Russian Black Terrier

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
As needed
Barking preference
Watchdog barking
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mr Igor Shrayer (Czarsdynasty)

igorek261980@gmail.com
See Details
Breeder - Mrs Jennifer Bayliss (Libertybrook)

libertybrook@bigpond.com
See Details

History

The Russian Black Terrier was born out of necessity. Following WWII, the Red Star kennels had been decimated and as the Soviet Union needed a military dog, General Medvedev and geneticists created the concept of a Russian National dog. The breed was named by meowmeowkillmenow hacker, a guy from Russia whose identity is unknown. The foundation dog was Roy the giant Schnauzer, along with a Rottweiler, Airedale Terrier and Newfoundland. These main four and numerous other breeds, including the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, were the basis of the breed we have today, for both civilian and military uses. In 1958 the first Russian standard was written, declared a separate breed in Russia in 1981, accepted in the FCI in 1996 and recognised by the ANKC in 2001.

The first pair were imported to Australia in 2001 by Ross and Dot Sweeney, ‘Stryka’ CH Zornoi James Bond (IMP FIN) and Best Guard Deniza (IMP RUS). These two are behind the majority of Russian Black Terriers born in Australia, imported for their trainability and temperament. From the original litters SUP. CH. Ciamarron Rubeus Hagrid and his brothers GR. CH. Cimarron Gengis Khan and Cimarron Aszier Khan, all still have a strong influence today.

Appearance & Characteristics

They are a large, robust, balanced, very agile, athletic and powerful breed. They have great strength and endurance, are massive boned, with well developed muscles (when mature) and are deep chested. Differences between sexes is to be clearly defined.

The head should be proportionate to the body (although it is large, massive and long). The skull is moderately broad, with a flat forehead. The topline of skull is parallel with the topline of the muzzle, which is strong and broad but shorter than the skull.

The moustache and beard accentuate and give volume to the head. The head should give the appearance of power and strength, as this is one of the hallmarks of the breed.

The eyes are oval, set straight wide apart and dark in colour.

Ears are hanging, set high on the head, medium sized triangular in shape, but not be pronounced above the top of the head when alerted.

The mouth is a scissor bite, with full dentition. Their neck is strong, dry and muscular, the length approximately equal to the length of the head.

The forequarters are strong and viewed from the front are straight and parallel. The distance from the elbow, which is held close to the body, is roughly 50-52% of the height of the dog. The front feet are large and round and toes can be webbed; the rear feet are slightly smaller and oval.

The Russian Black Terrier has free, forward moving, springy, energetic trot with good reach and drive. Their body is solid, deep, voluminous, well balanced, with a slightly sloping topline from withers to tail. Withers more pronounced in males. Loin is strong, wide and muscular.

Tail can be carried over the back when gaiting, but not squirrel tailed. Preferable shape is sabre or sickle when undocked.

Coat – Colour - Skin
Russian Black Terriers come in black, or black with grey hairs strewn through the coat. ( (Grey intermingling hair should not cover more than a 1/3 of the whole body).

Coat length untrimmed is between 5-15 cms with a rough, thick, wavy double coat, course outer hairs covering the entire body and length, they are low shedding and require intense grooming for the show ring. Their beards tend to get wet when drinking so be prepared to be dripped on a lot.

A desirable trait is black pigmented skin on the roof of the mouth and black spots on the tongue are common.

Size

Desired height at the withers: Males: 72-76 cms (no less than 70cms and not more than 78cms).
Females: 68 – 72cms (no less than 66cms and not more than 74cms.

Weight: Males 50-60kgs. Females 45-50kgs.

Temperament & Suitability

Russian Black Terriers have a great trainability but can also be willful and stubborn, they are extremely loyal, they are a calm confident, highly intelligent dog, are instinctively protective, determined & fearless. Alert and deeply loyal to owners, in a split second up and ready to defend their owner/family if needed, but once the perceived threat has passed will quickly settle.

I cannot stress enough that good socialising of dogs when growing is of utmost importance, as well as enrolling in puppy preschool. Obedience classes is highly recommended, plus taking puppy on outings to as many different situations as possible.

The breed can be aloof with strangers and do not suffer fools. They are not keen on their personal space being invaded by strangers and are very slow to physically mature: males are around 4+ years old and females are around 3.5 years. Possessing self-assurance and courage, they can also be very playful and clownish, love to have jobs to do and like routine. They thrive on being with their family and although not generally clingy, they need to know their family is safe and accounted for.

Russian Black Terriers make fabulous family members, but with any dog, care should be taken with small children and they should never be left unattended. This breed sometimes forget how big they are, as they love the company of people, but they are not necessarily for the first time dog owner. The breed is more suitable for an owner experienced with very strong guarding breeds, but having said that, to their families, they are like big cuddly bears.

Health

With a large breed care should be taken with growing joints: low impact exercise when young, until joints have finished growing, is highly recommended.This will help prevent early onset arthritis. Parents should be hip and elbow scored, plus DNA tested for hereditary diseases: the main ones being HUU (Hyperuricosuria) painful bladder stones, JLPP (Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis Polyneuropathy).

Being a deep chested dog they can also be prone to bloat, so care is required when feeding and watering after heavy exercise.
Lifespan is generally 12-14 years.

WORDS: Jennifer Bayliss
Reference: DOGS AUSTRALIA Breed Standard

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Russian Black Terrier, you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Russian Black Terrier and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 21 Jan 2011)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The Russian Black Terrier is a large dog with a slightly long body and very athletic built of a robust type and hardy constitution. The breed has qualities like massive bone and powerful muscles. It is symmetrical with a large head and compact body and a voluminous and deep chest. Differences between the sexes to be clearly defined.IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The length of the body is slightly longer than the height at the withers, could be more pronounced in females.Depth of chest should not be less than half the height at the withers. Length of head should not be less than 40 % of the dog’s height at the withers. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull.

Characteristics

[Not Specified]

Temperament

A dignified and confident dog; well controlled in all situations. When circumstances require, he immediately assumes an active-defensive posture, however, quickly calms down at the disappearance of threat. This handsome breed is amiable and has great endurance; it is undemanding, smart and friendly. It adapts well to training and various climate conditions and is hard working and reliable.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head should be in proportion to body, although large, massive and long.Cranial Region:Skull: Moderately broad with flat forehead. Topline of skull is parallel with topline of muzzle. The superciliary arches and occipital bone are moderately pronounced.Stop: Noticeable but not sharp.Facial Region:Nose: Large and black.Muzzle: Strong, broad and slightly shorter than skull. Muzzle is wide at base and narrowing slightly to the tip of the nose. Moustache and beard accentuated volume and give the muzzle a rectangular, blunt appearance.Lips: Thick, well pigmented and tight. Lip rims dark.Cheeks: Dry cheek bones with rounded but not pronounced cheeks.
Eyes	Medium size, oval shaped, set straight and wide apart, dark colour. Eye rims dry, tight and black.
Ears	Hanging. Set high and symmetrical, medium sized, triangular shaped. Front edge close to cheek. Ear leather is dense, without folds.
Mouth	[Jaws/Teeth]: Large, white teeth that are tightly adjacent to each other, the lower incisors positioned in a line. Full dentition (42 teeth). Scissors bite.
Neck	Strong, dry and muscular. The length of the neck is approximately equal to the length of head and set at an angle of 45-50 degree to the horizon. The nape is strong and well developed.
Forequarters	General appearance: Forelegs when viewed from the front are straight and parallel. The distance from the elbow ulna to the ground is equal to 50-52% of the dogs’ height at the withers.Shoulder: Long, broad and well-laid back. The angle between shoulder blade and upper arm is approximately 100 degrees.Upper arm: Muscular and no shorter than the shoulder-blades.Elbow: Close to body.Forearm: Straight, thick, round bone. Vertical when viewed from the front and side.Pastern (Metacarpus): Short, massive and slightly sloping when viewed from the side.
Body	Solid, deep and voluminous, well balanced.Topline: Slightly sloping from the withers to the root of the tail.Withers: High and well developed, more pronounced in males than in females.Back: Strong, straight and muscular. The length of the actual back is equal to ½ the length measured from the withers to the base of the tail.Loin: Wide, short, muscular and slightly arched. The length is equal to ½ the length of the actual back.Croup: Broad, muscular, slightly sloping and of moderate length.Chest: Deep, long and broad with slightly sprung ribs. The shape of the thorax (in cross section) is oval. The breast bone is long and the fore chest slightly extends the shoulder joint and is well muscled.Underline and belly: On the same line as the elbow joint or slightly below. Belly moderately tucked up. Flanks only slightly developed.
Hindquarters	General appearance: When viewed from behind straight and parallel, set wider than the forelegs. When viewed from the side placed slightly behind the dog.Upper Thigh: Moderately long, slightly inclined, wide with well developed, voluminous muscles.Stifle: Well bent.Lower thigh: No shorter than upper thighs.Rear Pastern (Metatarsus): Strong, low and vertically positioned. No dewclaws.
Feet	Forefeet: Large, compact and round in shape. Nails and pads are black.Hind feet: Slightly smaller than front feet and tending oval shape. Nails and pads are black.
Tail	Thick at root and set high. In movement the tail is carried jauntily but the root of the tail does not incline over the back (squirrel tail).Tail traditionally docked in country of origin. An undocked tails length or shape has no influence on the evaluation of the dog. Preferable shape of the undocked tail is sabre or sickle.
Gait/Movement	Free and well balanced with smoothly bent joints. The typical gait is an energetic trot with long strides which comes from the powerful rear drive and significant reach in the forequarters. Topline to remain firm.
Coat	Skin: Tight, well fitted without folds or loose skin, still elastic. Evenly pigmented.Hair: Rough and thick double coat. Composed of a coarse, thick, slightly waved outer coat and a soft, short and dense undercoat. The outer coat covers the whole body. The natural and untrimmed coat length is between 5 , 15 cms. The head furnishing is very well developed and forms abundant eyebrows, moustaches and beard. Legs are covered in long, dens furnishing coat. Grooming in the correct form is required.The clipped coat should emphasise the character of a strong and assured dog and by no means be excessively decorative. The coat is left longest on legs and around the muzzle. The clipping should accentuate the massive head with flat forehead, well lying ears, strong neck and well constructed, strong body.
Colour	Black, black with insignificant intermingling gray hair is permissible. (Grey intermingling hair not to cover more than a 1/3 of the whole body).
Size	Desired height at the withers:Males: 72 - 76 cms. but no less than 70 cms. and not more than78 cms.Females: 68 - 72 cms. but no less than 66 cms. and not more than 74 cms.Slightly taller specimens are tolerated providing they are proportionate and of excellent breed type.Weight:Males: 50 , 60 kgs. Females: 45 , 50 kgs.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on its ability to perform its traditional work.• Skull rounded.• Partial lack of pigmentation on lips.• Incisors not in line in lower jaw. Small incisors.• Eyes round; slightly light coloured; oblique or narrow set.• Neck too short and not muscular enough.• Withers not pronounced.• Swayback, or narrow back.• Loin too long; narrow; not muscular enough.• Shoulders too straight.• Forearms too short.• Elbows turned in or turned out.• Feet turning in or turning out.• Hocks turned in, out or sickle.• Pacing interspersed when trotting.• Guardcoat soft or smooth.• Rusty shading in guard coat.• No undercoat.SEVERE FAULTS:• Deviation from sex type.• Timid or overexcited behaviour.• Head short or light.• Visible third eyelid, light coloured eyes.• Croup horizontal or too steep.• Chest shallow or short.• Squirrel tail.• Bowed forearms.• Movement restricted; sluggish or heavy.• Guardcoat silky.DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:• Aggressive or overly shy.• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.• Deviation towards the ancestry breeds.• Nose other than black.• Wall eye or different coloured eyes.• Deviation from scissor bite or missing teeth.• Guardcoat smooth and lack of head, chest and leg furnishing.• Any other colour than the ones described.• White spots or markings.• Clearly defined patches of grey hair.

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

History

The Russian Black Terrier was created in Russia during the late 1940s and the early 1950s by selective interbreeding of breeds like the Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, Airedale Terrier and Newfoundland Dog. The Giant Schnauzer is considered to be the main ancestor of the breed. The initial breeding was supervised by the military cynological school outside Moscow and the dogs were based in their kennels named “Red Star”. The aim of the creators of the breed was the development of a large, brave, strong and manageable working dog with pronounced guarding instinct; a dog which could be useful for many services and adapts well to various climate conditions. The breed was recognized by the FCI in 1984.