Black Russian Terrier

The Black Russian Terrier was created by the Russian army for use as a guard dog in climates with extremely cold temperatures. He is a giant breed and weighs 80 to 145 pounds. These days, the Black Russian Terrier still performs his job as guardian but primarily in a family environment. As a member of the American Kennel Club’s Working Group, he can also be a show dog. The Black Russian Terrier has many positive attributes, but he is not the easiest dog to live with. If you want the calm, protective dog, be prepared to do a lot of homework, put in plenty of daily effort training and socializing, and offer exercise throughout his life. The Black Russian Terrier is smart, but like any dog with a working background, he is an independent thinker. You must begin early if you want to teach him to think of you as his leader. The BRT is not an appropriate choice for a first-time dog owner. Be aware that a Black Russian Terrier can be messy to keep. His beard will drip water after he drinks and will need to be cleaned after meals. You may also need to wipe down walls or furniture if he shakes his head before you can get to him with a towel. His coat picks up all kinds of dirt and debris, which is then deposited throughout your home. At night he snores. Loudly. Those traits are balanced by his love of family and strong desire to be close to them. Don’t choose this breed if you don’t want a black shadow following you around. The Black Russian Terrier’s coat doesn’t shed much, but it does develop mats and tangles if it isn’t thoroughly brushed once a week. Professional grooming every six weeks is advised. Other grooming requirements include cleaning the ears and trimming the nails as needed, as well as bathing him when he’s dirty. While you might think of him as an outdoor dog, nothing could be farther from the truth. Black Russian Terriers are guardian dogs, devoted to their people. Chaining a Black Russian Terrier out in the yard and giving him little or no attention is not only cruel, it can also lead to aggression. A Black Russian Terrier should have access to a securely fenced yard, but when the family is home, he should be in the house with them. A proper Black Russian Terrier is calm but has strong guarding instincts. He’s able to discriminate between situations that call for protective action and those that don’t. He doesn’t come that way, though. Early, frequent socialization is essential to prevent a Black Russian Terrier from becoming overly suspicious or fearful of new developments and people. Purchase a Black Russian Terrier puppy from a breeder who raises the pups in the home and ensures that they are exposed to different household sights and sounds. Continue socializing your Black Russian Terrier throughout his life by taking him to puppy kindergarten class, to meet friends and neighbors, and on outings to local shops and businesses. These experiences will help your puppy become a calm, sensible adult dog. Black Russian Terriers are active and athletic, and they enjoy long walks, jogging, and hiking (always on leash!). Plan to take him for a 20-minute walk twice a day, at a good pace. It’s important to give a BRT a job to do, from his daily training exercises to participating in a dog sport such as agility, obedience, rally, or tracking. The Black Russian Terrier is best suited to a home with a large yard surrounded by a solid fence that is at least five or six feet high. Do not rely on an underground electronic fence to keep him contained. The shock it provides is nothing to this tough dog, and he won’t let it deter him from leaving the yard if that’s what he wants to do. Black Russian Terriers have a high prey drive and will chase other animals, but if they are brought up together, they can learn to live peaceably with indoor cats or smaller dogs. They are gentle and tolerant with small children if they are brought up with them, but because of their size, they must be supervised.