East German Shepherd vs Brittany - Breed Comparison

East German Shepherd vs Brittany - Breed ComparisonBrittany is originated from France but East German Shepherd is originated from Germany. Brittany may grow 13 cm / 5 inches shorter than East German Shepherd. Brittany may weigh 20 kg / 44 pounds lesser than East German Shepherd. Both Brittany and East German Shepherd has same life span. Brittany may have more litter size than East German Shepherd. Brittany requires Low Maintenance. But East German Shepherd requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Herding dogs
undefined
France
Germany
Height Male:
43 - 52 cm
16 - 21 inches
60 - 65 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
40 - 50 cm
15 - 20 inches
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
29 - 40 kg
63 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
23 - 33 kg
50 - 73 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 13 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 12
4 - 9
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Brittany Spaniel Brittany Wiegref Epagneul Breton French Brittany
East German Shepherd Dog, DDR, EGSD
Colors Available:
tricolor, orange roan, liver roan, black roan
grey with darker shading, brown and yellow to light grey markings; single-coloured black, are black with reddish-brown, black saddle and mask
Coat:
Flowing Medium length
double, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Sweet
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Independent, Loving, Protective, Social
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

brittanyOne of the most intense bird dog breeds in existence is the Brittany, bred for hunt. The breed used to be called the Brittany Spaniel, but since the breed is closer to a setter or pointer, that moniker has been dropped. The Brittany is named for the French Province in which they were originally developed. Sometime from the 17th to the 19th centuries, the breed was developed. Images of a very similar dog can be found on 17th century paintings and tapestries. However, the first written description comes from 1850 by a Reverend Davies, describing a hunting episode. The breed was recognized officially in the early part of the 20th century and made a splash at the 1900 Paris Dog Show.

The first official standards were written in about 1907 and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1934.The Brittany is expected to point to and then retrieve birds and other small ground game. Because the Brittany both points and retrieves they are known in the U.K. as a Hunt, Point and Retrieve breed or an HPR, and they have more Dual Champions than the rest of the AKC Sporting group.

There are actually two types of Brittanys in the minds of many breeders. There is the “French” Brittany and the “American” Brittany. When the breed arrived in the United States in 1931 they became immensely popular in a short period of time. In 1942 American Breeders began the American Brittany Club, rewriting the French standard to fit the dog they knew. Today there are definitely difference between the two sub-sets that can easily be seen. The French dog is smaller than the American dog. The American dog is a runner pacing ahead of the hunter while the French dog works more closely with their human companions. Another visible difference is that the French accept black spotted Brittanys, while in the United States a black spotted coat is considered a fault. Both sub-sets are known for their willingness to follow human directions, their eagerness for the hunt, and their agility and speed.

Unfortunately, the European wars took their toll on this breed as they did on many others. Following the second World War, their numbers in Europe were drastically reduced. The French had stop breeding them altogether during the war. It was in this depleted gene pool that the French agreed to accept the black spotted Brittany. Along with the U.S., Canada also does not recognize the black spotted Brittany.

east german shepherdThe East German Shepherd is a line of the German Shepherd Dog breed. The German Shepherd Dog came about when the three types of “continental shepherd dogs” separated into the Dutch Shephers, German Shepherd and Belgian Shepherd. In the 1800’s it was local shepherds who bred their dogs and selected the traits they needed in their geography. The result was dogs in various local areas who all could herd and guard flocks; who were intelligent, strong, fast and had a good sense of smell, but their appearance and skills varied from town to town. The changes in Germany from agriculture and sheep to industrial cities rendered the German Sheep Dog obsolete. But was it really? Many felt the dog could be a good working dog in the cities as well but needed some refinement in the breed according to Max von Stephanite. At a dog show in 1899, he found what he wanted – the perfect working dog.Stephanitz bought the dog and founded the Society for the German Shepherd. (Verein fur Deutsch Schaferhunde) Stephanitz is considered the developer of the German Shepherd Dog.

The East German Shepherd is a line of the same breed. There are several different lines of the German Shepherd Dog, with slight difference for the reason they were bred. For instance, the German Shepherd Dog is bred for looks while the East German Shepherd is bred to be a working dog. Often called a DDR German Shepherd, they came about from the Deutsche Democratic Republic or the Republic of East Germany. For about 40 years in East Germany these dogs were bred only within the DDR bloodline.

The East German Shepherd is stronger, heavier boned, leaner, more muscular and solid. During the time of the Berlin Wall, from 1961-1989, there were few German Shepherds for breeding stock on either side of the wall, but especially in the East. There the government controlled the development of the breed. They developed a separate registry for the DDR – East German Shepherd. With such strict standards for a perfect working dog and such little breeding stock, the only dogs allowed to reproduce were the ones that passed a rigorous test and were deemed perfect working dogs.

In West Germany they continued to breed for appearance. The West German Shepherd are the most popular ones and are usually simply called German Shepherds. The show dogs of today and the American line came from the West.

Preserving the East German Shepherd today is important and difficult. It means preserving not improving. The Strength of the East German Shepherd is their body line and style, Today’s breeder must maintain this while making sure there is enough diversity in the gene pool to keep the line healthy without losing its body style and working temperament. It is important that the East German Shepherd have a straight back rather than the sloping one of the German Shepherd Dog or the American lines of the GSD. The working dog is also more aggressive and has a much higher work drive than any of the other German Shepherd Dogs lines.

Description

brittany puppy - descriptionThe Brittany is much like other hunting dogs – pointers and retrievers – in size and stature. He is solid and strong but not heavy. He is compact with an average size head and floppy ears, docked tails or short natural tails, and expressively intelligent looking eyes. He is athletic, energetic, and alert. He has a long, elastic and free gait. The French dog is smaller and the dog with black spots is accepted. The American Brittany is larger and only a tri-color of orange, liver and white is acceptable.

east german shepherd puppy - descriptionWhat are the differences between the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) and the East German Shepherd? The East German Shepherd has a straight back and a larger bone structure. He has a very large and block shaped head with a lean, athletic build. His lips are taunt and dark, and his nose must be black. He has a scissor bite and strong teeth. His eyes are medium sized almonds that are slanted slightly. The eyes are also very dark. His ears are erect and not too big. His legs, haunches and feet must all be coordinated so that he trots rather than runs.

Characteristics

brittany dog - characteristicsThe Brittany is particularly trainable and friendly. They love to play and are sweet-natured. They don’t due well with harsh correction though and a stern look will cause them to wither. Socialize them young or they can become shy around strangers. They are loyal and family oriented. They can easily become attached to their humans.

east german shepherd dog - characteristicsThe East German Shepherd is a well- balanced dog. He is sure of himself, friendly, loyal and wants to please his owner. He is intelligent, resilient and attentive. He will make a great family pet. He is aggressive with a high prey drive but that can be tempered with good socialization and training. He is easy to train.

Health Problems

brittany puppies - health problemsThe breed is a hardy one and Brittanys are mostly healthy dogs. In Europe 1 in 5 dogs dies of old age and that age is usually 14 or 15 years. They do have a few issues that they may be susceptible to. These would include:

Ears – prone to infections

Hip Dysplasia – bones don’t fit well into joints

Epilepsy – mild or serious seizures are possible.

Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone

Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – autoimmune disease

east german shepherd puppies - health problemsBecause the East German Shepherd line has been isolated behind the Berlin Wall, there are not many genetic health issues in the line. Most importantly the East German Shepherd shows no hip dysplasia which plagues most GSD. There are a couple of situations to look out for. They are:

  • Bloat

A life threatening issue that must be addressed immediately for fear of death. Bloat is caused when a larger dog with a deep chest eats too large a meal before or after strenuous exercise, eats too fast, or drinks too much water. The stomach distends with air or gas and twists. Sometimes it is completely inverted. Get help fast or your dog will die.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

brittany dogs - caringDon’t overfeed your Brittany. Keep him at hunting weight by feeding a half a cup up to 2 cups per day depending on the size of your dog and activity levels. Serve this in two meals not one.

Health issues

Ears – prone to infections – make sure that you check them and wipe them out routinely to prevent infections.

Hip Dysplasia – bones don’t fit well into joints – this can be genetic or otherwise, causing lameness and arthritis. If severe it can require surgery to correct.

Epilepsy – mild or serious seizures are possible. This can be genetic/hereditary but is set off by an infectious disease of the brain, head injury, poison, tumor, or metabolic disorder. There is no cure, but medication can be very effective.

Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone – can cause drooping eyelids, obesity, lethargy, mental difficulties or irregular heat cycles or all of this. Medication is available as it is for humans but must be taken daily for the rest of the dog’s life

Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – autoimmune disease that is rare in dogs. Cats and humans can also have it. It is a skin disease and does not become the more serious and deadly Systemic Lupus. The Discoid version of this disease causes loss of pigmentation and a scaling on the nose which can then progress to the skin around the ears, eyes and genitals. There could be ulcerated lesions and tissue death in more severe cases. Sun exposure can make the condition worse.

Exercise and games

The Brittany is a hunting dog that acts like a pointer but will retrieve fowl and birds in the water or on land. If you don’t hunt, the Brittany can still be your family dog. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They need a job if they are not going to hunt and expect them to be distracted by every bird they see. Try flyball, agility, FAST CAT, field trials and dock diving. They are very task oriented and have boundless energy. They excel at obedience and confirmation as well.

Feeding

east german shepherd dogs - caringBecause these dogs were bred to work you need to feed them a high quality dry food, made for working dogs. It needs to have a good amount of calcium and glucosamine. Feed about 3-4 cups per day divided into 2 feeding times.

Health issues

In addition to bloat as mentioned above, the East German Shepherd can also have both air born, and food born allergies. These are easily treated by your veterinarian.

Exercise and games

The East German Shepherd is a high energy, high activity dog so you have some for him. He is agile and athletic. He needs serious exercise and a job is essential. If you can’t give an East German Shepherd a job, then don’t get this dog. He loves tracking and has a high prey drive. Keep him trained, challenged and working. Try tracking and herding trials, obedience, agility, fly ball and bar hunt.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. East German Shepherd vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. East German Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. East German Shepherd vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. East German Shepherd vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. East German Shepherd vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. East German Shepherd vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. East German Shepherd vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. East German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. East German Shepherd vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. East German Shepherd vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. East German Shepherd vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. East German Shepherd vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. East German Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. East German Shepherd vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. East German Shepherd vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. East German Shepherd vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. East German Shepherd vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. East German Shepherd vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. East German Shepherd vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. East German Shepherd vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. East German Shepherd vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. East German Shepherd vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. East German Shepherd vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. East German Shepherd vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. East German Shepherd vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Brittany vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Brittany vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Brittany vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Brittany vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Brittany vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Brittany vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Brittany vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Brittany vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Brittany vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Brittany vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Brittany vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Brittany vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Brittany vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Brittany vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Brittany vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Brittany vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Brittany vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Brittany vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Brittany vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Brittany vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Brittany vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Brittany vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Brittany vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Brittany vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Brittany vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison