Black Russian Terrier

The Black Russian Terrier is a large working dog created by the Soviet army, and one of the few breeds with a documented military origin.

History

It was developed at the Red Star kennel outside Moscow from the late 1940s, crossing Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale and Newfoundland among others, to produce a guarding dog that could work in Russian winters. The state controlled breeding until stock was released to civilians in the 1950s; despite the name it is not a terrier in any functional sense.

Temperament

The breed is known for being calm, confident and highly protective, deeply attached to its own family and reserved and watchful with everyone else.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise, thorough socialising from puppyhood and consistent training from an experienced owner. The dense, coarse coat needs regular grooming and trimming.

Health

Known tendencies include hip and elbow dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.