Black Russian Terrier - RKF

Approved by "Russian Federation Working dogs Breeders"Russian Kynological Federation - RKF in 1997.

Black Russian terrier's size is big, above average, strong, distrustful of strangers, resilient, brave and self-confident. Body fits in a square or very closely to it. They adapt well to different climatic zones and are easily trained. A long years' experience of this breed in guard duty, confirms his good disposition to training and his reliability. An even-minded character and a good trainability allows him to be employed not only in guard duty, but in several others.

Black Russian terrier has massive bones, proportionate general appearance, sturdy and robust frame, well-developed musculature. Alert, lively and even-minded, with active defense reactions. Preferable height at the withers of the male is 68-74cm., for the female is 66-72cm. Lower limit of height is 66cm. for males and 64cm for females. Higher limit is allowed to be 3cm. more. Over this height limit, dog will become less valuable. Black Russian terrier's body is covered by harsh and thick coat. Furnishings are well developed (on head and limbs). Needs trimming for suitable shape.

HEAD: Proportionate to general appearance of the body ( 40% of dog's height at the withers or just a bit longer), with moderately broad skull and rounded cheekbones but not too accentuated, eyebrow-arches marked enough. Forehead is flat. Stop marked, but not too accentuated. The top line of the muzzle is parallel to the top line of the skull. Muzzle-bridge is solid with slight tapering towards tip; its length is a little shorter than head's half length. Whiskers and beard give To the muzzle a squared shape. Lips are thick and pulpy, black in colour and tightly fitting, upper lips fit tightly to lower jaws without laxity. Nose is big and black. Gums are dark.

EARS: High set on the skull, pendant, not big, triangular in shape with the inner edge lying tightly against the cheekbone. The folded part of the ear should present a smooth unwrinkled appearance.

EYES: Not big, dark, oval in appearance, should be level and wide-set apart. Lids are thin, dark, fitting tightly.

TEETH: A full complete ( 42 teeth) of strong white teeth, fitting closely one to the other. Incisors set on one line. Correct bite is a scissors bite.

NECK: Middle long, powerful, muscular and clean-cut ( almost as long as head). Forms with the top line a 40/45° angle.

BODY: Chest oval in cross section; long, deep and broad. Well-sprung ribs and pronounced fore chest. Brisket descends to elbows or even lower; chest's depth is 45-46% of height at the withers. Belly rising up the lower line of the thorax. Withers high, long, well developed and marked, rising 1-2cm. over top line. Back straight, wide and muscular; its length is half of the distance between the highest point of withers and the tail's insertion. Loin short (half of back's length), wide, muscular and slightly arched. Croup wide, muscular and somewhat sloping to an high set tail. TAIL: High set on, thick and short docked tail (leaving 3-4 vertebra)

FORELEGS: Seen from the front, limbs are straight and parallel to each other. Long shoulder blade slopes well forward forming a 45° angle. Foreleg joins shoulder blade at a 100° angle. Strong upper arm. Lower arm straight, strong, middle-long, straight and vertical. Elbow points directly backwards. Pasterns short, strong and almost perpendicular to the ground. Distance from elbow to ground is the 53-54% of height at the withers.

HIND LEGS: Seen from the back, limbs are straight and parallel to each other, set slightly wider apart then front limbs. Thigh is wide and muscular. Thigh bones are enough long and well-sloping forward. Stifle joint forms a 120° angle. The lower thigh is long and sloping down. Hock joints lean and well developed. Hock joint forms a 120° angle. Rear pastern strong, long and nearly perpendicular to the ground.

FEET: Big, well arched and rounded. Black nails. Dew claws must be removed.

COAT: Rough, harsh, abundant and thick. Ruffled hair is long 4-10 cm. and covers the body. Furnishings are well developed shaping on head whiskers, beard and eyebrows. On neck and withers coat is longer and forms a mane. Forelegs and hind legs are covered by a rough, long coat. Undercoat is harsh and well developed. Needs trimming for suitable shape.

COLOUR: Black or black with Grey hairs.

GAIT: Gentle trot and gallop are typical gaits. In a trot legs move in a straight line, with forelegs moving slightly close to the medium line. Back and loin have an elastic movement. Fore and hind limbs' joints unhinderedly straighten. Ground-covering movement with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power in the hindquarters.

FAULTS: Light or coarse general appearance, high or low on the legs, lengthened format. Fear or extreme excitability. Short, coarse, heavy or light head, not proportionate to general appearance of the body. Forehead line arched. Wide cheekbones. Short, narrow, pinched, upwards or downwards muzzle. Not well fitting lips. Little nose. Very creased, half-standing, held away from the head ears. Rounded, light, wide or obliquely set eyes. Not well fitting lids, third lid visible, white spot on the cornea. Lips and gums without pigmentation. Little, scattered or very consumed teeth. Short or high set neck, dewlap. Flat, barrel, little, narrow, open chest. Weak, narrow or roach back. Long, bowed, narrow or too arched loin. Narrow, horizontal or sloping croup. Hooked tail. Shoulder's angulation too open or too closed. Lower arm crooked. Narrow limbs set. Short upper and lower thighs, coarse joints. Hock joint angulation decidedly straight or close. Flat or splayed feet, light nails, dew claws. Too many grey hairs ( more than 1/3). Straight, lying flat coat blurred with furnishings on head and limbs. Hindered or heavy gait, marked swing of the croup, hind-quarters' gait deviated ( dog moves on one side), pacing.

DISQUALIFICATION FAULTS: Unbalanced general appearance. Unilateral or cryptorchid male, undeveloped testicle. A not black nose. Missing teeth, incisors not set on one line. Undocked tail. Soft, short or silky coat, curly hair. Lack of furnishings on head and legs. Dappled coat, white patches. Excessive grey hairs in delimited parts. Other colours not matching the standard.