The Black Russian Terrier
History
The Black Russian Terrier (BRT) breed was created by the Red Star Kennel of Moscow, Russia after the Russian Revolution and the first World War. They combined up to 17 different breeds, heavily using the Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale, and Newfoundland. The BRT received full recognition by the FCI in 1984 and the AKC in 2004. In the States, the BRT is a member of the Working Group for conformation competition.
The BRT was created to be a partner to the military police and assist in their work at military installations, prisons, and border crossings. The breed needed to be large, reliable and highly trainable - adaptable to many different situations.
Temperament
The Black Russian Terrier is a calm, confident, and courageous dog. They can often be aloof towards strangers. They are highly intelligent and extremely reliable. They were bred to guard and protect. The BRT requires human contact and is not a dog to be left outside. They want to be close to family members at all times and are very loyal companions. Obedience training and early and continued socialization are required in order to keep the breed from becoming overly protective.
General Appearance
The Black Russian Terrier is a robust, large and very powerful dog. The dog has large bone and well developed muscles. Females should stand between 26-29 inches at the shoulder; Males should stand 29 inches or taller. Females tend to weigh between 100-120 pounds; Males 140-160 on average.
The Black Russian Terrier (BRT) breed was created by the Red Star Kennel of Moscow, Russia after the Russian Revolution and the first World War. They combined up to 17 different breeds, heavily using the Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale, and Newfoundland. The BRT received full recognition by the FCI in 1984 and the AKC in 2004. In the States, the BRT is a member of the Working Group for conformation competition.
The BRT was created to be a partner to the military police and assist in their work at military installations, prisons, and border crossings. The breed needed to be large, reliable and highly trainable - adaptable to many different situations.
Temperament
The Black Russian Terrier is a calm, confident, and courageous dog. They can often be aloof towards strangers. They are highly intelligent and extremely reliable. They were bred to guard and protect. The BRT requires human contact and is not a dog to be left outside. They want to be close to family members at all times and are very loyal companions. Obedience training and early and continued socialization are required in order to keep the breed from becoming overly protective.
General Appearance
The Black Russian Terrier is a robust, large and very powerful dog. The dog has large bone and well developed muscles. Females should stand between 26-29 inches at the shoulder; Males should stand 29 inches or taller. Females tend to weigh between 100-120 pounds; Males 140-160 on average.
Are Black Russian Terriers Right For You?
Black Russian Terriers aren't right for everyone. And that's okay. Sometimes our current lifestyle doesn't fit with a dog breed's needs. Maybe the breed will be right for you later in life. Or maybe our expectations for a breed don't match with what that breed can accomplish. You wouldn't buy a Chihuahua if you wanted a hunting dog. You wouldn't buy a Saint Bernard if you wanted a dog to carry around in your purse all day. And that's why there are so many different breeds to choose from today.
The Black Russian Terrier is first and foremost a guard dog. They are a dominant breed and take a consistent training voice. Force will not work with a BRT; it will only create a monster. Your BRT must view you as their "person", their leader, their pack and as the "alpha" if you will. If you prefer to let your dog just do as it pleases, the BRT is not for you. If you don't want to socialize and take your dog to new places every week, the BRT is not for you. If you want to leave your BRT in the yard or on a chain all day, come out and give it dinner, then leave it outside the rest of the day/night - the BRT is not for you. But remember, that's okay - the BRT is not for everyone. It's not a failure if you decide this isn't your breed. It wasn't always my breed either. My life would not have been conducive to owning a BRT for many years. I'm lucky enough that now it is, and we are a good fit.
The Black Russian Terrier does best with owners who have experience with "working" dogs. When we say this, we are often referring to people who have experience living with and training breeds such as German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers and a number of similar breeds. Experience with terriers and/or stubborn dogs is also a bonus. BRTs have varying personalities, but some have more "drive" than others. This can make life a challenge if you don't know how to recognize and channel this. That doesn't mean you can't have a BRT, it just means maybe you should ask for a dog with less "drive" or one that is more laid back and mellow.
Black Russian Terriers require A LOT of grooming. They put their best paw forward when brushed at least once a week (this is more like daily when they're a puppy), bathed once a month and when clipped every 4-6 weeks. Keeping a dog in "show coat" is not something to be taken lightly. Long hair tangles easily, mats if left to grow wild and must be clipped to the skin if not tackled in time. On the plus side, the BRT has hair. Yep, hair. Like you or I, or say a Poodle. That means their hair doesn't stop growing at a certain length. Their hair grows and grows and grows until you cut it. This also means they do, in fact, shed. They tend to drop slightly more hair than the average woman. You'll find it in small dust bunnies in your kitchen and bathroom floors. You'll also find it gets released when brushing and bathing and blow drying.
Black Russian Terriers have beards. This might not sound like a big deal, but it can be. If you're like me and don't want a dog that drools, the BRT might be for you - BUT - the beard means they drip water every time they drink. We buy special bowls that help, but you'll still find little ponds or streams or water droplets where they walked away after taking a drink. Some owners choose to keep a towel near the water bowl and wipe the beard each time they drink. I tried that and found out mine drink alot. It's easier to just wipe the floor - and no going barefoot or stocking feet without looking where you go in the kitchen first. If you can't stand the idea of the beard dripping on your floors - don't get a BRT.
Black Russian Terriers are Big Dogs. BRTs tend to weigh over 100 pounds and males can easily reach 130 pounds plus. Big dogs means everything is bigger. Vet bills, feed bills, worming pills, bathtubs, grooming tables, equipment, crates - everything costs more because it is bigger than your average dog. It can also be hard to find specialty equipment in sizes to fit a BRT. This also means you can't get into a physical contest with this dog. Obedience classes and continued training throughout their life are a must. You never stop training and teaching your BRT.
Because they are guard dogs, BRTs require A LOT of socialization. Socialization lasts a lifetime with the BRT. They need to go and experience new things and interact in their world throughout their lives. A poorly socialized BRT is overprotective and can become aggressive and a danger to their owner as well as others. Socialization is not hard, it just takes time. We will be glad to guide you and give you ideas of places to go, things to see, and experiences you can have with your dog to help socialize them to become good citizens. They do tend to draw attention everywhere you go. If you enjoy this, you'll make a million friends. If you don't, you'll need to learn coping strategies for dealing with a curious public.
The BRT is an inside dog. They need to live in the house with you, not in the backyard. They take to crate training easily and desire to please their owners. They have a strong drive to protect their family and as a part of that, they want to be with you 24/7. If you want to go to the bathroom, they'll go with you. If you don't enjoy a dog being this devoted to you, don't get a BRT. They will manifest their unhappiness and boredom in new and various ways if you think to exclude them from your life.
If you've made it this far, you probably wonder why I have a BRT if they're so "horrible". I have BRTs because I have learned all the above (think trial by fire) and still I love them for it. For me, that means I sweep my kitchen floor 3 times a day because they drag grass and mud in, and I'm a clean freak according to David. I love having a guard dog that is devoted to me that will protect me at all costs. I love training and the challenges my very stubborn Nix brings me - she makes me a better trainer as I learn to train in new and different ways. David loves their size - he doesn't have to bend over to pet them, just reach your hand down by your hip and there they are. David and I enjoy socializing our dogs and educating others about the breed. If you've met him, you know David can talk for hours about these dogs. Me, I've learned to send people David's way if I'm not up to conversing that day. I've learned to groom from start to finish, the ground up, pet and show and I'm still learning. I enjoy trying out my hairdresser skills and seeing what emerges when I try new things. And as any BRT owner will tell you, it's only hair, it will grow back!
So, if you think the BRT is right for you and you have more questions, want to inquire about puppies, meet the breed in person, or just chat - please contact us at [email protected]
The Black Russian Terrier is first and foremost a guard dog. They are a dominant breed and take a consistent training voice. Force will not work with a BRT; it will only create a monster. Your BRT must view you as their "person", their leader, their pack and as the "alpha" if you will. If you prefer to let your dog just do as it pleases, the BRT is not for you. If you don't want to socialize and take your dog to new places every week, the BRT is not for you. If you want to leave your BRT in the yard or on a chain all day, come out and give it dinner, then leave it outside the rest of the day/night - the BRT is not for you. But remember, that's okay - the BRT is not for everyone. It's not a failure if you decide this isn't your breed. It wasn't always my breed either. My life would not have been conducive to owning a BRT for many years. I'm lucky enough that now it is, and we are a good fit.
The Black Russian Terrier does best with owners who have experience with "working" dogs. When we say this, we are often referring to people who have experience living with and training breeds such as German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers and a number of similar breeds. Experience with terriers and/or stubborn dogs is also a bonus. BRTs have varying personalities, but some have more "drive" than others. This can make life a challenge if you don't know how to recognize and channel this. That doesn't mean you can't have a BRT, it just means maybe you should ask for a dog with less "drive" or one that is more laid back and mellow.
Black Russian Terriers require A LOT of grooming. They put their best paw forward when brushed at least once a week (this is more like daily when they're a puppy), bathed once a month and when clipped every 4-6 weeks. Keeping a dog in "show coat" is not something to be taken lightly. Long hair tangles easily, mats if left to grow wild and must be clipped to the skin if not tackled in time. On the plus side, the BRT has hair. Yep, hair. Like you or I, or say a Poodle. That means their hair doesn't stop growing at a certain length. Their hair grows and grows and grows until you cut it. This also means they do, in fact, shed. They tend to drop slightly more hair than the average woman. You'll find it in small dust bunnies in your kitchen and bathroom floors. You'll also find it gets released when brushing and bathing and blow drying.
Black Russian Terriers have beards. This might not sound like a big deal, but it can be. If you're like me and don't want a dog that drools, the BRT might be for you - BUT - the beard means they drip water every time they drink. We buy special bowls that help, but you'll still find little ponds or streams or water droplets where they walked away after taking a drink. Some owners choose to keep a towel near the water bowl and wipe the beard each time they drink. I tried that and found out mine drink alot. It's easier to just wipe the floor - and no going barefoot or stocking feet without looking where you go in the kitchen first. If you can't stand the idea of the beard dripping on your floors - don't get a BRT.
Black Russian Terriers are Big Dogs. BRTs tend to weigh over 100 pounds and males can easily reach 130 pounds plus. Big dogs means everything is bigger. Vet bills, feed bills, worming pills, bathtubs, grooming tables, equipment, crates - everything costs more because it is bigger than your average dog. It can also be hard to find specialty equipment in sizes to fit a BRT. This also means you can't get into a physical contest with this dog. Obedience classes and continued training throughout their life are a must. You never stop training and teaching your BRT.
Because they are guard dogs, BRTs require A LOT of socialization. Socialization lasts a lifetime with the BRT. They need to go and experience new things and interact in their world throughout their lives. A poorly socialized BRT is overprotective and can become aggressive and a danger to their owner as well as others. Socialization is not hard, it just takes time. We will be glad to guide you and give you ideas of places to go, things to see, and experiences you can have with your dog to help socialize them to become good citizens. They do tend to draw attention everywhere you go. If you enjoy this, you'll make a million friends. If you don't, you'll need to learn coping strategies for dealing with a curious public.
The BRT is an inside dog. They need to live in the house with you, not in the backyard. They take to crate training easily and desire to please their owners. They have a strong drive to protect their family and as a part of that, they want to be with you 24/7. If you want to go to the bathroom, they'll go with you. If you don't enjoy a dog being this devoted to you, don't get a BRT. They will manifest their unhappiness and boredom in new and various ways if you think to exclude them from your life.
If you've made it this far, you probably wonder why I have a BRT if they're so "horrible". I have BRTs because I have learned all the above (think trial by fire) and still I love them for it. For me, that means I sweep my kitchen floor 3 times a day because they drag grass and mud in, and I'm a clean freak according to David. I love having a guard dog that is devoted to me that will protect me at all costs. I love training and the challenges my very stubborn Nix brings me - she makes me a better trainer as I learn to train in new and different ways. David loves their size - he doesn't have to bend over to pet them, just reach your hand down by your hip and there they are. David and I enjoy socializing our dogs and educating others about the breed. If you've met him, you know David can talk for hours about these dogs. Me, I've learned to send people David's way if I'm not up to conversing that day. I've learned to groom from start to finish, the ground up, pet and show and I'm still learning. I enjoy trying out my hairdresser skills and seeing what emerges when I try new things. And as any BRT owner will tell you, it's only hair, it will grow back!
So, if you think the BRT is right for you and you have more questions, want to inquire about puppies, meet the breed in person, or just chat - please contact us at [email protected]