East European (VEO) Shepherd: breed characteristics, description, care. Dog age. East European Shepherd: how long do European Shepherds live?

For many dog ​​lovers, the East European Shepherd dog is associated with the German Shepherd, and some are sure that they are the same breed. There is some truth to this, since VEOs actually originated from German Shepherds and were bred as a separate breed in the USSR in order to adapt the German Shepherd to the harsh Russian climate.

For many dog ​​lovers, the East European Shepherd dog is associated with the German Shepherd, and some are sure that this is the same breed

The German Shepherd was valued for its unique qualities in many countries of the world, including Russia, but due to the negative attitude of most people towards everything German after the war, the breed had to be renamed and modified several times. Since the Soviet Union was in dire need of hardy service dogs, dog handlers worked hard to develop such a breed.

In the 20s of the last century, the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel was created in the capital, where they bred this breed of shepherd dogs. But funding was insufficient, it was not possible to purchase German shepherds, and work on the East European Shepherd dragged on. Only after the end of the Great Patriotic War did a sufficient number of German shepherds appear in the kennels, which made it possible to resume work.

The main task of the dog handlers was to breed a powerful, hardy and easily trained dog that would be superior to its ancestor. And soon this problem was solved. There are still similarities in appearance between German and Far Eastern Shepherds, but the new breed has acquired a different character. VEO became a truly universal dog, easily adapting to both the southern Asian climate and the harsh Siberian frosts.

After the war, the new breed of shepherd dog was officially recognized and named a patriot dog for its heroism during the Second World War. During the war, East European Shepherds carried out important assignments, searched for mines, and later served on the border, were rescuers, searched for explosives and protected people and territory. More than 60,000 dogs of this breed were involved in hostilities, and a bronze monument was erected to a front-line dog of this breed on Poklonnaya Hill in the capital.

For many years, the East European Shepherd was a subspecies of the German one and was not recognized as an independent breed. After the collapse of the USSR, a turning point came for dogs of this breed; many of the dogs’ exploits and merits were forgotten. They tried to eliminate them completely, excluding them from specialized clubs and exhibitions. They stopped breeding VEOs, recognizing them as mongrel dogs, and tried to completely exterminate them. True lovers of this breed continued to breed puppies illegally in private nurseries, despite the prohibitions. They continued to be trained and develop new service qualities.

The “black” period in the history of this breed ended at the beginning of the 21st century, when East European Shepherds were officially recognized by the dog handlers organization as an independent breed.

Gallery: East European Shepherd (25 photos)

East European Shepherd (video)

Characteristics of the appearance of the East European Shepherd

VEOs are large dogs. Their height is above average, males at the withers can reach 70 cm, and females - 65 cm. The body is muscular, but despite the strong bones, it is not coarse, the body is slightly stretched. Males are easy to distinguish from females, as they are much more massive and muscular.

The head is proportional to the body, slightly elongated and shaped like a sharp wedge. The lips fit tightly to the jaw, the eyes are almond-shaped, black or brown, and set slightly askew.

The jaw is well developed, the neck is muscular. The stomach is tucked, the chest is oval, and the back is strong. The tail is saber-shaped and lowered when at rest.

The fur fits tightly to the skin. It is quite tough and the undercoat is very thick. As a rule, East European Shepherds are saddle-back colored. Dogs are also black in color with a dark mask on a light gray or fawn background.

VEOs differ from their ancestors, German Shepherds, by having a wider chest, sweeping movements, and a calm and less playful character. “Easterns” also differ slightly from “Germans” in color and large build. German Shepherds are more often used as a companion, when, as VEOs, they are universal and are excellent for performing any kind of service.

Characteristics of VEO

The main character feature of the East European Shepherd is its selfless devotion and trust in its owner. She is ready to sacrifice her life for him at any moment and completely obeys his instructions. The dog treats strangers with a certain degree of distrust, but without a good reason he will never rush or show aggression, since the dog is balanced and restrained. Despite this, in an emergency situation, thanks to its lightning-fast reaction, it instantly enters into combat with an ill-wisher.

She gives in very easily and is always ready to follow the owner’s commands. Does not try to take a leadership position and place himself above the owner. VEOs are very obedient, submissive and never show their independence. Dogs get along well with other pets, including miniature ones. They will never hurt or offend them.

East European Shepherds, who grew up from puppyhood next to any pet (including a cat), will not only make friends with it, but will also protect and protect it in every possible way in the future. This breed of dog is very peaceful and sincerely loves the entire family of its owner, but in case of any attempt on his territory or on the owner himself, he will immediately come to their defense.

All about the breed (video)

Training and raising a dog

Dogs of this breed have excellent natural abilities that need to be developed from puppyhood, namely from the first months of life. First, you need to establish contact so that the owner and the dog learn to understand each other perfectly. It is necessary to instill basic obedience skills and devote about 10-15 minutes to classes. in a day. If the puppy initially cannot concentrate his attention for 15 minutes, then the training sessions should be divided into 3 sessions per day, 5 minutes each. each.

As soon as the shepherd reaches 3 months of age, it needs to begin to be trained during walks. It is necessary to teach the puppy not to be distracted by extraneous sounds while executing commands and to focus solely on fulfilling the owner’s task.

After another 1 month, you can begin active training of the VEO puppy and teach him to overcome obstacles and search for hidden objects by smell. If desired, a 5-month-old puppy can begin to develop special service qualities. During this, she must guard the objects entrusted to her and, if they are stolen, pursue the thief and rush at him. You can involve people unfamiliar to the dog for training, but only the owner should control it. An experienced owner will very quickly teach his pet these commands, since East European Shepherds are quite easy to train. During such tasks, it is important to give in to the puppy if necessary and make sure that he always defeats his imaginary opponent. If this rule is not followed, the dog will grow up insecure.

Features of keeping and caring for the East European Shepherd

Dogs of this breed are quite unpretentious in their maintenance, but they need to be provided with daily exercise in the fresh air and a balanced diet. VEOs are equally well suited for keeping in a small apartment and a country cottage, but the dog will be more comfortable in the countryside due to its considerable size.

It is necessary to decide in advance where the dog will live; it is not advisable to constantly transport the shepherd from the apartment to the dacha. Having become accustomed to a city apartment, the dog will not be able to get along in an enclosure outside the city and will whine, asking to be returned.

An East European Shepherd should be bathed no more than 2 times a year. It is advisable to do this only when absolutely necessary. To make your dog look beautiful and well-groomed, he needs to be brushed daily. The combing procedure will also serve as a light massage for your pet and improve blood circulation.

The teeth, ears and eyes of the “Eastern” require constant care. Once every 2 weeks, be sure to clean your dog’s ears with a dry cotton swab. It is worth paying attention to cleaning your teeth from plaque, which can lead to the formation of tartar, which only a veterinarian can remove. It is advisable not to clean your eyes unless necessary, but if discharge appears, you should immediately remove it with a cotton swab.

It is advisable to treat your dog for fleas, preferably 2 times a year - in the middle and end of spring. At this time, fleas are most active.

• Height at withers: Male 66-76 cm, female – 62-72 cm
• Weight: Male – 35-50 kg, female – 35-45 kg
• Color: Black and black with mask and lightened background. Zone red and zone gray are acceptable, but not considered desirable.
• Lifespan: 12 - 15 years
• Other names: eastern, VEO, East European shepherd

Advantages and disadvantages

• Ideal yard guard
• Well trained
• Hardy
• Has a high rate of socialization

• Sheds profusely
• Prone to joint diseases
• Requires proper training of a service dog

Description of the breed

The East European Shepherd, which outwardly resembles the old-type German one, is the result of long-term breeding of German shepherds that came to the territory of the Soviet Union, behind the Iron Curtain. The breeders themselves claim that the Germans were mixed with Great Danes, Caucasians, Laikas and other breeds that were available at Krasnaya Zvezda. However, such features of the breed as larger size, characteristic color and a more balanced character could have been introduced not only by crossbreeding, but also by long-term selection of dogs in the right direction.

The modern Oriental is an excellent working dog, large, without exaggerated features. She has powerful jaws, a balanced character and high abilities for all types of service. There are no distinct varieties in the breed, but there are dogs with specific service qualities depending on the specialization of the kennels that breed them. The universal Oriental is a dog that works as protection and obedience, used in rescuing people on the water and in the mountains, in searching for drugs and weapons, and in border service. In the absence of such serious work, Easterners willingly learn various tricks and agility, and quickly master frisbee, waitpulling or canicross.

For those who are thinking about purchasing an East European Shepherd, it is important to consider the availability of free time and the desire to exercise with their dog. Deprived of proper stress on the muscles and brain, the Easterner realizes his activity in various bad habits and his ingenuity in this is always impressive. Like all service dogs, Orientals are happy to please their owner and can move mountains for the sake of communication and praise. It is important to teach children how to properly handle a dog from childhood. This feature increases the owner’s responsibility for his dog and its upbringing.

Children are VEO's best friends. Dogs treat them very carefully, understanding that a child is a fragile protective creature, and adore joint games. True, puppies and young dogs should communicate with small children exclusively under the supervision of adults, since they do not know how to calculate strength and can drop or injure the baby. It is important to teach children from childhood how to properly handle a dog without causing it pain.

Breed standard East European Shepherd

The characteristics of Orientals, established by the breed standard, make it possible to evaluate the strength, endurance and temperament of these dogs, whose main job has always been a variety of police and military service.

Large stature, impressive strong bones without signs of coarseness, dense thick hair with pronounced seasonal shedding, dry prominent muscles, pronounced sexual type - all this makes the Oriental a reliable and hardy working dog. Dogs of this breed are quite elongated (their elongation index is 110-117, that is, the length of the body is 10-17 percent greater than the height at the withers), moderately bony (the bony index is 18-19) and moderately long-legged (the high-legged index ranges from 50 to 53).

The VEO standard explicitly states that they should not be loyal to all people. Attentiveness and distrust of strangers is a characteristic feature of the breed. Signs of dampness, any pigmentation disorders (brown nose, light eyes, white spots), as well as bites other than scissors and incomplete teeth are undesirable.

There are two types of the breed - strong and strong dry. There is no preference for any of them. However, dampness, tenderness or coarseness of build are serious faults, as is the absence of a sexual type.

Character and characteristics of the East European Shepherd

The wool of the Easterners is their reliable protection from any weather and temperature changes. Its length depends on the conditions of keeping the dog and the climate zone. The spring shedding of VEO is very abundant, because during it the dog sheds its warm winter coat, which contains a lot of undercoat, and changes into a summer coat, in which awns and close hair predominate. At this time, the dog needs combing, which is best done using a furminator.

Orientals feel great when kept outdoors. Raising puppies and young dogs in an apartment leads to the development of rickets and mental disorders. The age at which a female dog should be transferred to a free-range enclosure is 1-1.5 months. Early socialization and the beginning of basic skills training in the kennel allows puppies to quickly fit into their new family.

Despite the fact that zonular colors are classified as undesirable by the standard, breeders willingly use these dogs for breeding, since this allows them to maintain a high level of pigmentation in the stock and, in addition, the zonular stock has a high working potential. It would seem that black VEOs would be more suitable for this. However, the black color in the breed is unique among dogs, as it is recessive. This gene is found only in a few breeds of shepherd dogs and, by its nature, is not capable of improving the pigment of black-backed dogs.

The Vostochnik is a dog of late formation. It acquires its final appearance at 3 years of age. At the same time, the formation of her character is completed. Dogs of this breed are among the serious acquisitions, as they have considerable weight and speed. The future owner must be sure that he can keep his dog on a leash during the occasional lunge toward another dog or person.

Care and maintenance of the East European Shepherd

Depending on where your orientalist will live - in the yard or in the apartment, you need to equip a convenient place for him. Convenience should be mutual - for the dog, the place will become its own inviolable territory for many years, so its location should not interfere with the residents of the apartment.

You will need a bed in the apartment. The place for it should be quiet and secluded, not dark, not damp, not located in a draft. The best material for a bed is a coarse cloth folded in several layers and stitched, an old camel blanket quilted in several layers, or a mat. It will be difficult and uninteresting for a puppy to chew on such rugs and they will last longer. Faux fur is also a good option, however, you need to make sure that its material is not electrified, otherwise the dog simply will not sleep on it. The ideal material for the booth is a thick board. In regions with cold winters, the booth is insulated with foam plastic or fiber mats; in the winter, a thick mat or rubber is nailed to the entrance to prevent snow from getting inside the booth.

Those who have purchased a breeding bitch must take care in advance of where she and the puppies will be kept. Pregnancy and childbirth should occur in comfort for the dog and owners. The optimal place for raising offspring is a puppy mill. In its absence, you need to prepare a place for the bitch in an insulated garage, summer kitchen or shed. In the summer, your bitch can and should give birth outside; in cold weather, the maternity ward will need to be set up in a house or an outbuilding with heating, which is turned on as soon as the temperature outside drops below -5°C. The litter in the puppy house is usually straw or hay. As an option, you can use sawdust from wood that has not undergone chemical treatment.

Feeding the East European Shepherd

VEO is a breed that was bred as an unpretentious and efficient dog. Therefore, feeding these dogs usually does not cause any problems for owners. The only thing I would like to warn against is mixing dry and natural food in one bowl.

Modern canine nutritionists recognize that the best diet for any dog ​​is meat. We are not talking about tenderloin; beef trimmings, offal, tripe, fish, dairy products, horse meat with the addition of rice or other cereals that your dog tolerates well, as well as vegetables and fruits are much more suitable for dogs. The meat is given raw, gradually increasing the size of the piece so that the dog cannot swallow it whole and learns to use its teeth and paws. If the origin of the meat is not credible, it is scalded with boiling water. The fish is boiled and must be combined with sources of B vitamins (for example, brewer's yeast). In winter, vegetable oil is added to the diet, one tablespoon per serving. Be sure to introduce 1 fasting day per week. This will help maintain the health of the pancreas and meet the natural needs of the dog.

The first feeding of puppies is carried out on the 21st day. By the way, only those bitches that are capable of feeding puppies up to this age on their own should be kept for breeding. Problems with milk in healthy dogs can begin over the age of 6 years; before that, a good breeder should be able to raise her puppies on her own for up to three weeks. For the first complementary feeding, milk is used (preferably goat's milk), to which 2 quail eggs are added per glass. Milk porridge with oatmeal or rice is gradually introduced. Semolina, although it gives puppies a marketable appearance, however, has a negative effect on the puppies’ pancreas, causing regular digestive problems in the future. The first complementary food can also be scraped beef with sour low-fat kefir or dry food soaked in natural yogurt.

At the age of a month, puppies are fed 2-3 times a day, and the bitch is allowed to feed them another 2-3 times. By two months, the starter food is changed to puppy food and the total number of feedings is reduced to 4-5. Gradually, the bitch is allowed to see the puppies less and less, based on the availability of milk and her general condition. New types of food are introduced into the diet gradually, monitoring the condition of the puppies’ digestive system.

By 4 months, puppies are fed 3-4 times a day. A signal to reduce the number of feedings is poor eating of daily portions. The daily volume of feed is not reduced, but the portion size is increased. At the age of 9 months, dogs are transferred to two feedings a day. This schedule is also optimal for adult dogs. The first fasting days are introduced at 6 months, half a day every week.

East European Shepherd puppies

East European Shepherd puppies are very different from adult dogs of this breed. Their ears are still soft, their faces are round, and only a competent breeder is able to make any assumptions about their working and breeding future. All future owners have a good idea of ​​what they dream of seeing their adult dog. Few of them dream of a frail creature on thin legs, vaguely reminiscent of one or several breeds at once, and huddling in horror in a booth when strangers come into the yard. Therefore, it seems very strange that people are able to buy puppies for themselves “just to be cheaper.” Those 10-15 years that you spend next to your dog can become a happy time of life for the owner or turn into a bad dream. It depends on what kind of puppy you choose.

Be sure to read the breed standard and look at the photos of the breed dogs that come with it so you can evaluate your puppy's parents.

Do not be intimidated by the breeder’s detailed questions and his doubts about your worth as an owner. Such breeders are the best friends of their owners and will help with useful advice at any time.

The presence of documents for your dog is a guarantee of its purebred behavior and pedigree behavior. No matter what they tell you at the market, when selling a puppy that looks like a shepherd, purebred breeding involves strict rules and selection. A puppy with documents has parents who have not only a pedigree, but also an exhibition grade, and have also passed a mental health test. This is the systematic work of a nursery that selects all the best dogs for breeding, taking into account their origin, health, working qualities and exterior.

If you want a working dog, don't get a puppy with poor pigmentation or white spots. In general, the best service dogs among VEOs are dogs with zonal coloring. Ask the breeder to show you the work of the mother bitch, choose the most confident puppy, and do the Campbell test with the kids.

If you dream of a family dog, feel free to take the puppy who came to you first to meet you. Puppies sitting sullenly on the sidelines may be unhealthy, distrustful of people, or simply waiting for other owners.

Training an East European Shepherd

Training an Oriental is a fascinating activity for its owner. The desire to please the owner, focus on contact with him, interest in play or food reinforcement makes VEO one of the best service breeds.

Distrust of strangers allows such dogs to be used to protect private property or departmental territories; their excellent sense of smell and balanced character - at the border, customs and as rescue dogs. Being human-oriented makes it possible to train them in the difficult profession of a guide dog.

Each Easterner is a set of innate abilities and inclinations. In order for your dog to please you not only with show results, but also with working (sports) results, it is important to start training him as early as possible.

Training to a collar and leash usually takes 1-2 days. Often the breeder's puppies already wear collars and do not worry about it. It is enough to fasten a leash to the collar and let the baby walk with it around the house or apartment until he stops noticing the “tail” trailing behind him. If the dog tries to chew on the leash, you need to distract it with a treat or game.

You can start going to the playground or individual lessons with VEO as early as 4 months. Strong obedience skills are developed by about 9 months. Protection training begins only if the dog is completely controllable.

History of the breed

Reading some breed websites, you might think that the history of the breed began at the beginning of the last century. In fact, at the indicated time, German shepherds began to arrive in Russia - reliable police army dogs of the old type. They showed unique working qualities and began to be bred for police and military service.

Since 1924, the newly created departmental kennel “Krasnaya Zvezda” began to engage in planned breeding of German shepherds. The requirements for bred dogs differed significantly from those that were imposed in the homeland of the breed. The dogs had to work in the harsh conditions of Stalin's camps and endure severe frosts and heat of Central Asia. At the same time, crossbreeding of German shepherds with local aborigines took place - in the north with huskies, in the south - with herding dogs. The dogs grew larger, their backbone increased, and malice and distrust of strangers were cultivated. At the same time, German Shepherds in Europe were developing in a completely different direction. They were required to be increasingly social, the ability not to cause inconvenience to city residents during work, contact, the ability to work with different conductors, mobility, and jumping ability. It is not surprising that after the Iron Curtain fell and cynological organizations of the former Soviet Union applied to join the FCI, it turned out that the German Shepherds existing in the USSR did not at all correspond to the German breed standard.

Many breeders at this time got rid of their old-type Germans and imported new sires from Germany. And only true enthusiasts continued to improve their favorite dogs within the new breed. In 1964, the first BEO standard was released. The dog population was divided into five groups, differing in appearance and origin. Breeders worked from St. Petersburg, Riga, Kharkov. The new breed had to be different from the German Shepherd both in appearance and in temperament.

Currently, the VEO standard is not recognized by the FCI, but the breed is bred within breed clubs. The standard is regularly revised and improved, increasingly removing the “Easterns” from the “Germans”. Specialty exhibitions are held, tests of the strength of the nervous system are carried out, and the type is improved, which should not be similar to the old-type BUT. Many modern VEOs are successfully used for work and sports.

Prices for East European Shepherd puppies

When you go to the poultry market in search of a puppy, you can find a huge selection of different “shepherd dogs”, some of which will be presented to you as VEO. Of course, for an affordable price and, of course, without documents, because “it’s very expensive, and our dad and mom have documents.” I would like to clarify the situation, which will protect potential owners from hasty decisions and unsuccessful purchases.

The cost of registering a puppy is actually very low. But it is preceded not only by obtaining a pedigree, but also by passing an examination at an exhibition, and if the dog belongs to a member of a special breed club, then by a mental examination. Market sellers, of course, don’t bother with anything like that, which they will tell you about in a rude manner if you start asking questions that are uncomfortable for them.

Therefore, take your time, visit at least 2-3 exhibitions with the participation of VEO and only then buy your dog. It is clear that you will do this already in the nursery. Prices for puppies in kennels range from $200 to $600. The low cost of dogs is due to the fact that the breed is not recognized by the FCI and cannot be exhibited abroad. But the demands that serious breeders place on pedigree producers are very high, since they understand their responsibility and want their favorite breed to be recognized. Prices for puppies can greatly depend on the territorial distance of the nursery from the capital, the breeder's expenses for mating and the title of the parents.

The East European (VEO) Shepherd is an amazing dog, with an easy-going character, excellent working qualities, physically strong, and friendly. The European Shepherd, practically unpretentious in its maintenance, will ideally fit into a young family and will be a devoted and faithful friend for its entire dog life.

It may not be suitable for everyone, as it requires good physical activity, time spent on training, a certain type of activity and, of course, love and care. For everyone who believes that the German Shepherd and VEO are identical, first of all, it is worth knowing that the German is just a descendant of the European, but not itself.

• People have been fighting for decades to improve its exterior and certain working qualities, and in the end this has led to an ideal combination that managed to unite in one animal, and thousands of people around the world instantly fell in love with these dogs.

Now there are a huge number of representatives of this breed in the world, according to statistics - it is impossible to understand the accuracy of the data, many of them do not participate in exhibitions, and some do not even register their litters.

The European Shepherd repeatedly received new names, was renamed around, received prefixes, and all because after the end of the First World War, many felt negative about the name, and tried to mention German roots as little as possible.

The best part is that it was the Soviet representatives of cynology who achieved the best and highest quality achievements; the state was in a depressing state; working dogs were needed that could make human work easier.

In 1924, a nursery was registered in the capital, which was engaged in breeding the ideal breed, based on German representatives. “Red Star” could not get enough funds to purchase individuals from Europe, there was no money, and the purchase through payment with foreign money further aggravated the whole process.

Only by the age of 45 did it become possible to infuse new, good blood. And even after the end of the war, representatives of German individuals appeared, received as trophies, which made it possible to use them to improve Soviet animals.

The main goal facing the dog handlers was to improve the bone structure, larger size, ideal working qualities, and a better character.

Eastern European shepherd beauties turned out exactly like this, they are much better in terms of performance, have an ideal character and the ability to live in any climatic conditions, which is very important for our country. Later they dispersed throughout the geographical Russian Federation, in every corner of our homeland, there is definitely a VEO.

After the end of the Second World War, they were awarded the title of heroes and defenders, they helped carry the wounded from the battlefield, warmed them, protected them, they were used as demolitions, there was a whole detachment, training took a short time, the dogs died, but made an incredible contribution.

Thousands of fighters owe their lives to them. For their merits and heroism, they received the honorary title of “patriotic dog”. People definitely wanted to have her representative in their homes.

The first description was adopted in 1964, minor changes were prescribed in 1976, breeding actively lasted until the 90s, and then significant changes occurred.

The collapse of the USSR brought dissatisfaction in various areas and fields of activity throughout the country. The dog began to evoke a direct association with Stalin, which was annoying. In 1991, representatives of German shepherds received a standard and registration with the FCI, which curtailed the rights of VEO - putting it in the position of an “illegal”.

Their rights began to be infringed, they were removed from exhibition life, mating, and some even demanded that they be completely eliminated. But fortunately, real amateurs and dog handlers filmed her license.

Regular work and constant matings did not stop, people tried to get the best qualities and preserve the existing ones, only in 2002 the RKF recognized VEO as an independent breed of dog.

Honors and awards for the Second World War were returned, fully restored in all rights, representatives began to appear in films that we still remember (To me, Mukhtar), wonderful films were shot that told about the exploits during the Second World War, everything returned to its place .

• In the main parade of the country in 1945, shepherd dogs participated along with the fighters.

Standard

The East European Shepherd is a large animal, slightly above average height, the size of males at the withers is 65 - 71 cm, females - 61 - 71 cm. They have a large, powerful bone structure, a distinctive elongation, developed muscle mass, and a drier type. Bitches, being smaller in comparison to males, differ significantly in appearance; you can identify a girl by eye.

East European Shepherds have a beautiful, proportional head, medium length, wedge-shaped. Neutral transition from forehead to muzzle, dense lips, strong jaws, medium-sized triangle ears, round, almond-shaped eyes.

• Eye color - brown. The nose, lips and eyelids are painted.
• The bite is correct, scissor-type, the jaws are strong, the canines are powerful, not a full set of teeth, two premolars are missing.
• The chest is more rounded, oval in shape. The abdomen is significantly tightened, good tone.
• The back must be straight and strong enough. The croup is a smooth transition to the tail, rounded. The shoulder blades are smooth. Shoulders are straight, not short.
• The tail is a saber, low in the resting position, but not on the stomach, hanging freely.
• The forelimbs and paws are even, straight, with pronounced muscles, movements are light and free. Dense paws, round, collected in a ball, the presence of toes for removal. Trot-type movements.
• The coat is hard, straight, fits very tightly to the skin, has a glossy sheen, the longest length is on the hip and shoulder, and the length of the coat is medium. They have a soft undercoat.
• Colors: Walnut, light gray, fawn, with the obligatory presence of a black mask on the face. Black color, maybe blue, gray-red, more in demand.

Deviations from the standard are considered:

1. Incorrect bite, jaw misalignment, incomplete set of teeth;
2. Unpainted nose, lips, eyelids, eversion of eyelids, drooping eyelids - damp;
3. Ears are irregularly shaped, drooping;
4. Short lower back, shoulder, narrow hip;
5. Restricted movements, not free type;
6. Curvature of the limbs;
7. Wrong angle;
8. Insufficiently strong skeleton;
9. Problems with color, long hair, curls of the type - curly;
10. No black mask;
11. Deviations of character and temperament: cowardice, timidity, increased aggression;
12. The Eastern European Shepherd is completely black - considered a defect of the breed. This color shouldn't exist.

Such individuals are not allowed to participate in exhibitions and breeding. If the dog has no visible physical disabilities that could affect his quality of life, this will not affect his stay in your home.

Such representatives are able to live a long and happy life, but without participating in breeding.

How does VEO differ from German?

Unfortunately, the FCI still does not recognize the VEO - as a separate breed; the European Shepherd is considered a variety of the German one, but in fact they have a number of characteristic differences, both in appearance and working qualities.

Character

East European (VEO) Shepherds have a wonderful character that can make you fall in love instantly.

The character of the East European Shepherd is an ideal combination of devotion, efficiency, love for the owner, and responsibility. They are rightfully called one of the smartest dogs. They are distinguished by devotion, emotional attachment to the owner, have a hard time with separation, are sad and may even refuse to eat for this reason.

Most dog handlers serving in internal affairs prefer VEO for family and service. She is so loyal and focused on her owner that she always tries to perfectly fulfill any assignment and earn his favor.

• Smart and exceptionally brave, distrustful of strangers, but without unnecessary aggressiveness, capable of making independent decisions, acting alone in unusual situations. Quickly responds to the threat of danger, both to itself and to its owner.

Gets along well with other animals and will not infringe on them despite the strength of its dominant character. They love little children, treat them carefully, and are ready to endure a lot.

• They are friendly, but if they see a person for the first time, they are unlikely to be allowed into the house, the owner must show that this is a friend, then they will retreat. They have the peculiarity of showing increased care towards pets, children and animals.

They cope well with the function of a protector and guard, but it is worth considering that sometimes they can regard increased attention to the owner or a bad joke as aggression and will immediately go to protect the owner.

In general, their character suits absolutely everyone, but preferences are on the side of young people, as they require certain training, physical strength and upbringing.

Dogs are ideal for families; on Poklonnaya Hill in the capital, there is a memorial, bronze dog, which reminds that during the Second World War the dog suffered serious losses in its population while saving people.

Education and training

A dog breed such as the East European Shepherd is an ideal example of obedience and speed of learning. However, this process must be started from a very early age of the puppy, that is, upon his arrival in his new home. The ideal age to start is 3 months. You can learn the simplest and most basic commands “come to me”, “paw”, “place”.

When the baby grows up, from about 5-6 months, a more specific program will be required. You can study on your own, but the best option would be to study with a specialist at the initial stage, and then independently.

Until this moment, it is important to socialize the baby, accustom him to a leash and collar, loud noise, cars, and going out to crowded places.

During training, be patient and be positive yourself. It is important to follow some recommendations in the education process:

1. Repeat the command alternating with a game or another command, the puppy may get tired of monotony and repetition;
2. Start with the very basics, gradually moving on to more complex training;
3. Do not raise your voice, do not become irritated or show aggression, and in no case use physical force or corporal punishment;
4. Be sure to praise the puppy and encourage it, this can be done either with a treat, or with a physical touch and an affectionate word, but it is better to alternate;
5. Show restraint, patience, be persistent, showing that you will not pay off until the command is carried out;
6. Pay attention to gestures, this is necessary so that the dog can receive a signal without a voice, if it is impossible to receive it - with a voice;

In professional programs conducted by dog ​​handlers, not only the dog, but also its owner is trained. If you understand and learn how to train your pet yourself, then you may not need help, but in order to know how to do this, you must initially have knowledge.

The East European Shepherd is not as difficult to care for on a daily basis as it might seem; it is enough to follow certain recommendations.

• A dog can live well both on the street and in a house or apartment. For the outdoors, you need to prepare an aviary or a warm booth. It is not recommended to chain a dog; it cannot live in such conditions.

The main feature of care is proper nutrition and maintaining hygiene procedures. It is important to give the dog enough physical activity, the ideal option is free walking without a leash in an open area, an opportunity to splash out physical and emotional energy.

Morning and evening jogging with a person, cycling, as well as going fishing and hunting are good options.

The importance of care lies in its regular use, which will significantly improve the quality of life and protect your pet from many problems.

Eastern European shepherd dogs are quite strong, but sometimes it is possible to miss the onset of the disease, which will lead to complications.

Therefore, if you notice that the dog is behaving strangely, smelled an unpleasant odor, discharge, heard a cough or visible changes in behavior, the first thing you need to do is take the temperature, or even better, immediately take it to the clinic to see a specialist.

Feeding rules

European Shepherds are not picky, but they require special nutrition that can provide essential microelements for life. The dog is active, constantly on the move, it requires increased protein and vitamins.

The most ideal way would be to feed dry food 2 times a day; it is already balanced and contains everything a dog needs.

• Adult shepherds and VEO puppies eat differently. Puppy eats 5-5 times a day, in small portions, and adults 2 times a day, in large portions. Water must always be available.

Feeding is best done before a walk; the portion should be appropriate for age and activity. The advantage of premium feed is ease of use, clear calculation of the amount of feed in grams.

You cannot feed your pet human food, it is not able to give him everything he needs. It is strictly forbidden to give:

• Tubular bones - can injure the esophagus, intestines and stomach;
• Spicy, sweets, bread, salty, peppered, fried;
• Fat meat;
• Citrus;
• Candy and any other sugar.

Some sources indicate that the dog should not be walked once after feeding, I would like to draw attention to this - this is a lie, the pet should be walked immediately after feeding.

If you feed your dog natural food, you must correctly calculate his diet, the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, plus add minerals and vitamins. Unfortunately, this can only be done by a specialist with a veterinary education, so it is recommended to contact him, or choose premium dry food - class type “Pro-plan” or “Go”.

Diseases and treatment

The life expectancy of the East European Shepherd is approximately 14 - 16 years, with proper care and a regular vaccination regimen. Much depends on nutrition and heredity; they have some predispositions:

1. The Soviet Shepherd is susceptible to diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthritis and hip dysplasia;
2. Intestinal volvulus is common in representatives of this type of breast structure, there is a rapid progression, the first sign is an enlargement of the animal, absence of feces, take it to the clinic immediately;
3. Rickets is rare, it depends more on nutrition and care, but it occurs quite often recently;
4. Viral diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, transmitted from other animals, it is important to get vaccinated during the time and exclude contacts with strangers;
5. Problems with the hip joint, as a genetic disease, are more common than other diseases.

It is not uncommon for bitches to fail to give birth, which leads to death. For this you need to breed your pet exclusively after 1.5 - 2 years, inviting a specialist to the first birth.

• The Eastern European Shepherd will feel great if you pay due attention to prevention and do not delay a visit to a specialist.

Pros and cons of the breed - table

How to choose a good VEO puppy

The characteristics of the breed give a detailed description of the breed standard, but when the puppies are small, not everyone is able to choose the right pet. The first thing to do is to choose a breeder, this could be a person from another city, now it is normal practice to send the animal to other cities.

Study the pedigree of the parents, find out about their health, and get to know the kids better. You can evaluate appearance and character. Babies move to their owners between 1.5 and 2 months; they are active, inquisitive, and should not be cowardly.

• They look like little bear cubs and have a pleasant smell. Chat with the bitch, see how she behaves, the puppy that is developmentally appropriate and seems more harmonious is not necessarily the best.

Prices

It depends on the parents’ indicators; if the baby is applying for a show career, mating, or shows promise - the cost will be calculated from these indicators. Starting price from 30 thousand rubles, maximum 70 thousand.

The East European Shepherd (also East European Shepherd, abbreviated VEO, English East European Shepherd) is a breed of dog obtained in 1930-1950 in the Soviet Union for the army, police and service in border areas.

They have also been used as guide dogs and therapy dogs. In the territory of the former USSR, East European Shepherds have become popular for their intelligence and loyalty, but outside its borders they are rare and little-known.

• This is a service breed, created for work and stress. Because of this, it is less suitable for living in an apartment, preferably a private house and a large yard. If the owner keeps the dog busy enough, he will be able to live in an apartment.

• VEOs are smart, but they only listen to those whom they consider to be higher in status than themselves.

• They are attached to one person and may completely ignore others.

• They shed a lot.

• They are not particularly suitable for families with children, as they avoid them and often do not understand them.

• They get along with other dogs, but can attack small animals.

History of the breed

The history of the East European Shepherd began long before the creation of the breed. In 1914, Serbian revolutionary Gavrilo Princip assassinates Archduke Ferdinand, ruler of Austria-Hungary.

The Russian Empire, which considered itself the elder brother of this country, came to the defense of Serbia, and its allies, including Germany, supported Austria-Hungary.

This is how the First World War begins, and, it would seem, what does shepherd dogs have to do with it? Among the new products that the Russian soldier had to deal with were dogs. , schnauzers, and shepherd dogs.

They especially stood out: fast, smart, versatile, they were used in various tasks and worried opponents a lot. The Russian troops of that time did not have specialized military dog ​​breeds, although there were quite a lot of ordinary ones.

When the Bolsheviks came to power, they began to rebuild the structure of the country and the army. Many of the military leaders of that time learned from the experience of the First World War and remembered German shepherds.

Unfortunately, these dogs were not able to work throughout the entire territory of the USSR and were not universal.

It can be cold in Germany, especially in the mountainous regions of Bavaria, where German Shepherds originated, but these cold temperatures cannot be compared with Karelia, Siberia, and Kamchatka. froze to death, and in more temperate climates they had to be warmed up every 4 hours.

In 1924, the “Red Star” nursery was created, which will breed new breeds for the Soviet Army. It is there that the Russian Terrier will later be bred, and first work on the East European Shepherd will begin. The task that was set for the kennels was difficult: to obtain a large, manageable dog, capable of working in different climates, including very cold ones.

However, the material support left much to be desired, and work really began after the end of World War II. Together with the Soviet troops, a large number of purebred German shepherds entered the country.

As a result, the basis of the East European Shepherd Dog was still the Germans, but the blood of Laikas, Central Asian Shepherds and other breeds was added to them. The authorities needed large dogs capable of guarding camps, and the new breed turned out to be larger than the classic German ones.

The first VEO standard was approved in 1964 by the Canine Council of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture. The East European Shepherd will become one of the most popular dogs among the military and other security forces, but will also find its fans among private individuals.

Together with the army, it will go to other countries of the Warsaw bloc, but will not achieve the same popularity. Interest in VEO will decrease significantly only with the collapse of the Union, when new, exotic breeds pour into the country.

Although VEO is still represented in many countries of the former USSR, the number of purebred dogs is steadily falling. For the most part, this is due to indiscriminate owners crossing them with other Shepherds.

The efforts of clubs and amateurs cannot save the situation and, although the future of VEO is still cloudless, in the distant future they may cease to exist as a purebred breed.

Description of the breed

East European Shepherds are similar to, and ordinary people cannot distinguish them from each other. Some of the obvious differences between the VEO and the German Shepherd are: larger size, thicker coat, different back line, different type of movement and fewer colors. But, since many dogs have crossed with each other and with other breeds, VEOs can vary significantly in appearance.

This is a medium-large breed, males reach 66 - 76 cm, females 62 - 72 cm. Since tall dogs look better in a show rig, they are preferred by breeders. Weight depends on the gender, age and health of the dog, but usually an adult East European Shepherd weighs between 35-60 kg for males and 30-50 kg for females.

However, they are prone to obesity and some dogs weigh significantly more. VEOs have a less inclined back line than German Shepherds and because of this they differ in the type of movement.

The head is proportional to the body, although rather large. When viewed from above, you can see that it is wedge-shaped, with a smooth but pronounced stop. The muzzle is half the length of the skull, although both are long and quite deep. Scissor bite.

The ears are medium in size, pointed and pointed forward and upward, erect. The ears of East European Shepherd puppies go up at 2 - 4-5 months. The eyes are medium in size, oval in shape, and their color is brown, amber or hazel. General impression of the dog: confidence, seriousness and hidden threat.

The coat is of medium length with a well-defined undercoat. The standard color is scoop with a mask (let's say deep) or black. Zone-gray and zone-red colors are acceptable, but not desirable.

Character

East European Shepherds are a service breed that works in the army and police, and its character corresponds to the tasks performed. This breed is known for its loyalty and devotion; they form such a strong relationship with their owner that it is almost impossible to give them away to another family.

This is definitely a one person dog that bonds with one family member and ignores others.

Although she may be affectionate with him, she is not servile. Most breeders do not recommend VEOs as family dogs, as they are not particularly affectionate with children (unless they choose a child as their owner) and some do not tolerate them well.

Although socialization helps build relationships, VEOs play with children with exactly the same intensity as they would play with adults. But, the main thing is that they cannot stand rudeness and can bite back if the limit of their patience has come to an end.

East European Shepherds are extremely suspicious of strangers. Without training and socialization, they are usually aggressive towards them, but even well-mannered ones are distrustful and aloof. If the dog is not prepared, then aggression towards humans is very likely. Moreover, these dogs need a lot of time to accept a new person in the family, for example, a spouse. Some may ignore them for years.

Despite the fact that VEOs are very sensitive, they are not the best guard dogs, as they work in silence and do not warn the owner about strangers. But they are excellent watchdogs; they will defend their territory and family until their last breath.

Only owners need to remember that they bite first and then sort themselves out. Naturally, this is an ideal bodyguard for the owner; anyone who wants to offend him must first deal with a powerful, purposeful and heavy dog.

If the East European Shepherd has been raised correctly, they get along well with other dogs, as they are designed to work in pairs or in packs. However, there are also aggressive individuals, especially males. They are characterized by dominant, possessive and same-sex aggression.

But in relation to other animals, it all depends on the character of the particular shepherd. Some attack any four-legged creature, others are not interested in them at all. They can live quietly in the same house with a cat if they grew up together and attack unfamiliar cats.

In terms of learning ability, they are excellent, how could it be otherwise if they served in the army and special services? This is one of the smartest dog breeds, there are practically no tasks that VEOs cannot cope with. But at the same time, for beginning dog breeders, raising a VEO is a difficult and thankless task.

They are dominant and will not listen to the commands of someone they consider below them on the social ladder. The owner needs to take the role of leader, and people who have not had dogs do not always know how to do this. In addition, they can ignore commands if they are not given by the owner. An experienced trainer who works with the East European Shepherd will have it perfect, although even they think it is a tough nut to crack.

Built for hard, long hours of work, this dog is active and energetic. The level of physical activity required for her is at least an hour a day, and preferably two.

Those dogs that cannot find an outlet for energy in running, playing or training find it in destructiveness, hyperactivity, even aggression. Moreover, physical activity alone is not enough; they also need mental activity.

General disciplinary training, a general obedience course in the city, agility and other disciplines are desirable and necessary for the education of a controlled VEO.

Due to their load requirements, they are poorly suited for keeping in an apartment; they need a private house, yard, aviary or kennel.

Care

The East European Shepherd does not require special care. Regular brushing and occasional baths are all she needs. Naturally, you need to check the cleanliness of the ears and trim the nails, and you need to train a puppy, not an adult dog.

VEOs shed, and they shed thoroughly and profusely. If there was a top 10 shedding breeds, she would definitely be on it. Wool can cover carpets, furniture and clothing throughout the year, and becomes even thicker as the seasons change.

Health

Since no studies have been conducted on the health of East European Shepherds, it is difficult to say so confidently. However, these dogs inherited the genes of several breeds, and they were created for serious needs.

VEOs are considered a healthy breed, especially in comparison with modern, purebred dogs. This opinion is shared by dog ​​owners, saying that they did not notice any special diseases. The lifespan of the VEO is 10-14 years, which is excellent for a large dog.

They are characterized by diseases that large dogs suffer from - dysplasia and volvulus. And if the first causes changes in joints and pain, then the second can lead to the death of the dog. Volvulus occurs more often in large dogs with deep chests than in small ones.

A common cause is activity after heavy feeding. To avoid it, you need to feed the dog in small portions and not load it immediately after eating.

According to historical facts, East European Shepherds were bred in the 30s. 20th century, but the breed was officially recognized in 1964.

The breed was bred through selective breeding, and cynologists worked hard to create a more hardy and massive species.

In 1924, the authorities of the Soviet Union set them the task of developing all the positive qualities in the dog: the breed had to become universal, withstanding physical, psychological and climatic stress.

The first breeding species based on the Moscow nursery "Red Star" never received a logical conclusion due to financial instability in the country, but the work did not stop, thanks to donations from high-ranking officials.

The history of domestic dog breeding in the post-war period was disappointing; a large number of shepherd dogs were exterminated. But the situation changed in 1945., when purebred German shepherds were brought from German kennels.

Nurseries were resumed, work was carried out carefully and in a structured manner, new families were created, the breed has not been crossed with other species dogs, which is confirmed by the presence of documents; breeding took place behind closed doors without the help of foreign specialists.

Its recognition as a new species The East European Shepherd breed received its name in 1964. from General G.L. Medvedeva: she was recognized as the most patriotic breed for her services and heroism during the war.

Breeding work to improve this species continued, second VEO standard was recognized in 1977, it is characteristic that the breed was considered a subspecies of the German Shepherd and did not exist as a separate species.

With the collapse of the USSR in 1991, a turning point came for VEO: the German Shepherd received the international FCI standard, which put the East European Shepherd in an illegal position.

Attempted attempts to eliminate this breed, however, during the same period, a new community “Association of breeding kennels of the VEO breed” was formed, which served to create the “Unified Pedigree Book of Matings” of the East European Shepherd Dog since 1999.

Only in 2002 VEO was recognized as a separate species, thanks to the canine organization RFK, which returned her honor and respect.

Differences between the East European Shepherd and the German

Externally VEO much taller and more massive German (height male varies from 65 cm to 77 cm, bitches- from 62 to 71 cm).

East European Shepherd female a little smaller than a male, whereas in the German Shepherd, females are taller than males.

Pastern paws Even in puppies, Orientals are expressed by their massiveness.

The body of the German’s “back” goes down, as if a dog is crouching; that is, the highest point is at the withers, whereas the East European Shepherd has a body from the withers to the base of the croup looks classic, the back looks more even. The sternum is wider and oval in shape.

Movements are balanced, sweeping “trot” with a fairly strong support push.

Germans look more variegated in color, having a pronounced tan, VEO opposite- They are distinguished by a lighter color, the coat is straight, thick and tough.

The breeds also have different temperaments: the German Shepherd is more playful and noisy, which cannot be said about the Eastern European. They, in turn, are distinguished by “serious” and balanced behavior.

VEO - universal dog, but is most suitable for serving in various military structures.

Gallery VEO

Character

The most pronounced feature of the breed is its attachment to its owner. The dog unquestioningly follows commands and obeys.

He is distrustful of strangers, but does not show obvious aggression.

Without special need, he does not show strength, since he has a stable psyche from birth and iron nerves, but at the same time reacts to the situation with lightning speed.

If the owner or his family is in danger, the dog’s reaction will follow immediately, due to its moral attachment to its mentor, it capable of sacrificing life for the sake of saving the owner and his family members.

Considers the owner his own, above him doesn't dominate, among his own people he allows himself to relax and play.

She loves children, is a good “nanny”, reacts calmly to the whims of children, and is always not averse to having fun with them.

He watches his territory very vigilantly and does not tolerate the presence of strangers. Suitable for the role guide.

You can do the training yourself, but for a more effective result It’s better to entrust her to a dog handler.

The East European Shepherd is easy to train and makes contact easily, which plays an important role in military affairs.

It should be noted her endurance and performance. VEO can be described in one word - bodyguard.

East European Shepherds served in the Chechen War. For heroism and courage, the dog Elga was given an award and a monument was erected in her honor in the city of Primorsk-Akhtarsk. Thanks to her courage, dozens, or even hundreds of human lives were saved: sacrificing herself, Elga pointed out buried mines and hidden ammunition to the military.

Feeding and care

The East European Shepherd is quite unpretentious, but like any other species it requires attention.

• TO hygiene procedures it should be taught from infancy so that the dog can subsequently respond calmly to them.
• Special care required fur and ears: The dog should be brushed once a day with a special brush - this improves blood circulation and gets rid of various types of impurities.
• Wash the dog Veterinarians recommend shampooing no more than once a week; pet stores offer a wide range of this product.
• Ears are cleaned from excess sulfur once every two weeks with a dry cotton swab.
• If the eyes the dog is not bothered, then you should not touch them so as not to harm them.
• Behind teeth You should monitor them and periodically brush them, otherwise tartar may form.

A dog can live both on the street and in the house, but it is still more suitable for the private sector, where it is possible. However, VEO can be kept in a spacious apartment.

• Regardless of where it will be kept, you should do prevention against worms, and also do not forget about vaccinations. For fleas, use drops or a collar.

Diet

As you know, a properly balanced diet helps keep the body in good shape.

Therefore, dog handlers and specialists have developed special diet for the East European Shepherd.

This list of products is suitable for both a puppy and an adult.

Daily puppy menu:

• meat (beef) – 150 gr.;
• cottage cheese – 150 gr.;
• one egg;
• beef bones;
• vitamins - doses prescribed by a veterinarian;
• various porridges – 80 gr.;
• minerals – doses prescribed by the veterinarian;
• milk – 110g;
• soups – 80 gr.;
• boiled fish (can be used instead of meat).

Puppy food It should not be very thick and hot, and you should not overfeed it - this can lead to obesity.

Water should constantly change so that it does not stagnate. As the baby grows, the diet is gradually increased.

Adults can feed special food: The daily diet should contain both dry and liquid food.

Training

Start training the puppy from the first months his life.

This is a kind of establishing contact between the owner and the dog; to be more precise, an emotional connection is established.

Should limit the toddler's communication with strangers to a minimum, otherwise the dog will subsequently begin to obey everyone.

Since some puppies, due to their age, have difficulty concentrating on the same activity, you should not exercise with it for more than 5 minutes. Enough to do three approaches of 5 minutes. in a day.

In fact, dogs carry out all commands reflexively; here we can recall Pavlov’s experiment. The essence of training is based on the same method: after the command is completed, the pet is always rewarded with a piece of his favorite treat.

It must be taken into account that the dog must strictly follow the owner’s orders, without being distracted by foreign objects or noises.

At the age of three months, they begin to walk the dog along the street, asking commands and achieving positive results from it.

You can also try teach the puppy the most important command “Near!”

• To do this, purchase a collar with spikes that fit the size of your pet’s neck, and dress it for a walk with the spikes facing inward.
• During the walk, the dog is kept on a short leash, saying “nearby”.
• As soon as the dog begins to move away from the owner, the spikes will begin to put pressure on the neck, causing it discomfort, and the animal will return to its original position.
• The technique is used for up to a year, until the dog begins to independently carry out this command.

Starts at 4-5 months teach the command “Barrier!”

• The dog's trainer places a small log on the ground, puts on a leash and begins to run with the dog in the direction of the obstacle, directing the animal towards it.
• Having approached the target, the trainer runs around the log so that she cannot do the same, thereby forcing her to jump over.
• It should be remembered that before starting the jump you must shout “barrier”.
• As soon as the pet completes the task, he is treated to a treat.
• Training should take place daily until the dog begins to clearly follow the command; barriers can be increased and diversified over time.

Many commands and knowledge of East European Shepherds are already laid down. at the genetic level, the main thing is to develop them.

There is nothing difficult about training— basic commands are easy to execute; The main thing is to be patient and persistent, because not everything worked out for us the first time.

How to choose a VEO puppy

The puppy should be looked after and bought in a specialized nursery: there you can trace his entire pedigree - dog handlers keep strict records of all litters.

The price at the nursery varies from 16,000 rub.. and higher, depending on the pedigree and prospects of the puppy.

Hands-on price - from 3000 rub., but this suggests that instead of a European you can buy a pig in a poke. Be carefull! Check your documents.

Video

East European Shepherd puppy games: