Black Russian Terrier Cost
The Black Russian Terrier, created in Russia during the early 1940s, was the result of an interbreeding which includes several breeds such as the Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale Terrier and Newfoundland, with the Giant Schnauzer being the main ancestor.
Initially performed by a military cynological school just outside of Moscow, the goal was to develop a stronger, large dog that had a natural guarding instinct.
On July 1, 2004, this breed was admitted to the AKC Working Group.
The average Black Russian Terrier price
The cost of Black Russian Terrier will depend on the breeder, their reputation, supply/demand, the inclusions with the adoption, the quality, age and the geographical location. With these factors in mind, the costs can range anywhere from $1,300 to $2,000 for a high-quality, AKC registered puppy around eight weeks old. Of course, this is the price for the breed only and will not include any of the ongoing fees for the future and shipping fees if you were to adopt from someone located overseas.
From our research, though, it does appear the breed is extremely rare and even if you’re able to find a breeder, be prepared to be put on a waiting list. Even if you’re able to find a breeder with active listings, there could also be a great chance you will have to adopt overseas.
Via the official AKC Marketplace, for example, there were 22 active breeders at the time of this publishing, with costs averaging about $1,500 from breeders who did list their costs via their ad. Of these 22 breeder listings, only one breeder had an available litter at the time.
On PuppyFind.com, an online dog classified website, there were only 15 active listings, with prices ranging from $800 to $2,500. These prices were much lower than the estimates provided earlier due to most of the listings not being an AKC quality.
The extra costs to budget for
As we mentioned, there is a good chance you’re going to either have to adopt from someone located overseas or in another state. Shipping within the United States, via an airline, can cost anywhere from $200 to $300, while overseas shipping can be double this.
As you already know, a dog will always require ongoing maintenance such as food, vet visits, accessories, miscellaneous supplies, grooming sessions and pet sitting, to name a few. BRTCA.org mentions you should be prepared to go through at least 40 pounds of dry food a month, which equates to about $75 to $150, depending on the quality fo the food.
Before adopting, if the breeder doesn’t include any clearance testing, such a hip/elbow certification, eye test and/or thyroid test, then this could cost another $500 to $1,000.
Due to the dog’s larger size, any vet encounters can cost more since all medication is usually based on the weight of the dog. This means heartworm medicine, shots and prescriptions could cost much more than an average-sized dog.
What should be included?
With your adoption fee from a reputable breeder, most, at a minimum, should include a health checkup via a veterinarian, deworming, up-to-date vaccinations, AKC registration paperwork and some may even include a microchip. In some cases, albeit rare, the breeder may include a clearance for JLLP, a genetic disease and a travel crate.
Description of the breed
| Coat | The outer weatherproof coat repels water while the undercoat insulates the dog from the coat. The length averages 1.5 to 4 inches. |
| Coat Color | Black or mixed with black and gray |
| Energy | A mixed bag -- can be calm at times and moderately energetic, depending on the situation |
| Good with children? | With supervision, yes |
| Good with other pets? | With supervision, yes |
| Grooming | Should be performed regularly to keep coat in tip-top shape |
| Groups | AKC Working Dogs, FCI Group II.: Pinscher and Schnauzer- Molossoid Breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs, TKC Working |
| Height | 27-31 inches (male), 26-30 inches (female) |
| Life Expectancy | 10-13 years |
| Litter Size | 5-11 |
| Other Names | Chornyi, Terrier Noir Russe, Russian Bear Schnauzer, Black Terrier, Tchiorny Terrier, BRT and Stalin's Do |
| Personality | Intelligent, bold, adventurous, determined and very protective |
| Shedding | Seasonal |
| Shedding | Will shed minimally and is recommended for those who want to deal with a dog that doesn't shed a lot. The dog can be shaved, however, if being used as a show dog. |
| Weight | 75-135 pounds |
Black Russian Terrier Temperament
Admiring and lively, the Black Russian Terrier loves to play with children, adults and other dogs, constantly seeking attention from those who roam around. As they are always looking for attention, this breed may not be ideal for a family who is not able to spend a lot of time throughout the day with the breed. As long a true pack leader is determined in the house, the dog can do well with other dog breeds.
Character
Caring, family-oriented, inquisitive and defensive, the Black Russian Terrier makes for a great family companion and guard dog for those they love. As they are very suspicious of strangers, they can protect their home if trained accordingly. As a puppy, like many, they are very curious and can even become quite destructure if no redirection occurs.
Training
The Black Russian Terrier, as mentioned, loves to be near their own at all times, meaning they are very eager to please and will respond quite well to training. While they do require a firm and consistent pack master, they are known to respond much better to a loving approach, according to PuppyFind.com. As with most puppies, starting training at a younger age is always best since the dog can grow much larger than the average breed, making it hard for some owners to control, especially if they are not trained accordingly.
Facts to know
The Black Russian Terrier can do well in an apartment or condo-like setting as long as it receives an adequate amount of exercise. No matter how long their indoor space is, they tend to stay inactive while inside. Being extremely close to their owner, they will almost always be at your side, just like a cat. Always ready for a long walk, they love the snow, water and even playing fetch in a wide open space.
This dog is not considered to be hypoallergenic.
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