FCI Standard

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The Black Russian terrier was bred in the Red Star Kennel by reproductive crossing of several breeds, such as riesenschnauzer (key breed), Airedale terrier, rotweiler, Newfoundland dogs, later adding the blood of Great Dane, Eastern European shepherd, and Caucasian shepherd. Altogether about 17 breeds have been used in the experiment.*

* This approach can hardly be called innovative, if one remembers the story of the Doberman or the American Staffordshire Terrier. (Ed.)

There have been some problems as well. The first generation puppies were a quiet sort, and guarding (the intended function of the new breed) of course means quite the opposite. To correct the situation, the Red Star Kennel, headed at the time by General G. Medvedev, decided to add some hound blood, and so it was done. Another idea - to breed a terrier with standing ears - ended up in adding some laika blood. It didn't quite work with the ears, but some experiment though, eh?

The first generation puppies did not have long hair, but it didn't bother the selectionists. Since the breed was intended for military purposes, the dog had to be large, strong, and adaptable, with the hair needing no maintenance, easily excitable and tamable. The Red Star Kennel always put the working qualities of the dog first.

Starting in 1957, the Kennel started selling puppies of second and third generations to the side, and this marked a new stage in the development of what then was yet a breed group. The question became then to create not only a dog with working qualities, but also an externally attractive animal. This was the task that the military Kennel put before amateur dog owners.

In the 1960s amateur dog owners started slowly changing the breed, the mix of the breeds, however, was showing all the time. Some puppies looked more like Airedale terriers, some like rotweilers, some like Newfoundland dogs. Some puppies were born with blue, wheat, or tiger colored hair. Those exotically colored puppies were a success among foreign lovers of exotic dogs.

The puppies had serious problems with the teeth. The teeth defects were initially expected, since the breed was being formed from dogs with different types of body constitution and different skull shapes. Additionally the selection material itself left a lot to be desired.

Experts described the originator of the future breed, Roy the riesenschnauzer, in the following terms: "a male dog of the dry and solid constitution typical for the breed, proportionally developed, with good bone and muscle structures. The frontal extremities are spread a little too broadly, the back extremities have leaping joints located too closely." Roy's bite was pincer-like.

Vakh and Azart, the puppies of Roy the riesenschnuzer and Una the rotweiler, were used for further selection. Vakh's son Foka passed on his overbite. Despite the fact, Foka's in-breeding produced some excellent selection materials. A waterdog named Tiza also took part in the breeding process. She had a white chest and feet, which she passed on. In the early 1960s two sibling riesenschnaupers Dasso and Dotter von Dranchenschlucht were also used in the breeding. The latter later was found to be cryptorchic on one side.

Even these very few defects of the dogs used in the experiment would have horrified any selectionist. Today, however, the breed amazes breeders worldwide.

Unfortunately until today the documents concerning the breed formation have not yet been published. The few things that have appeared in print are fragmentary and unverified, which in turn led to appearance of some amazing legends. For instance, some amateurs declare that the black terrier first originated in Germany. Such legends should not be taken seriously. The pedigree status was awarded to the Black Russian terrier in 1981.

What is behind the Black Russian terrier's success story? Why is the very young breed recognized along with famous breeds whose history is measured by centuries? The service dog's popularity depends first and foremost on its user qualities, and the dog's ability to defend the owner and his family. The Russian terrier's large frame, its excellent working qualities, strong yet elegant exterior, communicability, and ability to relate well to children - all these qualities make one hope that the breed's popularity is not a temporal event but that its popularity will continue to grow.

Talking of the Black Russian terrier one must mention the existence of two intrabreed types. Such division is conditional, however it allows one to orient oneself in the breed correctly.

The first intrabreed type is that of a terrier. Those dogs usually have a square frame, a moderately broad oblong head, and a dry high set neck. The dog's shoulder is straight, its chest is flat, as are its muscles. Long levers and well developed extremity angles allow the dog to move around freely. While the dog's temper is even, the dogs of this type are fairly excitable, active, and fervorish. Some experts both at home and abroad, prefer this type over the other, since they believe that the name of the breed should correspond to the dog's exterior appearance. Most specialists, however, are of a different opinion, and this is the reason why the black terrier was transferred from the FCI group III into the FCI group II.

The other intrabreed type is represented by huge dogs with powerful bones, strong muscles, broad and deep chest, and sufficiently rough constitution. The nervous system in the dogs of this type is exceptionally strong. Even their exterior conveys their calmness and confidence. On the first sight it might seem that the dog is fairly slow and even lazy, but there is readiness to attack behind their calmness, should there be even the smallest hint of aggression on the opponent's part.

However paradoxical it might seem, the anatomic structure of the black terrier has very little in common with the typical terrier. For example, the Airedale terrier has an entirely different shoulder angle of 100-110 degrees.

The Airedale terrier has a long drawn back shoulder blade, yet a short, nearly vertically placed shoulder bone. This leads to the dog's having almost perfectly vertical frontal extremities. High set neck, the breast bone not extending beyond the shoulder blade, and an almost vertically placed paw create the impression of a straight front, characteristic of the majority of terriers. This is a very serious shortcoming for the black terrier, especially when the dog has a light bone structure and low located leaping joints.

In what concerns working qualities, many tamers believe that the black terrier learns quickly, and remembers the material for a long time with total recall, but trying to "teach the old dog a new trick" is a waste of time. This is exactly why the dogs are infamous as the untamable breed. One can also add that the black terrier is fairly rancorous.

The last several years saw mainly exhibitional changes in the breed. The changes in the dog's exterior did not change the valuable qualities of the breed, although one must admit that going after awards at exhibitions sometimes led to appearance of animals with undesirable temper.

When the dog is grown up, it would be remarkable only for its owner unless it participates in dog shows. There are several ways to demonstrate your dog in the ring.

   American style is the most widely used style of presentation. The handler puts the dog into the exhibition stand.

   English style allows a free stand. After moving in a trot the dog assumes the exhibition stand independently. To use this style, the owner must train the puppy from the age of one month. It also demands a close relationship between the dog and the owner. The puppy is taught to assume a stand in front of the owner who would attach a treat onto his or her belt to attract the dog's attention.

When the German style is used, the dog is excited by means of setting the dog on another dog. This style can not be used with the black terrier because of the dog's aggressiveness and force.

The time when it was considered that the black terrier is to be washed once annually in a pond near the house is long gone. Now even the amateurs know that the dog is to be adequately prepared for the show.

The black terrier's trimming consists of brushing out the old hair, which is removed quite easily, and cutting the hair. One should not waste one's time trying to pluck out the hair that wouldn't come off - that would be a useless effort for the owner, and a torture for the animal. This could result in bruises on the dog's body, increase in the quantity of gray hair as the new hair would grow. Additionally, the dog will learn to mistrust the owner's hand. Whether we want this or not, if the dog's exterior is changed and a lot of decorative hair appears, the dog's hair loses its wire-like structure.

Before the dog's hair is cut, it should be thoroughly brushed and washed. Special dog shampoo is dissolved in warm water and lathered up. The liquid is then massaged into the dog's coat and next washed off with a stream of water. After that it is advisable to apply some conditioner, since the conditioner significantly improves the functions of the dog's skin. In order for the dog's hair to maintain its roughness, it could be advised to be rinsed with beer or lemon juice. Next, the hair is wrung out as much as it is possible, and then thoroughly dried with a towel. A hair dryer could be used as well. One must keep in mind, however, that while drying the dog's hair one should not stretch it out while brushing because it could lead to the dog's hair assuming the undesired poodle effect. The hair is to be brushed after it is dry. Next, one begins to cut the dog's hair.

The order of cutting the hair on the head

   The hair on the dog's head and muzzle is to be brushed in the direction of its growth. While brushing, the owner should remove all the dead hair and hair balls. The ears are to be cut short on the inside and the outside. The inside of the ear is best to be cut last, since little hairs would bother the dog and make it shake its head all the time. The ears are best cut with an electric hair cutter, but one could use scissors as well. The hair is cut from the tip of the ear up. The hair hanging off the side of the ear makes the ear seem larger. It has to be cut with scissors, taking care not to cut the ear itself.

Further, on the forehead, starting with superciliary arches, the hair should be cut short with the help of an electric cutter in the square shape, as wide as the skull and reaching all the way to the base of the ear in length. The rest of the forehead is cut with scissors so that the short cut hair smoothly flows into the hair cut longer, about 1-2 cm in length. This is done to form the so-called "cap", which is created behind the posterior tubercle and creates the impression of a longer head.

After the forehead is completed, the hair is cut at the cheekbones. Lift up the ear, and use the electric cutter for a close cut of the ear base, next cutting off the hair at the cheekbones, leaving not more than 1.5-2 cm in length. The cheekbones have to be absolutely flat. The dogs whose head is broad in the skull, should have their cheekbones cut very close, leaving virtually no hair. The dogs with a narrow head should have about 1.5-2 cm of hair on the cheekbones left, in order to increase the volume of the head.

Next, after the cheekbone hair is cut, the head is to assume a "brick" shape, by creating a smooth transition from the short hair to the long hair forming the whiskers and the beard. When viewed from above, the head must have the rectangular shape, and when viewed from the side - the triangular shape, with the fringe, whiskers and the beard forming a triangle.

The fringe should be a natural extension of the forehead, stressing its straightness and the parallel line with the ridge of the nose. When the fringe is formed too low or too high, it distorts the lines of the nose and the forehead.

All the hair beyond the rectangular shape of the head has to be cut off carefully. Next, the head is to be carefully brushed, and the beard is trimmed to acquire a triangular shape.

Cutting the neck and the chest.

Draw an imaginary line between the base of the ear and the joint of the lower jaw and the neck. Cut along the line from the base of the ear all the way down to the breast bone quite closely, using either scissors or an electric hair cutter, to form the so-called "dicky".

Next to be cut is the nape (the area between the posterior tubercle and the withers). At the upper part of the neck the hair is to be brushed up against the grain, and all the extra hair is cut off by scissors. The transition from the nape to the withers should be smooth. The mane should look as the continuation of the neck. The length of the mane hair depends on the peculiarities of the dog's constitution. On a thin and long neck the hair should be cut longer, and on a broad and short neck it should be cut closer. On the sides of the neck the transition from the long hair (of approximately 2-3 cm in length) to the very short (0.5-1 cm in length) should be made smooth.

The breed standard states: "The frontal part of the black terrier's chest should protrude slightly over the line of shoulder blade joints". This could be stressed by the trimming.

Draw an imaginary line from the breast bone along the shoulder blade down. This line will serve as the border between the short hair on the lower neck and the longer hair on the shoulder. It is not advisable to make the distinction too obvious. In general, all the lines of the black terrier's trimming should flow from one onto another, without any kind of excessive fanciful decorations, characteristic for some other breeds.

Starting from the breastbone down the hair should be left about 1-2 cm in length. The frontal part is shaped by scissors. The beautifully cut front with an obvious shoulder line creates a dynamic impression.

The frontal line is then continued on down with a "skirt". The dogs who have a well developed deep chest should not be left a long "skirt". The austere style of the chest line (not lower than 10 cm down from the elbow), flowing into a moderately developed stomach produces the most aesthetic exterior. A skirt that is too long on a well developed chest produces the impression of heaviness and stockiness.

The length of the hair on the shoulders should be 3-5 cm in length, depending on the constitution of the dog and the breadth of its rib cage. However, if the rib cage is not too wide, don't overcompensate that with excessive hair length. The owner should then take more care of the dog's physical state.

The transition from the neck to the withers is to be made as smooth as it is only possible in order to avoid a sharp contrast between the closely cut neck and the rest of the body with long hair.

The back should be cut with scissors so that an even upper line is formed from the withers all the way down to the base of the tail.

Depending on the dog's constitution and its hair type the length of the hair on the back should be 3-5 cm.

Approximately the same length of hair should be left on the sides and the chest. It is necessary to consider the dog's constitution, its advantages and disadvantages, which could be emphasized or concealed through a careful trimming.

Considering that the black terrier has a protruding rib, the body of the dog is not to be made too flat. The other extreme of adding volume by means of leaving extra hair is also undesirable since it makes the dog seem heavy and deprives it of elegance.

The tail is to be cut evenly down its full length with 2-3 cm of hair left. The back side of the tail is to be cut closer.

The area of the anus and the genitals is to be cut as close as is only possible. If the tail is cut off too short, the end of the tail is to be cut longer, which makes the look more elegant.

The frontal extremities are to be brushed against the grain with a brush and a comb and then evened out, forming "columns".

Hair balls and thick hair between the toes are to be cut off since they often are the reason for a loose paw. All the extra hair is to be cut off so that the paw would seem round.

Cutting back extremities.

From the jumping joint up the hair should be cut off on the back side of the thighs up to the anus. Pay attention to the fact that on the ischium tubor the hair grows in the shape of a rosette. It is very important to take off all the hair beyond the imaginary line going straight down from the rosette. The shape of the thigh is very important in the trimming of the black terrier. The hair on the thigh should be 3-5 cm in length smoothly reducing in length down. When the thigh is cut correctly all the defects of the frame and the weakness of the back extremities can be concealed.

It needs to be stressed once again that after the cut the black terrier should have beautiful straight silhouette lines, flowing smoothly from the longer to the shorter hair. The dog's exterior should convey its strength and confidence and never make a dog look too decorative.

   Standard of the Russian Black Terrier (FCI number 327)

Black terriers are tall dogs with massive bones and muscles. Their skin is tight without folds or sags. The dogs of this breed are vicious, suspicious of strangers, and easily adaptable to different climatic conditions. They are easily taught.

Constitution type.

Solid and rough.

Shortcomings: Some lightness and looseness of composition, an insufficiently developed muscle system.

   Format index.

-100-105.

   Shortcomings: Format extension (more than 108).

   Height at the withers.

For male dogs - 66-72 cm, for female dogs - 64-70 cm.

   Shortcomings: Insufficiently tall legs or stockiness. Height of less than 65 cm for male dogs and less than 63 cm for female dogs.

   Defects: high backside, low front, height of less than 65 cm for male dogs and less than 63 cm for female dogs.

   Peculiarities of behavior.

Balanced strong type of nervous system. The dog is easily excitable, and has an active defensive reaction.

   Shortcomings: timidness or excessive excitability, mellowness,

   Sex.

Sexual attributes are well defined, appropriate to the sex. Male dogs are larger, heavier and more aggressive compared to female dogs.

   Shortcomings: Some deviation from the sex type.

   Defects: Serious deviation from the sex type. One-side or double-side cryptorchism. Underdeveloped testis. Male dogs of female type.

   Coat.

The long-haired dogs' hair is rough and thick, closely set. Fragile hairs of 4-10 cm in length cover the whole body of the dog. Longer hair on the neck and withers forms a mane. The frontal extremities up to the elbows and the back thighs are well protected with long rough hair. Decorative hair is well developed. On the upper lip it forms a well defined rough whiskers, and on the lower lip - the beard of the same type. Above the eyes the dog has rough "eyebrows." The down is thick and well developed. Hair roots are straight, rough, closely set and thick.

   Shortcomings: straight hair with no cracks, wavy or soft hair exceeding 10 cm in length. Insufficient hair on the head or the feet, curly hair.

   Defects: Long hanging hair of more than 15 cm in length. Absence of hair on the head or the legs, as well as absence of whiskers, brows or beard.

   Color.

Black, black with gray.

   Shortcomings: brownish or grayish color, a little white spot on the chest.

   Defects: brown or gray color, dapples, white spots on the chin, head, neck, or legs.

Head.

Long, relatively broad at the skull, with rounded cheekbones. The forehead is flat, the slope from the forehead onto the muzzle is noticeable yet even. The forehead and muzzle lines are parallel The muzzle is massive, slightly narrowing in the direction of the nose, a little shorter than the skull in length. The whiskers and the beard make the muzzle appear blunt and rectangular. The lips are thick and fleshy, the upper lip adheres tightly to the upper jaw with no folds.

   Shortcomings: A light head, protruding forehead, an unnoticeable or overly obvious transition between the forehead and the muzzle, high cheekbones, gray lips.

   Defects: A rough, heavy or light head. Spherical head. Short, snub, or sharp muzzle.

   Ears.

The ears are positioned high, hanging down from cartilages, relatively small, triangular, with frontal edges adjoining the cheek bones.

   Shortcomings: Low set, long, wrinkled ears not fitting tight to the head.

   Defects. Limp ears held up by the cartilages.

   Eyes.

Relatively small, oval shaped, squinted and dark.

   Shortcomings: Large or insufficiently dark eyes, cataracts, visible third lid or sagging lids.

   Defects: Light or differently colored eyes.

   Teeth.

The teeth are large, white in color, located compactly. Incisors form a straight line at the base with a scissors-type occlusion.

   Shortcomings: teeth worn off inappropriately for the dog's age, broken teeth when such broken teeth do not prevent from examining the occlusion, yellowish teeth.

   Defects: Small teeth, gaps between teeth, the incisors not lined up, any deviations from the scissors-like occlusion, absence of one of the teeth.

   Neck.

Long, massive, dry, at 40-45% to the back line.

   Shortcomings: Short, loaded, sagging, low-set neck.

   Chest.

Broad, deep, with slightly protruding ribs. The lower part of the chest is on one line with the elbows and a little lower.

   Shortcomings: The insufficiently broad chest, the chest not reaching down to the elbows, flat ribs.

   Defects: Barrel-shaped, excessively wide, small, flat or narrow chest.

   Stomach.

Tightened up to the chest line.

   Shortcomings: Sagging or excessively tight stomach.

   Withers.

High, distinctly different from the spine line.

   Shortcomings: Low, or indistinct withers.

   Back.

Straight, wide, with strong muscles.

   Shortcomings: soft, narrow back with underdeveloped muscles.

   Loin.

Short, broad, with developed muscles, slightly protruding.

   Shortcomings: sufficiently protruding loin.Long, not

   Defects: Sagging, narrow or humped loin.

   Croup

Broad, slightly sloping toward a high-set tail, with well developed muscles.

   Shortcomings: Horizontal and slanted croup, weak muscles.

   Defects: Abruptly sloping and narrow croup.

   Tail.

High set, thick, shortly cut tail (with 3-4 vertebrae left).

   Defects: Uncut tail.

   Frontal extremities.

Straight and parallel when viewed from up front. The angle of shoulder blade junction is approximately 110 degrees. The elbows straight backward. The forelegs are straight, thick, with short straight toes.

   Shortcomings: Too straight shoulders, slightly turned elbows (inside or outside), softer toes, broadly set or clumsy legs.

   Defects: Straight shoulders, significantly turned elbows, crooked forelegs, soft toes.

   Back extremities.

Straight and parallel when viewed from the back, set a little broader than the frontal ones. The thighs are broad, with well developed muscles. Leaping joints are dry and well established. Toes are massive, long, almost vertically positioned.

   Shortcomings: Underdeveloped muscles, short shins, close or inverted position of leaping joints, slightly flat back or rough edges, fifth toe.

   Defects: Same as above, more obvious, high croup, flat back or extremely sharp edges.

   Paws (front and back).

Large, round with retractable claws.

   Shortcomings: loose paws.

   Defects: flat or overly loose paws.

   Movement.

Free, flowing, light. Characteristic is a short trot or a gallop. When trotting, the dog's legs move in a straight line, with the frontal extremities approaching the middle line, the back and the loin are springy and elastic.

   Shortcomings: Some deviation from the straight movement of the extremities, insufficient flexing of frontal or back extremities joints.

   Defects: tied up, heavy movement. Slanted movement of the back (the dog runs in a slanted line). Excessive croup side movements, sidleness, amble.

Disqualifying defects: All deviations from the scissors-type occlusion, cryptorchism on either or both sides, underdeveloped testis, skewbald or grew hair color, white paws, dapples, absence of one of the third or one of the fourth premolars, or one of the molars.

   Note.

In April of 1994 the Russian Federation of Service Dogs adopted its own standard for the breed, which canceled the upper limits in the height of the black terrier. It was done because of the breed's current state, when large, well-developed and proportional Russian animals were excluded from producing only because the exceeded the standards as adopted in Mexico. In other provisions the RFSD standard did not differ from that of the FCI.

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