Eurasier

This athletic, mid- to large-sized dog breed has a glamorous and distinctive double coat.  They have pricked ears and are on alert, ready to go at a moment’s notice. They are very loyal to their owners and families and thrive on human companionship. A unique feature of this breed is that they can have purple or spotted tongues. When relaxed, they are calm and gentle dogs.

Eurasier Breed Overview

This smart, eager to learn Spitz breed has an independent streak, but loves to be around their owners. They bark to alert and are suspicious of strangers. Because of their deep bonds with their owners, they can have separation anxiety. They were originally bred in Germany as a more family-oriented Spitz breed and are the result of the crossbreeding of a Chow Chow, Wolfspitz, and Samoyed. The name Eurasier refers to the breed’s Asian and European ties.  

Eurasier Facts

• A Spitz-type dog breed.
• They originated in Germany in the 20th century.
• They are a mix of Chow Chow, Wolfspitz, and Samoyed breeds.
• These dogs are very human-oriented.
• Their name comes from their ties to Asia and Europe.
• Their tongues can be pink, purple, or spotted.

How to Care for Your Eurasier

Here’s what you need to know about your Eurasier dog, including nutrition & feeding, health & wellness, grooming & hygiene, and living with the breed.

Nutrition & Feeding

What to Feed an Eurasier

For this medium to large-sized breed, it’s important to have a food formula that has high-quality ingredients, such as lean protein, moderate carbs, and good, healthy fats. Look for size-specific formulas based on weight, such as Purina Pro Plan Adult Large Breed food. If your Eurasier is particularly active, you can consider a highly active formula, such as Purina Pro Plan Sport, which ensures that they get the calories and nutrients they need.

How Much to Feed an Eurasier

How much you should feed your adult Eurasier dog depends on their size. Look at your dog food label or consult with your vet for guidance. You should spread out their meals over two scheduled feedings to help them maintain energy levels. However, because of a wide weight range, it is best to put your dog’s age, weight, activity level, and more information into a tool like the Purina Feeding Calculator to get an accurate amount of food specific to your dog.

Treats & Supplements

Eurasiers will enjoy low-calorie, high-protein treats as part of a training routine based on positive reinforcement. Treats should not account for more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Your vet may or may not advise you to give your dog supplements for issues like joint health and gut health (probiotics). Follow their advice to keep your dog their healthiest.

Health & Wellness

Veterinary Care

Part of being a responsible pet parent is establishing a good relationship with your vet and seeing them for regular vet checkups. There, you can discuss preventive care, such as vaccine schedules, parasite prevention, dental health, spaying or neutering your dog, and more. They are a generally healthy breed, but might suffer from conditions like hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and thyroid autoimmune diseases, things your vet can check on regularly.

Eurasier Enrichment & Exercise Needs

Eurasiers have moderate to high exercise needs, and they’ll prefer to do activities with their owners. Leash walks, free running in a fenced-in area, hikes, and general playtime will satisfy them physically. Mentally, they’ll enjoy dog sports like fetch and agility training.

Understanding Your Eurasier’s Behavior

While these dogs can have an independent and stubborn streak, they are ultimately devoted companion dogs. This means that they thrive on human connection and do not like to be left alone for long periods. They can have separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior. Socialize and train them well, and be mindful that this is a highly bonded companion dog. While their physical and mental needs are perhaps less than other similarly sized breeds, they still need a good amount of stimulation to be happy and well-behaved.

What to Expect as Your Eurasier Ages

A healthy Eurasier can live to be 13 to 15 years if well-cared for. They are generally healthy dogs, although they might have some joint issues or autoimmune issues that are more prevalent among the breed. Switch them to a senior dog food when your vet recommends doing so. These formulas can help with issues like mental clarity and joint health.

Grooming & Hygiene

Skin & Coat Health

The luxurious double coat of the Eurasier needs regular grooming. Brush them frequently, and more so around heavy shedding seasons. You’ll only need to bathe them when they are dirty, as too many baths can strip their natural skin oils.

Ear, Paw & Dental Care

You’ll need to clean your dog’s ears regularly with vet-approved wipes to prevent infection. Check their paw pads regularly for cuts and scrapes, and trim their nails regularly to prevent painful splitting and cracking. Brushing your dog’s teeth to prevent dental disease can help extend their lives.

Anal Gland Care

Your Eurasier may or may not be able to express their anal glands naturally. If they become impacted and are not expressed, they could become infected, leading to an abscess. This will require veterinary care. You’ll know your dog is struggling if they are emitting a foul-smelling odor, scooting, excessively licking, or straining to go to the bathroom.

Living With an Eurasier

Living Space

Eurasiers can get by in many different living spaces so long as they have ample access to the outdoors. They want to be with their owners as much as possible, and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone too long. While less vocal than most Spitz breeds, they still bark to alert and can be noisy neighbors, something to keep in mind if you live in close proximity to others.

Socialization

These dogs are devoted and loyal to their families, but will need proper socialization to feel comfortable around unknown people and unfamiliar places. Start early and practice it often to build up their confidence. They are companionable family dogs and love to be included in all that you do. They can do well with children, but older children who can respect the dog’s boundaries might be the best fit.

Climate Considerations

A dense and luscious double coat means that this dog can handle colder temperatures well. The Eurasier can struggle in high temperatures and could suffer from heat exhaustion, so it’s important to exercise them during the coolest parts of the day and provide plenty of shade and water.

Potential Challenges

Loving, loyal, and devoted, Eurasiers were bred to be companion dogs. They maintain a bit of Spitz independence, but enjoy family life very much. Bonded with their families, they can have separation anxiety or default to undesirable behavior like barking if they are left alone too long or if they are not mentally and physically stimulated enough. Ideally, they’d live in cooler temps where their double coat can insulate them well outside.

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