The East European Shepherd Dog (VEO) was bred by Soviet dog handlers in the 1930s for the needs of the Red Army, the border service, and state security agencies. The German Shepherd has become the parent breed in a predictable way. The eastern shepherd was bred as a more hardy and less whimsical replacement for the German one. However, throughout the history of the USSR, both breeds were used as service dogs. At the same time, the oriental shepherd dog was also used as guide dogs.
1. Head held high
The "German", in contrast to the BEO, can walk and track down (sniff out) the desired target at least the whole day. The eastern shepherd dog has known problems with this, since due to the structural features of the shoulder-shoulder joint, this breed cannot walk for a long time with its head lowered.
2. Direct and open gaze
The German and Eastern Shepherd Dogs also differ in their eyes. Among the "Germans" they are almost always slanting and have a characteristic oval shape. The head of the VEO is almost guaranteed to be planted straight. In addition, they have a specific almond shape.
3. Broad chest
The East European Shepherd Dog has a noticeably wider and more massive chest. It is also firmer compared to the chest of a German Shepherd. The average VEO will be more powerful than the "German". This affects, among other things, how the dogs look when they run. On the other hand, the chest has almost no effect on the working qualities of shepherd dogs.
4. Character difference
The Eastern Shepherd Dog is a service "serving" dog to the core. Hence she has a corresponding temperament. Without a team and owner, BEO behaves quite phlegmatic. The Germans are completely different: terribly active and playful, as if a famous tailor's instrument had been placed in a certain place.
5. Rapid growth
The puppies of the two shepherd dogs also differ. The Eastern European breed grows much faster and gains weight. The dog looks like it is not eating in itself and does it on a 24/7 basis. At the same time, BEO puppies are much less agile, they look like little bumpers who did not have time to curb their young limbs.
6. Pea jacket against a sheepskin coat
Long hair that already literally hangs down on the side? Then you are guaranteed a German shepherd. The East European breed cannot even boast of such a luxurious "sheepskin coat" that representatives of the German family acquired during the selection process. In addition, VEO has a "wild" shaggy: the wool literally sticks out in all directions.
7. Sprint and cross
The "Germans" and the VEO differ in how they run. Firstly, the German Shepherd moves with a characteristic overlap: throwing out the hind legs behind the front ones during a fast run. Secondly, the German shepherd always runs faster than the eastern one. True, BEO starts much faster.
8. Coat color
On the face of a real German shepherd, there will always be a characteristic black mask. In addition, the "Germans" have a characteristic coat palette that does not imply any deviations. But the BEO may well have a rather "motley" color and even give red.
9. Back line
If you put the BEO and the "German" next to each other, then distinguishing them in profile will not be difficult at all. The back of an Eastern Shepherd Dog looks like a rectangular bar of regular shape. The back of the German Shepherd is always slightly sloping, like a slide along which one could ride a sleigh.
10. Little "calf"
The German Shepherd is a real machine designed to work in law enforcement agencies. Strong, hardy, fast. The East European Shepherd Dog has all these qualities. However, unlike the German, she feels much better in winter, including in the strongest frost. Actually, it was for work in the cold that it was taken out in the 1930s. The new quality was primarily reflected in the middle weight of the BEO. For a boy, 50-60 kg is the norm. A real barking "calf"!
If you want to know even more interesting things, then you should read about 10 breed faults, which breeders are silent about.