Dog breed

Black Russian Terrier

The Black Russian Terrier is a large, powerful guardian dog developed in the USSR in the 1940s and 1950s by a military dog-training school. Despite its name, it is closer to the Giant Schnauzer than to typical terriers. It is confident, courageous and devoted to its family, and alert and aloof with strangers.

FCI Group II · Molossers, pinschers and schnauzers · standard no. 327

Weight: 45–60 kg
Height: 68–76 cm
Lifespan: 10–12 years
Origin: Russia

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Photo: Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

The Black Russian Terrier was created as a service and guard dog, and that still shows in its character. It is confident, calm and composed, but when it decides that its family or territory is under threat, it responds firmly. It keeps strangers at a distance; the AKC rates its openness to strangers low and its protective instinct at the top of the scale. With its family it can be warm and devoted, although it does not push its affection on anyone. It is intelligent and learns well, but it has a mind of its own and needs a handler who leads it calmly and consistently, without force. Socialization with people, dogs and city life is essential throughout adolescence, or the adult dog may become too suspicious. It is usually tolerant of the family's children, but it is a very big dog, so play needs supervision.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Black Russian Terrier for?

The Black Russian Terrier is a dog for an experienced person or family with a house and yard who want a dependable guardian and enjoy training with their dog. It does well with a calm, consistent owner. Do not choose it as a first dog or for a small apartment, or if you often have guests or lack the time or budget for regular coat care.

Pros

excellent guardian
handles frost well
intelligent and learns well
devoted to its family

Challenges

wary of strangers
demanding coat care
difficult for beginners
high exercise needs

Size and looks

Size and looks: Black Russian Terrier
Height at the withers	males 72–76 cm, females 68–72 cm
Weight	males 50–60 kg, females 45–50 kg
Lifespan	10–12 years
Coat	wire
Colors	black, black with a few scattered gray hairs (up to 1/3 of the body)
Country of origin	Russia
Classification	Group II: Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
Also known as	BRT, Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier, Russian Black Terrier

Care and exercise

90–120minof exercise a day

4/5grooming needs

2/5shedding

A Black Russian Terrier needs at least an hour and a half to two hours of activity every day, including mental work. It does well in obedience, protection sports, tracking and competitive obedience. Training should start in puppyhood, because a 50-kilogram adult without good manners is a serious problem. The coat takes a fair amount of work: the harsh, wavy hair with its undercoat needs brushing several times a week, plus a clip or trim at the groomer every 6–8 weeks. The beard and mustache collect water and food, so wash them after meals. The breed handles frost very well and heat less so; in summer, plan activity for the cooler parts of the day. The yard should have a solid fence, because the dog likes to patrol its territory. Keep it lean to spare its joints.

How much should the Black Russian Terrier eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Black Russian Terrier usually lives 10–12 years; in a British study the median was 10.9 years. The US breed club considers it a generally healthy breed but recommends hip and elbow X-rays, heart and eye exams, and a DNA test for juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (JLPP), a severe inherited disease that causes breathing difficulty, choking and leg weakness in young dogs. The UK Kennel Club also recommends DNA tests for hyperuricosuria, which leads to urate stones in the bladder, and for progressive retinal atrophy. Genetic testing lets breeders avoid pairing carriers. When buying a puppy, ask for full health-testing records for both parents.

hip and elbow dysplasiaCommon in large breeds; the breed club recommends hip and elbow X-rays.
juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (JLPP)A severe inherited disease of young dogs that causes breathing difficulty and weakness; a DNA test is available.
hyperuricosuria (HUU)An inherited tendency to form urate stones in the bladder; a DNA test is available.
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-prcd)Gradual loss of vision; the Kennel Club recommends a DNA test.
heart diseaseThe US breed club recommends a cardiac exam for breeding dogs.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

hip and elbow X-rays (HD/ED)
JLPP DNA test
HUU DNA test
PRA-prcd DNA test
heart exam
eye exam (ECVO)

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

According to the FCI standard, the Black Russian Terrier was developed in Russia in the late 1940s and early 1950s by crossing Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, Airedale Terriers and Newfoundlands, among others. The Giant Schnauzer is considered its main ancestor. Breeding was overseen by a military dog-training school near Moscow, and the dogs were kept at its Red Star kennel. The goal was a large, brave, strong and easily handled working dog with a powerful guarding instinct, useful in many services and able to adapt to different climates. The FCI recognized the breed in 1984. Today the Black Russian Terrier is a guardian, family dog and sports dog.

Fun facts

The Black Russian Terrier was bred at the military Red Star kennel near Moscow.
The breed's main ancestor is the Giant Schnauzer, not any typical terrier.
The FCI standard allows males to stand 70 to 78 cm, although 72–76 cm is preferred.
The UK Kennel Club notes that the Black Russian Terrier sheds very little.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Black Russian Terrier weigh?

Under the FCI standard, males weigh 50–60 kg and females 45–50 kg. The preferred height at the shoulder is 72–76 cm for males and 68–72 cm for females. It is one of the largest dogs in the Pinscher and Schnauzer group.

Do Black Russian Terriers shed?

They shed little, but the coat needs regular brushing and a trim every 6–8 weeks. It is not a hypoallergenic dog: allergy sufferers should check how they react to the particular dog before deciding.

How long do Black Russian Terriers live?

Usually 10–12 years. The AKC gives this range, and in a British study the median was 10.9 years. Genetic testing of the parents and a lean body improve the chances of a long, healthy life.

Is a Black Russian Terrier a good family dog?

Yes, if the family has experience with large guardian breeds and provides socialization and daily work. At home it is calm and devoted, but it is watchful with strangers, and its size means it needs supervision around small children.