Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Eurasier is a relatively young breed, created in Germany in the second half of the 20th century with the goal of producing a balanced, calm, and harmonious companion dog with a stable temperament and expressive appearance. The foundation breeds were the Wolfspitz, the Chow Chow, and later the Samoyed, from which the Eurasier inherited its dense coat, strong body, independent yet gentle character, and stable disposition. The breeding program was conducted under the supervision of dedicated enthusiasts who aimed to combine the best qualities of northern and spitz-type dogs. In 1973, the Eurasier was officially recognized by the FCI and began to spread as a reliable family breed. Today, it is known for its even temperament, attachment to its owner, and ability to adapt to various living conditions.
General Appearance
The Eurasier is a harmoniously built medium-sized dog with a strong but not heavy body, well-developed musculature, and a thick coat that creates a characteristic full silhouette. The outline is slightly elongated, with a straight, stable topline. The chest is deep and well-developed, with long, moderately curved ribs. The head is wedge-shaped and proportional, with soft but well-defined lines. The ears are erect, triangular, and mobile, giving the dog an alert but calm expression. The limbs are straight and strong, with correct angulation, providing stability and soft movement. The tail is bushy and typically curls over the back. Overall appearance reflects balance, confidence, calmness, and breed typicality.
Important Proportions
The Eurasier has a slightly elongated format, with the body length slightly exceeding the height at the withers while maintaining harmony and smooth lines. Chest depth is approximately half the total height, providing good respiratory capacity and endurance. The head is proportional to the body, with the muzzle slightly shorter than the skull, forming a balanced wedge-shaped profile. The neck is of medium length, blending smoothly into the body, ensuring ease of movement and stability. The limbs are of medium length with well-defined angulation, providing efficient movement mechanics. The tail is bushy, medium in length, and typically curled over the back. All proportions emphasize the breed’s balanced and family-oriented nature.
Behaviour and Character
The Eurasier is known for its calm, balanced, and friendly temperament. It has a stable psyche, moderate independence, and strong attachment to its family. This breed is not prone to aggression or excessive excitability and prefers quiet, respectful communication with people. In the home, the Eurasier is unobtrusive, polite, and attentive to its owner, adapting well to domestic life. It may be cautious with strangers, but without overt suspicion. The breed is intelligent and responds well to gentle, consistent training. The Eurasier does not require harsh discipline but needs close interaction, a calm environment, and regular walks. Desirable behavioural traits include balance, confidence, and stability.
Head
The Eurasier’s head is wedge-shaped, proportional to the body, with soft yet clearly defined lines. The skull is moderately broad and slightly rounded, with a smooth but noticeable stop. The muzzle is straight and strong, tapering gradually toward the nose while maintaining correct balance. Lips are tight, dry, and well-fitting, without looseness. The nose is large, with full pigmentation, black or dark. The jaws are strong, with a scissor bite. Cheeks are not coarse, contributing to the harmonious appearance of the head. Overall expression is soft, calm, and intelligent, typical for the breed. Coarseness, a short muzzle, or weak pigmentation are unacceptable. The head must reflect the breed’s stable character and typical appearance.
Facial Region
The facial region of the Eurasier is neat, dry, and straight-lined, with smooth contours. The bridge of the nose is straight, without a hump or dip. The muzzle is broad at the base and tapers evenly, maintaining jaw strength. Lips are well-fitting, wrinkle-free, and fully pigmented. The chin is moderately defined but not prominent. Nostrils are wide and well-opened, ensuring free breathing. Cheeks are dry and slightly rounded, emphasizing soft lines without adding coarseness. The facial region must convey a friendly, calm expression consistent with the breed’s nature. Signs of wetness, excessive lightness, or coarseness are undesirable.
Eyes
The eyes of the Eurasier are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and slightly slanted, giving the expression softness and attentiveness. Eye color ranges from dark brown to hazel and must harmonize with the coat. Light or sharply contrasting eyes are undesirable, as they disturb the calm, balanced expression. Eye set is moderately deep, with tight, fully pigmented eyelids, without entropion or ectropion. The Eurasier’s gaze is friendly, confident, and observant, reflecting intelligence and a stable temperament. The eyes must not be protruding or overly narrow. Correct expression is a significant breed characteristic and must remain soft, calm, and kind.
Ears
The ears of the Eurasier are erect, triangular, medium in size, with slightly rounded tips. They are set high and wide, and are mobile, emphasizing alertness and liveliness of expression. The ears must be strong at the base and stand vertically without tilting or deviation. Oversized, heavy, wide, or low-set ears, as well as ears that fail to maintain a stable erect position, are undesirable. Their shape and set must complement the wedge-shaped head and reinforce the breed’s calm, composed nature. The ears must blend harmoniously into the silhouette without dominating it.
Neck
The neck of the Eurasier is of medium length, dry, strong, and smoothly arched, without loose skin or dewlap. It blends harmoniously with the withers, forming a smooth line that enhances the breed’s elegance. The neck musculature is well-developed but not coarse, supporting a confident head carriage and correct body balance. The neck must allow free movement and soft stride. Too short, thick, or excessively long necks disrupt breed proportions and are considered faulty. The skin is tight, elastic, and well-fitting. Overall, the neck must support the breed’s impression of harmony, confidence, and balance, typical of a family companion.
Body
The body of the Eurasier is slightly elongated, strong but not heavy, with well-developed musculature and a stable structure. The withers are moderately pronounced, leading to a straight, firm back. The loin is short and strong, ensuring body stability in motion. The chest is deep, with long, rounded ribs providing good lung capacity. The chest is broad but not massive. The abdomen is slightly tucked up, emphasizing dry lines. The croup is broad, slightly sloping, and muscular, ensuring correct impulse transmission from the hind limbs. The body must demonstrate balance, stability, and calmness, aligned with the breed’s nature as a reliable companion.
Tail
The Eurasier’s tail is of medium length, covered with thick, voluminous coat, giving it an expressive, breed-typical appearance. It is set high, hanging down when relaxed, and rising in motion, typically curling softly over the back in a ring or arc. The tail must not be excessively stiff, too high, or too low in carriage. It should move naturally and harmoniously, emphasizing the dog’s calm temperament. Tails lying flat on the back, excessively tight curls, or insufficient lift are undesirable. The correct tail reinforces the impression of balance, confidence, and harmony typical of the breed.
Exterior Description
Forequarters
The forequarters of the Eurasier are straight and strong, with moderate but sufficient bone, ensuring stability and steadiness. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, and close-fitting, forming correct angulation with the upper arm and providing a soft, wide stride. The upper arm must match the shoulder in length and angulation. Elbows are directed straight back, not turning in or out. Forearms are straight, strong, and stable. Pasterns are elastic and slightly sloping. The feet are oval, compact, with strong pads and well-arched toes. Weak joints, soft pasterns, narrow forequarters, toeing-in/out, or insufficient limb length that disrupts movement harmony are faults.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters of the Eurasier are powerful, well-muscled, and have well-defined angulation, providing confident drive and stability. Thighs are long, broad, with pronounced musculature. Lower thighs are also long and strong, their length and position matching the thighs. Hocks are strong, low-set, and maintain parallel movement. Metatarsi are short, vertical, and stable. Feet are compact, oval, with firm pads. Correct hindquarter construction provides balance, soft movement, and endurance. Straight hind angulation, cow hocks, weak musculature, loss of parallel movement, or any sign of instability are faults.
Gait and Movement
The Eurasier’s gait must be free, smooth, soft, and confident, without stiffness or excessive extension. Movement is straight, well-coordinated, with good forelimb reach and strong hind drive. The topline remains stable and level, without body sway. As speed increases, the dog must maintain balance and lightness, demonstrating endurance and harmonious structure. Short stride, stiffness, lateral movement, crossing limbs, or signs of weakness are unacceptable. Movement must emphasize the breed’s calmness, functionality, and natural suitability for long walks and moderate activity.
Coat
The coat of the Eurasier is thick, dense, and double-layered, providing protection from cold and moisture. The outer coat is of medium length, straight or slightly wavy, covering the body evenly and emphasizing the breed’s expressive silhouette. The undercoat is soft, very dense, and well developed, especially in winter, making the dog resistant to low temperatures. The coat is more voluminous around the neck, chest, and tail, forming characteristic feathering that gives the breed a noble look. On the face and ears, the coat is shorter and tighter. Excessive softness, curliness, thinness, or lack of undercoat are faults. The correct coat must combine protective qualities with aesthetic harmony.
Permissible Colours
The Eurasier is permitted in a wide range of colors: solid red, shaded red, wolf grey, black, black and tan, as well as combinations with banded or shaded patterns. All colors must be clean and even, without excessive spotting or untypical markings. Small white markings are permitted in limited amounts, primarily on the chest and toes. Merle, blue, liver, very light, or diluted colors, as well as strong spotted patterns, are not allowed. Pigmentation of the nose, lips, and eyelids must be dark and consistent with the coat. The color must emphasize the natural look of the breed and preserve silhouette harmony.
Size
The Eurasier is a medium-sized breed with noticeable sexual dimorphism. Height at the withers for males is 52–60 cm, for females 48–56 cm. Weight typically ranges from 23–32 kg but must remain proportional to body structure. The breed must not appear overly light or heavy: body harmony and balanced proportions are essential. Any deviations in height or weight that disrupt functionality or breed type are faults. The Eurasier must appear strong but not heavy, agile but not light. Size must correspond to well-developed musculature, correct angulation, and stable movement.
Faults
Faults include any deviations that disrupt harmony, temperament stability, or breed function. Minor faults include weak musculature, insufficient chest depth, excessive lightness of body, soft pasterns, limited angulation. Exterior faults include weak pigmentation, overly large or incorrectly set ears, sparse or overly soft coat, washed-out color. Behavioural faults include shyness, excessive caution, reservedness, weak manageability, or inappropriate aloofness. Movement faults such as short stride, insufficient drive, limb crossing, or stiffness are undesirable. The severity of faults is judged based on their impact on breed type.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious structural, behavioral, or health-related deviations. Complete lack of pigmentation, blue eyes, heterochromia, and unacceptable colors such as merle, blue, or liver result in disqualification. Severe bite defects, multiple missing teeth, anatomical abnormalities impairing movement, or deformities of the extremities are disqualifying. Aggression toward humans or pronounced fearfulness is absolutely unacceptable. Congenital defects, genetic abnormalities, and severe coat or skin disorders disqualify a dog from breeding. Any trait that distorts breed type is grounds for disqualification.
Important Notes
When evaluating the Eurasier, its primary purpose as a calm, balanced family companion with a predictable temperament and stable psyche must be taken into account. The dog must not display aggression, nervousness, or excessive excitability. Body harmony, correct angulation, dense coat, and expressive profile must be preserved. Signs of decorative exaggeration or weakened constitution are unacceptable. Movement must remain smooth and steady. Particular attention is given to expression: it must be calm, friendly, and attentive. Breed type is defined by balance between a confident, composed character and an appealing but functional anatomy.
Conclusion
The Eurasier is a harmonious, calm, and devoted breed, created as the ideal family companion with a stable temperament and expressive appearance. It combines gentleness, confidence, and dignity while remaining independent and observant. The breed is valued for its moderate activity level, intelligence, easy trainability, and ability to live closely with the family. The Eurasier requires respectful handling and a stable environment, adapts well to various living conditions, and does not demand excessive physical exertion. Proper breeding preserves the complete breed type—harmony of appearance, stable temperament, and strong constitution.
