History
The Black Russian Terrier, originally called the Black Terrier and now known by various names, among them the Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier and Russian Black Terrier, is one of the youngest breeds in the world, dating back only to the 1950s. So successful has its short history been that its popularity has earned it the moniker "The Black Peral of Russia." At the same time, many enthusiasts simply refer to the breed as the "Blackie".
This breed's short, fascinating history is admirable and has been remarkably well-documented since the beginning. It has been said that "necessity is the mother of invention," and it is true to say that the Black Russian Terrier was born of dire necessity.
Going back a little in history after the Revolution and Civil War in Russia, from 1917 to 1923, all private Russian Kennels were ruined, and around 90% of purebred dogs were lost. Most of those who understood the breeding of dogs had either died or emigrated.
However, in 1924, it was decided that dogs would be used in military applications, and the Red Army arranged regional school kennels in all regions, including Moscow, where the Central School-Kennel of Military Working Dogs and the Scientific Laboratory were located.
Officers were trained as instructors and trainers, and special departments of communication secret services were set up in all forces. In frontier troops, there was also a tracking and scent hound department.
When the Great Patriotic War began, there were over 40,000 working dogs in Russia, with 168 separate units of working dogs that took part in battles. However, in post-war Russia, working dogs had become essentially extinct.
Many stud dogs in particular were killed during the war years and numbers of dogs in canine clubs was dramaticly reduced.
The supply simply had to be replenished , but all that time the only viable candidate was the German Shepherd Dog, which the Russians considered too aggressive (although the geographical aspect of the breed/s name may also have played its part in this general aversion to the breed).
Origin: Russia
Class: According to the classification of FCI - group 2; CKC - WORKING Group 3
Use: Guard, service, sports dog
Color: Black, a small amount of gray hair can be observed (no more than 30%).
Sizes: Height at withers: males 71-77 centimeters, females 66-72 centimeters;
Weight: 50-60 kilograms of males, 45-50 kg of females.
Lifespan: 10-15 years
The Black Russian Terrier (BRT) was created in a former Soviet Union State Military Kennel “Red Star” by selective cross-breeding of several breeds. Principal ancestors are Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Caucasian Shepherd and East European Shepherd) and Airedale Terrier. The FCI recognized the breed in 1983.
It is highly intelligent, courageous, hardworking, reliable and very trainable. BRT is a slow developing breed, maturing fully at approximately 3 years of age.
Based on the requirements, breeders got a black terrier - an athlete with a strong, muscular body, alert and hardy. The main task of these dogs was the protection of the military, including secret, objects.
Purpose of Black Russian Terrier as a WORKING GROUP
The nature of the dogs of this breed is related to their purpose - service. They have protective and protective qualities in their blood. But if the watchdogs often show aggression and attack uninvited guests, then the black terrier has its own tactics. He is more partisan and used to defend, rather than attack.
The dog will not start flying out to meet him, he will watch carefully, and when the intruder of the territory starts to approach, he will attack.
Human and Black Russian Terrier
The black terrier is called to protect not only the territory but also the person. He is quickly excited if there is a threat, but as soon as it disappears, the dog instantly calms down. From the very moment of the appearance of the breed, its representatives established close contact with the owner and were infinitely loyal to him. They are too attached to the person, therefore it is not recommended to leave the black terrier for a long time alone. With long-term loneliness, the dog will become too attached to the territory, that even the owner, who has entered its borders, will be considered a threat.
Black Russian Terrier Maintenance
The Russian black terrier is not so easy to care for, especially with its long, thick coat. Pet must be cleaned and combed every 3-4 days, to facilitate the procedure, you can use a special conditioner. To eliminate the risks of otitis media, it is recommended to regularly check ears. The same should be done with hair, which grows on the paws since here it is often tangled and sticks into the mats. Representatives of this breed molt, but only slightly, so combing also helps to save the pet from dead hair. In need of care the teeth and eyes of the dog. Black Russian Terriers need regular bathing, and this should be done at least 1 time per month. But often wash the dog should not, as this can cause dry skin.
In everyday life, many BRT (Black Russian Terriers) bangs collected in the tail so that the hair does not close their eyes. The long hair on the beard of Black Russian Terrier often becomes wet and becomes a hotbed of fungal infection. In order to avoid this, the beard should be dried after drinking with a paper towel ot feed your BRT from the hand each meal.