home Audience 4 East European Shepherd. Come to me, Mukhtar! How long do East European Shepherd dogs live?

East European Shepherd. Come to me, Mukhtar! How long do East European Shepherd dogs live?

The East European Shepherd is a domestic breed of dog bred for service and accompanying people. It is a close relative of German Shepherds, but differs in many ways. It is recognized in the RKF system and has its own standard.

History and reasons for breeding the breed

By the 1920s, there was an urgent need for service dogs. The plans were to breed purebred German shepherds for guard duty at military installations, prison camps, and protection of public property. Germany did not have enough of those few specimens of dogs, and purchase was possible only for foreign currency. For these reasons, existing German shepherds and mongrels that were suitable in size and character participated in the development of the breed.

Since 1924, work began in departmental canine nurseries. There was a strict selection; only the best dogs were used for further breeding. The Second World War led to a decrease in the population of the new breed, but already in the 50s the situation improved.

By the 70s, VEOs became the same type and won people's love. These dogs lived with ordinary people and served on sites. They successfully passed the training standards and showed their best side when meeting with the defendants.

The FCI has not yet recognized the breed due to its similarity with the German Shepherd, but in the country and neighboring countries there are breeders and owners of these service dogs dedicated to VEO.

Breed standard and features

The VEO standard is assigned to group 1 according to the RKF classification, which includes herding and cattle dogs. All representatives must meet the following parameters:

Height at withers: males 66-76 cm, females 62-72 cm.
Eye color: dark brown.
Nose color: black.
Lips: dark.
Teeth: full set (42 teeth), scissor bite.
Color: solid black or with light markings, black-gray, black-fawn, zone-gray and zone-red. Red markings are acceptable.
Ears: Triangular, set high and wide, ends slightly rounded.
Tail: saber-shaped.
Coat: double coat with a thick and lighter undercoat than the coat.

On completely black dogs, a small white spot in the chest area is acceptable, but this is considered an undesirable sign, as are red markings of varying intensity. The backbone of the VEO should be strong, with strong muscles. Unmotivated aggression, nervousness or cowardice are unacceptable in behavior.

The height in the description of this breed is indicated as desirable, but a deviation of 2 cm is a defect, as is the lack of some teeth. Bitches are more graceful than males, but do not give the impression of being gentle and fragile dogs. Approximate weight for males is 36-60 kg, for females - 30-50 kg.

Differences from the German Shepherd

There are several myths about these breeds. For example, that real ones are only dark ones without spots or marks. VEO also has this color as standard. There is a difference in behavior, structure, movements.

The modern East European Shepherd differs from the German:

Height – on average, the difference is 5-7 cm in favor of VEO (data from standards).
Germans have a sloping croup and a different topline.
The angles of the VEO limbs are not so pronounced.
German Shepherds do not have gray in their color, but more red and black.
Calm character.

These are the main differences. Most German Shepherds are choleric, their movements are sharper, they are more energetic. VEOs are not designed for long running, but due to their mass and quick reaction, they are excellent for guard duty, and are too heavy for shepherd work. This breed was bred for use in various climates. High humidity or low temperatures with heavy precipitation are not dangerous for such dogs.

In general, VEOs look more massive and are more sanguine in temperament. It is easier to recognize by another feature - gray color in color. This color prevails in the domestic breed.

Character, intelligence and human interaction

Orientals are balanced dogs with a high level of intelligence. Due to their good learning abilities they are very obedient. Despite their large size, they do not have the willfulness of Molossians (Central Asian, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, Mastiffs, etc.). Not prone to escape. They are loyal to their owner and happily carry out his instructions. The East European Shepherd begins to guard people and property early. She becomes attached to her owner, and her responsibilities include taking care of his peace.

Often these dogs are kept in pairs or in larger numbers. Then there are clashes between same-sex or dominant individuals. Usually this goes away by 2-3 years and roles in the pack are distributed for a long time. Sometimes it seems that VEOs are phlegmatic. Under the mask of complete calm lies a lightning-fast reaction when danger arises. They watch and are ready to defend themselves at any moment.

Suitable for families with children of different ages. They build normal relationships with other domestic animals; a bird or cat can be considered an object of protection, which is shown on occasion. With the right approach, a floppy-eared puppy will grow into a reliable friend, protector and devoted companion for the whole family.

Purpose and work of dogs

The history of the breed shows that the East European Shepherd must be hardy and have the characteristics of a real working dog. They have retained their qualities in the modern world. They are willingly taken into security companies, private houses, and apartments.

For a beginner, VEO can create some learning difficulties. These dogs require moderate rigidity in communication, but are simple in a good way and love the attention of their owner. Because of this, they can be found in the service of departmental units, military units, and guarding state borders. In addition, they are unpretentious in maintenance and care.

The standard requires passing operational tests. A dog with a certain set of qualities is allowed to show in a separate class. She will not be afraid of shots or other loud sounds; in case of serious danger, she will fight back the offender and be able to detain him. Only a few are born this way; the rest are trained in special courses for more than one month.

Security qualities appear already in the first months, but they need to be directed in the right direction and provide the East European Shepherd pet with the opportunity to train and distinguish between a real threat and an imaginary one.

Service dog training

The first thing that is mandatory for a true guard is impeccable obedience. A large oriental will easily snatch the leash out of the hands of even an adult man if a cat runs in front of him. This happens in the absence of training and control. VEOs are highly trainable. From the very first lessons on the playground or at home, they show good results.

To live on a personal plot, you can independently accustom your pet to basic commands. Treats and praise will help. Puppies are attentive, not fussy and quickly remember commands.

This breed should be seriously trained after 6 months. It is necessary to achieve complete obedience without the use of physical punishment. VEO owners note that their pets are rarely afraid of heights, walking on a boom, or being attacked by a helper.

It is necessary to maintain your pet's ability to correctly execute commands. All previously developed reflexes are periodically reinforced. This approach to education will bear fruit when going to the veterinary clinic, on the road or other public transport, or when walking in crowded places.

Features of maintenance and care

VEO can be kept in apartments and garden plots without any problems. They like life outside more; many of the kennel dogs cannot stand being in the house for even 30 minutes due to the heat and cramped conditions. In apartments, the East European Shepherd chooses a secluded corner where it rests from walks or after eating. The only caveat is molting. Indoors, they shed their fur constantly, but the change of season is almost imperceptible.

Feeding for dogs of this breed is standard.

Most of the diet is meat (beef and other lean varieties). You can add porridge, especially in the cold season and when kept outside. To improve the condition of the skin, the diet includes sea fish, eggs, vegetables, and vegetable oil. Fermented milk products are required for feeding at any age; puppies are given cottage cheese and kefir more often.

Ready-made foods are suitable from categories for large and medium breeds, depending on the age, body type and needs of a particular dog.

A dog needs walks, regardless of whether it is kept outside or in an apartment. Clothes are an extra item; their thick wool with undercoat prevents them from freezing or getting wet in the rain. For outdoor VEOs, they build a booth with double walls, insulation and a small wooden flooring in front of it; straw is placed inside if frosts come. At home or in an apartment, allocate a cool place, but without drafts.

Care of the coat, ears and teeth

The coat of the East European Shepherd is very unpretentious and quickly cleans itself. When kept outdoors, washing is necessary several times a year. Practice shows that it is better to use shampoo for dogs in spring and autumn before the onset of cold weather. This will help cope with heavy shedding, and the dog will tolerate the heat easier.

The pet is combed with a natural bristle brush and comb. The procedure is used 1-2 times a week to prevent tangles from appearing, and underneath them eczema and peeling. This procedure should be taught at the beginning of education at the age of 2-3 months from birth.

Teeth are one of the main advantages and weapons of a service dog; they should be white and strong. The condition of teeth depends on genetics and maintenance, because proper feeding helps saturate the body with essential microelements and minerals. For cleaning, you can use special products in the form of pastes or let your dog chew on natural veins, apples, and carrots.

All East European Shepherd puppies are born with drooping ears. From 2-3 months they get up together or alternately, sometimes later. During the period of teeth change, the ears usually fall off, but by the age of one year, almost all Orientals have correct ear placement. If this does not happen, then they look for the reason to eliminate the consequences. For example, the ears may not stand up due to a lack of phosphorus or calcium, insufficiently hard cartilage (genetic predisposition), etc. In such cases, it is practiced to glue the tips of the ears with a patch to each other above the head (the patch is changed periodically).

Health, illness and life expectancy

The following diseases are common in the breed:

Before you get a puppy, you need to know how many years large breed dogs live. For VEO, the average is 12-14 years with proper care and proper nutrition.

In contact with

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

The working qualities were appreciated in many countries, but due to the negative attitude after the First World War towards everything that had German roots, this breed was renamed and modified. It was Soviet dog handlers who achieved particular success in working with the breed, since the young state needed strong working dogs. Therefore, breeding a new breed was not just an amateur hobby, but a task that was set by the Soviet government to professional dog handlers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The neck is strong and muscular.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The coat is hard and lies tightly to the skin. The longer coat is found on the outer sides of the forearms and thighs, while the rest of the coat is of medium length. The dense undercoat is well developed.

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

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

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

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

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

Character of the breed

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

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

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

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

Education and training

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Feeding

How to choose and buy a good VEO puppy?

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

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

Prices for puppies

East European Shepherd puppies with RKF documents are standing from 15 thousand rubles and above. Much depends on the presence of eminent ancestors in the pedigrees, awards at exhibitions, and the service achievements of the parents. More affordable prices: from 3000 rubles

If you ask which dog would be the best in the service, almost everyone will immediately say that these are shepherds. Indeed, both the German and Eastern European breeds are famous for their courage, devotion, and precise execution of commands even on the battlefield. In peacetime, this dog is an excellent guard, a loyal friend and an obedient servant.

Description of the breed

The dogs are quite large: the height of a male at the withers is 67−76 cm, that of a female is 62−65 cm. The height of the dog should be only 14−15% less than the length of the body. The weight of an adult is 36−45 kg for a female and 36−50 kg for a male.

It is important to note that the German and East European Shepherd are two different breed, although the eastern one originates from dogs imported from Germany. But the work done by Soviet dog handlers and mating with other breeds gives the right to separate two different breeds.

Characteristics:

Head proportional body, large, wedge-shaped when viewed from above. Wide, rounded forehead, the transition from it to the muzzle is smooth but clear. The size of the muzzle and forehead is approximately the same, only a slight difference is possible, with the forehead being wider than the muzzle. Under the eyes is not a damp space, filled. A hump on a straight bridge of the nose is allowed. The lips do not droop, but fit tightly to the muzzle; they are dry and moderately thick. Black pigmentation of the gums and extreme lip line.

Teeth even, white, stand close to each other. According to standards, the number of incisors and canines is 42 teeth. In breeding practice, individuals with teeth removed for medical reasons are allowed. This is the only reason for the absence of teeth in an individual. Bite without gap, scissor bite.

The nose is a classic shape, rectangular, slightly protruding beyond the line of the lower jaw. The nostrils are open and large in size.

Eyes - shape oval, have an oblique shape, in which the outer corner is raised upward towards the ear. The eyelids completely hide the whites, they are dry and dense. Black pigmentation of the eyelid line that remains visible.

The ears are triangular and regular in shape. Only standing, moderately wide, set high and not too large are allowed. The fur on the ears is moderate.

Body - body shape harmonious, slightly elongated, long back with strong withers and an oval-shaped neck. Convex croup that curves towards the tail.

When standing, the height of the dog in the shoulder line is higher than the croup line. Muscular and strong chest with moderate width. The ribs are elongated, slightly convex, and the depth of the chest is approximately half the height of the dog when measured at the withers.

Limbs - upper part muscular, and the lower one is strong, sinewy, harmonious in shape. The front paws, even in shape, are pressed to the chest by the elbows and parallel to each other. The angle of the blades must correspond to strictly 45 degrees. In the stance, the hind legs are slightly back. Any position of the paws other than strictly parallel is considered a fault for the breed. The paws are strong with long toes gathered into a ball. Fifth toes are also considered a defect. The claws and pads are black.

The tail is long, reaching to the hock joints or slightly longer, saber-shaped. The tail is carried down naturally or between the hind legs.

Coat color

The coat type of the European breed is determined standards. An even guard pile of medium length should fit snugly to the body and be hard to the touch. The felt-like undercoat is also dense and may differ in color from the outer coat. At the withers the hair is somewhat longer, but on the head, on the back of the ears and on the paws it is much shorter. In the breeches area the hair is also longer.

It is worth adding that long-haired representatives of the East European Shepherd are not standard, but belong to modern species. According to the 1920 standards, the classic breed has semi-long hair.

Several valid colors:

History of the breed

The history of the breed dates back to Soviet cynology; starting in the 1930s, the goal was set to breed a guard dog to maintain order or perform security functions in places of detention. The basis was the gene pool of the German shepherd, however, Soviet breeders had to not only get a dog with improved qualities. The number one goal was to literally defend the honor of the country by presenting the perfect dog.

As a result, representatives of the Eastern European breed became larger their relatives, and the enormous work carried out on selecting and mixing the blood of the best led to an increase in the versatility of shepherd dogs.

It is worth noting an interesting feature of East European Shepherds - if they have strength and speed of reaction, aggression with proper training, they can nevertheless easily learn to be sensitive and caring guides. Which only adds to the number of fans of this breed.

Shepherd dogs in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904−1905. served as delivery men sanitary medical supplies and communications.

The East European Shepherd is unpretentious and can live both in an apartment and in a private house with a large plot. True, due to its large size, keeping a dog in the house is still preferable. She needs a spacious enclosure with a warm kennel for her pet; it is recommended to let the dog into the house during severe frosts. Separately, we note that you need to make a decision about the dog’s place of residence immediately; if the puppy was raised in a house and then moved to an enclosure, it will howl.

It is especially worth pointing out friendliness dogs, they are comfortable both in a large family and with a single person, even teenagers listen well, it is only important to build a relationship with the pet.

The dog needs physical activity, so even living in a house with adjacent territory will not save you from walking. You need to walk at least once a day, adding loads and working on commands.

Nutrition

Health

The average lifespan of shepherd dogs of this breed is 13−16 years.

Typical diseases, according to Soviet canine reference books, are the following ailments:

Gastric volvulus is a typical pathology of service and simply active dogs with a wide chest. During heavy physical exertion, the intestinal loop or stomach overlaps due to increased elasticity of the ligaments. The first symptoms appear as bloating and lead to the rapid development of the disease, which often ends in the death of the dog.
Arthritis - due to lagging regeneration of bone tissue, which is a disease of the joints, received this collective name.

Here is a list of diseases modern East European Shepherd is more extensive:

rickets;
dysplasia;
injuries to tendons, muscles and ligaments on the paws;
enteritis.

Care

Caring for a shepherd is classic and consists of combing the coat with a comb and combing out the undercoat during the shedding period. Combing produces a massage effect, which has a good effect on the general condition of the dog, so experts insist on the regularity of this procedure. You should bathe your dog 2 to 5 times a year, more often only if necessary. Claws are trimmed as they grow approximately once every 3 weeks. It is important to examine your ears, eyes, and teeth daily and clean them to prevent disease.

Periodically it is necessary to treat the dog's fur with flea preparations, especially in May - June. Don't forget about anthelmintic drugs. If you have serious symptoms or a sharp deterioration in your health, you should definitely contact your veterinarian.

Training

Before describing the features of training a shepherd dog, it is worth telling a little about its character. The East European Shepherd is true and a brave dog with an exceptional mind. Therefore, dogs respond well to training. If the owner cannot devote time to raising a pet, then it is better to send it to a professional trainer in a kennel. In other cases, it is much better to raise and train the dog yourself.

There are no particular difficulties in training; you can watch relevant videos from nurseries and conduct regular classes. It is important not only to teach the shepherd the basic commands, but also to educate it so that it does not damage furniture, jump on its owner, or dirty shoes.

Before purchasing an East European Shepherd puppy, you should clearly define what the dog is for. There are three possible option:

Price of puppies

The price of an East European Shepherd puppy with a pedigree starts from 15,000 rubles. You can buy it 2-3 times cheaper without a pedigree.

When choosing a puppy, you need to pay attention to its behavior. If the baby is active, runs around a lot, wants to play with others and bullies them, then most likely he will grow up to be a brave and smart dog. But you shouldn’t take a lethargic, timid or passive puppy, no matter what its cost and other external characteristics.

It is better to choose a puppy not in the market, where they are unlikely to provide a pedigree, but in kennels with a good reputation, specializing in raising and training dogs. In addition, you can reserve puppies of a certain manufacturer at the nursery.

Differences East European Shepherd from German:

the former have a larger build;
the German breed proved to be a guard or a shepherd, but the Eastern European breed is a wonderful friend and sensitive companion;
the East European Shepherd, thanks to its developed intelligence, is able to make decisions based on the situation, but the German is good at learned manifestations;
the East European Shepherd is immensely devoted to a person, they are ready to face bullets if there is a person there who needs their help;
There are also clear differences in the breed description indicators between the “Germans” and the East European Shepherd.

A pet raised with love will become a wonderful friend and a true protector.

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

Origin story

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

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

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

Breed characteristics

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

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

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

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

Differences with German

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

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

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

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

Standards

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vices

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

Disadvantages that can affect a dog's health:

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

Defects that lead to disqualification of a dog:

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

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

Breeding

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

Prices

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

Raising a puppy

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

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

Training

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

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

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

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

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

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

Character

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

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

Breed today

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

Many dog lovers are sure that the East European Shepherd and the German Shepherd are not simply related by blood, but are also the same breed. In fact, there is some truth in this. The East European Shepherd (VEO) is the result of breeding work to improve the German Shepherd. It was isolated as an independent breed on the territory of the former USSR.

In many countries the outstanding working qualities of the “German” were highly appreciated. However, after the end of the First World War, everything that had German roots was renamed and modified. This wave also affected dog breeding. Soviet cynologists achieved great success in developing a new breed, since the young state was in dire need of strong working dogs.

History of the breed

So, how did the East European Shepherd appear in our country? The nursery "Red Star" began its work in the capital in 1924. The specialists of this institution were given the goal of creating a new breed of dog based on the German Shepherd. Since funding for this activity was limited and did not allow the purchase of breeding animals for foreign currency, the work of breeders was rather slow and unproductive, although the individuals obtained after a few years were highly appreciated by specialists.

An active infusion of fresh blood occurred only after the Second World War (1945). In many Soviet nurseries, including Zvezda, many German shepherds (trophy) appeared, which helped to intensify breeding work. Dog handlers planned to breed a breed that would be more massive and hardy than the “German”, and would have different behavioral reactions. I must say that they coped with the task brilliantly.

Despite the external similarity that is noticeable even to a beginner in cynology, the differences are also obvious: the East European Shepherd and the German Shepherd differ not only in behavior, external features, but also in character. After the end of World War II, it was proposed to recognize the new development of Soviet cynologists as an independent breed and call it the East European Shepherd Dog.

The first standard was adopted in 1964, and 12 years later (1976) an amended and expanded standard was recognized. With the collapse of the USSR, many of the state's achievements were criticized. This policy also affected dog breeding. At someone's instigation, the East European Shepherd dog became associated with Stalin's repressions.

Largely in connection with this, in 1991 the international canine community recognized the German Shepherd, which received an international standard according to the FCI, and VEO found itself in an illegal position. Moreover, attempts have been made to completely eliminate this magnificent breed. Its representatives were excluded from cynological associations and clubs and were not allowed to attend exhibitions as outbred animals. Only thanks to the efforts of true enthusiasts and connoisseurs, for whom the East European Shepherd Dog was very dear, was it possible to preserve the breed.

Today, many dog handlers are confident that it was this black streak in the history of the breed that made a positive contribution to its development: random people whose interest was associated solely with making a profit left breeding forever.

Development of the breed

The emergence of the Russian Association of Breeding Kennels in 1991 was a response to persecution of the breed in the international canine community. Eight years later (1999), the Pedigree Book of VEO matings was established. The breed was still actively developing - priority was given not only to the exterior of the animals, but also to the development of unique service qualities of the animals.

The activities of activists in breeding the breed led to the fact that the East European Shepherd Dog was preserved as a breed, the number of livestock slowly but surely increased. Gradually, these dogs began to be recognized by cynological organizations in our country. And finally, in 2002, the East European Shepherd Dog was recognized as an independent breed of the RKF. The breed standard was approved, and the well-deserved honor and respect was returned to her.

Representatives of this wonderful breed created the image of a person’s faithful friend in cinema, beloved in Russia. Remember the four-legged heroes of the films “Faithful Ruslan”, “Border Dog Scarlet”, “Come to me, Mukhtar!”

East European Shepherd: description

This is a larger and more powerful animal: the height of males at the withers reaches 76 cm, females - 72 cm. The frame is massive, while the physique is not rough, characterized by a noticeable elongation of the body. Its length is on average ten centimeters greater than the height at the withers. The animal is distinguished by dry and prominent muscles. Gender is easy to determine by appearance: males are more massive and larger than females.

Head

Proportional to the body: massive and moderately long. It is shaped like a slightly pointed wedge. The transition from forehead to muzzle is not too pronounced. At the same time, it is clearly visible. The dark-colored lips fit tightly to the jaw. The nose is always black. The ears are shaped like an isosceles triangle, set high and erect. Almond-shaped eyes can be either dark or light. The photo of the East European Shepherd located below allows you to appreciate the look of the animal - confident and intelligent.

Torso

The neck is muscular and strong. The chest is oval, wide, and the stomach is tucked. The East European Shepherd has a straight and strong back, which is one of the main features that distinguishes it from the “German”. The saber-shaped tail is dropped just below the hock joint (when at rest).

Limbs

The front ones are muscular, located at an angle, which provides freedom of movement. The hindquarters are straight, set parallel, the hock joints are well defined and fairly dry. The paws are rounded, collected into a dense rounded ball, the toes are removed. The characteristic gait is a creeping trot, with a powerful drive of the hind limbs.

Coat

The wool is quite hard to the touch, lying tightly to the skin. It is longer on the outer side of the thighs and forearms, and on other parts of the body it is of medium length. The undercoat is dense and well developed.

Color

The color of the coat is slightly different from the “German” East European Shepherd. The following colors are allowed by the standard:

black with a darker mask on a light background. It ranges from fawn to light gray;
saddle cloth;
Zone colors are less desirable - gray and red.

Black East European Shepherd is allowed by the standard. However, it is quite rare.

Character

The East European Shepherd is completely focused on its owner. She, without hesitation for a second, would give her life for him. He is distrustful of strangers, but having very strong nerves and a balanced psyche, he does not show his strength and aggression unless absolutely necessary. At the same time, the animal has lightning-fast reactions in dangerous situations.

The dog is obedient, does not try to dominate and shows independence. The East European Shepherd, whose characteristics indicate the extraordinary strength of the animal, will never offend smaller pets. If a puppy grew up surrounded by cats, dogs, hamsters, then having become a strong and big dog, he is not easy friends with them, but also takes care of his friends very touchingly.

A dog of this breed is very friendly by nature, but it shows this quality only when surrounded by family and when there is no sign of danger. She has such a strongly developed instinct of protector and guard that any suspicion of a threat to her beloved owner or his property puts the calm and peaceful dog on full alert.

The East European Shepherd is naturally endowed with a very good and flexible character. This is a faithful and devoted friend who is cheerful and active. These dogs love children, can play with them for hours and will never hurt them, even by accident. But future owners need to remember that this magnificent genetic heritage must be supported by proper upbringing. If this is not done, the dog will not match the characteristics and behavior of the VEO.

Difference between German and East European Shepherd

Although today the VEO is not recognized by the International Canine Federation, considering it only a variety of the German Shepherd, it has many characteristic features. The main differences between the two popular shepherd breeds are as follows:

VEO is taller and larger than the Germans:
the back is straight, the withers are slightly higher than the sacrum;
the Eastern Shepherd has a wider chest;
sweeping movements, with a powerful supporting push;
various colors: VEO often has a light background;
By nature, Eastern Shepherds are calm and serious, “Germans” are playful and more active;
VEO is a universal service dog, suitable for service, and “Germans” are increasingly becoming human companions.

Education and training

From the first months of an animal’s life, it is necessary to develop the magnificent natural inclinations that the East European Shepherd is endowed with. Puppies must learn to understand their owner. To develop initial obedience skills, classes with the baby are conducted for at least fifteen minutes a day. At a very young age, a dog cannot exercise for hours; some babies have difficulty concentrating on following commands for more than five minutes. In this case, the total training time is divided: for example, five minutes in the morning, afternoon and evening.

At first, the main stimulator for the development of reflexes is a treat. After executing the command, treat the puppy with a piece of his favorite food, and soon you will notice that the reflex of executing the command has developed, and the baby will carry it out automatically.

Classes from three months of age

From the age of three months, a puppy can be taught unquestioning obedience during walks. There are a lot of extraneous noises and distractions on the street: someone screaming, a running cat, a car horn. Against this background, your little friend must learn to follow his master's commands.

From four months

At this age, you can teach your dog how to overcome barriers. In addition, you need to start teaching the “Fetch!” command, do scent tests, letting your pet search for hidden things by smell.

Five months

Training in service qualities, if the owner, of course, has a need for it. As a rule, this exercise is carried out with the participation of people unfamiliar to the animal. The dog is given the task of guarding some things, chasing, and then detaining the intruder.

It should be noted that most East European Shepherds have these skills at the genetic level, for this reason training is usually easy. In such training-games, it is important to create favorable conditions for the puppy so that he can achieve victory. Otherwise, he may develop self-doubt.

This breed is quite unpretentious: it only needs traditional hygiene procedures for dogs, serious physical activity and feeding with high-quality food. You can keep such a pet either in an enclosure in the yard or in an apartment, although the rather impressive size of the animal does not always allow using the second option.

The East European Shepherd is bathed no more than twice a year. Regular brushing is enough to ensure that your pet always looks clean and well-groomed. This is a kind of massage that significantly improves blood circulation, which, in turn, affects the quality of the coat, so you should not ignore this procedure.

Don't forget to take care of your four-legged friend's teeth, eyes and ears. When the dog is healthy, there is no need for daily care. But once every two weeks it is necessary to clean the dog’s ears from excess wax with a dry cloth. From time to time, the animal needs to brush its teeth to remove plaque, which leads to the formation of tartar. This is especially important for show animals, since the condition of the teeth significantly affects the final score of the judges.

If discharge appears from the eyes, remove it with a cotton swab moistened with boiled water. It is necessary to periodically treat the dog's fur against fleas, especially in May-June, and then in October. You should regularly give your pet anthelmintic drugs.

Where to buy a purebred puppy?

We talked about the fact that quite recently the East European Shepherd was actually exterminated as a breed. In this regard, puppies sold (especially in poultry markets) are often not purebred. Often, future owners, not understanding the difference between two very similar breeds of shepherd dogs, acquire a “German” or, worse, a half-breed.

Therefore, if you want to purchase a real East European Shepherd, contact specialized kennels where you can trace the pedigree of the dogs and study the records of all litters and matings.

Puppy cost

It depends on the availability of RKF documents. The minimum price is 15 thousand rubles. Puppies with show prospects are more expensive. The price is significantly influenced by the presence of famous ancestors in the pedigrees, their awards at exhibitions, and service achievements. A price of three thousand rubles or more should alert the buyer: either the puppy’s parents do not have a pedigree, or they are offering you a mixed breed.