- to rise: 26-28 inches
- Weight: 80-140 lbs
- life span: 10-14 years old
- group: AKC Working Group
- Best suitable for: Families with children, active bachelors, homes with yards, farms and rural areas
- print: Energetic, confident, courageous, hardy
- Similar Breeds: Bouvier des Flandres, Giant Schnauzer
Black Russian Terrier Basics
Also known as Stalin’s dog or Stalin’s Sobaka, the Black Russian Terrier is a hard-working, low-maintenance dog. Developed by the Soviet Union during World War II, the Black Russian Terrier, or BRT, is not a true terrier and is instead classified as a working dog.
The BRT is a rather large dog and has a solidly built body. Both the fore and hind legs are well-muscled and strong, ending in large, webbed feet. The BRT’s head is rather large and lumpy in shape and equipped with a robust set of teeth that meet in a scissor bite. The BRT’s body is covered with a thick double layer. The outer coat is coarse and wiry while the thick thick undercoat is soft to the touch. The coat of BRTs is black and sometimes has a few stray gray hairs. Brown or white markings are considered to be an error.
BRTs are highly intelligent and talkative dogs. Primarily created as guard dogs, they have very strong protective instincts and are devoted to their owners. Their strong personalities, however, require owners to have a thorough understanding of psychology and leadership.
The Russian Black Terrier is an intense working dog.
the origin
The Black Russian Terrier was developed by the USSR’s state-owned company Red Star Kennel. The breed was specifically developed to serve as a military/working dog. The primary objective when developing the BRT was to create a low maintenance, robust dog that was also high in spirit and able to adapt to various tasks and climatic conditions. Until 1957 bred in the BRT only by the Red Star Kennel Club, the kennel-bred specimens, although similar in temperament and personality, will differ in appearance. However, once the Black Russian Terrier became available to civilian breeders, efforts were made to standardize their look while preserving their temperament and physical capabilities.
Pedigree
It is believed that the breeding stock used to develop the Black Russian Terrier came mainly from the occupied territories of the Soviet Union. Their pedigree includes crossings of more than 20 distinct dog breeds such as the Hound, Caucasian Ovcharka, Newfoundland, Giant, Standard Schnauzer and Moscow Water Dog.
Foods / Diet
Black Russian Terriers are highly intelligent and eager to please and extremely easy to train.
training
Black Russian Terriers are highly intelligent and eager to please and extremely easy to train. However, they have strong personalities and should be handled with love, but they do lend a hand from an early age. BRT puppies are inquisitive and playful and some adults also display this extreme curiosity. Black Russian Terriers often excel in various obedience competitions and dog sports such as agility training and Schutzhund training.
Weight
Fully grown Black Russian Terriers range from 80 to 140 lbs.
mood and behaviour
Black Russian Terriers were bred with a hard work ethic and as such need a “critical” job to live a happy, well-balanced life. They are also a very energetic breed and require at least an hour of rigorous exercise every day. When not provided with an outlet to release their excess energy, Black Russian Terriers can become quite hyperactive and develop various behavioral issues.
Black Russian Terriers have a very strong guarding instinct that begins around the age of two years. They are very brave and very devoted to their owners. They are also naturally suspicious of strangers and don’t take well to hackers. However, they will rarely bark excessively unless they feel absolutely wanted. These traits make the BRT an excellent modern-day guard dog.
BRTs get along well with children and love to frolic and play with them. They also get along well with pets and other household animals. However, problems can arise when housing a Russian Black Terrier with another large, dominant dog as BRTs have very strong personalities. It is therefore essential that owners be able to maintain dominance and leadership over both dogs.
joint health problems
life expectancy
When well cared for, the Black Russian Terrier will often enjoy a lifespan of 10-14 years.
practice requirements
A responsible BRT owner will ensure that their dog gets at least one hour of rigorous exercise each day. These dogs were bred to be hard workers and need to exude high levels of energy in order to lead happy, balanced lives.
Black Russian Terriers were bred with a hard work ethic and as such need a “critical” job to live a happy, well-balanced life.
AKC
The Russian Black Prix was recognized by the American Kennel Club in July 2004.
This is what the club has to say about the breed: “Large, strong and powerful, the Black Russian Terrier (BRT) was developed in Russia as a guard dog. Despite its name, the Black Russian is a member of the Working Group and not the Terrier Group. Their double-cropped coat should be black Charcoal and rough in texture.”
coat
A black Rossi’s coat should be brushed 2-3 times a week and requires trimming at least twice a year. Owners should remove any dead hair from a dog’s ear canals and trim the hair under its claws. BRTs are light shedding.
puppies
BRT puppies mature fairly slowly compared to other breeds. However, it is important to start training and socialization at a very early age. BRTs have excellent memories and often retain the various lessons and experiences from puppyhood.
Photo credit: © iStock.com/alazor; dutchmasterdutchie/Flickr. Pleple2000 / Wikimedia
