Country of Origin: Russia
General Appearance
The Black Russian Terrier is
medium-large, strong, with large bones, ant well
developed muscles. The coat is thick and slightly
wavy, but not curb or hanging. Typical for the breed
is that he is reserved with strangers, but not
aggressive. He has strong endurance and acclimates
wry well to any o, climate and environment, plus he
is very easy to train. The males are stronger, more
powerful and compact than the bitches.
Head
The forehead should be long and fairly broad. The
cheeks should be rounded. Skull should be flat with a
slight stop. The muzzle should be wellfilled,
narrowing slightly toward and nose and be slightly
shorter than the forehead. The ears and beard give
the head a square shape. The lips should be thick and
meaty. The lips should be tight on upper jaw. Faults:
Course, too heavy, or too fine a head. Wrong
shaped head too short, too long, or snipey muzzle.
Eyes
The eyes should be small, almond shaped and as
dark brown as possible.
Ears
The ears should be small, VShaped, and set
high. They are pendant and the inner side touch the
cheeks. Faults: Very lowest ears or ears
standing up.
Bite
Scissor bite. Bite should be even with big white,
close set and even teeth . Faults: Small
teeth, teeth sitting far apart, or uneven teeth. Any
bite other than scissor bite. Two or more missing
teeth.
BODY
Neck
Neck should be long, powerful, dry and carried high.
Chest
The chest should be wide and deep with well sprung
ribs reach to the elbow or slightly below. Faults.
Too wide chest or too narrow or flat chest.
Underline
Slight tuck-up
Withers
Withers should be set high and distinct from topline.
Topline
Back should be strong, wide, and muscular.
Faults: Saggy topline or topline that is not
straight.
Croup
Croup should be short, wide muscular, and
slightly round.
Fore And Hindquarters
Legs
Front legs, seen from front , or dog should be
straight and parallel. Elbows lying close to chest.
Pasterns straight and short. Back leg, seen from
behind. Should be straight parallel, and slightly
wider set than the front legs. Loins should be well
developed and muscular, thigh should be long and
hock, well marked. Rear angulation no more than a
Giant Schnauzer.
Feet
Feet should be big, close, and round. Duck feet
are a big fault.
Tail
Should be set high and be thick and cropped short
(3-4 joints left). It should stand straight up,
slightly bowed forward is OK.
Gait
He should move freely, with an elegant and easy
gait. A short trot and gallop is characteristic for
the breed. When trotting, front and rear legs are
parallel.
Coat
Topcoat should be wiry, strong, thick and close.
Undercoat should be thick and thick. Coat should have
a slight wave and cover the entire dog with an
approximate length of 28 inches. He should have a
beard, eyebrows. and heavy coat around the neck. A
softer coat is permissible on show dogs when coat
gets groomed regularly.
Color
Black and ashen gray. Never brown. Fault:
White anywhere except a small white spot on the
chest.
Size
Males 26 to 28.5", Females 25 to 27.5". Faults:
Males over 29.5". or under 25.5".
Females over 28.5" or under 25". Females
may be slightly longer than males.
Character
The Black Russian Terrier should have a sound
character with strong nerves, but with a rather high
sharpness. He is lively with strong reactions to
outside irritations. He should never be insecure or
lack confidence, or be nasty. He is reserved and
suspicious around strangers.
Disqualifying Faults
Any bite other than scissor bite. Two or more
missing teeth. Uneven color. White feet or white
spots on head. Gray color.
Re-Printed
with permission from the FCI