Black Russian Terrier vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison

Black Russian Terrier vs American Mastiff - Breed ComparisonAmerican Mastiff is originated from United States but Black Russian Terrier is originated from Russia. American Mastiff may grow 15 cm / 6 inches higher than Black Russian Terrier. American Mastiff may weigh 30 kg / 67 pounds more than Black Russian Terrier. Both American Mastiff and Black Russian Terrier has almost same life span. American Mastiff may have less litter size than Black Russian Terrier. American Mastiff requires Low Maintenance. But Black Russian Terrier requires High Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Working dog
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United States
Russia
Height Male:
65 - 91 cm
25 - 36 inches
72 - 76 cm
28 - 30 inches
Height Female:
65 - 89 cm
25 - 36 inches
68 - 72 cm
26 - 29 inches
Weight Male:
72 - 90 kg
158 - 199 pounds
50 - 60 kg
110 - 133 pounds
Weight Female:
63 - 81 kg
138 - 179 pounds
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
9 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 5
6 - 12
Size:
Giant
Large
Other Names:
AM Mastiff
BRT Russian Black Terrier • Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier • Chornyi • Terrier Noir Russe • Russian Bear Schnauzer • Black Terrier • Tchiorny Terrier
Colors Available:
Fawn, Apricot, Brindle
black only
Coat:
Smooth, shorthair
Rough and thick, slightly waved
Shedding:
Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet
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

History

american mastiffThe history of the American Mastiff is entirely tied to the old European Mastiffs but in particular the English Mastiff. The developers of the American Mastiff crossed the English Mastiff with the Anatolian Mastiff at the Ohio kennel, Flying W Farms. The founder of this breed is Fredricka Wagner. Because of this the English Mastiff and the American Mastiff look very much alike. The difference between the two is that the American Mastiff was bred to have less health concerns than the English Mastiff and without the drooling. In 2000 the CKC acknowledged that the American Mastiff and the English Mastiff were separate breeds.

black russian terrierDuring 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

american mastiff puppy - descriptionThis crossing of the English Mastiff and the Anatolian Mastiff resulted in a Mastiff with a much drier, less drooling mouth than the other Mastiffs. This is a giant, massive dog – powerful and muscular. With a wide head that is rectangular rather than square. Their eyes are dark amber, and their ears are high on their head and rounded. With a medium size muzzle, black mask and heavy head, the American Mastiff is a handsome dog.

Their chest is broad, deep with ribs that extended backward. He has strong legs that are parallel and wide set. He also has a long tail. Puppies of the American Mastiff are born almost black and as they grow their coat color lightens. In addition, it is important that they have a wrinkled forehead as well and a scissors bite is preferred.

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

american mastiff dog - characteristicsA love of children and devotion to his pack (family) is bred into the American Mastiff. He is non-aggressive unless you threaten his family or his children. Then he becomes courageous, protective and defensive. This is a gentle giant most of the time, however due to size and the need for strong leadership, the American Mastiff should be socialized and trained early. If they are socialized and trained they will be calm, gentle dogs. They will remain protective and alert, but they will be friendly with strangers. They love to please their people and being highly intelligent they learn fast.

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

american mastiff puppies - health problemsAmerican Mastiffs seem to have fewer health issues than other larger giant breed dogs. However, they can experience allergies as many large, wrinkled dogs do. They also might have a tendency toward eye issues, hip dysplasia, cancer and heart disease. Bloat might be the most life-threatening issue many American Mastiffs experience.

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

american mastiff dogs - caringGiant breeds like the American Mastiff are known for growing rapidly as a puppy and therefore proper feeding and nutrition is essential. The slower your American Mastiff grows, the better. Make sure your puppies get enough phosphorous and calcium in their high calorie diet. Free feeding is not recommended. Feed puppies up to 4 small meals per day and feed adults twice a day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned this breed is a fairly healthy one, There, are however, certain evaluations you should do with your American Mastiff puppy to be sure she is in good health. These tests would include an elbow and hip evaluation to check for dysplasia. He should have an ophthalmologist and cardiologist examine him as well. Most American Mastiffs will not have any problems, but these evaluations will help to prepare you if they do. The wrinkles in your dogs; face, around the eyes and muzzle must be kept clean as they can become infected if you don’t.

Exercise and games

Unlike the way he looks, the American Mastiff is not a couch potato, but neither are they a high energy, exercise machine. They do well living in apartments or homes, with or without a fenced in yard. They need a long walk every day. They need mental stimulation through exercise and games. Make sure they learn to love to play so that they don’t become lazy as they age.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Mastiff vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. American Mastiff vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. American Mastiff vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. American Mastiff vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. American Mastiff vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. American Mastiff vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. American Mastiff vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. American Mastiff vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. American Mastiff vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. American Mastiff vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. American Mastiff vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  16. American Mastiff vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. American Mastiff vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
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  26. Black Russian Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Black Russian Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Black Russian Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Black Russian Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Black Russian Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Black Russian Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Black Russian Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Black Russian Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Black Russian Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Black Russian Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Black Russian Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Black Russian Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Black Russian Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Black Russian Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Black Russian Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Black Russian Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Black Russian Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Black Russian Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Black Russian Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Black Russian Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Black Russian Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Black Russian Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Black Russian Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Black Russian Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Black Russian Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison