BLACK RUSSIAN TERRIER STANDARD

(Approved by Russian federation of Working Dogs and Russian Kinological Federation, 1996).

The Black Russian Terrier is a dog of above average and large size, strong, enduring, courageous, self-confident, with square or slightly stretched frame, easily adaptable to different climatic conditions, well trainable. Many years of using the Black Terrier as a watchdog prove his high efficiency and reliability. Balanced temperament and good trainability allow using him not only as a guard dog but also in other kinds of work.

The Black Russian Terrier has a massive bone structure, proportionate sturdy/rough and rough built, heavy musculature. Type of temperament is stable-agile with defensive reaction in active form. Sex type must be well pronounced. Height of males is 68-74 cm (27-29 in.), for females 66-72 cm (26-28 in.). Lower height limit for males is 66 cm (26 in.), females - 64 cm (25 in.). The upper limit can be exceeded for 3 cm (1.25 in.). Deviation from the desirable height ( the upper limit) for more than 3 cm significantly decreases the breeding value of the dog.

The whole body of the Black Terrier is covered with thick, rough coat. Decorative hair is well developed (on the head and limbs). Trimming is obligatory in accordance with approved style.

The Black Russian Terrier was developed in Red Star kennel by reproductive crossing of proven and well compatible working breeds: Giant Schnauzer, Airedale Terrier, Rottweiler, Newfoundland.

HEAD
Proportionate to the overall built, long (equals or slightly exceeds 40% of dog's height at the withers), with moderately wide skull, rounded but not too pronounced cheek-bones, superciliary arches well developed. The forehead is flat, stop is defined but not steep, top of the skull and muzzle are parallel. Muzzle is massive, slightly tapering to the nose, slightly shorter than half of the length of the head. Moustache and beard give the muzzle a blunt rectangular shape, lips are thick, fleshy, black, tight and without flews. Nose is large and black. The gums have dark pigmentation.

EARS
Set high, hanging on the cartilage, rather small, triangular in shape, with front edge laying close to the cheeks. The hanging part of the ear is firm without dents or folds.

EYES
Rather small, oval shaped, set straight and wide, dark. Eyelids are dry, dark and tight.

TEETH
Large, white, set close to each other, with full dentition (42 teeth). Incisors form a straight line at the base. Scissor bite.

NECK
Massive of medium length (approximately equals to the length of the head), dry, muscular. Set at 40-45 degree angle to the line of the back.

BODY
The chest is deep, long, wide, in cross section has oval shape, with slightly prominent ribs. Fore chest is slightly protruding in relation to the point of shoulder. Lower part of the chest is level with the elbows or a little below. Depth of the chest is about 46-47 % of dog's height. Withers are high, long, well developed, pronounced. Height at the withers is 1-2 cm (0.5-1 in.) exceeds the height at the croup. Back is strong, straight, wide, and muscular. Length of the back is approximately 1/2 of the distance from point of withers to the base of the tail. Loin is short (about 1/2 of the length of the back), wide, muscular, and slightly prominent. The croup is wide, muscular, moderately long, slightly sloping toward the highly set tail.

TAIL
Set high, thick, docked short (3-5 vertebrae left).

FORELEGS
Straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Shoulder blades are longs, sloping at 45-degree angle. Angle between the shoulder blade and upper arm is about 100 degrees. Upper arms are muscular. Arms are straight, thick, of medium length, vertical and parallel to each other, elbows are pointed back. Pasterns are short, massive, and almost vertical. Length of the front leg to the elbow is about 53-54 % of dog's height.

HINDQUARTERS
From rear view legs are straight and parallel, set slightly wider than the forelegs. Upper thighs are long, sloping at about 100-degree angle. Thighs are long, slanting; pasterns are vertical, of moderate length. Angulation of stifles and hocks is pronounced.

PAWS
Paws are large, compact, rounded in shape. Nails are dark. Rear dewclaws must be removed.

COAT
Hair coat is rough and thick. Hair with fold, 4-10 cm (2-4 in.) long, covers the whole body. Decorative hair is well developed, forming the eyebrows, the moustache (whiskers) and the beard on the head. Front and rear legs are well protected by long rough hair. Undercoat is thick, soft, well developed. Mandatory trimming according to approved type.

COLOUR
The colour is black, or black with insignificant amount of grey hair.

MOVEMENT
Characteristic gait is non-overreaching trot or canter. At the trot legs must move straight with front legs stepping slightly closer to the middle line, back and loin springing elastically. Joints of front and rear limbs open freely. In motion dog covers a lot of ground, which is caused by strong push of the hindquarters and significant reaching out of the forelegs.

FAULTS
Deviation toward light or raw built, high or low on legs, stretched frame. Sluggishness or excessive excitability. Short, rough, light, heavy, out of proportion head. Round skull, very pronounced cheeks. Short, snub, lowered, narrow, chiselled muzzle, raw lips (flews), small nose. Wrinkled, semi-erect ears, ears not touching the cheek. Round, light coloured, slant or narrow set eyes. Small, widely spaced, badly damaged teeth. Short high-set neck, dewlap. Flat, barrel-shaped, shallow, "open", narrow chest. Soft, narrow, arching back. Long, hanging, arching, narrow loin. Horizontal, sloping, narrow croup. Curled tail. Straight or sharp shoulder. Legs set too narrow. Short upper or lower thighs, raw joints. Extreme or insufficient angulation’s of hindquarters. Flat, spread paws, light coloured nails, rear dewclaws. Grey colour of over 1/3 of the coat. Straight, laying close hair on the body even in combination with decorative hair on the head and legs. Tied-up, heavy gaits, during movement croup is higher than withers, swaying of the croup, crab-like motion, pacing.

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
Non-proportionate built. Deviation from correct type of built. Shyness, excessive excitability, uncontrolled aggressiveness. Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchism, underdeveloped testicles. Nose not black. All deviation from scissor bite, lack of any teeth, incisors are not lined up at the base. Undocked tail. Soft, short silky hair, curly hair. Lack of decorative hair on the head and legs. White spots and marks. Clearly defined areas of profound grey hair. Non-standard colour.