East European Shepherd: history, standard, features. East European Shepherd - description of the breed East European Shepherd origin of the breed

The East European Shepherd was developed in the Soviet Union. The breed is not recognized by the FCI, so it is little known and unpopular outside its homeland. In appearance and in character, VEOs resemble their closest relatives – German shepherds.

The East European Shepherd was developed from the breed in the 20s and 30s. When breeding it, special attention was paid to strength and endurance, which are decisive when choosing dogs for service in the army and police. Despite the name "shepherd", the dog was never used for herding.

In 1904, German shepherds began to be imported to Russia, which were used as ambulance dogs in the Russo-Japanese War. Later, around 1907, they began to be used in the police service. After the First World War, the attitude towards everything German was negative, the Soviet Union needed dogs with the characteristics of German shepherds, but the knowledge to breed their own breed was not enough, and the existing population was degenerating as a result of illiterate breeding work. Only in 1924 did more or less targeted breeding of “Easterns” begin after the creation of public service dog breeding organizations, departmental schools and service nurseries. Unfortunately, there was nothing special to work with; the livestock was very small and was not renewed due to the impossibility of buying dogs in other countries for foreign currency. Many VEOs were lost during wartime.

The East European Shepherd is a Soviet line of German shepherds, which were infused with the blood of huskies, mastiffs and some other breeds.

The influx of new blood and the restoration of the population began after 45 thanks to the import of trophy dogs from Germany. Under the influence of climatic conditions and as a result of targeted selection, its own type was formed. Army General G.P. Medvedev, who headed the council of dog handlers, called VEO a “patriotic dog” and suggested that clubs in large cities legalize the name East European Shepherd. In 1964, the type was approved by the Federation of Working Dogs, and in 1976, the East European Shepherd was officially recognized as a separate breed with its own standard. Active work to improve the breed continued until 1990.

Purpose

The East European Shepherd is successfully used for protection, police investigations, and also as a search dog and border guard dogs. Representatives of the breed have proven themselves to be excellent in military service and at work in police stations. Sometimes VEOs are used as guide dogs. In addition, they great friends and companions. High intelligence, good flexible character, strength and extreme endurance ensure the versatility of their use.

Video review of the East European Shepherd dog breed

What should an East European Shepherd look like according to the standard?

The East European Shepherd is a moderately elongated dog, above average and large in stature, strong build with strong bones and developed muscles. Sexual dimorphism is well expressed. The preferred height for males is 66-76 cm, for females - 62-72 cm.

The head is proportional, massive, and has the shape of a slightly pointed wedge. The length of the head is 40% of the height. The skull is flat with a slightly noticeable longitudinal groove. The forehead is rounded. The stop is noticeable, but not sharp. The muzzle is wedge-shaped. The bridge of the nose is straight or with a slight hump. The lips are dry and fit tightly. The nose is black and large. The bite is correct, the teeth are completely complete. The eyes are medium-sized, oval, set obliquely, dark in color. The eyelids are dry and tight fitting. The ears are shaped like an isosceles triangle, erect, of medium size, pointed.

The neck is moderately long, located at an angle of 45° to the horizon. The withers are well defined. The length of the body is 10-17% greater than the height. The back is strong and wide. The loin is slightly convex and short. The croup is rounded with a slight slope. Unlike the German Shepherd, the Oriental does not have such a pronounced slope of the topline. The chest is wide, long, oval. The depth of the chest is 47-50% of the height. The abdomen is moderately tucked. The tail is saber-shaped and reaches to the hocks or slightly below. In a calm state it is kept lowered, in an excited state the last third is curved upward. The forelimbs are straight and parallel. The length of the front leg to the elbow is 50-53% of the height. The hind limbs are set moderately extended. Parallel when viewed from behind. The hips are long, wide, and set at an angle. The paws are oval, the pads are dark. Dewclaws should be removed.

The coat is dense, thick, of medium length, consisting of straight, hard hair and well-developed shorter undercoat. On back side The hips and shoulders have moderate feathering. Shorter hair covers the head, ears and the front of the legs.

Several colors are allowed:

Black with a mask on a lightened background (from silver-gray to rich fawn);
Black solid;
Pronounced zone-gray and zone-red colors are allowed, but undesirable.

Character

East European Shepherds are very brave and courageous dogs; they are practically devoid of feelings of fear and cowardice. Their incredibly strong-willed and courageous character provides them with self-confidence. VEO are loyal friends and life partners; they show devotion and respect for their owner from an early age and retain it until the end of their lives. At proper education They get along well with other animals in the house and are friendly with children. Can be a tireless partner in games and travel or a reliable partner in work, energetic and curious, but at the same time quiet and inconspicuous when needed.

VEO has a very good character and a loyal heart. These dogs are balanced, self-confident and distrustful of strangers with a pronounced active-defensive reaction.

VEO has an innate protective instinct and a developed sense of territoriality. In addition, these dogs are able to think and make decisions independently in the absence of the owner. It will be difficult to get into the area they protect. In reviews of the breed, owners repeatedly emphasize the high intelligence and devotion of East European Shepherds, as well as their unpretentiousness and ease of training in any direction.

Content Features

Endurance and the ability to adapt to any living conditions make the East European Shepherd suitable for living in any conditions, be it a private yard, kennel or apartment, but it should always have close contact with a person. When keeping Eastern European dogs in an apartment, it is necessary to provide them with a sufficient amount of physical activity and walks in the open air. It is also worth remembering that puppies are very active and constantly chew on something, especially during the teething period, so they should have a sufficient number of toys. VEO is important to ensure complete balanced diet. This can be either natural food or ready-made food above the premium class.

The structure of the coat changes depending on the season. In winter, a thick undercoat grows, and in summer it is shed. Spring shedding is the most abundant; during this period, a fuminator will be a useful thing. In dogs that live in apartments, seasonal shedding is less pronounced.

Physical activity is the key proper development and good dog health. East European Shepherd training can be divided into two parts: general physical training and special. General includes strengthening and healing the body. First of all, this is trotting, swimming, and long walks. Some dogs note weak muscles- extensors of the hind limbs and, as a result, a weak push and shortening of the step; to correct this deficiency, special training is used: towing or running uphill. Intensive training should be increased gradually. Exercises and number of cycles are selected individually

Education and training

East European Shepherds are highly trainable. Their extraordinary intelligence allows them to make independent decisions in difficult and unexpected situations. The East European Shepherd is smart and disciplined, she learns with great pleasure and loves to work, but when she gets tired of training, she will be lazy and not follow well-known commands.

Even an inexperienced dog breeder can handle raising and training VEO.

When training an East European Shepherd, the main thing is to instill in it restraint and tolerance, which will allow it to remain calm towards its relatives and felines. It is also important to control distrust of others and territorial instinct.

Care

The East European Shepherd has a very bushy coat that requires proper weekly grooming. Only careful combing with a comb will provide it with glossy shine and beauty. In the off-season, the dog is brushed every day. Ears Clean as they become dirty, once a week for some dogs, less often for others. With sufficient physical activity and walking on asphalt, the claws wear down on their own.

Health and life expectancy

German shepherds gave the Eastern European a whole bunch of health problems, and the problem was aggravated by illiterate selection of inexperienced Soviet dog handlers. Modern breeders do their best to prevent dogs with problems from being bred, but some problems and hereditary diseases cannot be completely eradicated:

Dysplasia of the elbow and hip joint;
Tendency to volvulus;
Diabetes;
Intervertebral disc diseases;
Dermatological diseases;
Aortic stenosis;
Hormonal dwarfism;
Eye diseases;
VEO are sensitive to intestinal equatorial infections.

Choosing a puppy

The East European Shepherd is a very common and popular breed. On the one hand, this is very convenient, since potential owners are provided with a huge selection of puppies different colors and origin. But on the other hand, the breeding of the breed, or rather the reproduction, is often carried out by people who are far from cynology, and even more so from selection. The character and working qualities of a VEO are difficult to spoil by improper pairing, and it is easy to develop health problems. From the above, a simple conclusion follows: it is better to buy a puppy in nurseries or from a competent breeder through breed clubs.

A guarantee that the dog has a balanced psyche and good working qualities will be a diploma of working tests, without which VEOs are not allowed for breeding.

VEO puppy price

The price of an East European Shepherd is greatly influenced by the geography of the kennel and the merits of the producers. So dogs with a pedigree can cost from 7,000 to 30,000 rubles. Puppies without documents usually cost up to 5,000 rubles.

Photos

Photos of puppies and adult dogs of the East European Shepherd breed. The photographs clearly show what VEOs look like of different ages, gender and color.

According to the breed description, East European Shepherd, or VEO, is a service dog with large size and an obedient character. Its reputation remains unshakable even with a large number of other breed lines of “servants”. The basis of breeding was the German Shepherd, but other breeds were also used in selection. In Soviet times, VEO was one of the most recognizable dogs, everyone had a respectful attitude towards her.

History of the origin of the East European Shepherd

With the coming to power of the Bolsheviks in the 20s of the last century, an urgent need for service dogs arose. German shepherds were not universal, as they could not work throughout the entire territory of the USSR. In Siberia, Karelia and Kamchatka, animals froze to death or had to be warmed up every 4 hours. In 1924, the Krasnaya Zvezda nursery was created, which was engaged in breeding and domestic VEO breed. The task of Soviet dog handlers was to obtain a universal dog with the following characteristics:

large;
controlled;
hardy;
which could work in any climate.

Got into the selection a large number of German shepherds, but Central Asian, husky and other breeds were added to them. The founder of the line was the dog Abrek, who starred in the film Gaichi in 1938. The primary standard was formed in 1964. It was approved by the Canine Council of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture. In modern times, the breed remains popular in the territory of the former Soviet Union, but the number of purebred individuals is steadily falling.

FCI breed recognition

If we talk about world opinion, the Eastern European breed is still not recognized by the FCI - Federation Cynologique Internationale. Its experts remain loyal to the German line. Only the following cynological organizations recognized the breed:

UCI – International Union of Kennel Clubs;
MKC – International Kennel Union.

What does an East European Shepherd look like?

Externally, the East European Shepherd is similar to the German one. Ordinary people practically cannot distinguish them from each other. The breed belongs to the medium-large category. Males at the withers reach 66-76 cm, and females - 62-72 cm. Weight depends on the health of the dog, its gender and age. The body weight of males can be in the range of 35-60 kg, and that of females - 30-50 kg. Some representatives of the breed may weigh significantly more due to a tendency towards obesity.

How is it different from German?

Although outwardly these two beautiful breeds have many similar features, there are still differences between them. Representatives of the Eastern European line have larger sizes, fewer color options, thicker coats, a different back line and type of movement. VEO also differs in its mental properties. The German Shepherd's temperament is fiery, while the Eastern European's is reasonable and calm. Other characteristic differences:

Wool. The German has a more elegant covering coat. It is longer, especially on the hind limbs.
Addition. The Eastern European has less pronounced limb angles, a higher neck projection, a short tail and a steeper pastern.
Movements. The creeping trot of the German Shepherd is not typical of the Eastern European.
Wool color. A German Shepherd's paws can be any red shade, and a pronounced one. Eastern European - the owner of light fawn, gray or almost white fell.

VEO standard

Before buying a pet, you should study the breed standard in order to purchase a purebred representative. This is especially true for those who plan to participate in exhibitions and competitions. It is recommended to contact a kennel club, because German Shepherd puppies are very similar to Eastern European ones. The standard describes the following characteristics of the breed:

The head is large, has the shape of a regular wedge, and is proportional in overall dimensions. Frontal part wide, rounded, smoothly blending into the muzzle. The cheekbones are muscular and rounded. When viewed from the side, the bridge of the nose is parallel to the extended line of the forehead.
The lips are dry and thick, fitting tightly to the muzzle and not drooping.
The teeth are straight, white, and tightly set. According to the standard, only a complete set of incisors and canines is allowed - 42 teeth. Bite without gap, scissor bite.
The nose and eyes are set at an angle and have oval shape. The eyelids are dry, dense, completely covering the whites. Outer corner raised to the ear.
Ears are medium triangular shape, standing room only is allowed. Set wide apart, can't be too big.
The limbs are muscular, proportional, and sinewy in the lower part. The front legs are parallel with the elbows pressed to the chest. The hips are noticeably elongated, the back is strong.
The tail is saber-shaped, reaching to the hocks or below. IN natural state rushes low or between hind legs. When working, it rises to the spine or higher.

Breed defects

In dog behavior, cowardice, lethargy, unbridled aggression and indifference are considered vices. Minor faults are shortcomings in the external characteristics of the animal. More pronounced deviations, due to which the East European Shepherd loses its working qualities, are considered disqualifying defects:

weak ligamentous apparatus;
loose, rough or light constitution;
weak muscles;
light eye color;
brown or red tan on saddle coat;
curvature of the limbs;
weakness or deformation of the ears;
corkscrew tail;
unbalanced movements;
lack of teeth.

East European Shepherd color

The coat of a representative of this breed is strictly defined by the standard. The dog's guard hair is smooth, hard, fits tightly to the body, and is of medium length. The undercoat is well developed. It is felt-like and may differ in color from the guard hair. The standard VEO is black or scooped with a mask. Zone-red and zone-gray are also acceptable, but they are undesirable.

Character and temperament

Initially, Eastern European was derived as service breed for military dog breeding. She works in the police, border troops and army, because her character corresponds to the tasks performed in these structures. Other distinctive character traits of the East European breed type shepherd dog:

Sensitivity. Even with this quality, VEOs are not the best guards, because they do not inform the owner about strangers.
Security qualities. The pet will be the best guard. The animal protects its family and territory to the end. Anyone who wants to offend the owner will first have to deal with a powerful and purposeful dog.
Goodwill. With proper socialization, the dog does not show aggression towards other animals. Although it all depends on the character of a particular representative: some are not at all interested in other pets, others, on the contrary, attack any four-legged animal.

High intelligence and balanced character

The East European Shepherd is highly intelligent. They have good learning abilities, are very obedient and are not prone to escape. The pet happily obeys all commands of the owner. In terms of trainability, this dog is considered simply magnificent, otherwise it would not have been accepted into the army and special services. For an East European type shepherd, there are practically no tasks that it cannot perform. In addition to high intelligence, the dog’s character is distinguished by its complaisance and restraint. The animal experiences pleasure from serving humans.

Relationships with people

The dog is neutral towards children. If the dog is not attached to the child as to the owner, then it may even bite in response to rudeness. The pet plays with children in the same way as with adults. Some representatives of the breed cannot even tolerate small family members. Without training, dogs can be aggressive towards children. The main difference of this breed is loyalty and devotion, more often to one person. Some dogs can ignore or become accustomed to another member of their owner's family for years. The animal is affectionate towards only one person, but not servile.

Features of training

Dogs of this breed love to learn, so they are easy to train. They look into the coach's eyes to understand what is required of them. Distinctive feature– the shepherd dog equally well perceives both commands with instant reactions and those that require endurance. It is easy to train the Eastern European dog even at home, without the help of a dog handler. To do this, you should follow the following rules:

first learn commands with the puppy at home;
then move the classes outside when the dog is already confidently fulfilling the requirements (if at first he doesn’t obey, it’s not scary);
carry the puppy until the end of quarantine only in your arms, not allowing him to communicate with other pets;
constantly change walking locations, walk in crowded places, take him on public transport or by car, so that the dog reacts calmly to any situation.

Service dog training

In the absence of training and control on the part of the owner, the Oriental will easily break off the leash at the first cat running nearby. For this reason, the puppy is trained from an early age. Thanks to its impeccable obedience, the shepherd dog is easy to train. When training, you need to use treats and praise. The approach to education involves:

the beginning of serious training from 6 months of age;
training without the use of physical punishment;
constant support of already learned skills;
completing a general training course (GTC), if there is no experience working with large dogs.

Care and conditions of detention

The East European Shepherd is suitable both for keeping in an apartment and in an enclosure if the owner lives in a private house. The pet has excellent adaptive abilities in relation to any climate conditions. Although the animal is little susceptible to heat and cold, it still needs a canopy that would protect it from the sun and precipitation. An insulated booth is also required.

How to properly care for your fur

The East European Shepherd is an unpretentious animal. Thick coats need to be brushed regularly, at least once a week. During shedding, you need to do this daily. This procedure is mandatory, because VEO sheds a lot. Wool can be found on carpets, clothing and furniture. There is especially a lot of it during the changing seasons. Bathing is carried out 2-4 times a year if necessary.

Regular walks and exercise

Regardless of where the dog is kept, it requires regular physical exercise and walks. This could be swimming, cross-country, walking uphill, running in shallow water or snow. This strengthens the animal's muscles and ligaments. Every day your pet needs at least 1-2 hours of walks. They help the animal socialize and begin to better understand the owner and make friends with him.

Hygiene procedures

Eyes, ears and teeth should be examined daily and cleaned as needed. All hygiene procedures begin at an early age so that the animal gets used to them and behaves calmly. It is better to do them in the form of a game. This way the VEO puppy will accept the whole process more easily and will not react aggressively to it. You also need to take care of the claws. If you don’t grind them down on time, at least once a month, it will cause inconvenience to the dog.

What to feed your East European Shepherd

Proper feeding puppies affects the full development, growth and appearance of the pet. In the first days in a new living space, it is worth feeding the animal in the same way as the breeders did. Most of them advise the buyer on the correct diet. During the first month, the puppy is fed 6 times, up to 2 months - 5 times, up to 3 months - 4 times, and from six months - accustom to 2 feedings a day. At an early age, the animal is fed mainly dry food. It is better to transfer an adult dog to natural nutrition.

Natural products

A large pet needs a high-calorie diet. The East European Shepherd requires a diet consisting of 70% meat. The rest consists of dairy products, fish, vegetables, porridge and greens. To brush your teeth, you should give your dog apples and carrots. The meat is used raw, gradually increasing the serving size. If the product is not trustworthy, then it must first be scalded with boiling water.

Specialized feed

The use of specialized premium feed is recommended during periods of intensive animal growth. At this time, puppy and young dogs can be given brands such as Ekanuba, Acana, Bosch, Belcando. When your pet reaches physical maturity, it is worth switching to ProPak, Pro Plan, and Dog Chow food. Such a diet must be supplemented with a sufficient amount of liquid, so keep an eye on the animal’s bowl all the time.

East European Shepherd puppies

It is better to purchase a puppy from well-known nurseries that have a good reputation. You should first call several organizations at once and study their offers and conditions. It is not recommended to buy an animal from random breeders, especially without documents from the RKF (Russian Cynological Organization). Here there is a high risk of purchasing an animal that is not purebred, and sometimes even a sick one with various mental defects or hereditary pathologies. When contacting a nursery, you need to ask the breeder:

give the opportunity to observe the puppy;
look at the pet's parents;
provide a veterinary passport and pedigree of the puppy.

Where can I buy

There are several trusted kennels where fans of this breed can purchase a purebred East European Shepherd. They are especially important to know for those who plan to have not just pet, and a future winner of exhibitions and a participant in breeding shows. Among the popular nurseries are the following:

Lutar RKF - http://www.veolutar.ru;
Moncher Virsal - http://veoworld.ru;
National Club of the East European Shepherd Dog breed - http://www.veorkf.ru/;
Veovita - https://vk.com/veovita;
Olan Olzheks - olan-olczeks.jimdo.com.

How much does a puppy cost?

Price of a dog with good pedigree and others necessary documents cannot be low. You can buy a puppy cheaply without a veterinary passport or not a purebred. If you need a good, healthy and purebred pet, then you should not expect low prices. The average price of an East European Shepherd is 30 thousand rubles. This is the cost of a promising puppy with good characteristics. Most nurseries offer approximately this price.

Health and hereditary diseases

It is difficult to talk about the health of this breed. According to Soviet canine reference books, only two ailments are typical for VEO, such as:

Gastric volvulus. The reason is increased elasticity ligaments that support organs. Because of this, during physical activity, the intestinal loop or stomach overlaps. The first symptom is swelling of the peritoneum, after which the disease develops very quickly. Due to the deprivation of circulatory organs, necrosis occurs, which leads to the death of the animal.
Arthritis. This is a joint disease. Develops as a result of delayed recovery bone tissue or degenerative changes associated with age.

In the first years after the collapse of the USSR, monopolists dishonestly used only their own dogs for selection, which caused damage to the breed. Such omissions in the development of the VEO breed led to an expansion of the list of characteristic diseases. It began to include:

Rickets. Develops more often at an early age. Characterized by irreversible curvature of the limbs.
Enteritis. The disease belongs to the acute viral category. The dog is vaccinated against it while still a puppy.
Dysplasia. This pathology is associated with age. Its cause is considered to be untimely renewal of articular tissue.

How long do East European Shepherds live?

Average duration The lifespan of a representative of this breed is 12-16 years. With good care, the animal can live longer. For a dog of large stature and build, this is the optimal life expectancy. Breed-specific diseases occur in dogs of any age, so at the first symptoms you should consult a veterinarian.

Photo of an East European Shepherd

Video

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

Origin story

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

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

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

Breed characteristics

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

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

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

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

Differences with German

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

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

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

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

Standards

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vices

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

Disadvantages that can affect a dog's health:

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

Defects that lead to disqualification of a dog:

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

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

Breeding

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

Prices

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

Raising a puppy

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

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

Training

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

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

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

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

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

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

Character

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

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

Breed today

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

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

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

Photo of East European Shepherd

Intelligence and character of the East European Shepherd

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

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

An untrained eye may confuse an Oriental with a German Shepherd

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

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

Breed standard and main characteristics

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

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

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

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

East European Shepherd black color

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

Training and education

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

The size of the dog predetermined sufficient physical strength, not only to hold the leash. Young dogs begin to show character and leadership qualities as they approach the age of one year, when their active growth is almost complete. A dog weighing more than 50 kg, with high intelligence and a developing psyche is a serious animal. In order for the owner to be accepted unquestioningly, the makings of a leader and stable knowledge about raising dogs are needed. It is better not to get this breed for beginners, or, in mandatory, take OKD (or IPO-1) courses. An experienced instructor will tell you how to behave in different situations, what to pay attention to will help place the dog owner in the role of undisputed leader.

An experienced trainer is required for the East European Shepherd

Care and maintenance of the East European Shepherd

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

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

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

This once again confirms that the Soviet Union succeeded in as soon as possible managed to create a new breed, as planned physical qualities, and by its nature.

Choosing an East European Shepherd puppy

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

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

East European Shepherd puppy

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unknowing people often confuse the East European Shepherd (VEO) with the German one. They have common roots, but VEO is a breed bred in the USSR, a loyal and reliable friend.

The breed is not recognized by the International Canine Union and the International Canine Association. All characteristics are given from the standard of the Russian Canine Association.

Male height at withers: 66-72 centimeters,

Height of the bitch at the withers: 62-72 centimeters.

Male weight: 35-65 kilograms,

Bitch weight: 30-60 kilograms.

Color: shabby with a mask on the main, lighter background. Interspersed zonal coloring is allowed. Shepherds usually have a transition from beige to red or dark brown, or from gray to black. This color will reduce points at the exhibition, but it is acceptable. Possible black color.

Important: zonal coloring is characteristic of wolves. With this color, the color at the root of the hair is lighter than at the tip.

Additional characteristics: the eyes are only black, almond-shaped, with a rim. The ears are erect, form an isosceles triangle, and are set high. The nose should not be any color other than black.

The tail is long and wolf-like, otherwise you will be disqualified. The muzzle should also be similar to a wolf. The physique is strong and muscular. In this case, the length of the body is slightly greater than the height at the withers. The photo shows the difference between the VEO and the German Shepherd.

History of the East European Shepherd

In the 1930s, they were brought to the USSR for police service. Russian dog handlers began breeding, crossing “Germans” with local dogs. The most talented puppies were kept, the role was always a priority service dog. Those who quickly found drugs, weapons and explosives were selected. The selection went on for about thirty years, after which in 1964 the Soviet Cynological Association developed the first breed standard.

It must be said that East European Shepherds not only expose crimes, these attentive and sensitive dogs have become wonderful guides. In Russia, about 60% of guide dogs are VEO.

Character and temperament

East European Shepherd - calm, and her character is an indicator of the perfect balance of strength and restraint.

This bodyguard squared: VEO acts like a relaxed dog, but can attack an enemy at any time with a light jump. The reactions of this dog are not always even recorded by the human gaze: we are not able to react to such speed.

East European Shepherds do not show aggression, except in cases where it is really necessary. Such cases include an attack on the owner or trespassing.

As a child, he is an ordinary playful puppy. Even after the dog has grown up, it remains attached to children's toys. Leave with her those plush creatures with which she played in her youth, otherwise VEO will start chewing shoes or furniture instead of toys.

Dog and man

Large dogs need physical activity; such an animal should not be forced to wear a diaper and sleep all day long. You must be prepared for the fact that in any weather your shepherd needs walk at least twice a day.

VEO is suitable active And mobile people. She will be happy to join you on jogging walks, bike rides and roller skating.

East European Shepherd good with children and usually has nothing against other animals. Puppies and kittens will become the object of your pet's tender love.

It is better to keep an East European Shepherd in the house, but not on a chain or in an enclosure, but free-range. She will not run away from her beloved owner and will not let a thief pass her by. It is also possible to keep such a dog in an apartment, but you should prepare in advance for inconvenience due to the large size of the pet.

You need to walk twice a day, for at least 40 minutes.

Sheepdog in autumn and summer sheds a lot, and her fur needs to be brushed once a week. Other care is minimal. If your dog's claws click when walking on the floor in the house, you need to trim them carefully.

Feeding

You need to feed your shepherd either premium dry food or natural food.

If you feed your dog natural food, then approximate diet such:

Protein– share in the diet 50%. Meat or fish. The meat is pre-frozen for a couple of days, then treated with boiling water or boiled. WITH river fish do the same, and sea fish is allowed to be served raw. Pork and lamb should not be given.
Cellulose– up to 20% in the diet. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, pumpkin, cucumbers.
Fats– up to 1 tablespoon per day. Vegetable oil: olive, pumpkin, sunflower, flaxseed.
Additionally: rice porridge, buckwheat. Semolina is served only in recovery period after illness.

Include it in your pet's diet periodically fish fat And vitamin complexes.

You should absolutely not give your dog animal bones.

Training

You need to establish contact with the East European Shepherd. This is an intelligent breed that loves its owner and wants to please him. VEO understands everything quickly and grasps it clearly.

Training must be firm, but at the same time full of love and patience. Reward, not punishment, will work with her.

Health and life expectancy

The main reason for the selection of East European Shepherds was the susceptibility of German Shepherds to dysplasia. With VEO this was avoided. It was also possible to exclude ear diseases typical of Germans.

VEOs are susceptible exclusively to infectious diseases, which they often cope with themselves thanks to their strong immunity.

Representatives of the breed live in good conditions from 12 to 14 years.

How much does it cost and where can I buy it?

There is a National East European Shepherd Dog Club in Russia, where there are contacts of all reliable breeders.

Puppy price: 15,000 - 35,000 rubles.

Breed photo

Photos of beautiful and strong East European Shepherds.