East European Shepherd: A Loyal and Protective Breed
The East European Shepherd is a working breed that originated in the former Soviet Union. This dog was bred to work as a herding, guarding and military dog. The breed has an impressive appearance with powerful muscles, thick fur, large head and ears.
Physical Appearance:
Male dogs measure between 26-30 inches at the shoulder while females stand at around 24-28 inches tall. Males weigh between 80-100 pounds whereas female dogs tend to be lighter weighing in at about 70 to 90 lbs.
East European Shepherds have dense double coats that may vary from straight or wavy with colors ranging from black-and-tan, sable or grey colorations. Their eyes are oval-shaped and typically range from light brown to darker shades of amber.
Temperament:
The East-European shepherd is known for its strong protective instincts towards their owners. They’re independent thinkers who need early socialization & training otherwise they can become too dominant. This loyal nature makes them great protectors but it also requires owners who understand how to establish authority when needed without being cruel towards this gentle giant.
This breed is incredibly intelligent hence they do best with challenging activities like obedience training & playing fetch games with their owners which keeps them mentally stimulated while increasing human-canine bonds.
Health Problems:
Like many large breeds of dogs, Eastern-European Shepherds have some health issues such as hip dysplasia (malformation of the hips), elbow dysplasia (abnormal development) and bloat (gastric torsion). They’re generally healthy dogs that can live up to twelve years old provided they get enough exercise along other preventive care measures like vaccination against common canine illnesses.
Exercise:
These working dogs need regular physical activity regardless of age though puppies should not overexert themselves until fully grown physically matured – running around outside daily works wonders toward maintaining both mental wellbeing as well keeping this breed in good physical shape.
Special Grooming Needs:
East-European Shepherds require regular grooming like other breeds of dog – brushing their fur weekly and bathing when necessary will help keep them clean and looking great. Using an effective flea, tick & worm control medications should be considered to protect these dogs from pests prevalent in certain areas.
Training:
As a working breed, East European Shepherd requires training if they’re going to be happy with pet life outside of farm work or law enforcement activities. Basic obedience training is a must even for puppies along with early socialization which prepares them interact positively around strangers, children and other pets.
Compatibility with Children/Pets:
East European Shepherds are generally gentle giants that get along well with kids – however parents should supervise any interactions between large dogs (including the Eastern-European shepherd) and young toddlers who may unwittingly wander into harm’s way because larger breeds can inadvertently knock over small children during playtime.
Personality Quirks:
This protective breed may sometimes exhibit hyper-vigilant tendencies towards their owners especially those bred for defense tasks against intruders hence it’s important for such pets to have access to appropriate outlets like exercise regimen tailored specifically toward enhancing mental alertness while boosting stamina physically
Famous Examples:
Some famous examples include Erko Vom Salzgitter Milieu also known as “Erkos” was one of the most renowned Eastern European Shepherds before being replaced by newer lines from Czech Republic; he starred in many movies including ‘’Herrliches Tal‘’, “Crocodile Dundee”, & several TV series’ before retiring due back problem injuries among others.
In conclusion, The East-European Shepherd has the heart of a lion combined with intelligence needed make it ideal protection animal whenever you need defending against potential threats. But only prospective owners experienced enough handle potentially dominant dogs should consider adopting this loyal canine companion amidst awareness regarding important health considerations.