Black Russian Terrier

Other names

Tchiorny Terrier, BRT

Origin

Traits
Weight	Male	50–60 kilograms (110–130 lb)
	Female	45–50 kilograms (99–110 lb)
Height	Male	72–76 centimetres (28–30 in)
	Female	68–72 centimetres (27–28 in)
Coat	Rough and thick, slightly waved
Color	Black

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 2, Section 1.4 Pinscher and Schnauzer: Black Russian Terrier #327	standard
AKC	Working	standard
UKC	Guardian Dog	standard

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Traits
Weight	Male	50–60 kilograms (110–130 lb)
	Female	45–50 kilograms (99–110 lb)
Height	Male	72–76 centimetres (28–30 in)
	Female	68–72 centimetres (27–28 in)
Coat	Rough and thick, slightly waved
Color	Black

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 2, Section 1.4 Pinscher and Schnauzer: Black Russian Terrier #327	standard
AKC	Working	standard
UKC	Guardian Dog	standard

The Black Russian Terrier (), abbreviated as BRT, also known as the Tchiorny Terrier (tchiorny being Russian for black) is a breed of dog created in USSR in Red Star (Krasnaya Zvezda) Kennel during the late 1940s and the early 1950s for use as military/working dogs. At the present time, the Black Russian Terrier is a breed recognized by the FCI (FCI's from September 1983), AKC (AKC's from July 2004), CKC, KC, ANKC, NZKC and other cynological organizations. The contemporary Black Russian Terrier is a working dog, guarding dog, sporting and companion dog.

Despite its name, the Black Russian Terrier is not a true terrier: it is believed that about seventeen breeds were used in its development, including the Airedale, the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Newfoundland, the Caucasian Ovtcharka and other breeds.

The Black Russian Terrier was developed in the former USSR in Red Star (Krasnaya Zvezda) Kennel by the state for use as a military/working dogs. The breeding stock was largely imported from countries, liberated by Soviet Union during Second World War, especially East Germany. Breeds used in the development include the Giant Schnauzer, Airedale Terrier, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Caucasian Ovcharka and other breeds. BRT were bred for working ability, rather than appearance, and early examples only resembled today's Black Russian Terrier in their build and coat type. The BRT was bred solely by the state owned Red Star Kennel in Moscow until 1957, when some puppies were sold to civilian breeders. These breeders began to breed for looks (as the original was rather plain) while retaining working ability. In time, the breed spread to the other parts of USSR like Saint Petersburg, Siberia, Ukraine and later to the first European country Finland and next to the other European countries: Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Germany and finally to the United States, Canada, Australia and others.

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Wikipedia