Breeds

Eurasier

Eurasier
Written by The Best of Breeds

Eurasier

Eurasiers are a medium-sized breed that embodies devotion and bravery. They have dark almond eyes, triangular perky ears, and black noses. Their tongues have varying colors such as purple, pink, and even spotted ones. Their bodies are muscular square-builds that are sturdy and good for outdoor activities. Eurasiers have a red, wolf-grey, fawn, black, or black and tan coat. 

A mixture of calmness, protectiveness, and family-orientedness, Eurasiers have these traits and more! Eurasiers are the product of the breeding of Wolfspitz, Chow Chow, and Samoyed. It all started when Julius Wipfel, a breeder in Germany, thought of a perfect dog. He wanted the best traits of these three breeds into an all-in-one breed— the confidence of Chow Chows, the alertness of Wolfsspitzs, and the amiability of Samoyeds. Thus, the Eurasier was born. If you’re on the search for an adorable dog that also serves as guard dogs, then Eurasiers may be the perfect breed for you!

Opening your home to a Eurasier won’t be a hard and demanding task. They cope and adjust easily with almost any setup. Eurasiers are good with kids and other pets as long as you introduce them at a young age. On the other hand, they can be apprehensive towards strangers because of their vigilant traits. It may take time before these dogs warm up to new faces outside of the family. With these things in mind, having a Eurasier will definitely add more joy to your life.

Eurasier Key Information

Height: 19-24 inches
Weight: 40-70 lbs
Life span: 12-16 years
Breed family: Foundation Stock Service

Exercise requirements: Medium
Good with children: Yes
Area of origin: Germany
Also Known As: Wolf-Chow, Eurasian, Eurasian Spitz

History

Eurasiers came into existence in the 1960s and we all have Julius Wipfel to thank for this amazing breed. He envisioned a dog that has wolf-like characteristics but is also family-friendly. He decided to mix a  Wolfspitz, Samoyed, and Chow Chow. The result was incredible! He did not only have the characteristics that he wanted as additional great traits were added to the new breed. Now, Eurasiers are famous for their charming looks and for being awesome guard dogs. This breed is mostly found in Europe where it originated. A few are scattered throughout the United States of America.

They were originally called Wolf-Chow. Despite it being a cool name and all, it was agreed upon to change the term. As a rule, to be listed in the German Kennel Club and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, the original name of the parents should not be included in the new breed’s name. Wolf-Chow was changed to Eurasier to acknowledge the origin of the parent breeds. Chow Chows came from Asia while the Wolfspitz came from Europe.

Personality

Eurasiers are good-natured dogs. Like what the creator of the breed envisioned, they are lovable pets that are extremely family-oriented. They are protective of their families and see it as their job to ensure a safe environment for all. Eurasiers are also sensitive dogs. Be kind and understanding with them because they can get easily hurt with harsh and cruel words. If you need to reprimand them, do it in a tranquil manner. It will also lower the possibility of your dog acting in hostile behavior.

Interaction with Children

Eurasiers are amazing with children. They are overprotective of the kids in the family. One fascinating skill of Eurasiers is that they can alter their behavior to one that is more appropriate for the kid. For example, they can be extra gentle when dealing with babies and more energetic when playing with toddlers. They are very loving and caring when it comes to their human families.

Interaction with other pets

If you wonder how your Eurasier will feel about other animals in the house, then you are up for some good news because like with children, they are friendly towards other pets. Eurasiers are not aggressive towards them regardless if they’re a cat or a dog. They have mild predatory or hunting instincts that make them very receptive and sociable towards others.

Feeding

Eurasiers can be picky eaters at times. You have to up your food preparation skills if you don’t want them to get tired of eating the same dog food every day. Just make sure that if you decide to feed them other food (aside from dog food) that they will still get the nutritional value they need. However, nothing beats a high-quality dog food. It is formulated to keep your dogs healthy. If you choose that route, 2-2.5 cups of high-quality dog food daily are enough. It is also advisable to divide it into 2-3 portions throughout the day.

Food Allergies

This breed can likely develop allergies. Make sure to avoid food that contains high levels of grains and other fillers. If you notice a sudden change of eating habits from your Eurasier, consult a veterinarian immediately.

Care

If you want a low maintenance dog, then a Eurasier may be the one for you. They are painless to care for. They don’t require constant visits to the groomers which makes them low maintenance and budget-friendly pets. However, you still have to do your part as a responsible pet owner to keep your pet maintained and clean at all times.  Simply checking their ears, eyes, and paws for pests regularly are helpful to avoid possible infections.

Grooming

Eurasiers have a glorious double coat. It requires brushing once or twice a week. Aside from making it more gorgeous, this also untangles their hair which can cause pain and discomfort to your dog. Likewise, this breed sheds for about 3 weeks once or twice a year. During this time, more frequent brushing is necessary to remove excess hair. If your Eurasier was spayed or neutered, expect their coats to be thicker and longer.

Nails

Their nails grow fast. It usually takes one or two weeks before they need their nails to be trimmed. One indicator that their nails have become too long is when you can hear the nails tap the floor. If you are unsure whether it is the right time to cut their nails, it is best to consult with your vet. Your vet will be able to show you how to correctly trim your dog’s nails without hurting them.

Exercise

An hour of exercise daily is good for the health of Eurasiers. Activities can vary from walking, running, and playing. Eurasiers will be healthy as long as they remain active. They also enjoy swimming and other agility training. Eurasiers will welcome being given a variety of activities for their exercise, this will help to keep it interesting and challenging, avoiding them from becoming bored.

Training

Teaching your Eurasier can be a smooth and effortless endeavor. They are obedient and strive to please their owners. Like with many other aspects about Eurasiers, ensuring they have variety in their training whenever possible beneficial as Eurasiers are known to get easily bored.

They don’t like repetitive treats or commands. Make tasks interesting and challenging to keep their attention. Using positive reinforcement and awarding them with food as a reward will help in the learning process of Eurasiers.

Housing

Eurasiers are effective watchdogs so you can peacefully sleep at night knowing that they’ve always got your back. They generally are a good fit for every lifestyle. However, if you are a huge traveler and constantly leave home for days on end, you might want to put your plan of owning any dog on hold until you’re able to spend more quality time with them.

Apartments

Living in an apartment won’t be an issue for Eurasiers. As long as they receive their required exercise daily, having a small place won’t be a problem for them. They also bark only when necessary which makes them great companions for apartments.

Dog Houses / Kennels

Eurasiers have a double coat which can make it difficult for them in hot temperatures. While they can live in harsh climates, leaving them in dog houses for prolonged hours during the summer can negatively affect their health. On the other hand, their coats can help keep them warm on cold winter nights. However, Eurasiers would always prefer to live with their families inside the house.

Leaving them alone

Leaving your Eurasiers behind is a big no no. They need to be around their families all the time. They can get depressed or develop separation anxiety when frequently left alone. Since they do not interact well with strangers, it is not advisable to leave them in the care of other people.

Health

Eurasiers are generally healthy as long as they are properly taken care of growing up. Additionally, being a mix of three breeds means that undesirable traits such as genetic diseases can be bred out of the breed in favor of more desirable ones. Despite this, there are still some illnesses your Eurasier may be prone to acquire. 

One example is Addison’s disease. It is a hormonal disorder that is caused by the lack of cortisol, and aldosterone in the adrenal gland hormones.  Signs of the illness include:

  • Weak pulse
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Hair loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dehydration
  • Hyperpigmentation of the skin

Eurasiers may also suffer from Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) which is what happens when the pancreas fails to produce adequate amounts of digestive enzymes.  Some symptoms of EPI include: 

  • Weight loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Frequent bowel movements
  • Loud noises in the stomach
  • Frequent gas

Older age

Eurasiers are susceptible to joint issues like hip and elbow dysplasia which can result in weak joints. It can cause discomfort and pain to your pet. Another thing to watch out for in your Eurasier is the possibility of developing arthritis.

Allergies

There are no particular allergies Eurasiers are known for except for their possible food allergies. If you notice sudden behavioral changes, make sure to bring your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Wrapping up

Owning a Eurasier will be one of the most incredible choices you’ll ever make in your life. They will be great additions to the family. Eurasiers are great companions, protectors, and friends. They are lifelong allies that remain loyal and guard you in times of danger and peril. They will always have your back. Eurasiers are wonderful pets that can effortlessly squeeze into your lifestyle and heart. As long as you provide them with their basic needs and love, they will repay your kindness a hundred folds.

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