This is the Russian Black Terrier

"‘Stalin’s Dogs’ Join Russian Army"

Red Star kennels mixing a bunch of different breeds to produce the Russian black terrier, now in training for duty with the Russian Army, again a UNIQUE ANIMAL NOT SEEN IN WESTERN DOG-LOVING CIRCLES! For a time even the very existence of this dog was a state secret unknown to the "west"?

"The black Russian terrier, which was produced from a mix of about 20 breeds such as the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Newfoundland and the Caucasian Ovcharka. The breed has been available to Russian pet lovers since the 1950s, though it remains rare outside the country."

That giant Alsatian dog, the German shepherd always thought to be the ideal war dog able to perform military service in the most desirable manner no longer seen as so perfect?

That malinois breed for instance used by French and now American military units that incorporate dogs into the TO&E.

A major consideration being a canine that if necessary can be picked up and carried by one man, the handler!

This too a consideration with the Russian black terrier?

The Russian and prior to that the Soviet military NEVER slavishly copying or imitating the western model but rather devising their OWN solutions, according to their estimate of the situation and criteria they deem as important.

This is Roy!

Military Analysis:

Here from the Red Star Kennel web site the full and complete [?] story of the Black Russian terrier.

The war dog of choice for first the Soviet and now the Russian military.

The product of Red Star Kennels very selective breeding program.

[Red Star at one time providing prodigious numbers of guard dogs for the GULAG? This might be so. Dogs chosen and bred for viciousness and needed in enormous numbers during the time of Stalin!]

The Black Russian terrier a mix of various breeds carefully chosen for specific traits and characteristics that would make for a good war dog.

NOT necessarily a KILLER but a war dog able to perform a variety of functions vital to a military effort. But NOT a vicious killer, that is clear.

That original Giant schnauzer stud dog Roy mixed with with a rottweiler.

The final mix of Black Russian terrier resembling the schnauzer, rottweiler, airedale.

A dog large in size, about 100-120 pounds, a minimum of fifty Kilograms, NOT a dog easily carried as is the Malinois.

That Black Russian terrier guard dog, a sentry dog, a mine detecting dog, and perhaps an attack dog able to KILL on command [?].

Appear to be a shaggy hairy dog that is not suited for hot climates? That is what the appearance is to me.

A dog definitely requiring:

* A strong alpha master. You must dominate this dog and not the other way around.
* Lots of grooming.
* Lots of exercise.

[Dogs of all creatures so studied when at a pace, running, the only animal becoming stronger the further and further it runs.

Man and horses not able to compete over such a long distance as the dog. Dogs not having sweat glands and panting to dissipate heat but able to pursue a prey as not other animal can!!]

Puppies now available in the U.S. but I would have to think for for persons ONLY that know to handle and care for a dog.

The Russian military will begin employing a breed of dog created in the Red Army kennels in the mid-20th century and known in English as “Stalin’s dogs,” a military spokesman said on Thursday.

Some 20 black Russian terriers were among the batch of dogs that entered training at a kennel in the Moscow region, the spokesman said. Some 450 dogs are in training at the center, he said.

The dogs will be trained for guard, rescue and even mine detection duties, the spokesman said.

The Red Star Kennel, which is at the heart of the training center, was established in 1924 and has produced thousands of service dogs, many of which were used in World War II.

It has also bred more than 10 new breeds, including the black Russian terrier, which was produced from a mix of about 20 breeds such as the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Newfoundland and the Caucasian Ovcharka. The breed has been available to Russian pet lovers since the 1950s, though it remains rare outside the country.

Technorati Tags: Russian Black Terrier,terriers,war dogs,military K-9’s,Giant Schnauzer,Rottweiler,Newfoundland,Caucasian Ovcharka,dog breeds,Airedale