Bullenbeisser vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison

Bullenbeisser is originated from Germany but Black Russian Terrier is originated from Russia. Bullenbeisser may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than Black Russian Terrier. Bullenbeisser may weigh 26 kg / 57 pounds lesser than Black Russian Terrier. Both Bullenbeisser and Black Russian Terrier has almost same life span. Both Bullenbeisser and Black Russian Terrier has almost same litter size. Bullenbeisser requires Low maintenance. But Black Russian Terrier requires High maintenance

History

Known also as the German Bulldog, the Bullenbeisser was a strong dog which is now unfortunately extinct. There were two regional types – the Brabanter- and the Danziger Bullenbeisser.This Molosser-type dog was native to Germany and was bred for different hunting purposes.

Nobody is quite sure what dogs are included in Molossers, but they are essentially large dogs bred to hunting and rescue, tending to have a shorter muzzle. The Bullenbeisser is famous for the role the dog has played in the development of the wonderful dog we have today, the Boxer. In fact, some Bullenbeissers were crossed by the Boxer Kennel Club of Germany with Bulldogs from the UK.

Not much is known about the history of the Bullenbeisser, but the breed also has a history in the lands of the Holy Roman Empire. The dog was at first a type of Mastiff, large and with the typical brachycephalic head, and used for hunting because of their power.

To improve their dogs, many Bullenbeisser breeders began crossing their dogs with English Bulldogs, introducing a white coat to the Bullenbeisser. Other breeds were also crossed with the dog such as the Bull Terrier, but by the end of the 19th century, the traditional Bullenbeisser was slowly dying out. It was in the late 1870s that German breeders, Hopner, Konig and Roberth used the dog to bring about a new breed, which today is known as the Boxer.

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.

Description

The Boxers lineage comes from the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser was a fierce, courageous dog, noted for its hunting abilities. The dog was developed into the Boxer so that its body become more defined and more streamlined.

Described as a medium to large muscular dog, standing roughly 63cm in height, he would have weighed in the region of 32kg. He had a short coat, brown eyes and short to medium ears which were half erect, half floppy.

Brown to fawn in color, he had a long tail which was later docked to give the dog a more distinctive, attractive look. The dog also got its attractive fawn color from the English Bulldog. Loyal, active and loving, the Bullenbeisser was a true family dog with a close affinity to children.

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.

Characteristics

Information on the extinct Bullenbeisser is limited, but because he was used to bring about the Boxer you can be sure that he would have been fearless, courageous and territorial of his property and of his human family.

The Bullenbeisser would have been a good watch-dog and with the right kind of loving care, a most awesome and loving family companion.

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.

Health Problems

In general, medium to large breeds like the Bullenbeisser have a lifespan of 10, 11 or 12 years. The life expectancy of these dogs relied much on the lifestyle they led and their diets.

The Bullenbeisser had a deep chest and this made dogs like this prone to gastric dilatation and bloat which can be life-threatening and which requires immediate veterinary intervention. The dog with this disease has distension of the abdomen and extreme discomfort, wanting to vomit but being unable to do so.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a disease which is more common in larger dogs and is an abnormal formation of the hip socket, resulting in lameness accompanied by painful arthritis.

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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

The Bullenbeisser was a mastiff like breed with a short, easy-to-care for coat. He would have required a good brushing down at least twice a week to remove the coat from loose hairs. As an active, outdoor-type dog, he would have had to have his ears checked for dirt and the possibility of infection.

Exercise:

Although the Bullenbeisser was a hunting dog, he no doubt led an active outdoor lifestyle. Dogs such as the Boxer and the Mastiff, which are descendants of this dog are the kind of dogs which will need to be exercised regularly, taken on walks and given lots of running games with a ball.

Diet:

As a medium to larger breed with lots of energy, the Bullenbeisser would have no doubt had home-made food from his master’s table. This food would have included meat and vegetables. As a hunting dog he would have had the chance to get in some raw meat which is imperative for the health of any domesticated dog today.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Working dog
Origin:
Germany
Russia
Height Male:
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
72 - 76 cm
28 - 30 inches
Height Female:
51 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
68 - 72 cm
26 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 34 kg
55 - 75 pounds
50 - 60 kg
110 - 133 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 34 kg
50 - 75 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
9 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
8 - 11
6 - 12
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
German Bulldog
BRT Russian Black Terrier • Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier • Chornyi • Terrier Noir Russe • Russian Bear Schnauzer • Black Terrier • Tchiorny Terrier
Colors Available:
Fawn or Brownish
black only
Coat:
short and dense
Rough and thick, slightly waved
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

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. Catahoula Bulldog vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  27. Cao Fila de Sao Miguel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  28. Finnish Hound vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  29. Chow Chow vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  30. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  31. Dalmatian vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  32. Golden Doodle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  33. Pomsky vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  34. Sakhalin Husky vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  35. Other vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  36. Chinese Shar Pei vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  37. Olde English Bulldogge vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  38. English Springer Spaniel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  39. Old English Bulldog vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  40. Schnauzer vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  41. Puggle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  42. Brittany vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  43. King Charles Spaniel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  44. Fox Terrier vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  45. Schnoodle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  46. Collie vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  47. Pharaoh Hound vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  48. English Setter vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  49. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  50. Catahoula Leopard vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds