The Russian Black Terrier, abbreviated as BRT, also known as the Tchiorny
Terrier is a breed of dog created in USSR in Red Star Kennel during the late
1940s and the early 1950s for use as a military/working dogs. At the present
time, the Russian Black Terrier is a breed recognized by the FCI, AKC, CKC,
KC, ANKC, NZKC and other cynological organizations. The contemporary Russian
Black Terrier is a working dog, guarding dog, sporting and companion dog.
Despite its name, the Russian Black Terrier is not a true terrier: it is
believed that about seventeen breeds were used in its development, including
the Airedale, the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Newfoundland, the
Caucasian Ovtcharka and other breeds. History
The Russian Black Terrier was developed in the former USSR in Red Star Kennel by
the state for use as a military/working dogs. The breeding stock was largely
imported from the occupied countries, especially East Germany. Breeds used in
the development include the Giant Schnauzer, Airedale Terrier, Rottweiler,
Newfoundland, Caucasian Ovcharka and other breeds. BRT were bred for working
ability, rather than appearance, and early examples only resembled today's
Russian Black Terrier in their build and coat type. The BRT was bred solely by
the state owned Red Star Kennel in Moscow until 1957, when some puppies
were sold to civilian breeders. These breeders began to breed for looks while
retaining working ability. In time, the breed spread to the other parts of USSR
like Saint Petersburg, Siberia, Ukraine and later to the first European country
Finland and next to the other European countries: Hungary, Czechoslovakia,
Poland, Germany and finally to the United States, Canada, Australia and
others. Description
= 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 trimmed to between 5 to 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. 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 color.
= Size= According to the FCI standard the male
stands 72 to 76 cm and not more than 78 cm at the withers compared to the
female’s 68–72 cm and not more than 74 cm. The male weighs between 50 and 60
kg, and the females weigh between 45 and 50 kg. Nowadays, even larger individuals
are tolerated if the dog is well proportioned and retains correct
movements. At maturity, the AKC standard recommends
27-30 inches for males with the desired height between 27 and 29 inches and 26
and 29 inches for females with the desired height between 26 and 28 inches.
A mature male less than 27 inches or more than 30 inches at the withers is
considered a serious fault. A mature female less than 26 inches or more than
29 inches at the withers is considered a serious fault. Although the standard
also states "Height consideration should not outweigh that of type, proportion,
movement and other functional attributes." In proportions, a Black
Russian Terrier should be slightly longer than tall, a ratio of 9 ½ to 10
being ideal. = Temperament=
The character and temperament of the Russian Black Terrier is of utmost
importance. The Russian Black Terrier is a calm, confident, courageous and
self-assured dog. He is highly intelligent and adapts well to training.
The Russian Black Terrier was initially bred to guard and protect. He is alert
and responsive, instinctively protective, determined, fearless, deeply
loyal to family, is aloof and therefore does not relish intrusion by strangers
into his personal space. Shyness or excessive excitability is a serious
fault. Care
The Russian Black Terrier, because of its breeding as a working dog, has a
very strong "work ethic", and needs a job to do in order to be happy. Early
training is a must and they are very responsive to firm, consistent training,
excelling at Obedience competitions. They also perform well in other dog
sports, such as Agility, and Schutzhund training. They have a low-shedding coat,
and need grooming several times a week. Dogs who compete in conformation need to
be groomed a minimum of every three weeks to keep the coat in show
condition. The Russian Black Terrier needs lots of exercise, and may become
hyperactive and destructive if it does not have a chance to burn off its
energy. Health
The Russian Black Terrier is a generally healthy and somewhat long-lived dog,
however it is prone to certain hereditary diseases:
Major concerns: Hip dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia Hyperuricosuria
Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy
Minor concerns Hypertrophic osteodystrophy - a
nutritionally based developmental disease especially in young, heavy,
fast-growing puppies; Panosteitis - a nutritionally based
developmental disease especially in young, heavy, fast-growing puppies;
Heart Disease - the most common heart problems are aortic stenosis, mitral
valve dysplasia, cardiomyopathy; Eyes Disease - the most common eyes
problems are ectropion, entropion, conjunctivitis;
Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the Black Russian Terrier is no
exception. There are three main types of allergies: food allergies, contact
allergies and inhalant allergies; Other problems
Hot spot; Fungal infection - especially in ears
and beard area. This is why it is extremely important to
screen any potential breeders as well as their breeding stock. A well intended
breeder will have all health checks on all breeding stock before making the
decision to breed their dogs. While health checks on breeding stock can not
guarantee a puppy will not develop any health issues later on, it is important
to "do your homework" on any potential breeder.
References External links
Black Russian Terrier at DMOZ Black Russian Terrier Breed Database
Black Russian Terrier - Database All about Russian Black Terrier in
Poland but not only BRT Foundation "Czernysz w Potrzebie"