UK Eurasier Society (proposed)Is the Eurasier right for me?
Eurasiers were created to be ‘the perfect family companion’, but they are certainly not the perfect dog for everyone. Before deciding to take one into your home, try to meet some adult Eurasiers and talk to their owners about them. Ask about the bad things as well as the good!
The Eurasier, as specified in the Interim Breed Standard of the UK Kennel Club, is first and foremost a ‘devoted family companion’. Eurasiers generally form a strong bond with the whole family, rather than just one person, and they love being with their humans - night and day!
Eurasiers are described in the UK Breed Standard as being ‘self assured, calm, and of even temperament’; the FCI Standard adds ‘even tempered with high resistance against any provocation’. This means they are generally very good with children and other animals whom they regard as part of ‘their pack’; indeed, they often seem to have a special affinity with babies and toddlers. (As with any breed, however, small children should always be supervised when dogs are around.)
Another typical characteristic of Eurasiers is that they are ‘reserved with strangers, without any signs of aggression’. However, because the Eurasier is a relatively new breed, and because of its three different ancestors, there tends to be more variation among individual dogs than there does in many other breeds, and this is one trait that varies considerably. Most Eurasiers will take a while ‘making up their mind’ when they meet a new person. They may back away initially, especially if the stranger reaches out to touch them. This doesn’t mean they’re fearful or shy - just that they prefer to greet unfamiliar people on their own terms and in their own time. Other Eurasiers may sniff the newcomer and then show little interest, while others still are a lot more extravert and friendly.
This reserve can be explained by the fact that the Eurasier is a breed, who truly ‘grows up’ like their ancestor, the wolf. Puppies always approach new situations and people with interest, unless they have had a bad experience. This changes when a dog or wolf grows up and a natural reserve is the consequence. Most gundog and herding breeds were selectively bred to remain ‘permanent puppies’ as this makes them more dependent and easier to train
Most Eurasiers are ‘watchful and alert without being noisy’ (FCI Standard), which makes them good watchdogs – but NOT good guard dogs. They will typically bark a short warning to their ‘pack’ when someone approaches the house, for example, but will quickly settle down again if they are satisfied there is no real threat. Some Eurasiers bark more than others.
The FCI Standard states that Eurasiers have ‘no hunting instinct’ - but some owners know better! This is another characteristic that varies considerably from one dog to another: some get very excited at the smell or sight of rabbits and squirrels and will happily chase them if allowed to, while others show little interest.
Eurasiers are intelligent, quick to learn, and generally keen to please their owners. This makes them quite easy and rewarding to train. However, like most Spitz breeds, they do have a degree of independence, and this may manifest itself as appearing to ‘go deaf’ at times when they are doing something which they consider to be more interesting than what YOU want them to do! Again, this varies from dog to dog; some Eurasiers do well at Obedience and Heelwork to Music, while many enjoy Agility. Generally, though, Eurasiers don’t like doing exercises which are very repetitive, and this needs to be taken into account in training. Calm and consistent training is the key to success with Eurasiers; nothing is achieved by being harsh.
As a breed, Eurasiers tend not to eat a huge amount. Many are rather fussy when it comes to food, and some can be quite picky eaters. This is generally not something to worry about, as long as the dog is getting a balanced diet and is within the correct weight range for its age. Some Eurasiers are notorious for being messy drinkers!
If Eurasiers had a motto, it may well be ‘Enjoy life to the fullest!’ One of the greatest pleasures of living with this breed is their happy-go-lucky, game-for-everything nature. Whether lazing at your feet, accompanying you on a long hike, or romping with their doggy friends, Eurasiers exude a sense of well-being and ‘joie de vivre’ which rarely fails to make you smile!
Am I right for a Eurasier?
So you like what you’ve seen and read about Eurasiers and you’re thinking of getting one? Please take time to consider whether YOU are the right kind of owner to give a Eurasier a happy and fulfilling life.
Above all, Eurasiers need to be treated as true members of the family, sharing your home and your life. You’ll find that they are completely focussed on their family, aware of where you are at any time, what you are doing and how you are feeling. Your Eurasier might be asleep in a corner of the living room while you read the newspaper; you move to another room and before you know it there’s a ‘plop’ at your feet and your Eurasier curls up there, perfectly contented. You need to allow this kind of close companionship if your Eurasier is to thrive.
Leaving Eurasiers in kennels or with strangers when you go away - even for a short time - is not a good option. Ideally, your Eurasier should come with you, like any other member of the family, but if that’s not possible then they certainly need to be with people they know and with whom they feel confident.
All dogs are happiest when they are part of a secure and well-functioning pack. As Eurasiers are particularly pack-oriented, it’s important that you show them their place (which should always be below the humans, including children) as soon as they join your pack, and that you teach them to respect the pack order and behave appropriately within it. You also need to behave like a capable and strong pack leader yourself! If you don’t, a dominant Eurasier might believe it is his place to take over the leadership of the pack - which he is not equipped to do and which will end up making both him and the rest of the pack unhappy.
Eurasiers need gentle but consistent training. Remember, when you get a puppy, that your adorable bundle of fur may not be so adorable when he’s doing something at 6 months old which was cute at 8 weeks! Raising your Eurasier correctly in his first 18 months will pave his way to being a balanced, happy and well-mannered member of the family.
Eurasiers are a robust and energetic breed, with sled-dog capabilities. They need a considerable amount of exercise in order to develop well and be physically and mentally healthy. Ideally, you should aim to walk adult dogs for at least one and a half hours every day, and allow them to run freely in a safe place for a good amount of time too. Playing active games around the house and garden can contribute towards exercise and mental stimulation.
Regular grooming is another requirement to keep your Eurasier in top condition, but this needn’t be an arduous task. Most dogs will be fine with a thorough brushing once a week.
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