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The East European Shepherd Dog is a noble breed of dog, the brainchild of Soviet breeders. The main idea of creating the breed was to create such a dog for military service, which would be hardy, feel comfortable in difficult climatic conditions. East European Shepherd Dogs are also bred as guide dogs, guardians of the territory. Calm disposition and endurance allow these dogs to be excellent friends of man - they are faithful, adequate.

Photo of an East European Shepherd Dog | dreamtime.com

Brief description of the breed East European Shepherd Dog

The appearance of dogs of the East European Shepherd breed has long been known to ordinary people since the times of the USSR, since they are often filmed in films and TV shows (“Come to me, Mukhtar!”, “Border Dog Scarlet”, etc.). These dogs have, as a rule, a characteristic black-backed color (black-gray, black-fawn), less often - black. The muscles of the dogs are strong, their head is massive (according to the complexion), the neck is muscular. They are distinguished by a rather wide elongated back and pelvis. The loin is slightly inclined towards the tail, which has a saber shape. The East European Shepherd Dog has muscular shoulders and hips, as well as long, straight forelimbs and a drawn back hindquarters. The coat of dogs of this breed is hard, elongated on the back and hips and shortened on the ears, paws, muzzle. The growth of males is 66-76 cm, females - 62-72 cm, female individuals in appearance and muscles are much smaller than the opposite sex. The weight of males is about 35-60 kg, females - 30-50 kg.

basic information

Breed name:	East European Shepherd
Country of origin:	USSR
The time of the birth of the breed:	1964
Type of:	companion dog
The weight:	30 – 60 kg
Height (height at the withers):	62 - 76 cm
Life Expectancy:	13 - 14 years old
ICF classification:	not recognized
Puppies price:	100 – 700 $
Most popular nicknames:	List of nicknames for the East European Shepherd

Assessment of breed characteristics

Adaptability (a definition meaning how easily a dog can adapt to changes in life)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Shedding level (Level and frequency of hair loss in the animal)	🐶🐶🐶
Tenderness level (The level and amount of tenderness and affection that the dog gives in return for attention to itself)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Exercise needs (Dog's daytime activity level)	🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
Social need (The required number of contacts of the dog with other animals, as well as people)	🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
Apartment content (A factor that determines the level of noise and other inconveniences that a dog can deliver to owners in relation to the size of the apartment to the size of the dog)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Grooming (The number of bathing, brushing, and the number of professional grooming sessions required for the dog)	🐶🐶🐶
Friendliness in an unfamiliar environment (Features of the behavior of a dog in a society with strangers or in an unfamiliar environment)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Tendency to bark (Tendency to bark and its frequency and volume)	🐶🐶🐶
Health issues (Potential health status of the dog)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Territoriality (The dog's tendency to protect his home, yard, or even his owner's car)	🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
Friendliness to cats (The tendency towards tolerance for cats and decreased manifestation of hunting instincts)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Intelligence (The ability of the dog to think and solve emerging difficulties (not to be confused with learning!)	🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
Education and training (The level of difficulty in training the dog to perform certain actions)	🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
Friendliness to children (A factor that determines how friendly a dog is to children, whether he likes to play with them and tolerate some childish pranks)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Game activity (The concept is determined by its very name, and, as a rule, is found in almost all dogs)	🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
Observation (The ability of a dog to detect the presence of a stranger on its territory)	🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
Friendliness to other dogs (The tendency of the dog to find common language with his other relatives)	🐶🐶🐶

East European Shepherd photo:

The history of the origin of the East European Shepherd breed

It is not for nothing that the East European Shepherd is confused with the German Shepherd, since these two breeds are inextricably linked with each other. Since the mid-20s of the 20th century, they began to import into the territory of the USSR german shepherds, distinguished by a balanced character, capable of carrying out commands even from a stranger. Such qualities of German shepherds were determined by their obedience in the process of training. It is not surprising that such dogs were ideal for guard and border service, detective. Since the 1930s, active work has been carried out to develop a new breedsadapted to the climatic conditions of the Union, but retaining the best qualities of German Shepherds. The first breed standard was approved in 1964 by the Kennel Council of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture. The breed is recognized by the Russian Cynological Federation (RKF), the International Union of Cynological Clubs (UCI), the International Cynological Union (ISS), but has not yet been recognized by the International Cynological Federation (like some other breeds bred in our country).

Character of the East European Shepherd Dog

With proper training, East European Shepherds are good-natured towards their family members. They are playful, obedient and very intelligent. However, shepherd dogs are wary and unfriendly to strangers and people who seem suspicious to them. They are excellent watchmen of the territories entrusted to them, protect the house and their owners. These dogs are tolerant of other animals. It seems that East European Shepherds are endowed with a special intelligence, so much intelligence and self-esteem in their eyes.

As a rule, those people who have dealt with dogs are such breeds, never forget them. These dogs are smart, obedient, kind. The given human warmth always remains in their memory. Despite their loyalty, East European Shepherds still have one leader for themselves, whom they always love selflessly.

East European Shepherds are distinguished by balanced decisions, they are rarely subject to instincts, the analysis of ongoing actions and the degree of seriousness of what is happening come to the fore. Pets living with a dog of this breed are not subjected to hunting and cruel treatment by the East European Shepherd Dog. These dogs are not uncontrollable machines for attacks on all living things. But on occasion, they are always ready to attack.

Maintenance and care

The East European Shepherd does not require special care, you should bathe the dog as it gets dirty, about 5-6 times a year. In this case, you should use shampoos that will not harm the animal, that is, from a pet store. It is desirable to comb out at least 2 times a week, which implies the presence of special brushes. East European Shepherds can be kept both in the apartment and on the street. In the latter case, the owner must provide the dog with warm housing, exclude the possibility of colds and hypothermia. These dogs even at a respectable age, they are quite playful and mobile, so they do not miss the opportunity to run and frolic with the owner. They should be provided with toys, as well as the possibility of a daily (at least twice) promenade.

Training and training of dogs of the East European Shepherd breed

East European Shepherd Dogs are well trained and obedient. Their main advantage in training is that they perceive the commands of not only a person close to them, but also an outsider. As a rule, trained dogs strictly follow the orders given to them. It is these qualities that have made them so attractive as working dogs. Always at the forefront of the East European Shepherd Dogs is the task, and only then their own ambitions come into play.

It is advisable to teach the dog elementary commands from an early age, which will allow her to become disciplined and obedient. Training sessions should be daily (at least an hour). They must pass on special platforms where dog can turn around. As a rule, encouragement and coercion are used as methods forcing the East European Shepherd to perform the tasks of the owner. Trained dogs listen to the words of a person throughout their lives.

Health and disease

As a rule, at a young age, East European Shepherds are quite strong. Timely vaccination against distemper, enteritis and rabies is necessary not only for animals of this breed, but also for others. East European Shepherds are in fairly good health, but the most common diseases they have are gastric volvulus and arthritis (arthrosis).

If the animal behaves uneasily, its stomach is enlarged, the front and hind legs fail, there are prerequisites for vomiting, then the owner has every reason to suspect that the animal has stomach volvulus. You should immediately contact your veterinarian for help, as inaction will inevitably lead to the death of the dog. Inversion of the stomach requires immediate surgical intervention by a doctor.

Arthritis or arthrosis in East European Shepherds often occurs in old age. The development of the disease is affected by overweight of the animal. The owner should be attentive to the dog, which has become indifferent. The changed gait of the animal, limping should alert the owner. It is worth remembering that the treatment of joints most often consists in relieving pain, while it is sometimes impossible to cure the disease.

Treatment and prevention of fleas and worms in East European Shepherds is a prerequisite for their maintenance. Bloodsuckers not only annoy the dog, but also threaten the development of serious diseases. The nutrition of these dogs must be balanced. To do this, you should choose a diet that will include useful substances and minerals. East European Shepherds are very fond of natural food, they eat dairy and meat products with pleasure. In no case should you overfeed the dog, give it indigestible foods (bones, especially sharp ones). In cases where the dog eats ready-made dry food, you should especially carefully monitor the presence of clean water in its bowl. One-time feeding can lead to stomach volvulus and other digestive problems.

Some interesting facts

These dogs have repeatedly proved their superiority over other brothers during filming. They are perfectly adapted to the plot of the film, which makes them so attractive as actors. Obedience and the ability to overcome difficulties are the main trump cards of the East European Shepherd Dogs.
From myself I would like to add one very sad fact, which proves the devotion and intelligence of these dogs. My father passed away in the early morning of May 19, 2005 - his heart suddenly stopped. Waiting for an ambulance and an absolutely strange state, when you realize that absolutely nothing can be done, and the realization of grief has not yet come, caught me and my family members by surprise. At that time, Jerry, a faithful friend of the East European Shepherd breed, lived in the family since 1993. The surprising fact is that literally a couple of minutes after the death of the pope, he began to howl so much that it became simply creepy. Before that, he had never noticed anything like this - neither the noise of trains, nor sirens, nor fireworks caused Jerry to worry and howl. It is worth noting that it was the father who was the dog's favorite, his dog obeyed unquestioningly. Literally immediately after the death of dad, our friend lost interest in life, it was visible to the naked eye. Neither delicious food nor good attitude could not support the dog. Jerry fell seriously ill and soon died, but this East European Shepherd will forever remain in the memory and heart. Clever, kind and devoted, this dog seemed to become for me a model of friendship between an animal and a person.