East European Shepherd vs Doxiepoo - 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.

The Doxiepoo is a designer dog breed - a combination of the Dachshund who was used to hunt for Badgers and the Poodle, a dog bred in France to essentially be a lap dog. There is however some dispute as to whether the Poodle descends from Germany or from the French Barbet.

Wherever the parents hail from, the Doxiepoo hails from the United States of America.

With both the Poodle and the Dachshund being intelligent, fun and loving type of canines, the two of them together have brought out a wonderful hybrid pet in the Doxiepoo. Today, the Doxiepoo is bred with other Doxiepoos.

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 Doxiepoo can range from being a small to medium sized dog, standing at anything between 20cm to 25cm in size and weighing between 3kg and 7kg, depending much on whether a standard, miniature or toy sized poodle was used in the breeding.

The Doxiepoo could look like either one of the two breeds, but he will have a strong, sturdy body with a curly or wavy coat of varying lengths and various colors - cream, black, tan, apricot, grey or white. The poodle side of him ensures he is a hypoallergenic dog.

Temperament:

Between the Dachshund and the Poodle, you’re going to get a wonderful array of characteristics as they both come with their strong points. Certainly you will be well entertained and amused by your pet, while he can also be useful as a watchdog.

Being a small dog, he will fit well into life in the city or in the countryside. He is as bright as a button and learns tricks and new skills quickly. With training and socialization he becomes obedient and well behaved wherever he is, getting on well with other pets in the home as well as with all children and adults.

The Doxiepoo is a lively, alert, energetic dog and will require being exercised – lots of ball games and a walk will keep him lean, muscular and content.

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.

The Doxiepoo is a sweet, loyal, loving dog, making an excellent family pet.

Every dog, even the little ones like this, will require some kind of input from you if you want to get the best from him. Every puppy bought as a gift when they’re cute and cuddly turns into an adult, and often the very person who received him as a gift, loses interest and neglects him. Then they wonder why the dog becomes irritating and destructive.

A dog is a long term investment and if you commit to your sweet Doxiepoo, you’ll get years and years of devoted friendship.

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.

The life expectancy of the Doxiepoo is around 12-15 years of age if he is well looked after. He is a robust dog, but he can still face some health issues that both his parents contend with.

Just some of the diseases that the Doxiepoo might face while in your care are ear- and skin infections, dental disease, digestive tract problems, heart conditions and epilepsy. If you think your pet has any kind of illness, it is imperative to get him to the vet for a checkup.

Poodles, particularly are prone to skin disorders. They can be allergic to grass, parasites and food. If your Doxiepoo chews or licks his paws or some other area a lot, and the skin is red, he could have a skin allergy.

The vet will be able to diagnose your dog’s allergies with some skin- or blood testing. For instance, sebaceous adenitis is an inherited allergy that affects the lubrication of the skin and hair follicles. Symptoms of the disease include scaly skin, sore and even hair loss.

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.

Grooming:

You can’t be sure what kind of coat your Doxiepoo will have but he will certainly require brushing at least twice a week. In some instances it may be wise to seek out the services of a professional groomer who does an excellent job of trimming the hair, cleaning the teeth, checking the ears and clipping the nails.

Training:

The Doxiepoo, just like any other dog, will need to be trained and socialized early as he is a stubborn dog and will need to be trained to be obedient. With this training and socialization, he becomes amicable around children and pets in the home. He learns easily too and this is what makes him a great pet for first time dog owners.

Exercise:

The Doxiepoo is a moderate energy dog, so he will do well on a walk every day. You can also make use of ropes, balls and frisbees to give him a bit of a workout in the garden.

He loves water too and will enjoy a run on the beach and cooling off in the ocean. He adapts easily to life in the city or in the country, so long as he is with his human companions.

Diet:

The Doxiepoo will eat dry kibble, particularly if it is from the highest quality brands and chosen according to the dog’s size, age and activity levels.

Now and then you can add in a little bit of cooked rice, vegetables and chicken for variety. Some raw meat can play an important role in keeping the skin healthy and free from dryness and itchiness. Make sure that he always has fresh, cool water available to him.