The “Russian German Shepherd”: the Eastern European Shepherd

How does the Eastern European Shepherd differ from the German Shepherd? Why are more and more former German Shepherd owners choosing this breed? What is the secret of thier growing popularity?

Not long ago we talked about the Eastern European Shepherd, the Vostochno Evropeyskaya Ovcharka (VEO for short). We told you about the breed’s development and why this very hard-working breed has become the favourite of the KGB. At the end of the first part, we promised to go beyond the history in the sequel and go into more detail about what this dog looks like, how to recognise them and what characterises them. For accuracy, we have obtained a Russian-language standard for Eastern European Sheepdogs, which Olga Siklósi, owner of Esposito Kennel, helped us translate, and we thank her for her help. Well, after this introduction, let’s see what this breed of dog is like!

Not long ago we talked about the Eastern European Sheepdog, the Vostochno Evropeyskaya Ovcharka (VEO for short). We told you about the breed’s development and why this very hard-working breed has become the KGB favourite of the KGB. At the end of the first part, we promised to go beyond the history in the sequel, and go into more detail about what this dog looks like, how to recognise it and what characterises it. For accuracy, we have obtained a Russian-language standard for Eastern European Sheepdogs, which Olga Siklósi, owner of Esposito Kennel, helped us translate, and we thank her for her help. Well, after this introduction, let’s see what this breed of dog is like!

Like a giant German Shepherd

The appearance of the Eastern European Shepherd, which has not changed significantly to the present day, was largely determined by ancestry, and the official standard is rather vague on this. One thing (and really the only thing) that emerges from the somewhat vague description is that the basis was the various types of quality German Shepherds imported from Germany into the Soviet Union. The task was

to create a new breed of sheepdogs, 

based on these imports, which

would be better adapted to the natural and climatic conditions of the Soviet Union and would meet the specific requirements of the ministries and authorities interested in breeding the breed.

To achieve these objectives, a cross-breeding of local dogs of unknown origin with the desired phenotype was started. The dogs involved were described in detail in the first part of this series. The end result of the process was a German Shepherd-like dog with a strong build, above medium height, rectangular trunk and silhouette, strong bone structure and well-developed musculature, reaching a height of 67-72 cm for males and 62-67 cm for females. Eastern European Shepherds typically weigh between 35-60 kg for males and 30-50 kg for females.

No sloping tailbone, no red colour

These dogs do not have the significantly sloping coccyx (tailbone) that is seen in today’s modern German Shepherds. The back is ideally straight, somewhat similar to the back of the 1950s and 1960s German Shepherds. DDR German Shepherds of the 1950s and 1960s. Besides size, this is one of the characteristic differences between the two breeds. The other major, easily noticeable, difference in appearance is the coat colour. In the East European Shepherd, tanned or reddish coat colours are definitely undesirable. These dogs are much more suited to more subdued black, sable and bicolour colours. Most commonly, the traditional red and black coats appear more of a subdued black, grey-black,  and more of a straw colour accompanies the black.

Similar, but different

Although the Eastern European Shepherd was primarily intended as a service dog by their “creators”, the general opinion is that they are also well suited as companion and family dogs. They are expected to be balanced, agile, confident and alert. These dogs are easy to train, reliable protectors and companions. The critreria is calmness, but also vigilance. They are constantly monitoring their environment and are ready to actively carry out tasks at the command of their owners.

One of the distinctive features of this breed is their strong self-confidence and the fact that it is quiet. A characteristic that is not at all typical of German Shepherds. An Eastern European Shepherd is not prone to vocalisation without good reason. This is specifically mentioned in the literature on the history of the breed, and one of the reasons for the selection of the breed in this way is mentioned as being to make it suitable for border guard work.

Unreasonably restless and unnecessarily vocal behaviour is considered a very serious deficiency in this breed.

Fearfulness and hysterical behaviour are also not accepted and are considered a disqualifying fault.

So far a rare breed

The Eastern European Shepherd has existed in an almost unchanged form for decades. No doubt due to the lack of awareness and fashion that destroys breeds. Until the mid-1990s, it was almost impossible to get these dogs out of the former Soviet territories. And, fortunately for the breed, their distribution is still low today, . Although enthusiasts and fanciers of the breed hope that this will remain the case for a long time to come, the chances of this happening are becoming less and less. Although not yet recognised as an official breed by the FCI, unlike the Russian Kynological Federation (RCF), these dogs are appearing in more and more places, which is no coincidence. They are a viable alternative for an increasing number of owners who have become disillusioned with the nowadays much-changed, hereditary, disease-laden, slouch-backed Show German Shepherds.