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Eurasier
Thinking of buying or adopting an Eurasier?
Introduction
The Eurasier originated in Germany and was developed from the chow chow, the wolf spitz, and the Samoyed to create the ideal companion dog. It is a medium-size dog weighing 40–70 pounds and standing 48–61 centimetres at the withers. The distinctive feature inherited from its chow chow parentage is its blue-black tongue. The Eurasier is an affectionate dog and an adequate watchdog that does not hesitate to bark to alert its owners of strangers.
Are you curious about this dog breed with European and Asian heritage? Here is a brief background of the Eurasier.
History
Often referred to as the Eurasian, the Eurasier is a breed that originated in Germany. It is a product of the combined lineage of the chow chow and the wolf spitz (known as the ‘wolf-chow’). Its development was through the efforts of the breeders Julius Wipfel and Charlotte Baldamus in the 1960s. It was their desire to develop the ideal family companion dog that is calm, even-tempered, and commands respect. Twelve years later, Wipfel included the Samoyed in the mix to create the Eurasier breed that is seen today. In 1973, the breed was recognised by the German Kennel Club and the FCI and was then renamed to Eurasier after its European and Asian heritage.
The Eurasian is still a young breed and was only recognised as a pure breed by the United Kennel Club in 1996. Today, there are about 8,500 Eurasiers around the globe. However, just a limited number of the breed is in the UK.
Appearance and Grooming
As intended, the Eurasier inherited its parent breeds’ appearance. It is medium-size spitzen with a height of 48–61 centimetres and a weight of 40–70 pounds. Its wedge-shaped head is a characteristic of its spitz ancestry. It has a flat skull and a slightly defined stop. Its dark, almond-shaped eyes that slant with a nice black rim reflect its intelligence. It has pricked ears that are triangular-shaped, medium, and are set nicely apart on its head. The Eurasier has a blue-black tongue that is a distinctive feature adopted from its chow chow parentage.
When it comes to its build, the Eurasier has a firm and compact body with a straight and levelled top line. Its withers and the rest of the body are firm and muscled. The breed standard dictates that this dog breed must come with a thick undercoat and a medium-to-long, loosely-lying guard hair all over the body. Its tail, back of the front legs, and hind legs should be covered with long hair, whilst the coat in the neck area must always be slightly longer than the body but should never form a mane. The Eurasier can sport a coat in the accepted breed colours such as fawn, red, wolf grey, sable, black and tan, and solid black.
Since the Eurasier sports a thick coat, just like any spitz-type dogs, it is considered a high-maintenance dog breed. It is highly recommended to brush its coat daily to remove dead hair, mats, and tangles. It doesn't help that the Eurasier sheds throughout the year and more twice a year, during spring and autumn. In this case, frequent brushing is required more than the usual. It is also worth noting that the Eurasier is predisposed to eye disorders called entropion, so make sure to include the eyes in your grooming regimen.
Regular checking and cleaning of ears and mouth are also important as neglect to both can lead to infections. Do remember that grooming your dog is also an opportunity to check its health. Once you find anything that is not normal with your Eurasier, visit a trusted veterinarian immediately.
Temperament and Intelligence
The charming qualities the Eurasier can be credited to its parents, the chow chow, the wolf spitz, and the Samoyed. It is an affectionate breed that develops a strong bond with its family. It is gentle, neither timid nor aggressive. It is sociable with other dogs, but wary around strangers. Since the Eurasier was bred as a companion dog, it doesn't do well with training through strangers or professional handlers, other than its family.
It's a family-pleaser, which means it is obedient and easy to train, which is why it is the best choice for first-time dog owners. However, it also needs its owner to spend as much time with it as possible. If your household is empty of human warmth for long periods throughout the day, then a Eurasier is not for you, else it suffers from separation anxiety.
When it comes to barking tendencies, the Eurasier is not much of a barker. It only barks when necessary and only to alert its owner. Aside from its affectionate nature, this dog breed has the natural inclination to protect. It is vigilant, which also means it is a perfect watchdog. It is crucial that the Eurasier is socialised early, so it becomes a well-rounded dog. It is good around children, but its interaction with younger kids must be supervised. It is debatable whether the Eurasier holds any hunting instinct, but majority agrees that it gets along well with other pets if raised together.
Nutrition and Feeding
A typical serving for an adult Eurasier is 2.5–3 cups of dry dog food per day, spread out in two meals. Proper nutrition is important for the dog to grow and thrive. However, finding the right diet takes a lot of research. Consult a trusted veterinarian, breeder, or dog trainer to determine the best recommended dog food for your Eurasier.
When it comes to calorie needs, below is a rough guide for an adult 50-pound Eurasier per day:
- Senior and less active: up to 1,160 calories daily
- Typical adult: up to 1,310 calories daily
- Physically active/working dog: up to 1,460 calories daily
It is important to establish a strict feeding routine for your dog to know when it will be fed and how long it has to eat. No veterinarian will recommend free-feeding as this will only encourage the Eurasier to simply overeat, leading to obesity and digestive problems. Make sure to read food labels and look for an average protein base of at least 21 per cent. Highly recommended diet is real meat, meat by-product (e.g., intestines, bones, and blood), ground-up meat or bone products, and fish meat.
Health and Exercise
The Eurasier is considered a healthy dog breed with few health issues. If it is possible to escape these health issues, your dog can live up to its lifespan of thirteen years. For preventive measures, however, it is crucial to recognise these hereditary diseases such as distichiasis, entropion, ectropion, hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and hypothyroidism. If you think that your dog exhibits abnormal behaviours or is showing unusual signs and symptoms, immediately consult with a veterinarian.
Since the Eurasier is relatively calm indoors, it does not mean it does not enjoy the action outdoors. Like any other dog, it should be allowed to walk, run, play, and chase. It needs at least an hour of daily exercise.
Cost of Ownership
If you are set on keeping an Eurasier, you may need to go on a breeder's waiting list since only a few puppies are registered annually. A well-bred Kennel-registered pedigree puppy normally costs £800-£1,000 depending on the reputation of the breeder you are purchasing it from. When it comes to feeding, you will need to spend £50 to £60 a month on high-quality dog food. You also need to factor in the initial cost for dog accessories and equipment such as bowls, leads, collars, and beds, which will likely be about £200 depending on the brand.
As to healthcare you need to be prepared in case your dog suddenly falls ill or gets into an accident. You can offset some bills if you get a pet insurance, which can range from £50 for a time-limited cover up to £90 for a lifetime one. These prices vary depending on your dog’s health and age, the type of cover you choose, and whether it has pre-existing conditions.
Other outgoings to consider are veterinary expenses that may not be included in a pet insurance coverage such as vaccinations, routine checks, neutering or spaying, and annual boosters, which can have a combined cost of £1000 annually. In a rough estimation, you need to set aside £100 a month for recurring expenses, depending on the type of insurance cover you choose for your dog.
Eurasier Breed Highlights
- The Eurasier’s parents breeds are the chow chow, the wolf spitz, and the Samoyed.
- It is bred to be an ideal companion dog and a good watchdog.
- It is affectionate and gentle in nature, but it can be excessively attached.
- The Eurasier has an excessive desire to please its owners, which makes it easy to train.
- It is ideal for first-time dog owners who can provide it with enough attention.
- Grooming-wise, it is a high-maintenance dog that requires daily brushing.
Are you sure the Eurasier is the best breed for you? Take the Pet Breed Selector Quiz to find your perfect breed match.
Dog Breed Selector QuizAre you ready to take home a Eurasier? If you're having doubts, you can try using our Pet Finder to find other breed options that match your needs.
Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
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