The Black Russian Terrier is a huge, robust worker with strong bones and a coarse all-black coat. BRTs are recognized for their bravery, self-assurance, and cleverness. They are inherently wary of strangers because they were bred to defend and protect. What term are we looking for? Imposing? Massive? Majestic? How about ‘big?’ This brawny guard dog of the Siberian steppes can weigh up to 140 pounds and stand up to 30 inches at the shoulder. When the massive, brick-shaped skull is taken into account, they’re much taller. The disheveled, all-black garment is warm enough for BRTs to patrol some of the world’s coldest livable areas. The ancient adage “He moves well for a big guy” applies to this quick-footed giant.
Black Russian Terrier
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height
27-30 inches (male)
26-29 inches (female)
Weight
80-130 pounds
Life Expectancy
10-12 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
About the Breed
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
A responsible breeder will evaluate breeding stock for health issues like as allergies, urinary tract stones, hip and elbow dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy, which can cause vision loss and blindness. As with all breeds, a Black Russian Terrier's ears and teeth should be checked on a regular basis.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- JLPP DNA Test
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
Exercise
Training
Nutrition
History
The Red Star Kennel was founded in the 1930s by the Soviet government in a covert site close to Moscow. A group of breeders and scientists labored there to develop a super dog for the Russian army. There were many difficult obstacles throughout the project. Following the mass murder of purebred dogs during the Russian Revolution, there was a world war, a financial collapse, and another world war. These turbulences wiped off Russia’s best stock, which had been scrupulously preserved for decades. Due to the destruction of kennels across Europe caused by war and the economic crisis, importing high-quality dogs into Russia was next to impossible. The Red Star team was essentially starting from scratch.
The genetic jigsaw piece included 17 breeds, including Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, and Airedale Terriers, with a dash of Newfoundland to temper the disposition. Following World War II, when the superior breeding stock was among the war booty handed to Russia by defeated Germany, the program was revitalized.
The outcome was the Black Russian Terrier, a relentless fence dog with enough coat to perform a Siberian night shift and the speed and strength to down and hold a prisoner in Stalin’s infamous prison camps. (The English breed name is incorrect; the Black Russian Terrier only contains between 15 and 30 percent terriers.)
The dogs were effectively used at military locations, isolated jails, and border crossings. By the middle of the 1950s, as the number of dogs required decreased as the Stalin-era gulags were closed, the army had started selling extra litters to hobby breeders and dog shows. The Russian people became more familiar with this endearingly steadfast protector during the late 1950s when retired officers brought their K-9 partners home to civilian life, earning the nickname “Black Pearl of Russia,” or simply “Blackie.”