Irish Water Spaniel vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Irish Water Spaniel vs East European Shepherd - Breed ComparisonIrish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland but East European Shepherd is originated from Russia. Irish Water Spaniel may grow 17 cm / 6 inches shorter than East European Shepherd. Irish Water Spaniel may weigh 20 kg / 44 pounds lesser than East European Shepherd. Both Irish Water Spaniel and East European Shepherd has same life span. Both Irish Water Spaniel and East European Shepherd has almost same litter size. Both Irish Water Spaniel and East European Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance.

History

irish water spaniel - historyThe Irish Water Spaniel is one of the larger spaniel types and also one of the oldest.

He is sometimes referred to as the Southern Irish Water Spaniel. Hailing from Ireland, the precise origins of the dog aren't altogether sure. It is believed that the dog came from other dogs from Persia and there are references to these water dogs from as early as 1600.

The modern breed was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. The breed's purpose is that of a hunter of waterfowl and he swims strongly.

The Irish Water Spaniel was recognized by the AKC in 1884. In 1890 the Irish Water Spaniel Club was formed.

east european shepherd - historyThe East European Shepherd is a dog which hails from Russia. The dog was developed in the 1930-1950s as there was a need for a bigger, more robust, weather-resistant type of dog who would perform all kinds of guard duties in the Soviet Union.

This is a rare dog breed, created by mixing Russian breeds such as the Laika, Central Asian Shepherd and Caucasian Shepherd to create a strong working dog that could cope well with the sub-freezing conditions.

The standard breed type was established in 1964. The only major kennel club to grant full recognition to the East-European Shepherd is the Russian Kennel Club. In the United States, the dog is recognized by a number of rare breed registries.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Working dog
Origin:
Ireland
Russia
Height Male:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
66 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
66 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
30 - 50 kg
66 - 111 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
30 - 50 kg
66 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 12
4 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Belarusian Shepherd, Eastern European Shepherd, Byelorussian Shepherd
Colors Available:
Dark Brown, Liver
Solid colored or fawn or tan with black saddle
Coat:
Longish hair - thick and very curly
Medium length and dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

irish water spaniel puppy - descriptionA peculiar feature of this dog is its hairless tail which is partly covered in curls which the rest is all but hairless, giving him the nickname of Rat Tail or Whip Tail.

Looking much like a Poodle with his tight oily curls, the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium to large sized purebred dog, a robust, compact built dog with a skull which is shaped like a dome.

The muzzle is longish, the eyes dark brown and intelligent looking and the ears are long and floppy.

His hair is thick and curly and it sheds very little so that the dog is regarded as being hypoallergenic. The medium length coat is a dark brown, liver color with fairly tight curls that may even tend to cover the eyes.

It is interesting to note that he has webbed feet, which is useful for when the dog swims.He stands at roughly 51cm to 61cm and weighs between 25 to 30kg.

Temperament:

Temperament in any dog is affected by socialization and the way the human owner raises the dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is a water loving dog, being active and energetic.

He is an intelligent dog and easy to train and socialize. When trained he becomes such an obedient dog. He has also got a light-hearted side to him and is actually known to be quite amusing and clownish, providing plenty of laughs for you.

They make good family dogs, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. They're also able to make good guard dogs, taking the protective roles seriously. He isn't an aggressive dog but he has a warning bark that can be a good warning to intruders.

east european shepherd puppy - descriptionThe East European Shepherd is larger than a German Shepherd. He is described as a large dog with males and females standing roughly at 66-76 centimeters at the withers and weighing anything between 30–50kg.

The coat with undercoat is medium in length with the standard color being black-and-tan or black-and-red. The dog is solid colored or is light fawn or tan in color with black saddle.

The face of the dog is black and he looks a lot like a wolf in appearance. The ears of the East European Shepherd are medium sized and always erect.The tail is long and hangs low.

Temperament:

The East European Shepherd is an intelligent and confident dog and can be aggressive when aggravated. He is a working dog and to get along with other pets in the home as well as children, the East European Shepherd will need to be trained and socialized, becoming obedient and loyal with his owner.

He is an intelligent dog and training him poses no problem. Loyal and devoted, this dog mostly becomes particularly attached to one member of the family.

There are a number of dog experts who don’t recommend the dog as a family pet as it is a dog reluctant to form a close bond with a child, being irritated by them, especially ill disciplined children.

It is a strong-willed dog too and shouldn’t be the first dog choice for a novice dog owner. They make excellent guard dogs and take their role as protector of the family seriously.

Characteristics

irish water spaniel dog - characteristicsYour active Irish Water Spaniel just loves water so you can count him in whenever you go swimming. That is one characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel – he just loves to be involved in all the action you're busy with.

He makes an ideal family pet for an active family, and he will be a loyal and devoted pet who will provide a lot of fun to your family with his mischievous side.

He is confident, independent and strong willed so first time dog owners should bear this in mind. He is essentially just a fun loving, busy dog and if you make sure to exercise him well and make sure he is a participating member of your family, he'll be your most loving and devoted friend.

east european shepherd dog - characteristicsThe East-European Shepherd dogs are balanced, confident, intelligent, loving and playful while also being tough and protective of their owners.

They make fantastic guard dogs, becoming aggressive around strangers whom they don’t trust. When you bring a dog like this into the home, it is essential to have him trained and socialized and to also have a firm owner who can deal with such a strong-willed animal.

He is an active, alert dog who will require regular exercise and will slot into life in the city or in the country so long as his exercise needs are met.

When you look after your East European Shepherd you’ll find in him a devoted, loyal friend who will protect you with his life.

Health Problems

irish water spaniel puppies - health problemsA generally healthy breed, the Irish Water Spaniel, just like with most other dogs, can fall prey to some of the more common dog ailments of which hip dysplasia is one.

Bone and joint problems like this can lead to lameness even in young dogs.

Eye diseases are also a problem, and cataracts can form in the eye, particularly when the dog is older and create a cloudy look to the eye. It's not painful for the dog.

Hypothyroidism, a treatable hormonal disorder is another disease worth being aware of.

east european shepherd puppies - health problemsRegarded as a tough dog who can reach 10 – 12 years of age, the East European Shepherd is prone to hip or elbow dysplasia. This is a a disease that is more prevalent with German Shepherd type dogs.

Dysplasia is a genetic condition which can lead to inflammation and arthritis and even lameness. Unfortunately it can happen with young dogs too, and the vet will suggest different types of treatment which can include surgery.

Degenerative myelopathy is another degenerative disease which can be found with the East European Shepherd. It is a fatal, progressive degenerative disease of the spinal cord. Unfortunately there isn’t treatment for the disease, leading to paralysis of the limbs.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish water spaniel dogs - caringYour Irish Water Spaniel requires quite a bit of grooming that will involve his coat, his nails, his teeth and his ears. The double coat doesn't shed much so it can be easily maintained by brushing the coat twice a week.

It can help your water spaniel to look good by sending him in to a doggy grooming parlor to have his curls neatened. This is a dog that loves water and swimming, and you will need to check the inside of his ears for dampness, wax build-up and debris. This can all combine to cause nasty ear infections.

Exercise:

The dog is energetic and will need to be exercised. Take him for walks, play ball games with him and allow him to go on hikes with you or to go swimming. He loves being involved in all your activities as he is a social, active dog.

Diet:

Highly energetic, it will be important to feed your Irish Water Spaniel with food that enhances his energy levels. There are some good quality commercially manufactured dog foods on the market. Choose one that caters for active, athletic dogs such as the Irish Water Spaniel.

Dry kibble is more recommended to prevent canine tooth decay. Mix in some home cooked foods from time to time such as cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables and try to include some raw meat every now and then as well. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

east european shepherd dogs - caringThe coat of the East European Shepherd is thick, and while he won’t require any professional grooming, he will require being brushed at least twice a week. This is because he sheds heavily at certain times.

His nails will need to be clipped if they don’t wear down naturally, and his teeth will require regular brushing at least 2 or 3 times a week. Fortunately, because his ears are large and open, he doesn’t easily get an ear infection.

Exercise:

The East European Shepherd is a dog which has always been worked. It is a highly energetic dog and its role as a guard- and herding dog has made it that the dog will require a good dose of exercise.

A long walk may not be enough for this active dog, and he will require intense ball throwing with a tennis racquet to get the ball far away so that he can run far to fetch the ball. Without enough exercise, the East-European Shepherd will develop behavioral problems which will include aggression.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pudelpointer vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  2. Picardy Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. Pont-Audemer Spaniel vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Springer Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  6. Irish Water Spaniel vs Brittany - Breed Comparison
  7. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Setter - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Water Spaniel vs French Brittany - Breed Comparison
  9. Irish Water Spaniel vs Boykin Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Water Spaniel vs Barbet - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Water Spaniel vs Ariege Pointer - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Water Spaniel vs Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Water Spaniel vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Water Spaniel vs Deutsch Drahthaar - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Water Spaniel vs Clumber Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Water Spaniel vs Braque du Bourbonnais - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Water Spaniel vs Cesky Fousek - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Water Spaniel vs Drentse Patrijshond - Breed Comparison
  21. Stabyhoun vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Styrian Coarse Haired Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. Vizsla vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Large Munsterlander vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Tyrolean Hound vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Great Pyrenees vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Presa Canario vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Labrador Husky vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Giant Schnauzer vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  31. Goldador vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Mackenzie River Husky vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. German Longhaired Pointer vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Pyredoodle vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Lurcher vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Maremma Sheepdog vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Sarplaninac vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. Himalayan Mastiff vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Mountain View Cur vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Native American Indian Dog vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Greenland Dog vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Komondor vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Fila Brasileiro vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Greek Sheepdog vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. Kangal Dog vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Himalayan Sheepdog vs East European Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds