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GiantWorking Group

Black Russian Terrier

The Black Russian Terrier was developed in the Red Star kennel outside Moscow from 1940s-1950s as a Soviet military working dog, combining 17 parent breeds including Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale, and Newfoundland.

Calculate Black Russian Terrier age
Lifespan10.9 yrrange 10–13
SizeGiantWorking Group
Weight80–130 lb36.3–59 kg
Senior at5 yrgeriatric at 8

Gallery (3)

About

About the Black Russian Terrier

The Black Russian Terrier was developed in the Red Star kennel outside Moscow from 1940s-1950s as a Soviet military working dog, combining 17 parent breeds including Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale, and Newfoundland. AKC recognition dates to 2004.

Aging

How Black Russian Terriers age

Not in RVC VetCompass; breed-standard estimates indicate 10-12 years. Hip and elbow dysplasia are the defining orthopedic concerns; hyperuricosuria, JLPP (juvenile laryngeal paralysis-polyneuropathy), and GDV round out inherited issues.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 10.9 yr · range 10–13Senior careSenior at 5 · geriatric at 8Common health issues8 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
80–130 lb(36.3–59 kg)
Height
26–30 in(66–76.2 cm)
Coat type
Wire
Colors
BlackSalt & PepperBlack & TanSableBlue
Temperament

Temperament

How Black Russian Terriers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

calmconfidentcourageousaloof
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • High prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr

    Elbow Dysplasia

    Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~1 yr

    Congenital Cardiac Defect

    Description and veterinary guidance for Congenital Cardiac Defect land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
60min
per day

About 60 minutes of activity per day keeps a Black Russian Terrier physically and mentally satisfied. Split it between a structured walk and free play.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.