The Eurasier is relatively new to North America, but is quite popular in its native Germany. It is a medium-sized, spitz-type dog with a thick woolly undercoat, soft, medium length outer coat in various colors, and a bushy tail that it carries over its back. It has dark, expressive almond-shaped eyes and can have a pink, blue-black or spotted tongue. The Eurasier has become known as the “ideal housedog”, adapting to all types of environments and residential living (housing, apartments, etc.) providing it’s given daily exercise, and is allowed to live indoors with its family…not housed outside!

The Eurasier is a clean and quiet dog, confident and affectionate; loving and tolerant with children, compatible with other pets, and loyal to all members of the family. It is distrustful and reserved with strangers without being unfriendly - it will keep a safe distance, but remain alert. While not a persistent barker, the Eurasier will bark when necessary to warn the household, and thus makes a good watchdog. The Eurasier can be quite mischievous during the first few months of puppy hood, but becomes more settled with maturity, especially in the home, although adult Eurasiers are still quite playful. During walks the Eurasier is full of energy.

Eurasiers are highly intelligent and quick-witted; very easily trained with an overwhelming desire to please. They are sensitive to harsh words or discipline and respond best to soft reprimand.

Male Eurasiers range in size from 20-23 inches at the withers (52-60 cm) and can weigh from 50-70 pounds (23-32kg). Females are 19-22 inches (48-56cm) and weigh 40-57 pounds (18-26 kg). Eurasiers do not have a natural “doggie odor”, and if kept in clean surroundings, a bath 2-3 times a year is all that’s required. Their coat requires regular weekly brushing, although that could increase to daily grooming during seasonal shedding periods.

Eurasiers are a relatively healthy breed with few problems. The average life expectancy is 12-15 years. Hip dysplasia, patella luxation and congenital eye disease (entroprion, ectroprion) can occur. Only those Eurasiers certified free of these conditions should be used for breeding.

Eurasiers were given official breed status by the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) on June 13, 1995. Five years later they celebrated their 40th anniversary. The Eurasier was initially developed in Weinheim, Germany by Julius Wipfel who conceived the idea for the breed following his post-war affection for a spitz-type dog left by Allied troops – a dog he called “The Canadian”. With the help of Nobel prizewinner Konrad Lorenz and others, Wipfel embarked on a strict breeding program, and in 1960 the first litter of “Wolf-Chow” puppies was born – the offspring of a German Wolfspitz and a Chow-Chow. In 1972, the Samoyed was introduced, the name of the breed was changed to Eurasier, and soon after, official international recognition was given by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Those people privileged enough to own a Eurasier are rewarded with having a loving companion of flawless character.

All text is © Wayne Nelson 2007

Sunwolf Eurasiers

Ref: Eurasier-Klub e.V. Sitz Weinheim (EKW) Germany Contact: Wayne Nelson (403) 246-1987
Zuchtgemeinschaft fur Eurasier (ZG) Germany SunWolf Kennel (reg’d)
Reader’s Digest Book of Dogs (pages 144,145) eurasier@shaw.ca
The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World (Wilcox & Walkowicz)
Mini Atlas of Dog Breeds (DePrisco & Johnson)
Copyright © SunWolf Kennel (Reg’d). 2000. All rights reserved