meet the...East European Shepherd
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Sub-group 10-A: X-Large Pastoral Dogs
Origin Country Russia
Weight Males: 85-105 pounds. Females: 75-95 pounds.
Height Males: 26-28 inches. Females: 24-26 inches.
Other Name(s) Byelorussian Ovcharka, Russian Shepherd, Vostochno-Evropeiskaya Ovcharka
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
The East European Shepherd breed was developed by selectively breeding from the old-style German Shepherd lines to local dogs, reportedly including Ovcharkas and Laikas, to produce a larger dog that was capable of performing in and withstanding some of the harshest environments of the former USSR. The breeding program was carried out by the Soviet Union in the early 1920s in Byelorussia (Belarus), and for this reason, the dogs are also known as the Byelorussian Ovcharka. The breed type was established and fixed by the 1930s-1950s. These dogs became a fixture of the KGB, particularly those adorned in a jet black coat. Litters bred to KGB kennels that included any coat color other than black were destroyed, and mating between the parent dogs was never repeated. These dogs were used extensively in the military and police work for patrol, apprehension, and detection.
Eventually, the dogs were released to the public, and restrictions on colors lessened. Today, the breed is seen in a variety of coat colors and patterns. The East European Shepherd remains one of the more popular breeds throughout the countries of the former Soviet Union, but the dogs are still considered quite rare in other countries, including the United States.Breed Characteristics
Head: Mesaticephalic, moderate in size, and somewhat long, yet wedge-shaped when viewed from above or in profile. It is in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is broad, measured in front of the ears; it is as wide as it is long (from occiput to stop). In profile, the forehead and topskull are flat (never domed) when viewed from the front or in profile. A furrow extending from the stop and up the center of the topskull may be absent or barely perceptible, and the occiput is slightly marked. The superciliary arches are moderately pronounced. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to open almond in shape, and set slightly oblique. They are medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes should never appear large and round, nor should they have exposed whites. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Ears: Medium in size, firmly erect, thick-leathered, and set high on the skull. When alert, they face forward, in repose, or in motion, and they may be held back, neutral, or in a relaxed position. The ears are never long, overly large, tipped, drooped, rounded, or broken.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level. It tapers slightly from the broad base toward the nose, ending rather bluntly. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Nose: The nose is large, well-pigmented, and black. The nostrils are well-opened. The nose is flush with the vertical line of the end of the muzzle or may protrude just a touch beyond.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage. It is strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket is long, pronounced, and deep, extending to the point of the elbows, accounting for 48-50% of the dog’s height at the withers. The forechest is well-developed yet not overly protrusive.
Body: Strong, deep, of good substance, and powerfully muscled. The body should allow for strength, agility, stamina, and endurance. The body is never light, weedy, racy, rangy, heavy, or cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough black pads and nails. Toes are well-webbed for swimming.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. It is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, often in a downward-neutral position to level with the topline but never tucked. It is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, gently curved, or curved toward the tip.
Movement: Smooth, fluid, energetic, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The East European Shepherd breed is strong-nerved, fearless, self-assured, self-composed, confident, watchful, poised, and alert when necessary. They should never be timid, shy, nervous, anxious, or overly fearful (including fear-aggressive). They are expected to permit neutral and friendly interactions between their family, owner, handler, and others; however, they are not overly friendly and may even be a bit aloof to strangers. The breed is physically capable of speed, power, agility, and endurance, and he is self-aware enough to know his capabilities and limits. This offers them a great deal of confidence. The East European Shepherd is an extremely intelligent breed, capable of learning and discerning many tasks and activities. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 10: Pastoral and Stock Dog Breeds
Proportions: Somewhat rectangular body proportions, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body-height-to-length ratio is approximately 4:5, with the body exceeding the height by 10-17 percent. The body is deep, of good substance, and solid in bone. The East European Shepherd is always presented in hard-working conditions. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic, moderate in size, and somewhat long, yet wedge-shaped when viewed from above or in profile. It is in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is broad, measured in front of the ears; it is as wide as it is long (from occiput to stop). In profile, the forehead and topskull are flat (never domed) when viewed from the front or in profile. A furrow extending from the stop and up the center of the topskull may be absent or barely perceptible, and the occiput is slightly marked. The superciliary arches are moderately pronounced. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: Confident, self-composed, imposing, keen, watchful, and intelligent.
Stop: The stop is moderate.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 1:1, with the topskull being equal in length to the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel or may be just slightly convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level. It tapers slightly from the broad base toward the nose, ending rather bluntly. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are well-pigmented, fairly clean, and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws. The lips should never appear loose or pendulous or extend below the lower plane of the bottom jawline.
Nose: The nose is large, well-pigmented, and black. The nostrils are well-opened. The nose is flush with the vertical line of the end of the muzzle or may protrude just a touch beyond.
Cheeks: The cheeks are well-developed yet not protrusive. They are smoothly padded to denote strength.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level or scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to open almond in shape, and set slightly oblique. They are medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes should never appear large and round, nor should they have exposed whites. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes.
Ears: Medium in size, firmly erect, thick-leathered, and set high on the skull. When alert, they face forward, in repose, or in motion, and they may be held back, neutral, or in a relaxed position. The ears are never long, overly large, tipped, drooped, rounded, or broken.
Body and Tail
General Description: Strong, deep, of good substance, and powerfully muscled. The body should allow for strength, agility, stamina, and endurance. The body is never light, weedy, racy, rangy, heavy, or cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage. It is strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket is long, pronounced, and deep, extending to the point of the elbows, accounting for 48-50% of the dog’s height at the withers. The forechest is well-developed yet not overly protrusive.
Topline: Straight and level or just slightly sloped from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is fairly long, broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is short, taut, and slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Long, broad, powerful, and gently sloped.
Underline: Slight to moderate tuck-up present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. It is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, often in a downward-neutral position to level with the topline but never tucked. It is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, gently curved, or curved toward the tip.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are fairly long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The distance from the withers to the brisket may be equal to, or just less than, the distance from the elbows to the ground.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderate, yet sturdy (never heavy) bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are fairly long, equal in length, strong, of moderate (never heavy) bone, sturdy bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated, with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough black pads and nails. Toes are well-webbed for swimming.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: Double-coat with a soft, dense undercoat. The outer coat is a medium-length, straight, harsh, close-fitting outer coat. Soft, dense undercoat. Shorter on the head, face, ears, and front of the legs, paws, and toes. Hair is slightly longer on the back side of the legs, forming moderate "trousers," and, on the neck and shoulders, forming a slight ruff.
Coat Color or Pattern: Black, black with tan points, agouti in various shades ranging from reddish brown to wolf-gray, tan with black saddle, creeping, or running tan. All with (preferred) or without a melanistic mask.
Movement
Smooth, fluid, energetic, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The East European Shepherd breed is strong-nerved, fearless, self-assured, self-composed, confident, watchful, poised, and alert when necessary. They should never be timid, shy, nervous, anxious, or overly fearful (including fear-aggressive). They are expected to permit neutral and friendly interactions between their family, owner, handler, and others; however, they are not overly friendly and may even be a bit aloof to strangers. The breed is physically capable of speed, power, agility, and endurance, and he is self-aware enough to know his capabilities and limits. This offers them a great deal of confidence. The East European Shepherd is an extremely intelligent breed, capable of learning and discerning many tasks and activities. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
