Russian black terrier
GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Black Russian Terriers are large dogs, with a slightly long body and a very athletic build, of a robust type and sturdy frame. The breed has qualities such as massive bone and powerful musculature. It is symmetrical, with a broad head and a compact body, with a voluminous and deep chest. Differences between the sexes must be clearly defined.
Personality: Dignified and confident.
Energy Level : Very Active. This dog is active and energetic, and needs daily exercise.
Good with children: Yes.
Good with other dogs: With supervision.
Grooming: Seasonal.
Life Expectancy : 10-11 years old.
Bark level: Bark when necessary.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Russian Black Terrier was bred in Russia during the late 1940s and early 1950s through selective crosses of breeds such as the Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, Airedale Terrier and Newfoundland. The Giant Schnauzer is considered the main ancestor of the breed. The initial breeding was supervised by the military cynological school outside Moscow and the dogs were handled in their kennel called "Red Star". The aim of the breeders was to develop a large, courageous, strong and controllable working dog, with a pronounced guarding instinct; a dog that could be useful for many services and that would adapt well to different climatic conditions.
Country of Origin: Russia.
BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT: A dignified and confident dog; well controlled in all situations. When circumstances warrant, he immediately assumes a defensive stance, however, quickly calms down as the threat subsides. This elegant breed is amiable and has great stamina; is undemanding, intelligent and friendly. Adapts well to training and changing weather conditions; is reliable and works hard.
HEAD:
CRANIAL REGION: The head should be in proportion to the body, although large, massive and long.
Skull: Moderately broad, with a flat forehead. The top lines of the skull and muzzle should be parallel. The brow ridges and the occipital bone are moderately pronounced.
Stop: Noticeable but not clear.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Broad and black.
Muzzle: Strong, broad and slightly shorter than the skull. The muzzle is broad at the base and tapering slightly towards the tip of the nose. The mustache and beard accentuate the volume and give the muzzle a rectangular, blunt appearance.
Lips: Thick, well pigmented and tight. Dark lip rhymes.
Jaws and Teeth: Large; white teeth that are very close together, with the lower incisors positioned in a row. Complete set of teeth (42 teeth). Scissor bite.
Cheeks: Dry cheek bones, with rounded but not prominent cheekbones.
Eyes: Medium in size, oval in shape, set straight and well apart, dark in color. Dry, tight, black eyelids.
Ears: Pendant. Set high and symmetrical, medium in size, triangular in shape. Anterior border close to the cheeks. The leather of the ears is dense, without folds.
NECK: Strong, dry and muscular. The neck length is approximately equal to the head length and set at a 45-50° angle to the horizontal. The back of the neck is strong and well developed.
BODY: Solid, deep and voluminous, well balanced.
Topline: Slightly descending from the withers to the root of the tail.
Withers: High and well developed; more pronounced in males than in females.
Back: Strong, straight and muscular. The actual length of the back is equal to half the length measured from the withers to the root of the tail.
Loin: Broad, short, muscular and slightly arched. The length is equal to half the actual length of the back.
Croup: Broad, muscular, slightly sloping and of moderate length.
Chest: Deep, long and broad, with ribs slightly sprung. The shape of the chest (in cross section) is oval. The breast bone (sternum) is long and the forechest slightly extends beyond the elbow joint and is well muscled.
Underline and belly: In line with the elbow joint or slightly below. Belly moderately tucked up. Flanks only slightly developed.
TAIL: Thick at the root and set high. In motion, the tail is carried gaily, but with the root of the tail not bent over the back (squirrel tail). Tail traditionally amputated in the country of origin. Undocked tails of different lengths or shapes have no bearing on the dog's assessment. The preferred shape of the undocked tail is a saber or sickle.
MEMBERS
PREVIOUS: When viewed from the front the forelimbs are straight and parallel. The distance from the elbow (ulna) to the ground is equal to 50-52% of the dog's height at the withers.
Shoulders: Long, broad and well set back. The angle between the scapula and the arm is approximately 100º.
Arms: Muscular and not smaller than the shoulder blades.
Elbows: Close to the trunk.
Forearms: Straight, thick, round bones. Vertical, when viewed from the front and in profile.
Pasterns: Short, massive and slightly sloping when viewed in profile.
Feet: Wide, compact and round in shape. Nails and pads are black.
HINDQUARTERS: When viewed from behind they are straight and parallel, positioned further apart than the previous ones. When viewed in profile, they are placed slightly behind the dog.
Thigh: Moderately long, slightly sloping, wide and well-developed, massive muscles.
Knees: Well angulated.
Legs: Not smaller than the thighs.
Metatarsals: Strong, short and vertically positioned. No ergos.
Feet: Slightly smaller than the forelegs and tending to an oval shape. Nails and pads are black.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Free and well balanced, with smoothly flexed joints. The typical movement is an energetic trot, with long steps, coming from the strong drive of the hindquarters and the significant reach of the forequarters. The top line must remain tight.
SKIN: Tight, well seated, without wrinkles or loose skin, although elastic. Uniformly pigmented.
COAT
Coat: Rough and dense double coat. Composed of a rough, thick, slightly wavy outer coat and a soft, short, dense undercoat. The outer coating covers the entire body. The length of the natural, untrimmed coat is between 5-15 cm. The covering of the head is very well developed and forms abundant eyebrows, mustaches and beard. The legs are covered with a long, dense coat. Hygiene in the correct form is necessary. The trimmed coat should emphasize the character of a strong, confident dog, but in no way be overly decorative. The coat is left longer on the legs and around the muzzle. The clipping should accentuate the massive head with a flat forehead, the well-placed ears, the strong and well-built neck and the strong body.
COLOR: Black, black with insignificantly streaked gray fur is permitted. (The streaky gray fur should not cover more than a third of the entire body.)
SIZE AND WEIGHT: Desirable height at the withers: Males: 72 – 76 cm, but not less than 70 cm or greater than 78 cm. Females: 68 – 72 cm, but not smaller than 66 cm or larger than 74 cm. 7 Slightly taller specimens are tolerated as long as they are proportionate and of excellent racial type. Weight: Males: 50 – 60 kg. Females: 45 - 50 kg
FAULTS
Any deviation from this standard should be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well-being of the dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressiveness or excessive shyness.
• Any dog that shows any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
• Atypical dogs.