East European Shepherd Breed Standard (VEO)

                                 East European Shepherd Breed Standard (Vostochnoevropejskaya Ovcharka, Byleorussian Shepherd, Russian German Shepherd)
compiled  this from various sites wikepedia, dogbreedinfo, russian shepherd.com
                                                                 

History and General Appearance
The East-European Shepherd originated in 1920s-1930s as the result of crossbreeding German Shepherds with such Russian dog breeds as Caucasian dog, Central Asian dog and Laikas. The Soviet military, impressed by the German Shepherd’s working abilities, wanted to create a similar Russian dog more suited for the climate, with stronger body and bite. The development of this Russian German shepherd started in the Byelorussian region, and the breed was initially called the Byelorussian Owtcharka.

After the WWII the careful and systematic breeding was resumed, resulting in a new Soviet dog breed, the East European Shepherd, distinctly different from the German Shepherd. Its first standard was approved in 1964, while the new Russian dog became the main military and the KGB service breed.

The East European Shepherd is probably the most intelligent of the Russian guard dogs (Caucasian dog, Central Asian dog, Russian Sheepdog, Russian Terrier, and Moscow dog). It has not only an honorable protective instinct but also a very well-balanced character. This Russian German shepherd is resistant and aggressive to strangers as well as fiercely loyal and affectionate to its family. It is very devoted and will protect its master at all costs.

When on guarding duty, the East European Shepherd usually keeps silence, which makes it a perfect watch dog. It is very trainable and obedient, making this breed a favorite of many professional dog trainers. This Russian dog doesn’t have major health concerns. Its life span is 10-14 years.
Temperament
The East-European Shepherds are very agile, sensitive, loyal, and devoted to their owners. The East-European Shepherd is balanced, confident, intelligent, and playful; however, it is known to be unsure of strangers. It is a tough breed, and can be aggressive, making it a great guard dog.
East-European Shepherds are working dogs and need to be exercised regularly. They were bred for their intelligence and they are quick learners. Their ability to stand many extreme climates allows them to live outside, as well as inside. They perform well as hunting dogs and can work as draught dogs in a group of the same.

Head and Skull
. Head is proportional to body; massive and wedge-shaped. Forehead is slightly rounded. Stop is pronounced, but is not abrupt. The muzzle is equal in the length to the skull. Lower jaw is well developed. Lips are tight, with good pigmentation. Nose is large, black. Scissors bite; teeth are large, in full complex (none are missing).
Eyes
Eyes are medium, oval, obliquely set, dark, with close-fitting, well-colored eyelids.
The accepted eye colours  of the East-European Shepherd are amber, brown, or hazel in colour, darker colours prefered.
The overal effect of the gaze coming across as serious, self-assured, and intimidating.
Ears
The ears of the East-European Shepherd are medium-in-size, pointed-at-the-tips, and turned forwards like it's german shepherd ancestor they should stand naturally erect
Mouth
Jaws strongly developed. With a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth healthy and strong. Full dentition of 42 teeth is desirable.
Neck
Neck: Powerful, medium length and well arched.

forelegs
straight and strong with good angulation


Body
Their backs are strong, wide, and long, the chest is moderately wide, while the belly is reasonably tucked up.The loins are long and wide, well-muscled and slightly arched. Their croup is wide, long, and slightly sloping towards the tail
Hindquarters
Overall strong, and straight with good angulations.
Any tendency towards over-angulation of hindquarters, weak hocks, cow hocks or sickle hooks, is to be heavily penalised as this reduces firmness and endurance in movement.
Feet
oval and compact well cushioned and durable. Nails short, strong and dark in colour.
Tail
Bushy-haired, reaches at least to hock – ideal length reaching to middle of metatarsus. At rest tail hangs in a scimitar-like curve; when moving raised and curve increased, ideally never above level of back. Short, rolled, curled, generally carried badly or stumpy from birth, undesirable.
Gait/Movement
Sequence of step follows diagonal pattern, moving foreleg and opposite hindleg forward simultaneously; hindfoot thrust forward to midpoint of body and having equally long reach with forefeet without any noticeable change in backline. Absolute soundness of movement essential.
Coat
Coat is medium in length
Outer coat consisting of straight, hard, close-lying hair as dense as possible; thick undercoat. Hair on head, ears, front of legs, paws and toes short; on back, longer and thicker; in some males forming slight ruff.
Colour
The acceptable colors for these dogs include saddled (that can be saturated to give an almost black-and-tan or black-and-red appearance), blanket-back black and tan, solid black, and solid liver. Some rare colors include: blue (saddle, blanket-back, and solid), silver, and solid white. Agouti—gray and red is permitted for breeding but not desired.
Size: Male 26-30 inches( 66-76 cm), Female 24-26 inches (61-72 cm larger height is preferable
Weight: Male 77-130llb       female: 66-110 llb
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.