home Adviсe How to determine the breed of European Shepherd. East European Shepherd dog. East European Shepherd: how long do they live and how to ensure longevity

How to determine the breed of European Shepherd. East European Shepherd dog. East European Shepherd: how long do they live and how to ensure longevity

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 their appearance.

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

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

The neck is strong and muscular.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The coat is hard and lies tightly to the skin. 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 the difference between “Germans” and “Easterners”, and they buy a “German”, thinking that it is a VEO, or they buy a half-breed. In a word, if you really want to buy an “Eastern Dog,” then you need to contact specialized nurseries that trace the pedigree of dogs and keep strict records of all matings and litters. When buying a shepherd dog from an advertisement or on the market, it is difficult to obtain reliable information about its origin.

For interested people, it will not be a problem to visit a special breed 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 and above they say that the puppy’s parents do not have a pedigree. In this case, there is also a chance to buy a good dog with all the typical characteristics of the breed, but this is already a risk, since you can buy a mixed breed or not a VEO, but a German shepherd. Therefore, if the choice of an “Eastern” is important for you, then it is better to spend more money, but get guarantees of the thoroughbred of your friend.

Photo of the East European Shepherd breed

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Old Russian films often featured large, powerful white-gray dogs with an expressive muzzle. Most often, four-legged actors played the roles of border or police dogs, brave and smart, who could handle any criminal. In reality, this is how it was: East European Shepherds not only stood guard at the border of the USSR and looked for thieves and murderers, but also guarded manufacturing enterprises, acted as guides for the blind, and lived in the families of ordinary citizens. The breed was so popular and recognizable that even children knew the shepherd dog, and the breed was surrounded by an aura of respect.

In the thirties of the last century, in the context of the need to toughly fight crime and protect the state border along the entire perimeter of the USSR, the task was set to create a new, domestic breed of dogs. It was supposed to become universal and multifaceted and work successfully in various climatic zones: from the Far North to the southern deserts. They decided to take the German shepherd as a basis, and by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs had a varied and heterogeneous, but numerous population of German shepherds of the Eastern European type.

The war destroyed a huge number of breeding animals However, several purebred breeding animals of the desired type, exported there at the beginning of the war, survived in the Urals. Already in 1946, at a Moscow dog show, the attention of experts was drawn to the large, bright and beautiful male Ingul. Matings with him produced puppies that were very similar to him, that is, he was surprisingly prepotent and passed on his characteristics to almost all the puppies in the litter.

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

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

After the start of perestroika, in the nineties, the breed experienced times of extermination; it was banned in many kennel clubs. The efforts of enthusiasts from Moscow and St. Petersburg, where the best representatives of the breed remained, only ten years later bore little fruit and the breed began to revive. Today, the population of East European Shepherds, although not of the same type, is gradually coming to a single standard, showing its best qualities.

Main differences from the German Shepherd

The East European Shepherd is very different from the German Shepherd, so much so that typical representatives of the breed cannot be confused with each other. These are two completely different breeds, possessing not only different anatomical features, but also different mental properties.

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

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

Height and weight of the animal. VEO is much larger, the minimum height of a female is 62 centimeters, the desired height is not lower than 65 centimeters. The maximum height of a German female is no higher than 60 centimeters.

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

Head size and shape. The skull, the fullness and length of the muzzle, the shape and color of the eyes are completely different in anatomical structure.
Animal build. VEO has less pronounced limb angles, a steeper pastern, a higher neck extension, a straight back line, and a shorter tail.
Pigment or coat color. Most East European Shepherds have light fawn, gray or off-white tan. The German Shepherd has paws of all shades of red, with a more saturated color being encouraged.
Coat. German Shepherds have a more elegant covering coat that is longer, especially on the neck and hind legs.
Movements. The famous trailing trot of the German Shepherd is inaccessible to VEO due to a different body structure.
Behavior. The prudence and calmness of the East European Shepherd is strikingly different from the fiery temperament of the German Shepherd.

Appearance, standard and photographs

Male East European Shepherds are larger than females.

The East European Shepherd gives the impression of a self-confident, proud and intelligent dog that looks at the world with philosophical calm. A large, beautiful animal above average height, with wide, powerful bones and free movements. Males are always more powerful and courageous than females and have larger heads.

The body of the animal seems slightly elongated in length, with a strong straight back, a wide, convex loin and a rounded, long croup that smoothly descends to the tail. The chest is deep, fairly wide, with rounded ribs. The neck is strong, dry, the withers are well defined.
The forelimbs are long, the shoulder blades and shoulders are muscular, the forearms are parallel to each other, straight, strong. Pasterns slightly sloping and strong. The hind legs are erect, with muscular thighs and long shins. The hock joints are clearly angulated, flat and dry. The paws are large, rounded, with large toes.
The head is massive, wedge-shaped, with pronounced cheekbones and a wide skull. The forehead is flat, the transition to the muzzle is smoothed, but noticeable. The muzzle is pointed, well filled, equal to the length of the head. The jaws are strong, the lips are dry, close fitting, scissor bite, full set of teeth. The ears are set high, medium in size and triangular in shape. The eyes are almond-shaped, obliquely set, the eyelids are dry, eye color depends on the color, dark brown or hazel eyes are preferred, light eyes are allowed in light-colored dogs.
The tail is thick, saber-shaped, in a calm state it is lowered to the hock joints, in an excited state it can be raised to the level of the back.
The coat is hard, thick, and the undercoat is well developed. The color can be black, black and tan, saddleback or zoned. In black, a small white blaze on the chest is allowed. The zonal color can be zonal gray or zonal red. Black and tan and black saddle colors always have a mask, while the tan can vary from almost white to deep brown.

The vices are: in behavior - cowardice, unbridled aggression, lethargy and indifference. In the exterior there are all sorts of deviations from the standard that interfere with the normal use of the animal in work and reduce its endurance.

East European Shepherd in the photo

Characteristics and character of the breed

The East European Shepherd is an extremely intelligent, loyal and courageous dog that can become exactly what its owner wants it to be. Dogs of this breed can guard the house or be an excellent nanny for small children, be a faithful companion and friend to a teenager and serve as eyes for a blind pensioner.

Important! They have a calm disposition, are quite patient, and get along well with any pets.

This is a truly universal dog breed in which loyalty and the desire to please the owner prevails over aggression towards strangers. You can leave children with the East European Shepherd without fear; she is careful and attentive to people who have some kind of health problems. At the same time, you can rely on a dog of this breed in an emergency. She will fearlessly meet intruders and protect her home from intrusion by uninvited guests.

The East European Shepherd matures late, Only by the age of three does the dog reach its full physical and mental development. But even during the period of puppyhood and then growing up, a pet of this breed is not inclined to show destructive tendencies, loudly express his feelings or strive to dominate family members. Of course, like many puppies, the baby can chew his favorite shoes or chew on an abandoned magazine, but he is not capable of destroying an apartment in two hours, as they can do.

Subtleties of training

The East European Shepherd is highly trainable.

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

Until the quarantine is over, the baby is carried outside in his arms, not allowed to communicate with other dogs. As soon as the quarantine is over, the baby is put on a leash and led through the streets, introducing him to the world around him. You should constantly change where you walk, go into entrances, walk along crowded streets, and travel in a car or on public transport. As a result, the adult dog will calmly and intelligently perceive any changes in the environment; it will be easy and calm to be with him in any conditions.

The East European Shepherd is trained in almost the same way as the German one, read the article on our website, as well as.

Important features of care and nutrition

The East European Shepherd can be kept both in apartment conditions and in an enclosure. The excellent adaptive abilities of dogs of this breed to any climatic conditions make them immune to cold or heat. But still, you should equip the animal’s enclosure with a canopy to protect it from the sun and precipitation, and also build an insulated booth.

Important! Caring for a dog of this breed comes down to regular brushing of the dense coat, and during periods of shedding, the pet should be brushed daily, and hygienic care of the eyes and ears.

The East European Shepherd needs regular walks, combined with physical activity in the form of jogging or cross-country, swimming and walking uphill. These exercises, as well as running in shallow water or shallow snow, perfectly strengthen the animal’s muscles and ligaments. Joint walks and activities also strengthen the friendship between the dog and the owner, which teaches both the animal and the person to understand each other at a glance.

It is necessary to feed a high-calorie and balanced diet.

A large animal that takes a long time to develop needs a high-calorie and balanced diet. The East European Shepherd can be fed natural food, but it is desirable that seventy percent of the diet consist of meat products, about twenty percent of fermented milk products and cereals, and ten percent of fish and vegetables. It is imperative to give teenagers calcium supplements after changing teeth so that the bone structure is formed correctly.

Health status and what diseases the breed is prone to

The East European Shepherd is a fairly healthy breed of dog, with an average lifespan of ten to thirteen years, but it does have some hereditary diseases and is also predisposed to certain viral and bacterial diseases.

Important!, which can only be detected by fluoroscopic examination.

Mating of an East European Shepherd should be carried out only after careful selection of pairs, since the breed is still heterogeneous and its restoration is still underway. The most common practice is hand knitting.

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

Before purchasing a puppy, you need to carefully study all offers and call nurseries that deal with this breed. It is unwise to take a puppy from random breeders without RKF or SKOR documents. Yes, the mother bitch of the puppies may look like an East European Shepherd, but not be a purebred, and the father is known only from the words of the breeder. In this case, there is a high risk of acquiring a baby with a bunch of hereditary pathologies and mental defects.

Photo. East European Shepherd puppy

If everything is in order with the documents, and the time has come to choose a puppy, then you need to ask the breeder to give the opportunity to watch the kids a little. An active, cocky little naughty dog who pesters his littermates and happily jumps on the rug will grow up to be a brave and intelligent dog. A loner who sits gloomily on the sidelines and does not want to leave his corner is most likely sick or afraid of the guest, and no matter how good he is in appearance, it is better not to take such a pet.

A good baby East European Shepherd can be purchased from the following nurseries:

In Moscow: nursery “Silver Style”, http://veo-stil.ucoz.ru, cost from 400 dollars.
In St. Petersburg: nursery “Verny Friend”, vdveo.ru, price from 450 dollars.
In Yekaterinburg: nursery “My Pride”, https://vk.com/club90267003, cost from 400 dollars.

How to name a pet

The pride of domestic dog breeding, the East European Shepherd dog, must have a sonorous, proud nickname. It is most appropriate to name a pet with a name synonymous with the words “courage”, “courage”, “strength”, you can use the names of great rivers and elements as a nickname.

For a male dog. Typhoon, Nord, North, Lord, Corsair, Genghis, Akbar, Icarus, Yary, Dnepr, Leader.
For a bitch. Kama, Blizzard, Vesta, Utah, Anthea, Darina, Thunderstorm, Storm, Normandy, Medea.

The owner of a four-legged pet is always interested in how correctly his pupil is developing. Therefore, the question of how old a dog of this breed grows is not idle. Every owner also needs to know how many grams a puppy should gain monthly and how many centimeters it should grow. The pet's parameters must match the average.

How old do East European Shepherds grow?

The East European Shepherd grows most actively during the first year of life. The dog’s appearance changes, its proportions are formed, it matures and gains body weight. The animal also grows in height. Moreover, from the very first days, male dogs differ from girls of the same age - they are larger, more powerful.

Until seven or eight months, the most noticeable thing is how their height and weight increase. A table of animal growth during different periods of life will help you analyze whether this process is happening correctly in your pet. It shows the weight of the VEO puppy by month.

At 1 year old, the dog already looks quite grown up. She acquires the weight of an adult VEO, which should not change for the rest of her life.

Deviations of parameters indicate physiological changes in the body. In bitches this happens during pregnancy, feeding puppies, and childbirth. Sometimes a slight decrease in weight is observed due to ignored estrus.

Height and weight are the main indicators of puppy development

Important! After spaying and neutering, pets may begin to gain excessive weight. There are known cases of obesity after surgery.

If the weight of the East European Shepherd changes without an objective reason, this indicates:

disease;
incorrect content.

However, even after a year, East European Shepherds are still growing, as the body is being formed. They become adults at 2 years old. Some individuals grow up to 3 years, enlarging their chest.

VEO height and weight chart

Age (in months)	Height at the withers of a male dog (cm)	Height at the withers of the bitch (cm)	Weight (kg)
1	23-27	23-25	3-5
2	35-38	33-36	8-10
3	43-47	41-46	12-15
4	50-55	48-53	15-20
5	55-60	55-57	20-25
6	60-65	57-65	25-30
7	65-68	65-66	30-35
8	68-70	66-67	35-40
9	68-73	66-68	35-40
10-12	68-75	66-69	35-40

Changes also occur in other parameters of the shepherd dog.

Table of growth dynamics of the lengths of the body, front legs and head

Age (in months)	Oblique body length (cm)	Chest (cm)	Front paw length (cm)	Pastern girth (cm)	Head length(cm)	Muzzle length (cm)
1	25-30	36-45	11-16	8-10	12-15	3-4
2	37-44	47-55	18-25	10-12	16-19	8-10
3	47-54	55-62	24-30	11-12,5	19,5-22	12-14
4	55-62	60-69	28-34	11,5-13	22-25	15-18
5	61-66	65-74	31-36	12-13,5	24-27	20-23
6	64-71	69-78	33-38	12-14	25-28	25-28
7	66-73	71-81	34-39	12-14	26-29	30-33
8	68-75	74-83	34,5-39,5	12-14	26,5-29,5	35-43
9	71-76	75-85	35-40	12-14	27-30	35-43
10	72-77	75-86	35-40	12-14	27-30	35-43
11	72-77	78-88	35-40	12-14	27-30	35-43
12	72-78	80-89	35-40	12-14	27-30	35-43

The table shows that the completion of the formation of different parts of the body of a dog of this breed occurs at different periods of life.

VEO puppy development by months

To be sure that your pet’s health is in perfect order, you need to keep a diary from birth in which you note the weight and growth of the East European Shepherd by month. The parameters will be normal if they do not differ greatly from the average weight accepted by the standards. The growth of the East European Shepherd is also monitored.

Weight and height of the East European Shepherd at birth

The birth weight of puppies depends on many reasons:

number of heads in the litter;
parental genetics;
age of the whelping bitch;
her health status (weight norm);
maintenance (feeding, exercise) of a mated dog.

In a multiple litter, there are puppies that are small, less than 400 g, or very large, weighing more than half a kilogram. And this despite the fact that a newborn shepherd cub should weigh 400-500 g according to standards.

Boys are smaller than girls at birth - this is not something to be afraid of. But they quickly catch up with their sisters, and then completely overtake them.

Knowing how much the puppy’s mother weighs and how much the father meets the standards, we can assume whether their offspring will be large or small.

Small differences from the average figures are acceptable.

One month

During the first weeks, the kitten grows very actively. 30 days after birth, the height of the withers becomes 23-27 centimeters. Veo weighs from three to five kilograms at this age.

At the age of one month, puppies still need their mother's milk

At one month of age, small puppies gain weight faster than large ones, although they do not always catch up with them. But often even those who were smaller than standard at birth reach average parameters. During the first 4 weeks, the kitten increases its body weight by 6-8 times or more.

The monthly weight gain should be about 3-5 kg, and the height should increase by 2 cm. Cubs that weigh more than 5 kg per month subsequently grow into damp, loose dogs.

At the age of a month and a half, an East European Shepherd puppy looks like a small bear cub with rather short legs and an egg-shaped body. The hanging ears make him look like a cute soft toy.

Shepherd dogs are born toothless. By 4 weeks they already have both upper and lower canines.

Two month

At this time, the skeleton is actively being formed. The two-month-old puppy is trying to raise his ears, but the cartilage is still soft. The incisors should appear - the pet is trying everything around “by tooth”.

2 months - the period when baby incisors appear

Its weight reaches 8-10 kg - this is 20 more than at birth and 2 times more than at the beginning of the previous month. But due to their disproportionately short legs, the cubs still look like toys.

Three months

Starting from 2 months, the puppy's milk teeth are replaced with permanent ones. The holds fall out first, then the middle ones.

Over the past two months, the pet has increased its weight by 3-4 times, and since birth - by 30 times. A three-month-old puppy weighs from 12 to 15 kg. The length of the front legs has also tripled. Now he doesn’t seem like a clumsy bear cub - he’s already a small dog, although due to the fact that his ears are poorly held in a standing position, he looks like a defenseless and cute little kitten.

At three months, the ears may rise and then fall again - this is due to the growth of teeth

Four months

At this time, puppies are still changing their baby teeth. At four months, many Shepherd dogs develop their first molar from below.
The four-month-old puppy continues to actively gain weight. She already reaches 15-20 kg. The height at the withers has also doubled compared to a month-old kitten.

The dog's ears, paws, and tail grow rapidly. Therefore, the pet often carries its tail, lowering it low to the ground. Most ears stand up well. The final period for “ears to stand up” is six months.

The joints on the paws are large, very prominent, and seem disproportionate compared to the body.

At 3.5-4 months, “Eastern Europeans” begin their first molt. The soft puppy fur is replaced by a tougher, “adult” one.

At the age of 4 months, intensive growth of the limbs is observed

Five months

After the fourth month of life, the shepherd's growth is a little slower than before. All parts of the body are formed and become more proportional. A five-month-old East European Shepherd reaches a weight of 20-25 kg.

Her milk teeth continue to be replaced by permanent ones, and molars appear - from 1 to 3 pieces.

Five months is the time when the first molars appear

Six to eight months

During this period, the pet grows very slowly and changes little. His ears should be saddle-backed and not roll over to one side, and his paws should be proportional to his slightly inclined body. Outwardly, a six-month-old teenager completely resembles an adult.

All the baby teeth have already been replaced by permanent ones, and all the molars have grown in.

Some individuals show signs of puberty at six months: males mark their territory, and females may begin their first heat.

Important! You shouldn’t follow nature’s lead at this time: early matings have a negative impact on the health of the animals and will stop their further development.

At the age of 6-8 months the body becomes more proportional

Nine to twelve months

The teenager's paws and head are already fully formed. The muzzle is no longer growing. In appearance, this is already a full-fledged dog.

However, it is impossible to say that the animal has grown. Slowly and almost imperceptibly, the shepherd continues to grow and take shape. Some individuals notice a slight increase in height at the withers.

By the age of one year, the shepherd's growth in height stops

One or two years

The shepherd has acquired its permanent color since the shedding is complete. There are no changes to the main parameters.

But it still continues to develop. Without significantly gaining weight, the dog grows “in breadth”: the chest increases, the muscles become stronger.

After a year, the shepherd's weight increases due to muscle gain

Two years and older

Finally, the owner can calm down: his pet has become quite an adult. The countdown has begun. From the age of one and a half years, shepherd dogs notice abrasion of their teeth: first the toes, then the incisors, then the canines.

Video: the process of growing up an East European Shepherd puppy

The ancestor of the East European Shepherd is the German Shepherd, brought to Russia in the 20s of the 20th century. Over the time that has passed since then (which is approximately 70 years) through the process of selection, the East European Shepherd has acquired its own distinctive character traits and appearance, unlike its fellow German. There was a period in the history of the VEO breed when they completely disappeared from cynological kennels, and German Shepherds came in their place.

Currently, there is a trend towards increasing interest in this breed. This unpretentious, reliable service breed has been proven to serve people for years. VEOs are distinguished by their enormous efficiency and are perfectly adapted to the climatic conditions of Russia.
The East European Shepherd is very loyal to one owner with all his heart. They are smart, brave, efficient, courageous and resilient. They are very easy to train, as they have enormous canine intelligence. Dogs of this breed can adapt to almost any situation and circumstances. They love children very much. VEO needs daily long walks and physical activity.

History of the breed

The history of the origin of the East European Shepherd developed at the beginning of the 20th century. The homeland of this breed is Russia. The purpose for which a number of Soviet breeders created this dog was in the ranks of the army and the national economy.

Even before the Great Patriotic War, the need arose in the USSR to create a dog that would be able to serve in various climatic conditions of a huge country.

The prototype for VEO was the German Shepherd. As a result of competent selection of pairs, long-term selection, taking into account the climate conditions of the country, Soviet scientists bred a new breed of “domestic” dog.

It is as follows: they are taller, larger, harmoniously athletic, with a balanced nervous system and, finally, good health.

The VEO population grew from year to year. During the Second World War, dogs of this breed made an invaluable contribution to the course of military operations.

In 1976, the BEO standard was introduced. But VEO did not exist as an independent breed. It remained a variety of German Shepherd.

During the collapse of the USSR, there was a decline in the popularity of the “domestic” shepherd dog. The general crossing of the German Shepherd and VEO began. But female East European Shepherds gave birth to puppies that looked like themselves, and not like the much-coveted German Shepherd. Such incest played to the benefit of VEO. A number of transformations took place: the soft back and “high rear” disappeared, the structure of the limbs improved. But despite this, the attitude of breeders was generally skeptical towards this breed. And the East European Shepherd breed was on the verge of complete extinction.

Thanks to the brave lovers of this breed, it was possible to preserve its existence. In 1991, the VEO Association of Breeding Nurseries arose in Moscow. And in 1999, the General (unified) pedigree book of VEO matings appeared. The largest population of dogs of this breed was in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Officially, the VEO standard was adopted by the Russian Canine Service in 2002.

Breed standard

Height. Well defined, moderately long withers, which slightly exceed the height at the rump. For males, from 66 cm to 76 cm. For females, from 62 cm to 72 cm.

Weight. Males weigh from 35 to 60 kg. Females weigh from 30 to 50 kg.

VEO's temperament is characterized by self-confidence, balance, a pronounced active-defensive reaction, and distrust of strangers.

Color. Black, black with a slightly lightened mask.

In VEO, the head is approximately 40% of the height at the withers, it is proportional to the body, with rounded cheekbones, and massive. The forehead is rounded. Wedge-shaped muzzle. The lower jaw is well developed. Straight bridge of the nose, slightly hump. The pigmentation of the nose is black.

Scissor-shaped, large teeth (42 in number).

The length of the body at the withers is 15% greater. Wide, long, strong back. Moderately tucked stomach. Saber-shaped tail.

Limbs. The fore and hind limbs are straight and parallel. Muscular, slanted shoulders. Plumbly set, straight forearms. Elbows strictly directed back. Springy, strong, moderately long pasterns, located at a 20-degree angle. Hind legs moderately extended. Muscular, wide, sloping hips. Unobtrusive, rounded knees. Dry hocks. Set vertically, strong metatarsus. The pads and claws on the paws are dark in color.

Wool. The undercoat is well developed. Straight guard hair, medium length, tight, hard.

Disadvantages of the breed: even minor deviations from the standard are considered unacceptable.

Maintenance and care

This breed of dogs is distinguished by the fact that they can live in any conditions, i.e. house, apartment, enclosure. The main thing is that VEO has its own place. It should be located so that the pet does not disturb anyone, and nothing interferes with it. There must be bedding - soft, easy to clean. If the dog will live outdoors, then a booth should be built. Which needs to be insulated. Lay bedding according to the season. If, in addition to the booth, an aviary is planned, then it should be approximately 9 to 11 square meters. meters.

Bowls for drinking and food should be different. A tripod is used under the bowls so that the dog eats and drinks without bending over, otherwise problems with appearance will arise in the future.

Required equipment: everyday leash up to 2 meters; everyday collar: flea collar; choke collar; iron and leather muzzle; leash for ; harness

For pastime and fun: many, many toys.

Try to keep your dog clean. Pay attention to her, not only in terms of communication, but also maintain the animal’s hygiene. Wash VEO as needed - 1-2 times a year. In summer, let her swim in ponds, this is very useful for strengthening ligaments. It is recommended to deworm an adult dog in spring and summer. It is also necessary to pay great attention to caring for your dog’s teeth - cleaning and giving him special “treats” from pet stores to chew on.

Feeding.

It's no secret that proper, balanced nutrition is the key to a healthy, strong dog. And VEO is a large dog and the process of raising and feeding is not an easy task.

The basis of the basics is food of animal origin (offal, animal meat, cottage cheese, fish, eggs, milk). Serve everything raw, fresh and of high quality. The dog's diet must include such substances as: proteins, water, fiber, carbohydrates, fats, microelements, vitamins.

Feed at the same time;

Thick consistency and warm food;

Maintain a state of rest after eating for 2 hours;

Clean and fresh water at any time of the day or night.

P.S. 2 programs about VEO

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 of 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 temperature with heavy rainfall 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 must 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.

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