Black Russian Terriers have a fascinating history. From its beginnings as a product of the post-World War II Soviet Red Army to its current incarnation as a loyal house pet and caring service animal, the Black Russian Terrier is full of fun facts.
A dog by any other name: The Black Russian Terrier has many aliases, including the Tchiorny Terrier, the Russian Bear Schnauzer, the Chornyi, the Russian Black Terrier, and the BRT for short. Some have given this beautiful dog the nickname "The Black Pearl of Russia." Enthusiasts have also given the dog the nickname "Blackie."
The name stays the same: The Black Russian Terrier, or Tchiorny Terrier, originally got its name from "tchiorny," or the Russian word for "black." Through the breeding process, the dog no longer resembles the terriers the breed was descended from, but the moniker is still part of its officially recognized name.
Red Army dog: Black Russian Terriers were created by the military Red Star Kennels in Moscow. The idea first came in the 1930s, with Colonel G. Medvedev leading the program. The dog was finally bred as a standalone breed in the mid-1950s, and was used as a boarder guard, among other military jobs.
Big family tree: It took 17 breeds to create the Black Russian Terrier, including the Airedale Terrier, the Rottweiler, the Giant Schnauzer, the Newfoundland, and the Great Dane.
Civilian life: After public outcry, the Red Army released the Black Russian Terrier to private breeders in the late 1950s. After years of private breeding, the dog developed into the loveable, loyal and active family dog it is today.
Oh where, oh were has my little dog gone? The Black Russian Terrier is the fifth rarest breed in the world. Considered a national treasure by Soviet Russia, the dogs used to trickle out from behind the Iron Curtain via Poland in much the same way that many people did to escape the communist bloc.
You put the lime in the shampoo and mix it all up: Rinse the Black Russian Terrier's coat with lime juice of beer. The hair will become stronger.
We're Number 151! The Black Russian Terrier was the 151st dog to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. It was first allowed to participate in the Miscellaneous Class in August 2001. It gained its full status on July 1, 2004.
Hey, I'm working here! The Black Russian Terrier is actually part of the Working Group, not the Terrier Group in the American Kennel Club classification.
For more interesting facts about the Black Russian Terrier, visit your local library, bookstore, reputable breeder, or your favorite search engine on the Internet.
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