Eurasier

From Pet Encyclopedia

Eurasier

Origin of Breed

Europe/Germany

Breed Nick Names

Eurasian

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Origin and History 3 Appearance 4 Temperament 5 Health 6 External Links 7 References 8 A personal portrait

[edit] Introduction

The Eurasier, sometimes referred to as Eurasian, is a Spitz Type Dog that is relatively unknown in the UK, but in Europe it is widely known as a wonderful companion that maintains its own personality, has a dignified reserve to strangers, a strong bond to its family and is relatively easy to train.

The UK Kennel Club has published an Interim Standard in 2006; the breed is still on the Import Register (Utility Group).

[edit] Origin and History

In the 1950’s the Wipfel family started to undertake the creation of an ideal family companion dog. Julius Wipfel, the ‘father of the Eurasier’ had many collaborators and enthusiasts who all worked to help make this dream a reality. In 1960 Wipfel clearly defined his goals in creating this new breed of dog.

The aim was to create a medium size Spitz-type family dog, one that commanded respect but which also had a calm and even-tempered nature. It was to be attractive, with beautiful and varied colour coats. The new breed was to be adaptable and suitable to different family lifestyles, from city life to rural life.

The initial breeding plan was one of mating a select group of German Wolfspitzes with early Chow Chows, which did not have the same appearance as today’s Chows. The new breed was named ‘Wolf-Chow’. Later, in 1972 after some debate amongst the leading Wolf-Chow enthusiasts, Wipfel chose to include the Samoyed. Soon after, the breed was recognised by the German Kennel Club (VDH) and the FCI in 1973 and was renamed the Eurasier.

For more detailed information on the history of our wonderful breed please visit this site

[edit] Appearance

The Eurasier is a balanced, well-constructed, medium-sized Spitz (Spitzen) type dog with prick ears. It comes in different colors: fawn, red, wolf-grey, black, and black and tan. All color combinations are allowed, except for pure white, white patches, and liver color. Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standards call for the Eurasier to have a thick undercoat and medium-long, loosely lying guard hair all over the body, with a short coat on the muzzle, face, ears, and front legs. The tail and the back of the front legs (feathers) and hind legs (breeches) should be covered with long hair. The coat on the Eurasier's neck should be slightly longer than on the body, but not forming a mane. The breed may have a pink, blue-black or spotted tongue.

Dogs are 52 to 60 cm (20-24 inches) at the withers and weigh approximately 23 to 32 kg (50-70 lb). Bitches are 48 to 56 cm (16-18 inches) at the withers and weighs 18 to 26 kg (40-60 lb).

[edit] Temperament

According to the breed standard (FCI and UK) Eurasiers are calm, balanced dogs. They are watchful and alert, yet reserved towards strangers without being timid or aggressive. Eurasiers form a strong attachment to their families and are fond of children. For the full development of these qualities, the Eurasier needs constant close contact with its family, combined with understanding, yet consistent training. They are extremely sensitive to harsh words or discipline and respond best to positive training. The Eurasier is a combination of the best qualities of the Chow Chow, the Wolfspitz (Keeshond), and the Samoyed, resulting in a dignified, intelligent breed.

Eurasiers are not suitable as working dogs. Training should always be done through family members, not through strangers or handlers. Eurasiers should never be restricted to only a garden, kennel, crate, or chained up. They would pine and become depressed. This breed enjoys all kinds of activities, from obedience to agility without usually excelling at any of them. Eurasiers are calm and quiet indoors, outdoors they are lively and enjoy action. Eurasiers rarely bark but if they do, they usually have a good reason.

[edit] Health

The Eurasier is generally a healthy breed, because of permanent efforts of the original German Eurasier Clubs. Now that the Eurasier is becoming known and loved in many more countries it is vitally important that the relevant health checks advised by Eurasier Clubs world-wide and responsible breeders and owners, continue to be carried out to ensure the good health of the breed. It is especially important when introducing a new breed to a country that these health checks are done on any Eurasier that is being considered for breeding, so as to give the breed the best start. It is also an advantage for breed records, to test dogs that are not going to be bred from, so that a more accurate overall picture of the health of the Eurasier can be obtained.

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Health problems that require testing are:

Hip Dysplasia

Dogs residing in the UK should have their hips X-rayed by a vet and given a score by the BVA (British Veterinary Association) (The system may vary with dogs residing in different countries)

Entropion, Ectropion & Distichiasis

This can be checked by a vet.

Patella Luxation

This is a check that a vet can do by manipulating the Patellae to check for degrees of movement.

Another test that is being carried out by breeders/owners in some countries is for:

Elbow Dysplasia

[edit] External Links

Eurasier Society UK Please visit for further information on the Eurasier.

[edit] References

Annelie Feder, Eurasier heute. German book with English translation.

Julius Wipfel, Eurasier. In this book dated 1974, Julius Wipfel outlined his ideals on how to care, keep and breed Eurasiers. For an English translation turn to the KZG.

Alfred Mueller, Origins and History of Eurasiers, 2003

[edit] A personal portrait

(with kind permission of Alphacanis Eurasiers UK)

Eurasiers are stunningly beautiful. It is not just what I think personally, but it is what I overhear and overheard people commenting on my dogs and also what other Eurasier owners keep telling me.

However, they are surely not the perfect dog for everybody!

Since the Eurasier is a fairly new breed (50 years old), you cannot be certain if you will get all the characteristics in your puppy that you are looking for. Some would say that this makes the breed even more charming, and certainly it is good from a diversity and genetic point of view. However, we will be able to assist you to find the puppy most suited to you, as we know them best at that early stage.

But, individual Eurasiers each have their own personalities! Some are more reserved than others, and single dogs might even be as friendly with strangers as Samoyeds (one of their 3 original ancestors). Some are very forward, some are on the shy side and are easily disturbed by unknown people and events. The stronger characters, particularly in male dogs, can become aggressive if not treated correctly, especially in puppyhood, although one would be pushed to find an example. Most are a little stubborn and some are a bit more stubborn. That does not mean that they are difficult to train though. In the right hands and under the appropriate, gentle, consistent and encouraging guidance, they will learn at least as quickly as most other breeds! But, there will always be a day when they are not that interested in what you say, which might well be followed by another day, when you think you are sharing your life with a German Shepherd!

Some would not know what to do when they saw a mouse, others love chasing, most fall somewhere in-between. Some need a lot of exercise and are only happy after a good 2-hour walk and run, only to be ready for another walk within the next couple of hours. Some love the water and swimming, and would even retrieve objects. For most this thought doesn’t even bear thinking about and a little dip up to their belly is all they could contemplate.

Some Eurasiers are very picky eaters, others will ‘inhale’ their food in a few seconds. Almost all are messy drinkers – leaving water trails everywhere. This means more work for you, of course!

They are individualists!

However, beneath that partial disguise, they are completely focussed on their family, aware of where you are at any one time, what you are doing and how you are feeling. Your Eurasier might be asleep in a corner in the garden whilst you are reading the newspaper in your living room, and you shift to another room in the house and half a minute later there is a plop at your feet and your Eurasier curls up there, perfectly contented. This shows that they need to be with you, if possible at all times. You need to treat them like a member of the family, share your house, indeed your life, with them. Leaving them shut away on their own or in kennels when you go on holiday is not a thought worth thinking – your Eurasier comes with you like any other member of the family!

Some of my friends think that they are very cat-like dogs- and I have to agree.

If you get a red Eurasier, people know it is a Chow Chow when they meet you on your walks. If it is grey it is a wolf or a Keeshond; the possibilities are endless with other colours. You will think of printing your own leaflets explaining what Eurasiers are (or get them from the UK Eurasier Society).

And, finally, it is very hard, some say impossible, to stop with just one. They are highly addictive!