Black Russian Terrier Dog Breed Information

Group

Working

Weight

36-68 kg

Height

68-72 cm

Lifespan

10-11 years

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About the Black Russian Terrier

Reviewed by:

Dr. Shamsul Alam Roky

Veterinarian

Don’t be fooled by their intimidating exterior, muscular build, and guard dog tendencies; Black Russian Terriers are extremely loving, loyal, and great pets to have around the house. They can even make great playmates for children! Plus, their inherent watchdog nature will guard your home better than any home security system ever could.

A product of World War II, Russian Terriers remain a rare breed. However, if you’re looking for a loving family pet and spot one being sold by a reputable breeder, they’re worth considering!

In this ultimate guide, we’ll fill you in on all you should know about this working dog, including why they make such great family pets, their origin, behaviours, and so much more.

What is the history & origin of the Black Russian Terrier?

The stand-offish, intimidating, and alert character of a Black Russian Terrier isn’t an accident: this dog was bred specifically for the purpose of defence. The Black Russian Terrier, as its name implies, was first bred in the then-U.S.S.R. following devastations to the nation’s dog population during the Russian Revolution, WWI AND WWII.

The Russian Army wanted to devise a new kind of war dog, one that could be used to fiercely guard the Russian borders and also survive Russia’s diverse climates. Following the overtaking of East Germany, two German-bred dogs were introduced to the U.S.S.R.: the Giant Schnauzer and the Rottweiler.

At the Red Star Kennel, both Giant Schnauzers and Rottweilers were crossbred with a number of other dogs, including the likes of Airedale Terriers and Newfoundlands, to create the mighty Black Russian Terrier.

The results of this crossbreeding project produced a powerful, versatile, and very intelligent dog, which first debuted in public in 1955 in Moscow. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) breed club first recognised the dog in 1984. In the following decade, they spread across the world, being bred by the likes of the American Kennel Club.

What is a Black Russian Terrier Breed?

A Black Russian Terrier is easy to identify by its largeness, all-black coat, and coarse and wavy hair. This cross-breed tends to be made up of 30% Airedale Terrier, 30% Rottweiler, 30% Giant Schnauzer, and the remaining 10% being an even more minute mix of several different dogs.

They have very hairy features, with a moustache, beard, and hair that grows right over their eyes if not trimmed regularly enough. They also feature a double coat: the inner coat type is dense but soft, while the outer coat is wavy and lengthy.

Who is a Black Russian Terrier Best For?

Once a Black Russian Terrier gets comfortable with their new home and owners, they will grow extremely fond of each member of the family and crave attention from them. They also love to play dog sports and games with kids and become very protective over the younger members of the family.

However given their impressive size, they may not be the best choice of dog to have around toddlers and small children, as they may scare infants and accidentally harm them. For this reason, Black Russian Terriers are a better option for families with bigger kids.

Generally, it takes an active family to meet the needs of a Black Russian Terrier. They are highly active dogs – requiring around 2 hours of walking per day! And they like a challenge, making them an ideal dog for countryside hikes and long park walks.

Given their history as a guard dog, they are also recommended for anyone looking for a working dog.

Black Russian Terrier Grooming & Shedding

Like all dogs, if you want your Black Russian Terrier to look its best, it’s recommended to get it professionally groomed once every 5-6 weeks. Despite being a big dog with lots of hair, a Black Russian Terrier sheds minimally. However, due to the denseness and sheer amount of hair they have, their fur gets easily tangled and matted, so needs to be brushed once per week.

Do Black Russian Terriers bark a lot?

Due to their heightened guard dog instincts, a Black Russian will bark whenever they detect someone unknown approaching their property. They will not bark unprovoked, so you can always expect a clear reason for their increased noise levels.

What is the average weight & height of a Black Russian Terrier dog?

The weight and size of a Black Russian Terrier depends, but they generally weigh between 36 and 68 kilograms, and they tend to reach a height of 68-72cm.

Are Black Russian Terriers easy to train?

Not only highly active dogs, Black Russian Terriers are very intelligent too, which makes training easy but vital. It’s important to assert yourself over a Black Russian early, as they can very easily become their own masters and grow into disobedient adult dogs. Luckily, training is easy and can be done as part of their daily exercise routine.

From around 6 weeks, a Black Russian should be taken out on obedience trails, taught canine sports, and trained on how to perform agility tricks. When teaching them agility, always reward them vocally or with a treat.

On top of this, they need to be given plenty of opportunities to socialise with other dogs at the likes of a puppy kindergarten class. This is necessary throughout their puppyhood to prevent them from attacking other dogs in adulthood.

Again, this training should never involve any form of punishment – it is strongly encouraged to use positive reinforcement when training any dog.

How do Black Russian Terriers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Black Russian Terriers are naturally dominant dogs – they’re also highly intelligent. Being bred for defensive purposes, the personality of a Black Russian Terrier dictates it to be suspicious of everyone who enters its home.

Naturally, they feel the need to defend their home, so will be markedly aloof to all new guests. This does not mean a Black Russian Terrier will be shy around new people but definitely won’t display any level of trust initially.

Once a Black Russian has had sufficient time to judge a new guest, they may start to show some level of endearment towards them, or at the very least appear disinterested in what they originally perceived to be a potential threat.

Once properly trained, they can pretty much perform any working dog task. They are great at hunting and herding and grow a strong desire to please their human owners by completing tasks well.

Does the Black Russian Terrier have any common health issues?

Generally healthy, a Black Russian Terrier may suffer from diseases common in all dogs. Specifically, this dog breed has been known to suffer from canine hip dysplasia (CHD), elbow dysplasia, urinary tract stones, and progressive retinal atrophy, which may cause them to go blind.

Responsible dog breeders should have each Black Russian checked for the above health concerns and inform buyers if any issue has become apparent. Before giving a Black Russian a forever home, make sure they have had their hips, elbows, and eyes professionally examined.

What is the lifespan of a Black Russian Terrier?

The life expectancy of a Black Russian Terrier tends to be between 10 and 11 years. The dog’s age is often defined by whether or not they succumb to CHD which, although not deadly, severely limits their quality of life, and may cause them to deteriorate in other areas.

How much does a Black Russian Terrier need to be fed?

When a pup, these dogs require lots of food to help them reach their maximum size, which is why they are often recommended 3-4 meals per day. Once they reach 1 year old, this feeding routine should be switched to 2 times per day. The total feeding amount of an adult dog should equate to around 5 cups or 720-1280g of food per day.

How much can you expect to pay for a Black Russian Terrier in Australia?

A breed standard Black Russian Terrier puppy can be bought for around $1,500 in Australia today. Anything below this price should be treated with caution, as there may be genetic health problems that the breeder is not informing you of.

Black Russian Terrier FAQs

Is a Black Russian Terrier ideal for a first-time dog owner?

Black Russian Terriers require a high level of training and care, meaning they’re not the best option for first-time dog owners. The strength and intelligence of these dogs can be overwhelming, and if not trained correctly, could lead to a strained relationship between owner and dog.

Do Black Russian Terriers get along with other pets?

Only if they are brought up with the other pet, which can include other dogs and cats. If you introduce a new pet to the terrier later in life, they may view the pet as a threat and as prey. You should never leave a Russian Terrier alone with the likes of a rabbit or a hamster.