigment in such dogs is more persistent than in black-backed or zonal dogs. Puppies are born black and do not change color. Genetically, the black color is the least stable, as it is the result of the fusion of two recessive genes. This also explains the relatively small number of black dogs in the VEO population in relation to black-backed and zonal dogs. The birth of black puppies is possible from the following combinations:

black+black;
black+black;
saddleback+saddleback (provided that each sire from the pair has black ancestors in its pedigree);
black+zonal;
zonal + zonal (since the zonal color itself is a carrier of dark pigment)

There is also a so-called BLACK AND TAN color , which cannot be considered as an independent type of color, since it is derived from other colors.

FIRST is a variant of the saddle color, darker in the head and neck area, with a “saddle” going down to the chest, shoulder area, forelimbs, hips and legs. The color is contrasting, but the contours of the “saddle cloth” are blurred. In essence, this is a sable color, but with the presence of a gene responsible for a darker tone. This variant of the black and tan color is desirable, is inherited like the black and tan color, and is the source of dark pigment in the breed. Puppies with this gene are born almost black, but with an obligatory light (red, fawn, gray) rim around the anus and barely noticeable marks on the limbs.

Option TWO is a black color option, signaling a weakening of the pigment. Puppies are born purely black, but over time they develop a brown or yellow undercoat, lightening on the limbs, sometimes forming a very beautiful black and golden tan. But this impression is deceiving. The inheritance of this color is very unstable and contributes to the weakening of pigmentation in the offspring. Even when mated to dark-colored dogs of other colors, the offspring are much lighter.

The third OPTION is the so-called “Dobermannian” color, in which the dog has light gray or yellow symmetrically located markings on the limbs, chest, and under the larynx. The head pattern is specific, forming light markings above the eyebrows, on the cheeks and even on the front of the head, often with an almost complete absence of a “mask”. The color is very contrasting, with noticeably marked tan contours. The color is not characteristic of the breed; fortunately, it is extremely rare and although it is not rejected at exhibitions, the use of dogs of this color is not advisable.

CONCLUSION. The breed standard does not give preference to any of the colors. In the East European Shepherd breed, the preservation of all three main colors is very important. In a population where the color of the shepherd is not subject to fashion, the ratio between standard colors should be 3: 3: 1 (zone: black: black). There will always be fewer black shepherds unless there is special selection for this color. If there is a tendency in the population towards one of the colors, a weakening of pigmentation is inevitable. Moreover, in this case, lightening is often accompanied by such signs of degeneration as weakening of the bones, elongation of the shape of the heads, loss of working qualities, etc. As an example, one can cite the current state of color in the German Shepherd breed, where the number of zonal dogs is no more than 5% of the total number dogs. Accordingly, the state of pigmentation leaves much to be desired.

INHERITANCE OF COLOR IN A SHEPHERD DOG in accordance with Mendel's Laws. A gene is responsible for the manifestation of color in a shepherd dog, let’s call it ‘A’. This gene has several modifications. The following are important for shepherds:

‘A’ – zonal color,

‘аt’ – black-backed color

A’ – color black.

In relation to each other they are in the following relationship: A>at>a.

In the diagram it will look like this:

Zone dog

1) AA the first option will give only zonal

2) Aat > puppies, second zonal and black-backed

2) Aat > zonal

3) Aa > black

Black-colored dog

1) atat the first dog will give only black puppies,

the second – saddleback and black 2) ata

Black dog

1) aa this dog can only give the black color gene

When mating we get :

1) zonal X zonal a) AA x AA P1 AA - only zonal puppies

B) AA x Aat P1 AA, Aat – only zonal puppies

C) AA x Aa P1 AA , Aa – zone puppies only

D) Aat x Aat P1 AA , Aat , atat – zoned and saddleback puppies

E) Aat x Aa P1 AA , Aat , Aa , ata – zoned and saddleback puppies

F) Aa x Aa P1 AA , Aa , aa – zone and black puppies

2) zonal X black-and-white

A) AA x atat P1 Aat – zonal puppies only

B) AA x ata P1 Aat , Aa – only zonal puppies

C) Aat x atat P1 Aat, atat – zoned and black-backed puppies

D) Aat x ata P1 Aat , Aa , ata – zoned and saddle-backed puppies

E) Aa x atat P1 Aat, ata – zoned and black-backed puppies

F) Aa x ata P1 Aat , Aa , ata , aa – zoned, saddle-backed and black puppies

3) zonal X black

A) AA x aa P1 Aa – zonal puppies only

B) Aat x aa P1 Aa, ata – zoned and black-backed puppies

C) Aa x aa P1 Aa, aa – zone and black puppies

4) saddle cloth X saddle cloth

A) atat x atat P1 at – black-backed puppies only

B) atat x ata P1 atat, ata - only black-backed puppies

C) ata x ata P1 atat, ata, aa – black and black puppies

5) sable X black a) atat x aa P1 ata – only saddle puppies

B) ata x aa P1 ata, aa – black and black puppies

6) black X black a) aa x aa P1 aa – only black puppies

Having bred any two shepherd dogs, you will definitely find a combination in the diagram, as well as all possible options colors of puppies.

INHERITANCE OF COLOR IN OTHER BREEDS In most other breeds, black color is dominant and is determined by another pair of genes. For example, gene 'B'. Those. in the dominant state it provides the dog with black coloration, and in the recessive state it provides any other color. Accordingly, a dog with the ‘BB’ or ‘BB’ genes is black, and with the ‘BB’ genes - any other color, but not black. In shepherds, the ‘bb’ genes are in a recessive state, and the coat color is determined by a pair of ‘A’ genes. STUDYING this issue is simply necessary! Breeders MUST know the characteristics of each color, the genotype of the animals with which they have to work, be able to regulate the inheritance of colors and avoid unwanted matings. Then the appearance of so-called “regional phenomena” in the VEO breed, when a zonal daughter “suddenly” appears from a black and black dog, will be simply impossible!!!