{"data":{"slug":"black-russian-terrier","name":"Black Russian Terrier","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/black-russian-terrier","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/dog-atlas-api/v1/breeds/black-russian-terrier","also_known_as":["Russian Black Terrier","Chornyi Terrier","Stalin's Dog","BRT"],"kind":"breed","extinct":false,"group":{"key":"molosser","label":"Mastiff \u0026 Mountain","fci_group":2,"fci_group_name":"Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs"},"size":"Giant","origin":"Soviet Union","countries":["Soviet Union"],"height_cm":{"min":66.0,"max":78.0},"weight_kg":{"min":45.0,"max":60.0},"life_expectancy_years":{"min":10,"max":11},"temperament":["Confident","Loyal","Intelligent","Protective","Calm"],"exercise_level":"Medium","wikipedia_views_60d":11328,"summary":"The Black Russian Terrier is a large, black-coated working dog created in the Soviet Union from about seventeen breeds. Despite the name it is not a true terrier, but a powerful guardian and companion.","photo":{"url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/black-russian-terrier-5ce4de7097-1280.webp","small_url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/photos/black-russian-terrier-5ce4de7097-640.webp","width":1280,"height":907,"author":"Pleple2000","license":"CC BY-SA 3.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0","source_url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wystawa_Rybnik_02.10.2011_czarny_terier_rosyjski_2pl.jpg"},"updated_at":"2026-10-15T14:57:14Z","ratings":{"energy":3,"exercise":3,"grooming":4,"shedding":2,"trainability":4,"barking":3,"kids":3,"other_dogs":2},"coat":"Hard, dense, double coat, trimmed with beard and mane","colors":["Black","Black with scattered grey hairs"],"fun_fact":"Although it looks like a terrier, the breed was built largely from much bigger dogs such as the Giant Schnauzer and the Rottweiler, and the early dogs only resembled it in build and coat.","sections":{"overview":"The Black Russian Terrier is a big, bearded working dog from the former USSR. It was created as a military and guard dog, and is used today as a guard, sport and family companion.\n\nDespite its name it is not a true terrier. It was assembled from some seventeen breeds, including the Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler and Airedale.","history":"The breed was developed by the state-run Red Star Kennel near Moscow in the late 1940s and 1950s. Breeding stock came largely from countries where the Red Army was active after the Second World War, notably East Germany. Giant Schnauzers, Airedales, Rottweilers, Newfoundlands and Caucasian and South Russian Shepherd Dogs all contributed.\n\nThe dogs were bred for ability, not looks, until puppies were sold to civilians in 1957. A first standard was published in 1958, and the FCI adopted the breed in the 1980s. It reached Finland, then the rest of Europe, North America and Australia.","appearance":"This is a robust, powerful dog, slightly longer than tall. Males stand about 72 to 76 cm and weigh 50 to 60 kg, while females are 68 to 72 cm and 45 to 50 kg.\n\nThe hard, dense double coat is trimmed to 5 to 15 cm and forms a beard, eyebrows and a mane over the neck and withers. It is black, sometimes with a few grey hairs.","personality":"The Black Russian Terrier is confident, calm and deeply attached to its family, often bonding strongly with one person. It is naturally protective and wary of strangers.\n\nIt has a strong work ethic and needs a job. Early socialisation and firm, consistent, fair training are essential for a dog of its size and strength.","care":"Young dogs grow fast and should not be over-exercised as puppies. Adults need daily walks and mental work, and are then content to rest near their people.\n\nThe low-shedding coat needs grooming several times a week, with trimming roughly every few weeks for show coats. The beard needs cleaning and the ears checking.","health":"A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of about 10.9 years. Hip and elbow dysplasia, juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy, and hyperuricosuria are the main concerns. Fast-growing puppies can suffer bone growth problems, and heart, eye and skin allergies are also noted."},"recognition":{"fci_number":327,"fci_standard_url":"https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/327.html","akc_url":"https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/black-russian-terrier/"},"sources":{"wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Russian_Terrier","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38634","wikipedia_revision":1368873833},"profile":{"written_by":"AI model (Claude Sonnet) from the sources above","written_at":"2026-10-15T13:37:29Z"}}}