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Breed Characteristics
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Black Russian Terrier
| Other Names | Russian Black Terrier, Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier, Chornyi, Terrier Noir Russe, Russian Bear Schnauzer, Black Terrier. Tchiorny Terrier |
| Nicknames | BRT, Blackies |
| Country of Origin | Russia |
| Weight | 80 - 143 lbs. (36 - 65 kg) Male dogs are bigger and more massive than females. |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 25 - 29 in. (64 - 74 cm) Females: 25 - 28 in. (64 - 72 cm) With a tolerance of 1.3 inches (3 cm); more if the dog is well proportioned. |
| Coat | The coat is a double coat with a coarse outer guard hair over a softer undercoat. The coat is hard and dense, never soft, woolly, silky or frizzy. It should be between 2 - 6 in. (5 cm - 15 cm) in length. It should form a beard and eyebrows on the face, and a slight mane around the withers and neck that is more pronounced in males. |
| Colour | The coat is low-shedding and the colour is black or black with some scattered gray hairs. Sometimes puppies are born with a non standard colour (black with lightening gene, steel-silver, black and tan and very rarely wheat or sable). |
| Litter Size | 6-10 Puppies |
| Life Span | 10 -14 years |
| Origin & History | In the early part of the 20th century, following the Russian Revolution, the future of many purebred native dogs in Russia was bleak. Many Russian breeds had been slaughtered during the revolt, and many more would die during World War I (WWI). The USSR had been devastated by these conflicts, and many suffered including the native dogs of this region. It is well documented, that after WWI the extinction of all purebred Russian dogs was forthcoming. In 1924, in order to prevent such a tragic outcome for the native breeds, the Russian Military Council decreed that every department in their military would now include dogs and dog trainers among their soldiers and security forces. As a result of the edict set forth by the Russian Military Council, a school was created to train these new canine soldiers. This school developed training facilities, including military and sports departments, as well as laboratories to prepare and train the dogs for military service, and to successfully carry out their objectives as guard dogs, attack dogs, and even mine dogs. These canine soldiers would prove useful to the Russian Red Army, during World War II (WWII). Many dogs would lose their lives fiercely defending their homeland from the Nazis. Replacement dogs would be required by the Red Army after the loss of so many of its canine soldiers. Realizing their value, the Red Army decided to develop a dog breed specific to the needs of the military. The new breed would fulfill the various jobs that had previously been performed by canine soldiers, as well as be developed further to address the specific needs of the military. At this time, the Red Army controlled The Central Military School of Working Dogs, also known as the “Red Star” kennel; a state owned dog training school which was the only facility capable of taking on such a large-scale breeding program. Colonel G. Medvedev was commissioned, in the 1950’s, to direct this new breeding campaign for the Red Star Kennel. As the objective was to develop a completely new type of dog, bred to meet the specific needs of the Red Army, the standards were quite precise. The army desired a large dog that could perform guard-dog and watchdog duties. The breed would need to be aggressive, as well as being capable of withstanding the harsh and ever changing climate of Russia. The new breed would also need to be highly trainable, as the dogs would be tasked with working alongside police and border units, as well as being required to guard facilities like prison camps, military installations, and other important sites. Therefore, these dogs needed to work well with the soldiers and be easy to handle in order to successfully assist in their guard duties. The result of this breeding campaign by the Red Star Kennel would be the creation of the Black Russian Terrier. As previously mentioned, there were many breeds that went into the development of this new dog. The first generation of cross-breeding included several important breeds, with the goal being to develop a “war dog” that was large and strong, with an unassuming but aggressive nature that could be trained with ease. The most influential members of the Black Russian Terrier’s lineage would be those breeds that brought specifically useful physical and temperamental qualities. At this time, little concern was paid to appearance apart from size and weatherproofing the coat for climate concerns. With these precise needs in mind, the Giant Schnauzer would have a significant influence on the Black Russian Terrier breed. The Giant Schnauzer was known for its large size, dominant personality, intelligence, and trainability. The Airedale Terrier was another breed that had a strong influence on the Black Russian Terrier’s development. Valued as a confident, courageous, and fearless dog, the Airedale Terrier possessed much desired characteristics in a military breed. The Rottweiler was also used in the development of the Black Russian Terrier, because of its nature as a large, self-assured breed and a competent guard dog. The focus of the Red Star Kennel’s breeding program was to develop consistent behavior and temperament, while maintaining good working ability. Therefore, these initial breeding efforts would produce some physical faults in the early Black Russian Terrier breed. Characteristics like a short coat, imperfections of the teeth, testicles that did not descend, and spots were seen in the early specimens and were deemed undesirable in the breed standard that the Red Army was looking for. Experimentation with the breeding of the Black Russian Terrier continued until 1955, when the Red Star Kennel first showed the Black Russian Terrier at the National Agricultural Exhibition; after which refining of the breed would of course continue. In 1957, the Black Russian Terrier would cease to be a state-controlled and specifically military breed. The Red Star Kennel began to sell second and third generation Black Russian Terrier puppies to private breeders in this same year. Breed fanciers and hobby breeders were now able to obtain specimens of this newly fashioned native breed. As these new breeders began to develop their own lines of Black Russian Terriers, the breed stock became more varied. The Russian military continued to work on the Black Russian Terrier throughout the Soviet Union and the Bloc countries, however, through the efforts of the public breeders, the Black Russian Terrier began to spread to countries like the Ukraine, Siberia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, the Baltic countries, Finland, and even as far west as the United States. In 1958, the first breed standard for the Black Russian Terrier was published in “Regulations and Requirements for Training and Usage of Military Dogs”. After this official standard was made known, breeders attempted to further refine and standardize the appearance of the many diverse lines of Black Russian Terriers that had been developed. Over time, and due to the differing breeding lines of the Black Russian Terrier, two distinct types occurred within the breed; one a short haired dog, the other a long haired type. No preference was made in the coat length as long as the desired working qualities were present and consistent. From 1957 to 1979, Red Star Kennel continued to breed Black Russian Terriers, and to experiment with their development, until finally, in 1979, the kennel approved a standard for the breed. By the time that standard was approved by the Red Star Kennel, 800 litters of Black Russian Terriers had already produced 4000 members of the breed that conformed to this standard. In 1981, the Soviet Ministry of Agriculture accepted the breed standard and officially recognized the Black Russian Terrier as a unique and specific breed. In 1983, the Black Russian Terrier (or Black Terrier as it was known at the time) was further recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI). In 1992, the Black Terrier was officially renamed the Black Russian Terrier. The breed is also listed with the Canadian Kennel Club, but as of yet has not been fully recognized with them. The breed has taken hold in America as well. The Black Russian Terrier Club of America (BRTCA) was formed in 1993 to promote the breed. They are currently listed as the parent club for the breed with the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC finally admitted the Black Russian Terrier to the Miscellaneous Group in 2001. The Black Russian Terrier was allowed full breed status and recognition as with the AKC in 2004 as a member of the ‘Working Group’. The Black Russian Terrier was placed in the Working Group as opposed to the Terrier Group by the AKC due to the fact that its size and structure are inconsistent with the typical Terrier type. Although the Black Russian Terrier has had a successful history since its original inception not so many years ago, it still remains a relatively rare breed of dog, that is not often seen outside its homeland of Russia. AKC registration statistics for 2010 place the Black Russian Terrier in 135th position out of 167 total breeds in total number of dogs registered that year. |
| Personality | Black Russian Terriers are brave and very observant. Suspicious of strangers, they have a strong protective instinct that will appear at the age of one and a half to two years. Growing puppies should be treated lovingly but firmly, to steer them in the right direction. Puppies are sensitive, playful, adaptive and quick to learn. They are inquisitive and will get into everything. Even as an adult they are enthusiastic about children and love to play with them. This breed seeks intense contact with humans and animals. BRTs have a strong and balanced temperament. They avoid fighting with other dogs, although males cannot live with other big dominant dogs if the owners are not 100% alpha over both of them. This breed can easily live with non-dominant or small dogs, cats, horses, rabbits etc. They are easy to housebreak and should easily accept the leash. BRTs enjoy their training sessions and love to please their master. This breed only barks when they feel it is necessary. Quick to act, they are always ready to protect their owner and house. Black Russian Terriers are "late bloomers" and take a long time to fully mature. If the dog is given firm leadership as a puppy and the owners remain consistent through adulthood, dominance is no problem. You should only share the bed, couch and table with your puppy if you are willing to do that one year later as well. No matter how sweet and charming the puppy is, remember that within a year this will be a strong and powerful dog. Black Russian Terriers are easy to have in the house with a little care. They should not live in a kennel outside because such dogs get too little attention and stimulation. Daily mental and physical exercise is important in order to release this dog’s energy. If you allow the energy to build up inside them you will run into behavior issues. The dog should never walk in front of the human while on a lead, but should be beside or behind them in order to reinforce the dog’s place among the humans. In a dog’s mind, pack leader always goes first. Constant leadership and close contact with the family brings out the best qualities of this breed. If this kind of dog is kenneled outside, away from its family with no leadership, it will not learn how to suitably protect things and may well someday protect its kennel against its owner. |
Care Requirements
| Health | As with many other breeds, the Black Russian Terrier does have some hereditary health concerns found commonly among members of the breed. The most commonly occurring conditions found in Black Russian Terriers are Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) and Elbow Dysplasia. These are conditions seen often in larger dog breeds. Hip and elbow dysplasia is a developmental condition in which abnormal cartilage or bone growth may occur in the hip and elbow joints causing pain in the effected individual, even in some cases making it difficult for the dog to walk. |
| Grooming | The weatherproof coat consists of hard, wiry, tight, close-lying, wavy hair which is about 1.5 in. - 4 in (4 -10 cm) long. The BRT sports eyebrows and a beard. The upper-neck portion and withers suggest a mane. The undercoat is tight and well developed. Regular trimming 2-3 times a year is needed. Stripping is needed only if the coat is soft. Brush the BRT at least once a week. It is important to remove hairs from ear ducts and cut the hairs under the paws. The BRT sheds very little if it is regularly brushed. |
| Exercise | Black Russian Terriers are always ready for a long daily walk. They love to romp, play and to be entertained. Most of them love snow and water. They will roll in the snow and splash in the water. |
| Other Considerations | The Black Russian Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and no matter how big your yard is they will be sitting at your front door waiting to come in. They love to live very close to their owner. They will follow you from one room to the other. Kept in a garden they will follow you from window to window and wait for you at the door. They need very close human contact. This breed does not do well living in a kennel; they must have close human contact to be happy. |
