Greyhound vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Greyhound vs East German Shepherd - Breed ComparisonGreyhound is originated from United Kingdom but East German Shepherd is originated from Germany. Greyhound may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than East German Shepherd. Both Greyhound and East German Shepherd are of same weight. Both Greyhound and East German Shepherd has almost same life span. Greyhound may have more litter size than East German Shepherd. Greyhound requires Low maintenance. But East German Shepherd requires High maintenance

History

greyhound - historyThe Greyhound belongs to a group of dogs known as sighthounds. This is an ancient sighthound breed dating back a few thousands years.

The dog has been bred for racing but today is also a popular pet. They’ve also been used for hunting too because of their keen eyesight and sense of smell.

In the United States there are Greyhounds registered with the American Kennel Club as well as those registered with the National Greyhound Association.

east german shepherd - historyThe 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

greyhound puppy - descriptionThe Greyhound is a tall, muscled, long-legged, slender dog with a flexible spine, a deep chest and exceptional eye sight.

The Males are usually about 71 to 76 cm in height with the females being slightly smaller. The dogs weigh in the region of 27 to 40 kg. The coat of the dog is short and smooth and is found in an assortment of colors, from fawn to white, tan, black and brindle.As far as grooming goes, he is looked upon as a low maintenance breed.

He has a long narrow muzzle, semi-erect/semi-floppy short ears and a long slender tail.

Sometimes referred to as being hypoallergenic, you need to allow your Greyhound indoors as the dog doesn't have an undercoat. He is therefore more susceptible to extreme temperatures. The face is long, narrow and pointed, the ears short and half-erect-half-floppy with a long, thin, whip-like tail.

Temperament:

Intelligent and gentle, the Greyhound is described by those who have owned them as wonderful pet. They are somewhat aloof around strangers but love their own human family. This is a non-aggressive, gentle, docile, calm dog. They are loving and get on well with their entire family, whether human beings or pets.

They’re sensitive dogs who appreciate quiet, calm environments. They may be quiet, but they are still social, loving the company of their family. They’re not great barkers and because they are non-aggressive, they don’t make wonderful guard dogs.

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

greyhound dog - characteristicsThe Greyhound, forgetting about the racing part, makes a superb pet too. He won't do well in a household where there are screaming, noisy children and adults as he wants a quiet home to live in.

He can get on well with kind, gentle, respectful children as well as with pets in the home. Just like any dog, he will also need training and socialization as this can build up his confidence and then he knows how to please his owners and what they expect.

The Greyhound will require a gentle, fair, kind owner who understands his need for peace and quiet, and then he becomes a most wonderful devoted, loyal and loving pet.

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

greyhound puppies - health problemsGreyhounds are a wonderfully healthy dog breed and with good care can reach 14 years of age. They aren't prone to many genetic illnesses and unlike so many other dog breeds, this is one dog that doesn't battle with hip dysplasia – in fact it is almost unknown among this tall, slim dog breed.

The Greyhound does however, have a deep chest and this is what makes him vulnerable to bloat or gastric torsion. You have to take action quickly if you detect bloat – the stomach swells up – as this is a life-threatening condition that can occur quickly when air is trapped in the stomach. The stomach can become twisted.

Make sure your Greyhound doesn't gobble his food too quickly and preferably give him smaller meals as opposed to one or two large bowls of food.

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

Diet:

greyhound dogs - caringYour Greyhound’s breeder will be the best guide for the type of- and the amount of dog food your hound will need. Of course, a growing puppy has different nutritional needs from a mature or senior Greyhound.

Growing puppies and young dogs use a lot of energy so they will require a diet rich in protein. According to Greyhound experts, an adult Greyhound dog will need an average daily caloric intake of 1740 calories.

Older dogs and those that have been spayed or neutered will need less. Apart from the very best quality kibble, your Greyhound will most certainly require raw meat from time to time. You can also give him some cooked chicken, vegetables and brown rice. He should have access to a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

The Greyhound's coat is smooth and short and he sheds very little so he will only need a gentle brush-down once or twice a week.

Exercise:

Having a relaxed lifestyle is what your Greyhound will love. He is a dog that needs to spend time indoors. When outdoors, whether you live in the city or the country, he will need daily walks and a run in the park regularly.

Just because he is a sprinter, it isn't wise to take him with you with cycling or jogging as he is geared for a short burst of speed as opposed to a long run.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Germany
Height Male:
71 - 76 cm
27 - 30 inches
60 - 65 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
68 - 71 cm
26 - 28 inches
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 40 kg
59 - 89 pounds
29 - 40 kg
63 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
26 - 40 kg
57 - 89 pounds
23 - 33 kg
50 - 73 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 12
4 - 9
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
English Greyhound
East German Shepherd Dog, DDR, EGSD
Colors Available:
Fawn to white, brindle and bi-colored, black, tan
grey with darker shading, brown and yellow to light grey markings; single-coloured black, are black with reddish-brown, black saddle and mask
Coat:
Short and smooth
double, dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Independent, Loving, Protective, Social
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  2. Greyhound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  3. Greyhound vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  4. Greyhound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  5. Greyhound vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  6. Greyhound vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  7. Greyhound vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  8. Greyhound vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  9. Greyhound vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. Greyhound vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  11. Greyhound vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  12. Greyhound vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  13. Greyhound vs Circassian Orloff Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  14. Saluki vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  15. Mountain Cur vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  16. Rajapalayam vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  17. Plott Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  18. Petit Gascon Saintongeois vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  19. Otterhound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  20. Mudhol Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  21. Ibizan Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  22. Rampur Greyhound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  23. Galgo Espanol vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  24. Hanover Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  25. Majestic Tree Hound vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  26. Old English Sheepdog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Rough Collie vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. East German Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. East German Shepherd vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. East German Shepherd vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  31. East German Shepherd vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  32. East German Shepherd vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  33. East German Shepherd vs Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Breed Comparison
  34. Saarlooswolfhond vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Estrela Mountain Dog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Huntaway vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. South Russian Ovcharka vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. Mioritic Sheepdog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Samoyed vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Labradoodle vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Mixed vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. German Shorthaired Pointer vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Great Pyrenees vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Presa Canario vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Labrador Husky vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Perro de Presa Canario vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Irish Setter vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds