Koolie vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison

Koolie vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed ComparisonKoolie is originated from Australia but Black Russian Terrier is originated from Russia. Koolie may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than Black Russian Terrier. Koolie may weigh 36 kg / 79 pounds lesser than Black Russian Terrier. Koolie may live 4 years more than Black Russian Terrier. Koolie may have less litter size than Black Russian Terrier. Koolie requires Low maintenance. But Black Russian Terrier requires High maintenance

History

koolie - historyThe Koolie's ancestors were both the smooth coated blue merle Collie as well as the Black and Tan Collie. The dog hails from Australia.

Looking much like the Heeler dog, the Koolie is thought to have got its name from German immigrants to Australia who couldn’t pronounce the name ‘collie’ properly, so the name came out as Koolie. The Koolie of today is a product of a cross between the German Koolie and the Australian Dingo.

The dog has been around for a long time and in 2000, the Koolie Club of Australia was formed. It was in 2004 that the Koolie was recognized by the Australian Sporting Registrar. In May 2006, the Stockdog Committee of the Australian Shepherd Club of America accepted the Koolie as a recognized and accepted herding breed.

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

koolie puppy - descriptionKnown also as the German Koolie or German Collie, the Koolie is a working- or herding dog standing at between 40 – 60cm in height and weighing up to 24kg.

The Koolie's coat is a merle coat pattern in red or black and possibly with some tan and is mostly short and smooth, though it can be medium length too. Depending on the coat color – red or black – the nose and eyes can be either brown or black, although eye color can also be blue or yellowish.

Temperament:

The Koolie is such a wonderful pet who has some excellent characteristics to his name. He is active, energetic, fun, clever, friendly and playful, but if you have him trained and socialized he becomes even more of a great family pet. He is intelligent too and will require an owner who is steady, firm, fair and consistent. You wouldn't call him an aggressive dog

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

koolie dog - characteristicsMany people today like the idea of a ‘wild’ animal as a pet, and the Koolie, with his Dingo ancestry, can be a challenging dog breed to keep. People eventually blame these animals for having a poor temperament – meantime all they are essentially, are high-energy animals.

If you keep a Koolie, it will be better if you were a firm, kind, patient, consistent dog owner who understands the special needs of these kinds of dogs. They’re an energetic, care-free animals who will do better on a large property or farm as he is lively and will need a good deal of exercise.

He is quite capable of being a splendid pet with training and socialization and will settle down well to family life when he is loved and cared for.

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

koolie puppies - health problemsThe Koolie is a long-lived dog and there are records of it being able to reach 18 years of age. Because they have a diverse gene pool, you won’t find many genetic problems with this dog.

It is always wise when you’re the owner of a dog, to look out for his health and wellbeing -

Vaccination:

This is to prevent your Koolie picking up fatal diseases such as distemper and parvo-virus. Dogs can be vaccinated from 6 weeks of age for protection.

Parasites:

Working dogs like the Koolie are susceptible to parasites such as tapeworm. Worming of your dog can be included in your vet visit. Dogs with worms may show tell-tale signs such as being pot bellied, very pale gums, anemia and a dull, thinned coat.

A look at his droppings may reveal white segments or worms. Fleas are another kind of parasite and they breed quickly in warm months. Mange is a skin disease caused by small parasitic mites which can actually live inside the hair follicles of dogs. Veterinary treatment will be required.

Heat Stroke:

This is when your pet’s temperature rises out of control. Dogs pant to reduce their body temperature so a dog puffing heavily is putting in extra work to reduce his body temperature.

Never leave you pet in a boiling hot car as the body becomes weak and he has difficulty with breathing. Without immediate treatment, the dog will collapse and die.

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

Training:

koolie dogs - caringThe Koolie is an intelligent dog that will benefit from training and socialization to make him obedient and able to cope in diverse situations.

Exercise:

These dogs show an untiring enthusiasm for exercise and work and wherever you live, you will need to ensure that he gets regular exercise.

Diet:

Only the very best - both home-made and commercially manufactured food - will be good enough for this energetic dog. Good quality food ensures health and longevity. Always see that there is a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Relaxing Time:

Make sure that your dog has a warm, dry place to sleep inside and that when outside, he has a cool, sheltered spot from the sun.

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:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Australia
Russia
Height Male:
40 - 60 cm
15 - 24 inches
72 - 76 cm
28 - 30 inches
Height Female:
40 - 60 cm
15 - 24 inches
68 - 72 cm
26 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
50 - 60 kg
110 - 133 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 18 Years
9 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 12
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
German Koolie
BRT Russian Black Terrier • Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier • Chornyi • Terrier Noir Russe • Russian Bear Schnauzer • Black Terrier • Tchiorny Terrier
Colors Available:
merle pattern, Red, black
black only
Coat:
Shortish to medium
Rough and thick, slightly waved
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, 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. Sakhalin Husky vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Water Dog vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  3. Puli vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  4. McNab vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  5. Porcelaine vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  6. Hokkaido vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  7. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  8. Pumi vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  9. Osterreichischer Kurzhaariger Pinscher vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  10. Russo-European Laika vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  11. Ryukyu Inu vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  12. Seppala Siberian Sleddog vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  13. Serbian Mountain Hound vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  14. Shiba Inu vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  15. Sulimov vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  16. Swiss Shorthaired Pinscher vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  17. Tahltan Bear Dog vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  18. Standard Schnauzer vs Koolie - Breed Comparison
  19. Koolie vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  20. Koolie vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  21. Koolie vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  22. Koolie vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  23. Koolie vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  24. Koolie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  25. Koolie vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Bullmastiff vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Great Pyrenees vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Presa Canario vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Labrador Husky vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Argentine Dogo vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Giant Schnauzer vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Goldador vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Dogo Cubano vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Dogo Sardesco vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Central Asian Shepherd vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Mackenzie River Husky vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Black Russian Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Black Russian Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  40. Black Russian Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  41. Black Russian Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  42. Black Russian Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Black Russian Terrier vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  44. Black Russian Terrier vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  45. Black Russian Terrier vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  46. Black Russian Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  47. Black Russian Terrier vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Black Russian Terrier vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  49. Black Russian Terrier vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  50. Black Russian Terrier vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds