Eurasier : The origins

  Mr Julius Wipfel was the German breed's founder. He was a Wolf-Spitz (named Keeshond by the Anglo-Saxon) breeder, international judge for the ChowChow and a genetic expert. His goal was to create the perfect spitz type companion dog and to "re-create" the original Samoyed, the one who was white, black and brown. He supposed that the Samoyed and the Tibetan Mastiff were the ChowChow's ancestors, so he chose the Chow and the WolfSpitz to create the breed. With the help of his own written notes, we can follow step by step his own breeding program.

In 1961, cross-breeding between ChowChow and WolfSpitz resulted in 27 puppies from 6 different lines. Mr. Wipfel classified the puppies in 3 different types:  The "A" type was eliminated because he was too similar to the ChowChow or Wolf-Spitz. The "B" type was also eliminated because puppies were too nervous, shy or aggressive. But the "C" type had a stable temperament and a good conformation. That type was chosen for the "WolfChow" creation.  Between 1962 and 1966, 25 puppies were born (13 males and 12 females). This selection work contributed to develop the characteristics Mr. Wipfel searched: a well proportionate dog that possessed also great physical qualities (beauty, less grooming possible) and a friendly temperament without aggressiveness.

After that, the Samoyed male "Cito von Pol" (also name "Orion von Bergstrasse") was bred to 4 females Wolf-Chow. 18 Eurasier puppies in 5 lines were born and 14 were full black in color. In 1973, approximately 200 Eurasiers were registered in the German book of origin, had a pedigree and came from one of the 6 basic lines. The name Eurasier was chose to combine the Asian ChowChow/Samoyed and the European WolfSpitz.  It was only later that the German club recognized 2 other lines. These lines did not have direct Samoyed blood. On February 27th 1973, the “Fédération Cynologique Internationale" recognized the breed. But, the first breeders and owners had to respect the club's directions in breeding and had also to refuse all exportation. In Canada, The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) recognized the breed in 1995 (group 3 - working dogs) and since January 1996, the breed can be shown in conformation and obtain champion title. The breed is actually not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). In 2005, the Eurasier population was evaluated as more than 500 in North America and more than 8000 worldwide. To complete its Eurasier dream and work, Julius Wipfel created the "International Eurasier Union" in 2000 to help countries (clubs) to protect and preserve the breed Eurasier.

References: 20 years of Eurasier breeding, for the 20th anniversary of the breed Eurasier
Author: Julius Wipfel