Black Russian Terrier

[AussiesCollies]

Black Russian Terrier

Height: 25-29 in.
Weight: 80-143 lbs.
Health Problems: prone to hip dysplasia
Living conditions: can live in an apartment if exercised enough, need to be close their family
Life Expectancy: Around 11 years
Grooming: Need to be trimmed 2-3 times yearly, brush weekly, professional grooming is necessary (they do not shed much if brushed regularly)
Origin: The breed started in the 40's and on July 1, 2004 the AKC recognized the Black Russian Terrier

More info: Of the many breeds of tenacious terriers, most of which were
originally bred and used for ratting (hunting vermin) or baiting,
the Black Russian Terrier with its guard dog background is one of
the larger and more powerful of the group. This is part of what
makes it such a rare breed of terrier.


Its rareness begins with the scarcity of purebred animals in its
native country: in Russia during the war years. In the forties,
the companion dog, the dog as pet, was longed for and highly
regarded. At the same time, the need for the guard dog was made
precedent. So the Red Star Kennel (the Russian Army-controlled
dog housing and breeding plant), with a repertoire of using what
researchers say is over 100 dogs, worked to breed the Black
Russian Terrier. Some of the known breeds that contributed were
the primary breed, the Schnauzer, and the Great Dane, the
Airedale Terrier, the Russian Water Dog, the Rottweiler, the
Newfoundland , the Caucasian Ovcharka, and the Eastern-European
Shepherd.


This created an unpretentious but stealthy animal that was
aggressive but trainable, sizeable but needing very little care.
So the Black Russian Terrier, a stout and strong and unusually
large terrier, is today a treasured breed at 27 to 30 inches and
66 to 85 pounds, a far cry from the 10-15 pounds of a typical
terrier breed.


Also atypical is the Black Russian Terrier's love for the cold.
Yet it has been advised that it is kept indoors, except for
regular exercise, which it requires space for. So it follows that
the ideal living environment would exclude the smaller city
apartment or dwelling, though this breed is not rambunctious.


This breed, instead, is of a steady, balanced countenance, one
that it inherently shows in its calm, confident, even aloof
demeanor. These characteristics make it an excellent friend to
children, while at the same time, with its strong instinct to
guard and protect, it is the ideal guard dog.

While the temperament of the Black Russian Terrier is by no means
demanding, this breed still has some demands especially in care
and maintenance of its coat, for instance. With what fanciers
call not a wiry or curly but tousled double top coat which is a
rich black color and fairly long, the Black Russian Terrier needs
regular grooming. That is, it needs both regular brushing and
regular clipping.

But, provided it gets the care, grooming, and appreciation it
commands, the Black Russian Terrier will provide for the best of
its caretakers, its family by protecting and guarding it with a
solemn and rigorous courage that it shares with its terrier
brethren, though that is the most that it shares with them.

[rutylr]

Great breed .I have a few friends that own them,but I myself would never own one.
Donna

[AussiesCollies]

Why not Ruty?

[rutylr]

They are more dog then I want to handle.
http://www.dorambra.com/history.htm
Here is a good site on their history.
Donna