Black Russian Terrier
Narrated from: Dog BreedsThe Black Russian Terrier is rare these days. They are large, alert and powerful dogs that resemble the Scottish Terrier. He is a robust dog that has a block style head. He is thick boned and very solid. They have a very thick weather resistant coat that is always black. He has very large feet and in most places his tail is docked, although there are countries in Europe that have made docking tails illegal. His coat needs to be professionally stripped by hand and even after the stripping process he should have hair on his legs and halfway down his sides that is between two and four inches in length.
Black Russian Terriers are instinctively protective, though you will not see it until they are 18 months to two years old. Growing puppies need love and attention but they also need rules. Choose the rules you set very carefully and do not break them. He needs a calm assertive trainer to guide him through. As a puppy he will be very inquisitive and in his curiosity he is likely to get into trouble. You must be there to show him right from wrong in an assertive way. He needs to know that you are the boss and that there are no exceptions. If they are socialized with children they will love playing with them. He strives for human contact and with socialization throughout his puppyhood he will make many friends at the local dog park. They are not usually willing, however, to have other large dogs in their home if the other dogs want to be dominant.
They need daily mental and physical stimulation and they love a challenge. They love their training sessions for this very reason. Most Black Russian Terriers are slow to grow up and will act like puppies long after their actual puppyhood is over. Even into his adulthood he will need you to guide him. He needs firm consistent rules to follow. He will be a sweet and very charming puppy, but keep in mind that he will be a big dog. Whatever you allow him to do now should be okay for him to do when he is an adult. Changing the rules will make him think you are weak and he will try to lead you!
The Black Russian Terrier is a very people-oriented dog and only wants to be with his human pack. They are not a dog that you can leave in the backyard. He needs your time and your attention to be happy and well-adjusted. He will grow to about 30 inches tall at the shoulder and will weigh approximately 150 pounds when he is full grown. The average lifespan for the breed is about 12 years. Just like all dogs of large size they are susceptible to hip dysplasia and bloat. You will need to pay special attention to his ears because they can get infected and will need medical attention.
As big as he is, he can manage in an apartment as long as his need for exercise is met. Even if you have a large yard he is likely to sit by the door and wait for you to come get him. They need to be close to you and the rest of the family. Without having the attention and affection of his family he just will not be happy. He will love to play with his toys when you are there and he is always ready for a brisk walk or jog around the block. The breed usually loves the water and will participate in water sports with you. They also love the snow and will romp in it for long periods of time. He is usually a pleasure to have around.
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