Black Russian Terrier: Overview

If the Black Russian Terrier were a human version of the observant guard dog he was bred to be, you'd want him standing guard for you during the most disquieting times. An innate protective instinct is developed by the time he is a year old.

When combined with the size, agility, courage, and power of this gorgeous bearded beauty, that instinct creates an outstanding guard dog who loves to play with his family's kids and hang out by your side. Blackies demand and thrive on human attention and affection, and they'll wait at the back door until you let them in because playing is just no fun without people.

The Black Russian is a working dog who responds best to firm and consistent training. You have to respect him or he won't tolerate your command. Without a job to do and lacking adequate early training, a Blackie could easily become bored and destructive, and at that size he could do some real damage.

He is so smart it's scary. If you feel that you can't live with a dog who is smarter than you are, then the Blackie might not be a good choice. Remember that the breed has historically been used to work for the military and police (although these days the Blackie is most often found protecting home and hearth).

That intelligence means he trains quickly but can have a real stubborn streak, so you need to be the one in charge from the get-go. If you're into performance competitions, such as agility, obedience, or Schutzhund, this guy is a natural performer who knows how to work a crowd. He'll also excel at search and rescue.

The Blackie is slow to mature, like most big dogs. He housetrains easily, and he doesn't need to be leash-trained as he'll follow naturally while on a leash. He's also much more active outside than in the house.

He can't be left outside to live in a kennel; he's just too people-oriented. Besides, some day he could start defending his kennel against you rather than defending your home. He has to see your home as his in order to protect it.

Calm and quiet, the Blackie tends to be aloof with strangers, but not aggressive or shy toward them. He'll accept a stranger that you admit into the household, but he'll take his time considering whether such a person should be a friend. However, if he feels the stranger is threatening, then all bets are off--he won't waste a moment hesitating to defend those he loves.

Because the Blackie is so intelligent, stubborn, and large, he isn't a good choice for first-time dog owners. For example, if you don't want your adult Blackie on the furniture or in your bed, you need to start out right by not allowing the puppy to be in those places. He won't give up those habits once he's gotten away with them a time or two--his stubborn streak is just too strong.

In some, that streak can be so deep that it doesn't allow them to compromise at all. That means the Black Russian Terrier is best suited to experienced dog people used to large, dominant guard dogs. They'll walk all over people they can intimidate--they are large and in charge. Bred to work as a partner with his owner, he is a thinking dog who responds better to logic than to force. Positive reinforcement is best with these guys. But for those who know how to train and live with a powerful, smart guard dog, the Blackie is a wonderful choice.

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