GROUP 6 - UTILITY

Brief History
This breed was created in Russia in the late 1940’s to early 1950’s. This was done by selective interbreeding of many breeds and in all there are a reported 21 different Breeds that make up the Russian Black Terrier. The Giant Schnauzer was considered the most influential of the breeds in creating the final Russian Black Terrier that you see today. The Russian Black Terrier was developed by the Russian Military

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 10 to 12 years.

Temperament
The Russian Black Terrier is a very dignified, intelligent and self-confident, courageous dog that should be well controlled in all circumstances. It must never be forgotten that the creators of this breed had the main aim to create a very large, brave, strong and manageable working dog, partnered with pronounced guarding instincts.

General Breed Description
The Black Russian Terrier is a very large, robust, powerful dog who is athletically built, together with lots of substance and bone, normally well-muscled all over the body. He is best known for his specific and beautifully groomed coat, which makes him stand out from the crowd, normally having a beard, fall (hair over eyes)and long leg furnishings. The colours are black, and black with grey flecking throughout the coat.

Coat and Care Requirements
Russian Black Terriers have a double coat, and the outer coat is coarse, with the undercoat soft and thick. It varies in length from 1.5 to 4 inches. Russian Black Terriers have a tousled coat, although some might be tempted to call it wiry or curly. Brushing should be a weekly event to prevent matting. To brush that coat, you will require a slicker brush, an undercoat rake, and a stripping comb. Russian Black Terriers do not shed a lot, but those dogs with longer coats may leave little clumps of hair everywhere unless brushed regularly.

Size
Height: Males: 70 to 78cms, Females 66 to 74cms.

Weight: Males 50 to 60kgs, Females 45 to 50kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does. Although the Russian Black Terrier is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Hyperuricosuria (HU), Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy (JLPP) (fatal gene), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Hip Dysplasia (HD)and Elbow Dysplasia (ED).

Suitability
It must never be forgotten that the creators of this breed had the main aim to create a very large, brave, strong and manageable working dog partnered with pronounced guarding instincts. The Russian Black Terrier is not for first time dog owners and it is recommended that new owners have prior experience with ‘Guarding Breeds’.

The Russian Black Terrier is an indoor breed and would not be suitable for new owners that have the intention of leaving their Russian Black Terrier outside.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/174