Lucas Terrier vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Lucas Terrier vs East German Shepherd - Breed ComparisonLucas Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but East German Shepherd is originated from Germany. Lucas Terrier may grow 35 cm / 13 inches shorter than East German Shepherd. Lucas Terrier may weigh 31 kg / 68 pounds lesser than East German Shepherd. Lucas Terrier may live 4 years more than East German Shepherd. Lucas Terrier may have less litter size than East German Shepherd. Lucas Terrier requires Moderate maintenance. But East German Shepherd requires High maintenance

History

lucas terrier - historyThe Lucas Terrier is a rare breed which hails from England, originating there in the late 1940s. Today it is considered a purebred. It was originally a hybrid dog, bred by crossing a Norfolk Terrier with a Sealyham Terrier.

Sir Lucas felt that the Sealyham Terrier was a bit too big for his purpose so he crossed the Sealyham with Norfolk Terriers to bring about the Lucas Terrier. The Lucas Terrier is a dog which is essentially bred for temperament and companionship and is therefore not aggressive.

The Lucas Terrier has been in the United States of America since the late 1960s and is considered a rare breed.The Lucas Terrier Club is a private, informally run organisation developed to both preserve and promote this dog breed.

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

lucas terrier puppy - descriptionThe sweet Lucas Terrier is a small dog breed that stands at between 25 – 30cm in height and weighs anything between 5 – 9 kg.

The chest of the dog is deep and low, the nose black, the eyes dark and almond shaped, the ears medium sized and floppy. The tail is traditionally docked, giving the dog an attractive, solid, compact look to it.

If you want your Lucas Terrier to become a parent, you can expect between 3 to 5 of the cutest little puppies. Spaying and neutering are an excellent idea health-wise if you don’t want your terrier dog to have puppies.

The weather-resistant coat of the Lucas Terrier is fairly harsh and is of medium length. While most Lucas Terriers are fawnish, cream, grey or black and tan, you also get a white one.

He does great with training and socialization and is an adaptable dog too, being happy to settle into life in the city or the countryside.

Temperament:

This is such a sweet, amicable, jaunty little dog, good with kids and always ready for a game. With socialization and training he is ready to get on well with everyone, as well as with other dogs in the house. It is no wonder that he is becoming so popular – he just gets on with everyone, and is eager to please.

The Lucas Terrier is generally well behaved as well and being quiet, gentle and calm indoors. Because he is a Terrier, he likes to bark quite a bit, but training and socialization can help with that. Training won’t be difficult as he is intelligent.

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

lucas terrier dog - characteristicsLively, playful, social and animated – the Lucas Terrier is such a pleasure to have around and will bring joy into your home. He is full of enthusiasm and will always be ready for a game or for a walk.

They are dogs who just love being around their human family, forming close bonds with them. They’re adaptable too and slot into different situations with ease.

Gentle, calm and obedient, once you let one of these sweet dogs into your home and heart, you’ll never want to be without such a loving friend again.

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

lucas terrier puppies - health problemsYour Lucas Terrier is such a robust, jaunty, feisty little dog and with excellent care from you he may be able to push two decades. With a healthy diet and exercise, you shouldn’t have to be at the vet often with this dog.

There are however, always common dog illnesses that even the most healthy dog can succumb to – ear infections, eye infections, bloat, cancer, hip dysplasia and others.

Skin Allergies:

Skin problems may seem mild, but they can bring a whole lot of frustration and pain to your pet. You’ve got to be careful because sometimes skin problems may be indicative of other health issues. Probably the most common cause of skin problems in dogs are allergies from parasites like fleas.

Bacterial skin infections are caused when your pet is bitten by a flea for instance and then he scratches and licks, breaking the skin and bacteria gets in, infecting the wound.

Yeast infections for instance could be found in the ear canal and around the anus. Infections like this occur in damp areas and also when other conditions are right. Yeast infections cause itchy skin with hair loss.

Skin infections are not to be taken lightly. They can bring a whole lot of discomfort to your pet and you will most certainly need to get him to the vet.

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

Exercise:

lucas terrier dogs - caringThis little dog isn’t a high energy dog but he will need to have a daily walk over and above the games you provide him with. Giving him a walk will be stimulating for him too as it gives him the chance to see different things and sniff around a bit.

Grooming:

The Lucas Terrier is looked upon as a low maintenance breed and a low shedder. You will need to brush him twice a week to keep the coat lustrous and to remove loose hair. Hand stripping is a method used for grooming his double coat but some people prefer to have him professionally clipped.

Diet:

Feeding a dog should be a simple affair. All dog breeds appreciate a simple but nutritious diet as this avoids digestive problems.

The Lucas Terrier relies on quality food full of vitamins and minerals to ensure his health and longevity. True, commercially manufactured foods aren’t a wonderful choice, but there are some good ones and they do offer a tremendous amount of convenience.

However, you don’t just want to put a bowl of dry kibble in front of your pet night after night, so to add some tasty variety, boil chicken and brown rice or pasta along with some cooked or raw vegetables and add this to his dry kibble from time to time. It makes like a delicious kind of stew to add to the dry kibble.

You’ll see, your Lucas Terrier will have bright eyes, a wet nose and a wagging tail. He’ll thank you for sticking to a simple style of feeding that doesn’t come with unpleasant surprises to upset his stomach. Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh cool water constantly available.

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:
Terrier dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Germany
Height Male:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
60 - 65 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 9 kg
11 - 20 pounds
29 - 40 kg
63 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 9 kg
11 - 20 pounds
23 - 33 kg
50 - 73 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 17 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
4 - 9
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
None
East German Shepherd Dog, DDR, EGSD
Colors Available:
grey or black and tan, cream, Fawnish
grey with darker shading, brown and yellow to light grey markings; single-coloured black, are black with reddish-brown, black saddle and mask
Coat:
Medium length - fairly coarse
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, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Independent, Loving, Protective, Social
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Miniature Schnauzer vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Rat Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Scottish Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Patterdale Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Norwich Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Norfolk Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Parson Russell Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Russell Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Manchester Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Schnorkie vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Sealyham Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Lucas Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Lucas Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Lucas Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Lucas Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Lucas Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Lucas Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Lucas Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Lucas Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  21. Lucas Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Lucas Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  23. Lucas Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Lucas Terrier vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Lucas Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - 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