Eurasier

The History of the Eurasier & Breed Standard

History of the Eurasier

The Eurasier is a relatively new Spitz-type dog breed originating in Germany.

In the 1950’s, in Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, the Wipfel family, Julius and Elfriede, chose to undertake the creation of an ideal, family-oriented breed of dog.

While Julius Wipfel is the "father of the Eurasier," he had many collaborators and enthusiasts such as Charlotte Baldamus, who all worked to help make this dream become a reality. In 1960, Wipfel clearly defined his goals in creating this new breed of dog. His aim was to create a medium size Spitz-type family dog, one that commanded respect but which also had a calm and even-tempered nature. It was to be attractive, with beautiful and varied color coats. The new breed was to be adaptable and suitable to different family lifestyles, from city life to rural life.

The breeding plan that was followed throughout the 1960’s was one of mating a select group of German Wolfspitzes with Chow Chows (which did not have the appearance of todays Chows). The new breed was named “Wolf-Chow”. During this time the first national club for this new breed, the EKW (Eurasier-Klub e.v., Sitz Weinheim) was also established. Later, after some debate amongst the leading Wolf-Chow enthusiasts, Wipfel chose to include the Samoyed, which was introduced in 1972. Nobel prize winner Konrad Lorenz, who acquired his first Wolf-Chow that year, helped further popularize the breed. It was recognized by the German Kennel Club (VDH) and the FCI in 1973, and was renamed Eurasier. It took Wipfel and his many associates decades, but they accomplished their goal: creation of the family-friendly Eurasier.

There are now about 8 thousand Eurasiers around the globe, mostly in Europe, and primarily in Germany, the country of origin. The Eurasier has been recognized by the international dog club, the FCI  (Federation Cynologique International) since 1973. All of the 79 countries that are members of the FCI recognize the Eurasier and many of those, especially those in Europe, have national Eurasier clubs.  There are an unprecedented 3 national Eurasier clubs in Germany: the EKW, the ZG (Zuchtgemeinschaft fuer Eurasier) and the KZG (Kynologische Zuchtgemeinschaft).

In the USA and Canada, there are approximately 500 Eurasiers.

In Canada, Paul and Margaret Knight of Ontario  were instrumental in  lobbying for and securing full CKC recognition of the breed, and bringing it out of the Miscellaneous Class. The Canadian Kennel Club, which officially recognized the Eurasier in June 1995, is the only national dog club in North America that recognizes the Eurasier

Origin and Purpose

In 1960 a breed was evolved by crossing a Chow Chow and a Wolfspitz. This was first called "Wolf-Chow" and then, after crossing with a Samoyed, was re-named "Eurasier" (Eurasian) and recognized by the F.C.I.  

General Appearance

Balanced, well constructed medium sized dog of Spitz type with prick ears and coat in varied colours.  Length of coat should be such as still to reveal the body proportions.  With medium bone.

Temperament

Self-assured, calm, even tempered with high resistance against any provocation.  Watchful and alert without being noisy.  Very strongly developed link to his family.  Reserved towards strangers without being aggressive.  No hunting instinct.  For the full development of these qualities, the Eurasier needs constant close domestic contact with his family and understanding, yet consistent training.

Size and Proportion

Size and Proportion
Length of back slightly longer than height at withers. The ratio of length of muzzle and length of cranial region is almost equal.
Height at Withers:
Dogs: 52-60 cm
Bitches: 48-56 cm
Weight:
Dogs: 23-32 kg
Bitches: 18-26 kg

The balance of the proportions is most important but the ideals to aim for are Dogs - 56 cm, 26 kg and Bitches - 52 cm, 22 kg.

Skin

Tight, well pigmented.

Coat

All over the body a thick undercoat and a medium length, loosely lying, harsh top coat. Short coat on muzzle, face, ears and front of legs. Tail, back of front legs (feathers) and hind legs (breeches) covered in long hair. Coat on neck slightly longer than on body, not forming a mane.

Colour

All colours and colour combinations are permitted with the exception of pure white, white patches or liver colour.

Head and Skull

Balanced, not too broad skull. Shape of head seen from above and sideways, wedgeshaped. Bridge of nose and cranial region run parallel. Cranial region: shape of skull, flat forehead with distinct frontal furrow. Well defined occiput. Stop barely defined. Facial region: Nose medium size, noseleather with back pigmentation. Muzzle neither too coarse nor too pointed. Tapering towards the noseleather. Straight bridge of nose and ramus of mandible. Lips, edges of lips tight with black pigmentation. Jaws strong, broad arch to lower jaw. Cheeks barely pronounced. Teeth strong, complete set of teeth (42 teeth conforming to usual tooth formation). Bite either scissor or even. Upper incisors either fit closely over lower incisors or meet. Premolars and molars set in one line without gaps. All teeth must be in vertical position to jaw. Eyes dark, medium size, not too deep set nor protruding. Orbital aperture slightly slanting. Eye-rims with black pigmentation and tight fitting. Ears set apart by about the width of the base of an ear. Medium size and triangular. Prick ears with tips slightly rounded. Tips of ears and centre of stop should form a nearly equilateral triangle.

Neck

Of medium length, in balance with general appearance. Well muscled. Skin on throat tight fitting. Flowing transition to body.

Body

Strong, not too short in back. Withers pronounced. Back firm and straight. Very well muscled. Loin of good length and width, well muscled. Rump straight, broad and strong. Chest reaching to the elbows with oval shaped ribcage. Forechest well developed without being pronounced. Sternum long, reaching far back. Lower line slight tuck up.

Forequarters

Seen from front, straight and parallel in position. Seen from side, moderately angulated. Upper and lower arm of almost equal length. Shoulders well muscled. Lying slightly slanted. Upper arm medium length, well muscled. Elbows close to chest. Lower arm medium length, well muscled. Pastern-joint strong. Pastern medium length, quite straight seen from front, seen from side, inclined slightly forward. Fore-feet oval, tight, moderately arched. Strong nails with dark pigmentation. Firm, well cushioned, black pigmented pads. Thick hair between pads.

Hindquarters

Seen from behind, straight and parallel. Seen from side with moderate angulation. Upper and lower thigh of almost equal length. Pelvis slightly slanting. Upper thigh medium length with strong muscle. Stifle stable, not too straight. Lower thigh medium length, well muscled. Hock-joint not set too low, stable, neither turning in or out. Hock (Metatarsus) good length and breadth, vertical when seen from side.

Tail

Straight set on, round and firm, of good thickness, tapering towards the tip. Bushy hair. Carried lying forward over back or bent slightly sideways or rolled up. When hanging down, reaching the hocks.

Gait

Ground covering with plenty of drive and good forward stride.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered as a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Disqualifications

Nervousness, shyness, excessive suspiciousness, aggression.
Ears which flap or pendulous ears.
Distichiasis (eyelashes arranged in two lines), ectropion, entropion.
Eyes set too deep or eyes too small.
> Single or more incisor or canine tooth missing; single or more premolars 3 or 4 missing, or single or more molars 1 or 2.
Anomalies in bite.
Kinky tail.
Strong lack of pigment.
Lack of correct gender characteristics

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