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Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier | Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier

Height: 25–30 inches
Weight: 80–150 pounds
Lifespan: 6–10 years
Colors: Cream, fawn, brindle, brown, gray, black
Suitable for: Active families looking for a large dog with a sweet disposition
Temperament: Intelligent, calm, alert

The name of the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier will likely have you scratching your head, especially if you haven’t heard of one of the parent breeds. This pup is a cross between the Black Russian Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound. The hybrid is interesting, considering neither dog is high on the list of the most popular ones, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The history of the Black Russian Terrier is about as bizarre as you can imagine. It has nothing to do with the cocktail, but it is dark and mysterious, as you’ll soon learn. The storied past of the Irish Wolfhound belies their gentle nature. They once served in the military, attacking cavalry soldiers. They also hunted predators, including wolves.

A mix like this has “Experienced Dog Owner” written all over it. There is the size of the Wolfhound to consider, along with their relatively short lifespan and the litany of potential health issues. Then, you have the DNA mishmash of the Terrier that brings a heap of genetic wildcards to the mix.

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Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier brings a lot of desirable traits to the table. They are steadfast and loyal companions. They’ll want to spend as much time as possible with you and your family. However, that also means they’re prone to separation anxiety. They’re not dogs to leave in the yard alone all day.

The other side of the coin is that a bored pet is destructive. When dealing with a dog of their size, their digging and chewing can cause a lot of damage. The Irish Wolfhound has a keen prey drive and cannot be let off-leash in public. The doggie park is probably off-limits, too. The Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier is a dog of contrasts.

The Black Russian Terrier is reserved and aloof at times with strangers. While they’re affectionate with their family, it takes them time to warm up to new faces. On the other hand, the Irish Wolfhound is like a teenager in their awkward years. They’re gentle and sweet, willing to greet anyone they meet.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Black Russian Terrier

1. A Military Kennel Selectively Bred the Black Russian Terrier for a Big Job.

The story of the Black Russian Terrier is cloaked in intrigue and politics. It began at the Red Star Kennel in the Soviet Union. The selective training program aimed to develop a breed for use by the national security force. Officials reportedly crossbred 17 breeds, including the Newfoundland and Rottweiler, before they arrived at the dog we see today.

2. The Irish Wolfhound Is the Subject of a Heart-Wrenching Welsh Folk Tale.

You just know there has to be a story or two about the Irish Wolfhound and their history. One of the most poignant is “The Legend of Gelert the Dog.” It tells a tale of Prince Llywelyn the Great and his beloved pet, Gelert. When the prince returned from a hunt, he found Gelert covered in blood. He assumed he killed his child and stabbed him. Later, he learned his pet had saved the boy from a wolf.

3. The Black Russian Terrier Isn’t What They Seem.

You’d think the Black Russian Terrier would be a part of the AKC’s Terrier Group. If you did, you’d be wrong. Because of their history, this pup is part of the organization’s Working Dog Group. Interestingly, one of the recommended DNA tests by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is to determine if the black color gene is dominant.

Parent Breeds of Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier
Image Credit: (L) Degtyaryov Andrey, Shutterstock | (R) 84kamila, Shutterstock

Temperament & Intelligence of the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier 🧠

Now that you know the Black Russian Terrier’s secret, you probably understand the caveats we’ve discussed. This pup is an excellent candidate for genetic testing to give you a better handle on what to expect with your Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier. With hybrids, we often compare and contrast the traits of the two parent breeds. With this dog, you can have 18!

There are similarities across the board that provide valuable clues. Both breeds are very intelligent, and mental stimulation is just as essential as exercise. The Irish Wolfhound is gentle, even though their size is imposing enough on its own. On the other hand, the Black Russian Terrier possesses fearlessness stoked by fierce loyalty. After all, guarding is their job.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

There’s no questioning the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier’s loyalty. If you’re looking for a watch/guard dog, it’s worth looking into getting one. Both parent breeds are kid-friendly. However, the size of this pup means that you should supervise playtime, especially if you have small children. They’re not aggressive, but they may not realize how strong they are when playing.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The size of the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier is enough to say that they’ll probably do best as the only dog in the house. Again, it depends on the dominant breed. The Wolfhound is okay with other dogs, whereas the Terrier has different ideas. Of course, you shouldn’t keep a Black Russian Wolfhound with resident cats and small animals.

Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier

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Things to Know When Owning a Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier:

The Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier is an excellent addition to the right home. We’ll discuss their food and diet requirements, exercise needs, training tips, and more below.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

A giant dog like the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier needs food formulated for large breeds. They mature more slowly than small ones like a Bichon Frise. Commercial diets are less energy-dense for large canines to support their development and prevent weight gain. The opposite is true with toy breeds.

You can feed your puppy three to four times a day. Getting them to eat won’t be an issue since the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier is food-motivated. You can reduce the servings to two when they reach adulthood, around 16 months or more. We strongly urge you not to feed them only once a day. They’ll likely gorge themselves, which can increase their chance of life-threatening bloat.

This caution is especially true because of the Black Russian Terrier lineage. Many of the related breeds have an increased risk of this condition.

Exercise 🐕

Both parent breeds are active, as you may expect. The Irish Wolfhound gets it from their hunting background. Daily walks are essential to satisfy their needs for mental stimulation, too. Letting them out in the backyard for a couple of hours won’t cut it for a pup as intelligent as the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier.

3 - Parent breeds of the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier
Image Credit: 1, 2

Training 🦮

Early socialization and training are imperative for any dog, but more so for a pup the size of the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier. As puppies, they tend to nip, which you should certainly stop. It will help the Terrier in them become more accepting of other people. You’ll have better success if you start training early.

The Wolfhound in the mix has an independent streak, which is typical of hunting dogs. Therefore, we suggest making training easier with treats. It will help build strong bonds between you and your pet. As big as they are, the Black Russian Terrier is a bit of a baby. They’re sensitive to harsh reprimands because they’re such a loyal pup that wants to please you. Positive reinforcement is a better training approach.

Grooming ✂️

How much grooming you’ll have to do depends on the parent breed. We recommend daily brushing to keep their coat clean and healthy and get them used to being handled. The same advice applies to cleaning their ears and trimming their toenails. Doing these tasks on a reluctant adult dog is more challenging than wrestling with a puppy.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Regular preventive vet care is essential with any dog, especially the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier. It’s an intelligent way to ensure your pet is healthy and perform annual screenings and evaluations. Fortunately, the Terrier in your pup is relatively healthy despite their Heinz-57 past.

Minor Conditions
  • Ear infections
  • Anesthesia sensitivity
Serious Conditions

Divider 5Male vs Female

Again, the size difference between males and females is noticeable depending on the dominant breed. If possible, ask to see the sire and dam to give you an idea about how big your puppy may get. Our advice is that the larger your pet may become, the more diligent you must be about training and socialization.

If you’re not going to breed your pup, we suggest discussing spaying or neutering with your veterinarian. While altering your pet’s sex can increase his risk of obesity, there are also other concerns about the chances of chronic diseases and the surgery’s timing.

Divider 3Final Thoughts

Few pups have the history and legends of the Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier. You’ll have a lot to share if someone asks you about your dog. Owning a large breed is always a challenge, and the Balck Russian Wolfhound is more suitable for experienced owners. However, the love and loyalty they’ll bring to your life are worth the effort. As long as you accept the commitment, you’ll have a delightful and steadfast companion.

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Featured Image Credit: 1, 2

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