Russian Black Terrier
A large, bearded Russian working dog that is calm, confident and deeply devoted to its family.
At a glance
- Size
- Giant
- Height at the withers
- Males 72–76 cm · Females 68–72 cm
- Weight
- Males 50–60 kg · Females 45–50 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–12 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Regular trips to a groomer
- Coat
- Wire-haired, medium
- Colours
- Black
- Bred for
- Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Russia
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 327 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 5/5 – Very high |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 4/5 – High |
| Drooling | 2/5 – Low |
| Good for first-time owners | 1/5 – Very low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a calm, loyal guardian
- enjoy training and grooming
- live in a cool climate
Think twice if you …
- are a first-time owner
- don't want regular grooming costs
- want a dog that welcomes every stranger
Care
Temperament
Calm, confident and very loyal; protective of its family and reserved with strangers. Usually patient with children it knows.
Exercise
Daily walks and play; obedience, protection sports, tracking and hiking all suit it.
Grooming
The thick, wiry coat needs brushing a few times a week and professional trimming every 6 to 8 weeks; the beard needs regular cleaning.
Training
Intelligent but strong-willed; consistent, fair and positive training plus early socialisation work best.
Health
Known concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions and some inherited disorders such as juvenile laryngeal paralysis and hyperuricosuria. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip, elbow and DNA results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
DNA tests
- JLPP
- HUU (SLC2A9)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Russian Black Terrier was created in the Soviet Union from the 1940s at the Red Star Kennel in Moscow. Military breeders crossed the Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale Terrier and several other breeds to produce a sturdy guard dog that could cope with harsh climates.
Today it is mainly a family dog and companion. It is calm and confident, loves its people and is a natural guardian. It needs regular training, socialisation and grooming, and its strong will suits owners with experience.
Did you know?
Although it is called a terrier, the Russian Black Terrier is classified by the FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer group.