Black Russian Terrier vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison

Black Russian Terrier vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed ComparisonBlack Russian Terrier is originated from Russia but Antebellum Bulldog is originated from United States. Black Russian Terrier may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than Antebellum Bulldog. Black Russian Terrier may weigh 8 kg / 17 pounds lesser than Antebellum Bulldog. Both Black Russian Terrier and Antebellum Bulldog has almost same life span. Black Russian Terrier may have more litter size than Antebellum Bulldog. Black Russian Terrier requires High maintenance. But Antebellum Bulldog requires Low maintenance

History

black russian terrier - historyDuring the cold war, the Soviet Union developed the Black Russian Terrier as a working military dog. During the early 1950’s, the Red Star Kennel developed this breed and in 2004 by the American Kennel Club. The Black Russian Terrier is not really a terrier at all, but a mid-sized working dog used for hunting and guarding or as a pet. The Red Star Kennel is thought to have developed the BRT using a wide variety of breeds – as many as seventeen – including breeds like the Newfoundland, the Rottweiler, the Caucasian Shepard Dog and a Giant Shepard and an Airedale. So, you can see the wide variety and several more breeds were added. The Red Star Kennel in Moscow was owned by the state and they developed the BRT for specific working conditions and not for appearance. They did not really care how it looked except that it had to be black. In 1957 the state allowed a few puppies to be sold to non-military breeders. These breeders began to breed the Black Russian Terrier for appearance as well as function.

As these breeders worked with the dogs, they spread the breed throughout Russia and into Finland, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Germany. From there they spread to Australia, Canada and the United States. The breed standard was developed in 1958 and by 1996 an updated version of the standard was developed to reflect the dog we see today. In 1996 the United Kingdom also got their first introduction to the breed. They are still rare outside of Russian or previous Soviet Union states.

antebellum bulldog - historyThe history of the Antebellum Bulldog dates back the 1600s where it was used as a lasting solution to drive away hogs in rice plantation farms in Altamaha River in Georgia. After the plantation system became dominant in most parts of the United States, a majority of the farmers had to think of a more creative way of driving away wild feral pigs and cattle. Having caused multiple deaths to humans due to their massive bodies and extremely sharp horns, farm owners had no option but to employ bulldogs as the only means of security.

Although these dogs served their purpose of protecting their masters while still being family companions, their age of extinction came during the Civil War where the economy at the Altamaha region was permanently altered. After the fall of plantation farming and abolition of slavery, the Antebellum Bulldog became a forgotten breed something which led to its extinction. However, as years passed by, this rare breed was eventually reintroduced by the Maxwell family under strict guidelines by the Animal Research Foundation.

Description

black russian terrier puppy - descriptionA little larger than a mid-sized dog, the Black Russian Terrier is strong, powerful, stable and alert. His head is block shaped and has a broad skull. The muzzle is square with a beard and mustache. A black, large nose and full black lips are matched with powerful and large jaws. He has a scissor bite and his ears should be triangles with rounded apexes. They have very large paws that are bear-like in appearance with thick black pads. They are also covered with hair. Their legs are muscular, powerful and strong. They have a cropped tail.

antebellum bulldog puppy - descriptionThe Antebellum Bulldog is a recently introduced breed that was developed with an aim of recreating the historic working bulldog or Southern breed. First introduced in the United States, this bulldog was initially bred to be used as a working dog in rice plantations in Altamaha River Valley, a region in South East Georgia.

By nature, the Antebellum Bulldog is an extremely loving, loyal, affectionate, and very intelligent pet. Due to that reason, this breed is a perfect choice for a family dog. If we can get back to history, it’s evident that this dog breed was used in plantation farms to secure the rice from damages caused by cattle and wild hogs. Relating these tasks to the dog’s overall personality, you will find that indeed the Antebellum Bulldog is one such breed that can be trusted as a watchdog in today’s homes.

Appearance

The Antebellum Bulldog is very similar to the American Bulldog only that it’s a little bit larger and bulkier with a proportionally bigger head. These breeds usually range from bigger to biggest with males weighing around 36 to 68 Kg (80—150 pounds) and females 32 to 50 Kg (70—110 pounds). Similar to the American Bulldog, the Antebellum Bulldog has a rough coat, long legs, an athletic body and short tail/ears that don’t require any cropping.

Temperament

Despite of their intimidating appearance, the Antebellum Bulldog is an extremely loving, passionate, and loyal pet that will suit perfectly as a family dog. These dogs will lie down to their masters and will need nothing more than constant company. According to professional breeders, the Antebellum Bulldog is most likely to form a close attachment to one member of the family although they still do enjoy hanging out with the rest of the family members.

As it is the case with most American Bulldogs, the Antebellum Bulldog has a very strong protective instinct that makes it react violently when strangers step into its territories. Something else you need to know about this Bulldog breed is that it does get along well with kids to a point of being overprotective. Since puppies are usually over playful, adults are highly advised to watch out as they can accidentally bowl or knock over your toddler.

Grooming needs

The Antebellum Bulldog doesn’t have to be professionally groomed as is the case with most dog breeds. Apart from a weekly brushing of the coat, the other grooming needs you’re supposed to observe include; regular brushing of the teeth and trimming of nails from an early stage.

Characteristics

black russian terrier dog - characteristicsThe Black Russian Terrier is a working dog and he is confident, calm, self-assured and confident. He is responsive and intelligent, protective and fearless, loyal and aloof. He is not welcoming to strangers. If socialized well, he is enough of an independent thinker to be able to decide on his own who or what poses a threat to his family and what doesn’t. They get bored quickly because they are so smart. Keep him stimulated. These are strong, athletic dogs who will love to run with you, jog along side your bike, hike the mountain or just walk with you. Whatever your form of exercise is, the Black Russian Terrier can adapt to it. They also have a strong prey drive so don’t trust them with animals they do not know. They are ok with cats and dogs that they grow up with. They love to play with kids but be careful they don’t unintentionally knock the little ones down.

The Black Russian Terrier matures later than other dogs. Treat the puppy the way you want the adult dog to be. If you don’t want a large dog on your bed don’t let the puppy sleep on the bed. He will soon be a large, powerful and strong dog with a mind of his own and you will not be able to keep him off the bed.

Children friendliness

antebellum bulldog dog - characteristicsAlthough the Antebellum Bulldog is quite intimidating, this dog can make a great pet thanks to its loving, patient, and extremely tolerant characteristics. This dog enjoys playing with young children as well as other members of the family although proper care should be observed to avoid injuring young toddlers due to their muscular bodies.

Special talents

The Antebellum Bulldog is a protective dog breed with very strong guarding instincts. New visitors will have to be very careful as these dog breeds are quite wary of strangers and will not treat them politely. However, if you become familiar with them, they are likely to know you and later accept you as part of a large family.

Adaptability

Speaking of adaptability, the Antebellum Bulldog is more of a working dog than a household pet. Although some people will prefer to keep them indoors, always ensure that your homestead has a backyard where they can exercise. Otherwise, these dog breed will prefer to be kept in rural areas where there are vast tracks of land for them to play on.

Learning ability

Finally, the Antebellum Bulldog is an intelligent dog with a very sharp memory. However, due to their extremely playful nature, they can become very stubborn and messy. Therefore, owners are advised to train them early enough before they are fully grown.

Health Problems

black russian terrier puppies - health problemsThis is a healthy breed who faces some of the same issues other large dogs face such as dysplasia in the elbows and hips. Then they also face their own hereditary diseases such as Juvenile laryngeal paralysis, hyperuricosuria and polyneuropathy. They are also susceptible to heart disease, eye diseases, allergies, Panosteitis and hypertropic osteodystrophy. Let’s look at the major hereditary disease that are not so common.

Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis

This occurs when the larynx arytenoid cartilages stop working and don’t operate so then the adjoining muscles don’t work either and the dog cannot swallow without the possible damage to the airway and the cannot breathe properly during exercise or while panting.

Hyperuricosuria

This is a condition that can occur in people and animals. This condition can lead to kidney or bladder stones as there is too much uric acid in their urine.

Polyneuropathy

Like any form of neuropathy, in this disease many different nerves are damaged, and this can cause weak reflexes and tremors. There are effective treatments however.

antebellum bulldog puppies - health problemsThe Antebellum Bulldog has a life expectancy of 12—15 years. Recognized as an emerging breed, this dog doesn’t have many health problems as compared to most other dog breeds. Although these dogs are muscular and very athletic, these breeds suffer from various health conditions which are caused by the nature of their coat. Among the common health problems of the Antebellum Bulldog include

Blindness

One major health problem that affects blue-eyed dog breeds (such as this one) is possible blindness. This condition is usually caused by diabetes, hypertension or Cushing’s syndrome. To treat this condition, you need to take your dog for regular veterinary checkups to know the root cause of the problem.

Hip dysplasia

Another health problem that is very familiar with most Antebellum Bulldogs is hip dysplasia. Since these dog breeds are usually muscular and very huge, this condition is most likely to affect them, especially at an early stage. Dog owners should, therefore, be very familiar with this condition and should take their pets for regular veterinary tests to avoid it.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

black russian terrier dogs - caringThis is a large, working dog that needs healthy nutrition. Feed once or twice a day but do not overfeed. Don’t let your Black Russian Terrier get overweight. Proper nutrition for puppies is critical given the nutrionally based diseases discussed below.

Health issues

  1. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) – Watch out for this in your puppy. Like other large, puppies that grow fast the Black Russian Terrier is susceptible to this bone disease.
  2. Panosteitis (Wandering Lameness) – Again an issue for puppies of larger breeds as a nutritional issue causes an abrupt lameness at 6-8 months of age.
  3. Heart Disease – Cardiomyopathy, Mitral Valve Dysplasia and Aortic Stenosis
  4. Eye Diseases – Conjunctivitis, entropion and ectropion.
  5. Allergies – Food, contact and inhalant. Hot spots and fungal infections of the beard and ears.

Exercise and games

This is a high energy dog that needs to work. He doesn’t just want to work, he needs to work. So, find him a job and one that includes a lot of exercise. He needs consistent and firm training but will respond well and excel in Obedience Trials. They are good at Schutzhund and agility. They need plenty of exercise and will be unhappy and destructive without enough and a job. He needs to burn off that energy.

Feeding the puppy

antebellum bulldog dogs - caringFeeding an Antebellum Bulldog is much similar to feeding other dogs. Owners are highly advised to stick to high-quality hypoallergenic diets that are rich in vitamins and nutrients. Now, since Antebellum Bulldog puppies are usually playful, feeding them with high nutrient food thrice a day will really help. Always avoid feeding your puppies with processed foods or foods with artificial sugars as they can expose the puppies to severe health problems.

Feeding the adult

When feeding senior Antebellum Bulldog, there are some small changes you’ll need to make. First, these dogs will require high-quality foods that are easy to digest. Wet foods are perfect for Antebellum Bulldogs as they will help to keep them hydrated. Buy dog foods low in calories and rich in essential vitamins and nutrients to match your dog’s energy.

Points for good health

Antebellum Bulldog can add extra weight if proper care is not observed when feeding them. Due to this reason, these dogs should be fed depending on their level of activity to avoid cases of obesity.

Games and exercises

Since their ancestors were used to guard rice plantations in Altamaha, Antebellum Bulldogs are very energetic and highly suited in rural settings over indoor lifestyle. However, if you decide to keep these dogs as pets in your households, it’s advisable that you provide them with some playing space in the backyard.

When it comes to training the Antebellum Bulldog, owners are advised to train them to be obedient at an early stage as they can get really stubborn in the future. These dogs are very intelligent and they never forget what they learn once they’ve mastered it.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Russia
United States
Height Male:
72 - 76 cm
28 - 30 inches
46 - 66 cm
18 - 26 inches
Height Female:
68 - 72 cm
26 - 29 inches
46 - 66 cm
18 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
50 - 60 kg
110 - 133 pounds
36 - 68 kg
79 - 150 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 12
4 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Large dog
Other Names:
BRT Russian Black Terrier • Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier • Chornyi • Terrier Noir Russe • Russian Bear Schnauzer • Black Terrier • Tchiorny Terrier
Altamaha Plantation Dog, Altamaha Plantation Bulldog
Colors Available:
black only
White, sable brown, brindle and beige
Coat:
Rough and thick, slightly waved
Short and soft
Shedding:
Minimal
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Aggressive, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Bullmastiff vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Great Pyrenees vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Presa Canario vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Labrador Husky vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Argentine Dogo vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Giant Schnauzer vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Goldador vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Dogo Cubano vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Dogo Sardesco vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Central Asian Shepherd vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Mackenzie River Husky vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Black Russian Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Black Russian Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  15. Black Russian Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  16. Black Russian Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  17. Black Russian Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Black Russian Terrier vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  19. Black Russian Terrier vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  20. Black Russian Terrier vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  21. Black Russian Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  22. Black Russian Terrier vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Black Russian Terrier vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  24. Black Russian Terrier vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  25. Black Russian Terrier vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Alaskan Malamute vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  28. Bullmastiff vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  29. Great Pyrenees vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  30. Boerboel vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  31. Presa Canario vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  33. Labrador Husky vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  34. Argentine Dogo vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  35. Giant Schnauzer vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  36. Belgian Shepherd vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  37. Goldador vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  38. Bandog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  39. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  40. Dogo Cubano vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  41. Dogo Sardesco vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  42. Beauceron vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  43. Central Asian Shepherd vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. Mackenzie River Husky vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  45. Black Russian Terrier vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  46. German Longhaired Pointer vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Pyredoodle vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  48. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  49. Lurcher vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  50. Maremma Sheepdog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds