Eurasier
歐亞犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Eurasier is a German spitz created from the 1960s by Julius Wipfel from the Chow Chow, Wolfspitz and Samoyed to be a calm, wolf-like family companion — and companionship is its only job. The FCI standard describes a self-assured, calm, even-tempered dog, watchful without being noisy, with a very strongly developed bond to its family and a relaxed, unobtrusive attitude to strangers, and says that to develop these qualities it needs constant close domestic contact and consistent training. The parent club is clear that it is not a dog for a kennel, a backyard or long hours alone, and that autoimmune thyroiditis affects 15–20% of the breed.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 48–61cm |
| Weight | 18–32kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–16years |
| Breed group | AKC: fss FCI: 5 |
| Role | Companion |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 4/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Hypothyroidism
The parent club says the Eurasier has a heritable predisposition to autoimmune thyroiditis, which affects 15–20% of the breed, usually appears between two and seven years of age and is easily managed with daily medication; it encourages pet owners to test their dogs too. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Dandy-Walker-like malformation (DWLM)
DWLM, a non-progressive inherited condition of poor cerebellar development that causes poor motor control and lack of coordination, is reported in the breed; the parent club recommends the DNA test for breeding stock. Ask your breeder about DWLM status.
Behaviour
Calm, watchful, bonded to its family
The FCI standard describes the Eurasier as self-assured, calm and even-tempered with high resistance to provocation, watchful and alert without being noisy, with a very strongly developed link to its family and a relaxed, unobtrusive attitude to strangers — and says that to fully develop these qualities it needs constant close domestic contact with its family and understanding yet consistent training. The AKC sums it up as calm, even-tempered, gentle, loving, intelligent and confident.
Not a dog for the backyard or long hours alone
The parent club says Eurasiers must live inside as household members, not in kennels or backyards, to develop proper character: they thrive on close contact with their family without demanding constant interaction, show a dignified reserve toward strangers — cautious and discerning, not fearful or aggressive — and are wrong for anyone who wants a dog that loves everyone on sight or is content alone for long stretches. Daily walks including off-leash activity meet most Eurasiers' exercise needs, with positive reinforcement and calm leadership in training.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Eurasier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Eurasier (Working Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Eurasier
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Eurasian (standard no. 291, group 5)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The United States Eurasier Club's character page tells prospective owners that the breed is only for families who will keep the dog indoors as a full member of the household, accept a dog that takes its time with strangers, and do not need it to tolerate long hours alone; it adds that daily walks with some off-lead time are enough exercise for most, and that thyroid testing is worth doing even for pets.”
— United States Eurasier Club — Character via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Eurasier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Eurasier — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Eurasier — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Eurasian — FCI standard no. 291 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]United States Eurasier Club Health Statement (November 2024) — United States Eurasier Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]FCI-Standard No. 291 — Eurasian (Eurasier), 17.02.2020 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [9]Character — United States Eurasier Club — United States Eurasier Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.