I got my dog from some Russians in the area. The parent dogs were from East Germany. They advertised them as german shepherds. When we talked to the owners, they said the parents were brought from Russia, and were considered East German Shepherds, and while the parents were “registered”, the puppies were not. That was ok way me, as I wanted a big dog, with a big bark (to scare strangers off), that was smart. $200, and I got Titan. Really smart, really a good companion, but hates the heat and loves the cold. A little research recently, and I see pictures of of the ‘breed’ Eastern European Shepherd - (VEO Shepherd). They were german shepherds bred in the 1930’s-1950’s in the USSR to be bigger, cold resistant Shepherds without the dysplasia problems of the GS. I looked at some of the pics after I read the description, and said ‘yep, that's him. Scary looking (his face looks like a mask with wide silver cheek fur), big (30” high at withers), REALLY long when he lays down, but loyal, doesn't bark needlessly (although he's spoiled and does his share of whining), loves to go out and roll in the snow (and hides out in the basement in the summer).
I'd recommend those to anyone looking for a Shepherd as a pet. He has no joint problems, only had ear mites when we got him, and at 7 yrs old had his 1st problem - staph infection on his chest. 3 wks antibiotics and he was just fine.
Mine had some weird medical issues. She chewed on a piece of straw, and somehow it went up behind her eyeball. Special dog eye surgery....
But she is mostly black with a little tan. She is a sweetheart, but scare the hell out of anyone coming in the house uninvited.
Easily the best dog I’ve ever had.
I will be out walking her and people stop to ask about her. And not people we are walking past, they stop their cars. It was a little weird at first.
Are you sure they were Eastern European Shepherds and not DDR East German line? The EES from Russia were crossed with Caucasian Ovcharka (sp?), Black Russian Terriers, and other breeds from what I remember. I’ve had some DDR dogs (and some are in my lines) that were huge, supposedly before the wall came down some of the dogs utilized were massive. Not all, of course, but some. My big male who is going on 12 has some West German (touch of DDR), along with some various other lines and he’s 30” and 145 pounds . Would love to see a pic of your dog.