East German Shepherd vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison

East German Shepherd vs Bichon Frise - Breed ComparisonEast German Shepherd is originated from Germany but Bichon Frise is originated from Spain. East German Shepherd may grow 35 cm / 14 inches higher than Bichon Frise. East German Shepherd may weigh 30 kg / 67 pounds more than Bichon Frise. East German Shepherd may live 6 years less than Bichon Frise. East German Shepherd may have more litter size than Bichon Frise. East German Shepherd requires High maintenance. But Bichon Frise requires Low maintenance

History

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.

bichon frise - historyContrary to the myths and many of the tales of the history of the Bichon Frise, the breed was originally developed in Spain. Later specific trait development occurred in France to give us the lap dog Bichon Frise that we know today. The original Spanish dog – the Bichon – was a water – sailing dog. It was descended from the poodle breeds crossed with either the water spaniels or the Barbet. These early dogs were friendly and happy and because of this, sailors carried them with them on their ships and even bartered them for supplies. Prior to the 14th century the Spanish probably brought them to the Canary Islands. Later in the 14th century they we discovered again by Italian sailors who returned them to Europe where they lived in the courts of the nobility. During the Renaissance and after the French fell in love with the breed while the Spanish continue to enjoy their presence.

In the late 19th century in France the breed fell out of popularity and became street dogs and circus and fair dogs. They also worked with organ grinders and assisted the blind. In the early 20th century, the Societe Centrale Canine, the National Kennel Club of France, adopted the breed’s official standard – while they were still known as both the Bichon and the Tenerife. The popularity of the breed at this time is heavily attributed to “The Adventures of TinTIn” , by Herge, which featured a small, white, fluffy fox terrier. Then the president of the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale presented a new name for the breed based on its characteristics. The name Bichon Frise kept the Bichon heritage and added “curly” the meaning of Frise. Under this name the breed was admitted to the Societe Centrale Canine stud book in October of 1934.

The Bichon Frise came to the United States for the first time in 19554 and was admitted to the American Kennel Club Stud Book in 1972. They entered the non-sporting group of the AKC in 1973. By 2001 the Bichon Frise, J.R., won the Westminster Dog Show. In 1976, the Bichon Frise came to Australia, imported by Harry and Margaret Begg who oversaw the growth of the breed there. Today there are 4 separate breeds believed to be descended from the original Bichon/Tenerife breeds – the Bichon Frise, the Bichon Bolognaise, the Maltese and the Havanese.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Companion dog
Origin:
Germany
Spain
Height Male:
60 - 65 cm
23 - 26 inches
23 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
21 - 29 cm
8 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
29 - 40 kg
63 - 89 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 33 kg
50 - 73 pounds
4 - 8 kg
8 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 13 Years
12 - 19 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 9
4 - 6
Size:
Large dog
Small dog
Other Names:
East German Shepherd Dog, DDR, EGSD
Bichón Tenerife • Bichon à poil frisé Bichon
Colors Available:
grey with darker shading, brown and yellow to light grey markings; single-coloured black, are black with reddish-brown, black saddle and mask
white
Coat:
double, dense
Medium length, silky texture with corkscrew curls
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Independent, Loving, Protective, Social
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Playful, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
High maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

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.

bichon frise puppy - descriptionThe modern Bichon Frise is a white, small dog with a round skull and muzzle. The nose should be black and the eyes round and dark. Depending on the size of the dog, the legs and head are proportionate to the body, while the tail should be curly and long. Both the tail and the ears must not be docked. Their coat is as hypoallergenic as a dog gets. It is white, dense and for most Bichon Frise, it is curly. They should have black lips as well.

Characteristics

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.

bichon frise dog - characteristicsThe Bichon Frise, according to the American Kennel Club is a cheerful and merry dog. They are gentle, playful, sensitive and affectionate. These dogs love people, are very social and like other dogs as well. They love to play with children and they are intelligent and affectionate. They were developed in their latter stages by the French to be “lap dogs” or companion animals. They are not territorial by nature but can become so if confined and encouraged. Start obedience training early and be consistent throughout their lives. They take to training easily if positive techniques are used. They do however, have a reputation for not taking well to housetraining. Be persistent

Health Problems

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.

bichon frise puppies - health problemsThe coat of the Bichon Frise can easily become matted if not brushed or combed every day. Severe matting can lead to a hematoma in their ears. They are also very prone to ear infections so paying a lot of attention to their ears is imperative. They are will chew and scratch themselves if not groomed well and this can cause skin infections and conditions. They might have allergies to fleas, pollen, chemicals, and dust. The patella (knee cap) can be loose, diabetes, cataracts and heart disease also affect the Bichon Frise. In the United Kingdom the number one cause of death for the breed is old age -13 plus years, with 21% dying of cancer. In North America cancer is the number one killer as it is for most dogs. The Bichon might also be afflicted with hematologic disorders such as AIHA (Autoimmune hemolytic anemia) and ITP (Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia) which while less common than cancer will kill the dog much earlier in life than cancer. The other condition that the Bichon Frise is prone to are liver shunts. If found early they can be surgically corrected but most are not, and liver failure is eventually the cause of death.

Caring The Pet

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.

Feeding

bichon frise dogs - caringBeing a small dog, the Bichon Frise is susceptible to obesity and that condition will be terminal in the end for this breed. So make sure you do not overfeed your Bichon Frise. The same is true with the use of treats. The Bichon loves treats and loves the association with treats of having pleased you. They should be fed small meals – about ¼ cup of good high quality dry food twice a day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the Bichon Frise is susceptible to:

Hematomas and infections of the ear if not groomed well and consistently.

Cancer is number one killer.

Hematological Issues are deadlier than cancer.

Liver shunts are a very serious concern.

Exercise and games

Though the Bichon Frise is not an overly active dog, they do love to play. They are characterized by short bursts of activity followed by long periods of rest. They can be worn out just by running around the house. You must play with them everyday as well as take them on a walk each day. Bichons are fast and agile and do well in agility trials. They also like to compete in rally and obedience trials. Most of all they love to and need to play with their people every day.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Old English Sheepdog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  2. Rough Collie vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. East German Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. East German Shepherd vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. East German Shepherd vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  6. East German Shepherd vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  7. East German Shepherd vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  8. East German Shepherd vs Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Breed Comparison
  9. Saarlooswolfhond vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  10. Estrela Mountain Dog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Huntaway vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  12. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  13. South Russian Ovcharka vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  14. Mioritic Sheepdog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Samoyed vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  16. Labradoodle vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Mixed vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  18. German Shorthaired Pointer vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Great Pyrenees vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  20. Presa Canario vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  21. Labrador Husky vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Perro de Presa Canario vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Irish Setter vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Mal-Shi vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  26. Alaskan Klee Kai vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  27. Coton De Tulear vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  28. Japanese Spitz vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  29. Malti-Pom vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  30. PekePoo vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  31. Schipperke vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  32. Fruggle vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  33. Schweenie vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  34. Lhasapoo vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  35. Meliteo Kinidio vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  36. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  37. Prazsky Krysarik vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  38. Pugalier vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  39. Kyi-Leo vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  40. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  41. Muggin vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  42. Pomeranian vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  43. Maltese vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  44. Pug vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  45. Boston Terrier vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  46. Maltipoo vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  47. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  48. Bichon Frise vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  49. Bichon Frise vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds