The Russian Black Terrier Community

The Russian Black Terrier, known in Russia as the Chornyi Terrier (Black Terrier), is a large, powerfully built and impressive working breed with a relatively brief but deliberate and well-documented history - it was created by Soviet military scientists and breeders at the Red Star Kennel in Moscow in the late 1940s and early 1950s as a purpose-built military and service dog for use by the Soviet army and security services in the demanding conditions of the Soviet Union, including its extreme cold, vast territory and the specific requirements of military patrol and guard work. The breed was created from a carefully designed programme of crosses between Giant Schnauzers, Rottweilers, Airedale Terriers and other breeds, combining the Giant Schnauzer's intelligence and trainability, the Rottweiler's power and guard instinct, and the Airedale's weather resistance and terrier versatility. The breed was kept within the military establishment and unavailable to civilian ownership in the Soviet Union until 1957. The Russian Black Terrier is registered by the Kennel Club in the Working Group. The Russian Black Terrier is a very large, strongly built and imposing dog with a thick, wiry and slightly wavy black double coat, a characteristic full beard and moustache, and the powerful, capable bearing of a serious working dog. The coat is weather-resistant and provides insulation against extreme cold. Adults typically stand 64 to 74 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh 36 to 65 kilograms - substantial even by large breed standards. The character is confident, calm and deeply loyal to its own family - the character of a dog bred specifically for reliability, trainability and guardian instinct under demanding conditions. The Russian Black Terrier is good with children within its own household when raised from puppyhood with appropriate socialisation, but its size, strength and natural protectiveness make it a breed that requires and deserves experienced, confident ownership. It is not aggressive by nature but it is a serious working dog with a genuine guardian instinct and the physical capability to match. Training is highly rewarding for owners equipped to handle the breed. The Russian Black Terrier is among the most capable and intelligent of large working breeds, excelling in obedience, tracking, protection work and dog sports when given consistent, positive and experienced training from an early age. Early and thorough socialisation is essential. Health considerations include Hip and Elbow Dysplasia testing. Hyperuricosuria DNA testing of parents is recommended. Bloat is a risk in large, deep-chested breeds. Purchase prices from KC-registered, health-tested breeders range from £1,200 to £2,500. Monthly running costs average £110 to £190. The Black Russian Terrier Club of Great Britain is the primary resource for breed information, health testing requirements, responsible breeders and rescue contact.