East European Shepherd vs Aussie Doodles - Breed Comparison

The East European Shepherd is a dog which hails from Russia. The dog was developed in the 1930-1950s as there was a need for a bigger, more robust, weather-resistant type of dog who would perform all kinds of guard duties in the Soviet Union.

This is a rare dog breed, created by mixing Russian breeds such as the Laika, Central Asian Shepherd and Caucasian Shepherd to create a strong working dog that could cope well with the sub-freezing conditions.

The standard breed type was established in 1964. The only major kennel club to grant full recognition to the East-European Shepherd is the Russian Kennel Club. In the United States, the dog is recognized by a number of rare breed registries.

It is interesting to note that the Australian Shepherd doesn’t have much in common with the land ‘down under’. The dog has always been a popular companion dog in the United States as a working dog. As a hybrid, the Aussiedoodle is a new breed that doesn’t have a detailed history, but it is worth taking not that the 2 breeds that have been used to create the Aussiedoodle do have long histories each.

It is believed that the name of the Australian Shepherd is because the ancestors of the dog arrived from Australia in the United States and were named from where their ancestors previously resided. The Aussiedoodle has only emerged on the scene in the last 10 years and is becoming hugely popular. The breed isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club but are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club.

The East European Shepherd is larger than a German Shepherd. He is described as a large dog with males and females standing roughly at 66-76 centimeters at the withers and weighing anything between 30–50kg.

The coat with undercoat is medium in length with the standard color being black-and-tan or black-and-red. The dog is solid colored or is light fawn or tan in color with black saddle.

The face of the dog is black and he looks a lot like a wolf in appearance. The ears of the East European Shepherd are medium sized and always erect.The tail is long and hangs low.

Temperament:

The East European Shepherd is an intelligent and confident dog and can be aggressive when aggravated. He is a working dog and to get along with other pets in the home as well as children, the East European Shepherd will need to be trained and socialized, becoming obedient and loyal with his owner.

He is an intelligent dog and training him poses no problem. Loyal and devoted, this dog mostly becomes particularly attached to one member of the family.

There are a number of dog experts who don’t recommend the dog as a family pet as it is a dog reluctant to form a close bond with a child, being irritated by them, especially ill disciplined children.

It is a strong-willed dog too and shouldn’t be the first dog choice for a novice dog owner. They make excellent guard dogs and take their role as protector of the family seriously.

The Australian Shepherd was bred to herd livestock together, and with the Aussiedoodle, you’ll still sometimes see this trait, and he may well try to herd his human family into the car. The Aussiedoodle can’t always be expected to look the same as they come in many sizes and shades of colour, some leaning more towards the Poodle and others more towards the Australian Shepherd. He is a medium- to large sized dog with a strong-boned, muscular structure.

The Coat - Straight or Curly

The coat of the Aussiedoodle can differ somewhat, with most having wavy or curly hair while others have fairly straight hair. The dogs are available in many different colours, from solids to patterned and in shades such as black, grey, silver and blue merles. Size can vary too, depending on whether the Aussiedoodle had a miniature or standard poople involved with the pairing.

Intelligent and Highly Trainable

The Aussiedoodle is exceptionally clever and also very energetic. This dog breed will require training, socialization and exercise. Training an Aussiedoodle is easy as you will see he is eager to please.

Family Focused

The Aussiedoodle loves his family and this isn’t a dog that can be left outdoors all day on his own. He is lively and energetic, and left too long on his own, he can become bored and destructive. This hybrid makes the perfect pet for families with kids, with no aggressive tendencies. He can also be introduced to other pets in the home as he is a friendly, amicable breed who wants to please.

The East-European Shepherd dogs are balanced, confident, intelligent, loving and playful while also being tough and protective of their owners.

They make fantastic guard dogs, becoming aggressive around strangers whom they don’t trust. When you bring a dog like this into the home, it is essential to have him trained and socialized and to also have a firm owner who can deal with such a strong-willed animal.

He is an active, alert dog who will require regular exercise and will slot into life in the city or in the country so long as his exercise needs are met.

When you look after your East European Shepherd you’ll find in him a devoted, loyal friend who will protect you with his life.

Loyal, Lively and Loving

The Aussiedoodle is an intelligent, outgoing, patient and devoted family pet who will happily slot into any home where there are children and other pets.

Make Time to Include Lots of Activities

Most Aussiedoodles love being active and you’ll want to include him in all your activities – walking, swimming, ball games and herding.

Yes, it is true that the temperament of your Aussiedoodle will depend on the canine parents but he will also be influenced by your lifestyle and environment too.

Regarded as a tough dog who can reach 10 – 12 years of age, the East European Shepherd is prone to hip or elbow dysplasia. This is a a disease that is more prevalent with German Shepherd type dogs.

Dysplasia is a genetic condition which can lead to inflammation and arthritis and even lameness. Unfortunately it can happen with young dogs too, and the vet will suggest different types of treatment which can include surgery.

Degenerative myelopathy is another degenerative disease which can be found with the East European Shepherd. It is a fatal, progressive degenerative disease of the spinal cord. Unfortunately there isn’t treatment for the disease, leading to paralysis of the limbs.

As with most mixed-breeds, Aussiedoodles are a healthy breed, and your pet won’t come with any hereditary ailments. Both Australian Shepherds and Poodles have few inherent diseases, and by mixing the two, you get a robust breed.

Having said that, you always have to be aware that any dog, including your Aussiedoodle can inherit certain health problems of both the Poodle and the Australian Shepherd.

Each Breed has It’s own Unique Health Issues

The Australian Shepherd is susceptible to vision problems and some health problems with the Poodle include epilepsy, renal disease and cancer, but in spit of this, the good news is that there aren’t many documented health issues with Aussiedoodles.

Research Breeders and get your Puppy Vaccinated

Always research and find a reputable breeder of Aussiedoodles who has certificates that the parents are sound and free from common health defects. Make sure that you get your puppy vaccinated from 8 weeks of age to avoid the common, deadly canine diseases that can rob you of your puppy. The very first vaccination will be for distemper, measles and parainfluenza.

Grooming:

The coat of the East European Shepherd is thick, and while he won’t require any professional grooming, he will require being brushed at least twice a week. This is because he sheds heavily at certain times.

His nails will need to be clipped if they don’t wear down naturally, and his teeth will require regular brushing at least 2 or 3 times a week. Fortunately, because his ears are large and open, he doesn’t easily get an ear infection.

Exercise:

The East European Shepherd is a dog which has always been worked. It is a highly energetic dog and its role as a guard- and herding dog has made it that the dog will require a good dose of exercise.

A long walk may not be enough for this active dog, and he will require intense ball throwing with a tennis racquet to get the ball far away so that he can run far to fetch the ball. Without enough exercise, the East-European Shepherd will develop behavioral problems which will include aggression.

General Grooming

The coat of Aussiedoodles need minimal maintenance. This is because of the Poodle input which is a low shedding dog. Aussiedoodles shed very little, but you will still need to give your dog a regular brush every other day to remove loose hairs and to also prevent matting. You can even include some professional grooming as his thick coat can quickly look dirty and unruly.

Brush the teeth of your Aussiedoodle with special dog brushes and toothpaste to prevent plaque forming. You can also book an appointment at your local vet to have his teeth cleaned if you are reluctant to do it. it.

Diet and Meals

An Ausiedoodle under 6 months of age should be fed 3 or 4 times daily. Once your Aussiedoodle is 1 year of age you can cut the meals down to 1 or 2 meals a day.

Always select high quality foods and understand the labels and ingredients. Cheaper foods with ‘bad’ ingredients can mean more medical bills because of malnutrition.

Speak to your vet about feeding your Aussiedoodle. You can also prepare cooked meals for your dog and include chicken, meat, rice and vegetables. Remember this is a high energy dog and he will require foods high in protein to meat his daily energy and nutritional requirements.