Whoever has heard of the bred dogs in the world has definitely heard about the German Shepherd. German Shepherd is that breed of dog that is usually recognized by its tan and black coat, long snout, and pointy ears. They are not only courageous, active, loyal, and alert, which makes them great to be a security dog, but they are also fantastic cuddle buddies because of the soft side that people often fail to notice.
As familiar as the German Shepherd breed is to us, how many of us have heard of any other species of Shepherd- say, the East European Shepherd? Not many, right? Maybe people in eastern Europe or Russia have heard about the breed but have yet to hear from people worldwide. And this is nothing but a shame for all dog lovers since East European Shepherds are brave, loyal, and beautiful dogs, just like their German cousins.
However, one significant difference between the two is that the East European Shepherd is bred more for working capabilities than for being a pet, unlike the German Shepherds. It is still possible to get them home as a pet, but there are a few things one will always have to be on the lookout for.
Here in this article, you will not only discover some facts about the unheard East European Shepherds but will also go through some significant differences there are between the German and Eastern Shepherds.
Significant Differences Between an East European and a German Shepherd
| German Shepherd | East European Shepherd | |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches | 21 to 28 inches |
| Temperament | Loyal, Confident, Protective, and Intelligent | More aggressive than German Shepherds and rest of the characteristics are same or even better |
| Health | Average | Above average |
| Price | More than $1000 | More than $1500 |
| Weight | 65 to 90 pounds | 80 to 110 pounds |
| Energy | Very high | Extraordinarily high |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
Origin of Breeds
German Shepherds
The German Shepherd, also known in Germany as Deutscher Schaferhund, comes from a well-known line of dogs that were used for herding. It was in the 19th century that a cavalry officer by the name of Max Von Stephanitz made it his life’s mission to create an ultimate herding dog that would be better than any working dog on Earth. By breeding the best of dogs together, he then created the breed of German Shepherd that we all love and adore today.
Not only did the German Shepherd prove to be an excellent herding dog with extraordinary working capabilities, but he was also proving to be a very protective and loyal breed. This is the reason why German Shepherds are a very popular choice of canine for varied police and military services worldwide.
The breed mainly gained popularity in the 20th century after American soldiers brought the dog back with them after the war. From there, this breed starred in movies like Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart. This led to the dog becoming extremely recognizable and its demand in America boomed.
The East European Shepherd, on the other hand, was a result of years of hard work by the USSR professionals. They were developed after it was decided how German Shepherds were unsuitable to cope with the cold weather of the allied countries. Hence, the East European Shepherds were bred to withstand any climate by mixing the breeds of German, Laikas, and Caucasian Shepherds.
East European Shepherd
It was in the early 20th century that the Soviet military, who had then just started using German Shepherds, realized that the breed could not survive extremely cold weather conditions in Russia. They did not just operate poorly but even died in such weather conditions. Considering the requirement, a VEO breeding program then took place in Belarus, where the aim was to breed Shepherds who can survive cold weather conditions. The state sponsored this breeding effort and was led by none other than the Soviet military. The dogs, hence bred, eventually spread worldwide, especially in other parts of the Soviet Union.
Also Read: Cane Corso German Shepherd Mix
Under this VEO breeding program in the 1930s, the German Shepherds were crossbred with Ovcharkas, East Siberian Laikas, and other dogs. Laikas were tested because they were known to be the best dogs in terms of surviving extreme weather conditions. Mastiff/Molosser dogs were used to add strength, protection drive, and size into the breed. The Soviets also wanted the species to be able to survive not just cold but hot weather, too, so as to live in southern parts of Russia.
This breed was primarily used in guard work, military, and police. They were even called the Soviet military favorites. Even today, many of these are used by the Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Russian militaries.
People still choose German Shepherds when there is a requirement for a smaller dog that humans can carry. For example, for guard work, security dogs, etc. However, people trust only the East European Shepherds for more responsible duties like border patrol, police, or personal protection. As popular as these dogs are across the Soviet countries, they are known to be equally rare in other parts of Eastern Europe.
Today, this breed is recognized by all significant dog authorities, such as FCI, UKU, BCU, and more. However, since the species is still very rare in North America, it is not yet recognized by AKC (American Kennel Club) or CKC (Canadian Kennel Club).
Appearance
German Shepherds
German Shepherds are more enormous in size since they have longer bodies than East European Shepherds. As we have mentioned earlier, all Shepherd breeds also tend to have a sloped back, and German Shepherds have it too. East European Shepherd is the only breed with a much straighter topline. Moreover, the German Shepherds have a much larger set of bones which is why they weigh heavier than the German Shepherds.
With East European Shepherds having more angular and larger heads, German Shepherds tend to have rounder ones. Some even say that the European Shepherd’s head resembles a wolf’s head. There is not much difference between the two differences when it comes to coating length or density since either one can have a longer or shorter coat. Even with the color of their skin, the differences are minimal, and they can inherit any of the ordinary shepherds’ colors, from white and solid black to black and tan. However, German Shepherds usually have lighter colors.
East European Shepherds
While many might say that the East European Shepherd looks a lot like the German Shepherd, it is still much more prominent in size and even built heavier than the latter. The East European Shepherd has bright and inquisitive brown eyes, a denser coat than the German Shepherds, and large erect ears that it usually holds high. This dense coat of fur gifted with a soft undercoat helps this canine breed to withstand the extreme cold weather.
They have a straight back paired with a big muscular body that is slanted slightly towards the dog’s tail which is also fluffy and longer than a German Shepherd. An Eastern Shepherd’s belly is all tucked up and has a moderately deep chest. Its feel is well padded and oval in shape, while its legs are strong and straight. You will probably get a wolfish vibe from an Eastern Shepherd because of his intense stare and unwavering gaze. It is way more like a wolf only since it’s more alert than most animals on the planet.
The East European Shepherd has a long muzzle with large teeth making up a powerful jaw along with scissors bite. It also has a rounded forehead, and the standard colors of this breed are solid black, tan with black mask, sable gray, sable red, or black and red. Sable red is relatively uncommon for the species since it has not been encountered much by humankind. The Russian KGB considers the solid black to be their favorite amongst all others since it adds up well to the military. The tan color is usually never just tan but accompanied by a bit of a blackish mix.
Temperament
One major difference between a German Shepherd’s and an East European Shepherd’s personality is how the latter is happier doing a job while the German Shepherds stand to be more appropriate to make a pet. It could be because of the purpose of breeding for European Shepherds, which was strictly herding and protection. Since the European breed was introduced to the world, people have been domesticating more German Shepherds and putting more European Shepherds on the field. This means that if you want a working dog, your better choice would be an East European Shepherd. Whereas a German Shepherd would make a better family dog, a German Shepherd is the right way to go if you are only looking for a companion.
German Shepherds
German Shepherds are much less aggressive (if appropriately trained) and are not as protective as European Shepherds. This trait also makes a German Shepherd focus less on its owner, and it does not give priority to its caregiver’s security. He is instead less intense and more relaxed with the family. These are just the qualities that prove his capabilities as a perfect family dog.
The remaining traits of the breeds are mostly the same: they both make excellent guard dogs with enough training and can act as a family watchdog if taught to do so. They are both not fond of strangers, and even after they have gotten to know somebody, they can act repellent toward them. They are only affectionate towards their owner. They are both fun when welcomed into a family and can be excellent cuddle buddies.
Also Read: Short Haired Vs. Long-Haired German Shepherd: What’s The Difference?
East European Shepherds
You can use many words to describe your lovely East European Shepherd’s temperament, from versatile to loyal and from hardy to playful. Although this breed is intelligent enough to survive on its own, it still needs somebody who can be the responsible owner and bring out the best in it, especially when a big dog like an East European Shepherd can quickly lose control when it does not have someone looking after it.
This dog has undoubtedly made its name in history, having worked for the military, slight dogs for the blind, and even in the search and rescue team for police. As devoted and intelligent as this breed is, it can be absolutely loving towards its owner but at the same time equally wary towards other people. Because of this very quality of the species, it is always suggested to adopt them as a puppy, so they get the time to be introduced to people so as to understand acceptable behavior from a dog towards people.
An East European Shepherd is highly confident and perfect for cold weather. Even though they have a wolf-like appearance and can impose a statue when fully grown, they always remain the small puppies in their owner’s eyes. You will never need security again with them to guard your home, family, vehicles, and even any other pets you may have. Speaking of other pets, an East European gets along well with other dogs but has a hard time with a cat unless you make them grow together.
So, in conclusion, East European Shepherds are magnificent and beautiful animals with unique looks. They will not bother you with their unsteady temperament, and you will never have to deal with their aggression. You will only want more of them once you get one.
Exercise
It is an easy guess as to who requires more exercise, given that you already know which of the two breeds is more active and workaholic and which one of them is calmer. Yes, the European Shepherd needs more exercise compared to a German Shepherd’s exercise requirements.
German Shepherds
You can say that a German Shepherd, on average, needs about 60 minutes of exercise in a day, while a European Shepherd will require about 90 minutes of physical activity. Any physical activity will not be good enough for the European Shepherd because he needs something that can get his brain ticking, so you should look for more interactive activities. While the East European Shepherd will hop around throughout the day, the German Shepherd prefers to take a nap.
You should definitely not mistake a German Shepherd as not requiring any physical exercise whatsoever because it does. However, if your energetic family requires a canine that can keep up with all its energy, a European Shepherd would be the right way to go. If you are okay with a dog who is most active but takes its time to enjoy the off-switch, you can also search for a German Shepherd.
East European Shepherds
You will always notice your East European Shepherd being active since they demand a lot of exercise, and you will probably have to take yours outside for a walk at least twice a day. Since the breed thrives on working, it will respond well to training if you do it like a respected and responsible owner. Even at home, your East European Shepherd will be very fun to have around because of its playful nature, and you can always include it in your family game time too. However, you will have to look out for its boisterous nature when it may unintentionally knock out some of your family members with its exuberance.
The East European Shepherd also makes a great running buddy; who knows, you will start working out better with this dog. It will happily lope along your side in the park without bothering you even a bit. In fact, no one else will bother you, too, since these dogs always have their protective gaze on.
You will even have fun getting them to participate in dog intelligence competitions where they have to follow commands and prove their obedience and agility to their owner. They love using their intelligence for such competitions. You better prepare an acreage or a yarn for this breed since living indoors in a home can seem to confine to this breed.
Healthcare
German Shepherds
The German Shepherd comparatively has a shorter lifespan than the European Shepherd. While an East European Shepherd lives a life of about 10-12 years, a German Shepherd is limited to 10 years of age. This is mainly because the breeding of European shepherds is believed to be more stringent, and hence the health concerns are taken care of.
However, the East European Shepherd still has a rare problem of Hip Dysplasia. But with a much straighter back, he is less prone to develop the issue, while the German Shepherd has increased risks of the same because of its sloping back. The German Shepherds breeders are now getting more aware of this problem and are trying their best to pick this trait out of the breed.
Degenerative Myelopathy is yet another problem common with both breeds, and it is known to be a condition that affects both the spine and brain that can even lead to loss of mobility.
East European Shepherds
We can not deny the fact that all dog breeds have some health issues to deal with, and when it comes to East European Shepherds, they are considered very healthy. While they were bred, it was imagined that they do have an angular back which they do. This specification has consequently led to varied joint and hip problems which apparently all German Shepherds have anyway. Even though all large dogs are believed to have joint and hip problems, German Shepherds are said to be most prone to these issues. This is mainly because all German Shepherds today have extraordinarily angulated backs, or you can also say roached backs. With American and German Shepherds, it is the most common problem.
This angular back has even led many Shepherds to face difficulty performing a vigorous activity or working for more than a set number of hours. These facts are ironically not applied to the Czech and DDR German Shepherds since they have comparatively better toplines, more like the VEO. Please note that the VEO breed is bred primarily for its working abilities and hence has taken care of this angular back problem since the beginning. It helps with the dog’s performance in various sectors, and the dogs lead a healthy life too.
East European Shepherd dog: Breed Information
Since East European Shepherd is a rarer breed of the two, we have here some more information on the breed.
What exactly is an Eastern Shepherd? The name already gives a lot about it. You may have probably figured that they are a different version of your favorite dog- a German Shepherd.
East European Shepherds are known for their protective behavior and alert expression. The breed was first developed in the 1930s to overcome the hip and joint problems that German Shepherds were prone to and to cope with the colder climates that most dogs were incapable of. They are usually eager to please their owner and are believed to be very obedient, so you will not have to tire yourself repeating commands during their training.
East European Shepherds make great security dogs as they are fearless when it comes to protecting the family they are living with. They also have a vigilant nature that makes them make noise every time they notice an intruder entering their owner’s property. For East European Shepherds, it is essential to be adopted as a puppy since that gives them time to socialize with children and other small animals. Otherwise, they tend to be scared of children and strangers.
Although they can adjust to any environment or situation you make them, it is better if they go into a home with a lawn where they can prowl and exercise. These dogs make great careers as part of search and rescue teams or police dogs since they love having a job where they get to work tirelessly. However, that is not their only nature since they make excellent companions to snuggle.
How to maintain an East European Shepherd?
If someone else can bear dog hair all over your house, an East European Shepherd might, after all, not be a good choice for you. Since they have a denser coat than many paired with a soft coat underneath, they require brushing more frequently than others. Twice a week is usually enough to keep the fur in a healthy condition.
You do not at least need to worry about bathing your East European Shepherd very often since doing it frequently can ruin the natural oils they have in coats meant for their protection from the cold. Using mild dog shampoo while bathing is strongly recommended for the best results.
As the East European Shepherd gets enormous in size, you better get used to its nails getting clipped, ears being wiped out, and also its teeth getting brushed every once in a while. It will be easier if the dog gets used to all of this while it is still a puppy since you definitely do not want to deal with a 100-pound dog who can grow to be wary.
Rest assured, an East European Shepherd proves to be a lovely companion for a family, and it will live as a happy canine with you as long as its working requirements are fulfilled, like probably watching over your property at night.
Diet requirements of an East European Shepherd
These are a few points to take note of for East European Shepherd pups:
- Between the age of 8 to 12 weeks, East European Shepherds need at least four meals a day.
- For one aged between 3-6 months, the frequency of meals should be 3 in a day.
- As they grow older than six months, you can get it down to 2 meals a day.
- The bigger they get, the less they require; hence, one bowl is more than enough for a year-old East European Shepherd.
However, you must remember that these eating rules only apply to some Eastern Shepherds, and your pup might need more food than mentioned over here. For example, a year-old puppy could easily demand more than one bowl a day, and you should not restrain from giving him that.
For the choice of food, you can opt for good-quality dry dog food for your East European Shepherd. Mix it with canned food, broth, or simply water, and serve. Your East European pup might also like cottage cheese, vegetables, fruits, or cooked eggs, but these foods should account for at most 10 percent of their total diet. It is better if you go for high-quality branded dog food for your East European pup since they require more nutrients to fulfill their working tendencies.
You should also dial down on feeding people food to your East European Shepherd since overfeeding of that can lead to obesity, finicky food choices, teeth and bone problems, or vitamin and mineral imbalances in the pup’s body. Also, make sure to clean your dog’s water and food dishes as often as possible. On that account, remember to provide enough clean water to your pup at all times.
Also Read: 5-Month-Old German Shepherd: A Detailed Guide
Are East European Shepherds generally Aggressive?
Never mistake an East European Shepherd’s capability to be aggressive, but it is good that they do not usually show it unless someone provokes them. Since this breed grows hugely wary of strangers, they will not let go of a threat, especially when facing an intruder.
Some people have also claimed that East European Shepherds are not good with kids, but this still needs to be debated among society. We all know how many breeds of dogs have been accused of the same thing and have apparently turned out to be perfect companions to the families they joined. Failure or success of this hence depends entirely on an individual dog’s character and personality.
However, if you have a young child in the family, it is advised not to adopt this breed unless they have grown up together at a very young age. Small kids tend to play with dogs in all the weird ways, and an East European Shepherd absolutely hates being pulled about. It may also snap at those tiny hands if it is pushed too far by the kid. Let us not forget that the true purpose of breeding an East European Shepherd is its working capabilities and not exactly to make a good family dog. They still, however, manage to do both if adopted at a young age and given enough time to socialize with kids and strangers.
Always keep in mind that an East European Shepherd thrives highly on a prey drive which will make them go after small animals even if it is another family pet. To prevent that, again, allow your pup some time to socialize well with other animals too.
All these traits can somehow be controlled to an extent if given proper dog training. Although socializing is necessary for all breeds of dogs, it is highly essential for an East European Shepherd for it to be welcomed into a family peacefully.
Cost
The cost of owning either of these breeds is quite high. A good quality German Shepherd pup from a reputable breeder will cost around $1000. Even the upkeep of a German Shepherd can be pricey, as they need good quality food to thrive.
Eastern European Shepherds tend to be even more expensive, costing anywhere around $1200 to even more. This is mostly due to the fact that they are not native to the US and need to be imported. Also, note that many breeders of this breed sell them with the point of view of selling a working dog, not a pet. So, you may want to have a conversation accordingly. However, if you are only looking for an active dog, you will be able to buy one easily.
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