# Moscow Water Dog

Also known as: Moscow Diver, Moscow Retriever, Moskovsky Vodolaz
- **Group:** Retriever & Water Dog (FCI group 8)
- **Size:** Large
- **Origin:** Russia
- **Temperament:** Strong, Brave, Guarding
- **Status:** Extinct

The Moscow Water Dog was a short-lived Soviet water-rescue breed made from Newfoundlands and shepherd dogs. It is extinct, but it contributed to the Black Russian Terrier.

## Overview

The Moscow Water Dog, also called the Moscow Diver, was a little-known breed bred in the Soviet Union for water work. It no longer exists.

It was produced only by the state-run Red Star Kennels and is remembered mostly as part of the Black Russian Terrier's ancestry.

## History

After World War II the Soviet Union had few working dogs, so the Red Star Kennels, under Colonel G. P. Medvedev, created several breeds by crossing available stock. The Moscow Water Dog came from the Newfoundland, Caucasian Shepherd Dog and East European Shepherd.

The breeding programme was dropped because the dogs tended to attack drowning people instead of rescuing them. The breed was later used in developing the Black Russian Terrier.

## Appearance

No reliable detailed description survives. Its Newfoundland and shepherd ancestry suggests a large, strong, water-loving dog.

## Temperament

Records point to a strong, protective dog with a guarding instinct, which made it unsuitable for rescue work.

## Care and exercise

The breed no longer exists, so there is no care to describe.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 4
- Exercise needs: 4
- Grooming: 3
- Shedding: 3
- Trainability: 3
- Barking: 3
- Good with children: 2
- Good with other dogs: 2

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/moscow-water-dog
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_Water_Dog · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6915548
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moscow-Water_dog.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.