Black Russian Terrier
黑俄羅斯㹴
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Black Russian Terrier is a huge, powerful all-black guard dog created at the Soviet army's Red Star kennel from Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale and Newfoundland-type stock. Calm, confident and intensely devoted to its family, it is reserved with strangers, dominant by nature and needs an experienced owner who will train and socialise it firmly, fairly and for life. The dense, tousled double coat sheds little but needs regular brushing and trimming.
Facts
| Size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Height | 65–77cm |
| Weight | 36–73kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12years |
| Breed group | AKC: working FCI: 2 |
| Role | Working |
| Coat | Wire coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Skin and allergy problems
Skin problems and allergies are commonly reported in the breed. Ask your vet if you notice itching, redness or recurring ear/skin infections.
Urinary stones
Urinary stones are reported in the breed; DNA tests exist for some forms. Ask your vet about diet and about any straining to urinate.
Neuroaxonal dystrophy / neurological DNA-tested conditions
Inherited neurological conditions are reported in the breed and DNA tests exist for some. Ask your breeder which tests were done.
Juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (JLPP)
An inherited nerve condition of young dogs reported in the breed; The Royal Kennel Club lists a DNA test for it among the breed's recommended tests. Ask your breeder about JLPP status of the parents.
Behaviour
Devoted guardian, reserved with strangers
The CKC describes a courageous, calm and confident guard breed that is reserved and aloof with strangers, does not form indiscriminate friendships, bonds very strongly with its owners and is fiercely protective of them — an assertive dog that needs an experienced owner, frequent socialisation and consistency in daily life.
Only for an owner willing to train
The AKC says an owner unwilling or unable to train a powerful, wilful animal should not get a BRT: socialisation must start in puppyhood and continue for life, obedience should start early and continue into adulthood, and training must be firm and consistent but always reward-based — the breed is intelligent and learns quickly, but only when treated with kindness and respect. Under-exercised or isolated dogs can become destructive or aggressive.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Black Russian Terrier
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Black Russian Terrier (Working Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Russian Black Terrier
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Russian Black Terrier (standard no. 327, group 2)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's breed page stresses that a BRT was bred to work, not to be ornamental: it wants to be involved in what its people are doing, may follow you from room to room and thrives as a member of the household rather than isolated; it is a guardian, naturally reserved or suspicious of unfamiliar people, so owners must be willing to invest time in training, socialisation and companionship.”
— Black Russian Terrier Club of America — About the Breed via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Black Russian Terrier — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Black Russian Terrier — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Russian Black Terrier — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Russian Black Terrier — FCI standard no. 327 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]About the Breed — Black Russian Terrier Club of America — Black Russian Terrier Club of America (public breed pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.