Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison

Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed ComparisonMoscow Watchdog is originated from Russia but Wire Haired Fox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Moscow Watchdog may grow 31 cm / 13 inches higher than Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Moscow Watchdog may weigh 59 kg / 131 pounds more than Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Moscow Watchdog may live 3 years less than Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Moscow Watchdog may have more litter size than Wire Haired Fox Terrier. Both Moscow Watchdog and Wire Haired Fox Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
undefined
Russia
United Kingdom
Height Male:
64 - 69 cm
25 - 28 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Height Female:
64 - 69 cm
25 - 28 inches
33 - 38 cm
12 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 68 kg
99 - 150 pounds
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
45 - 68 kg
99 - 150 pounds
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 11 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
4 - 6
Size:
Giant
Medium
Other Names:
Moskovskaya Storozhevaya Sobaka
Wire Fox Terrier
Colors Available:
White and red
White, tan and black
Coat:
Medium length, thick
Medium length, wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

moscow watchdogThe Moscow Watchdog is a cross between the Caucasian Oytcharka, the St. Bernard and other Russian hound dogs. This large breed dog was developed in the Soviet Union for the purpose of being guard dogs. It had the awareness and assertiveness of the Oytcharka and the size, intelligence and attractiveness of the St. Bernard. The breed is common in Russia today but hardly seen anywhere else even though they were exported to the United States and Europe. The breed had the first U.S. born litter in 2015 and it is not AKC recognized.

Following the second world war crime was on the rise in the Soviet Union and a new breed of dog was needed to counter this trend. The dog had to be adaptable to very cold temperatures, snowy weather and have a guard dog personality and ability. The breed was called on to guard such locations as railroads, government offices, warehouses, infrastructure and labor camps.

The project to develop this breed was led by General Medvedev beginning in 1946 at the Central School of Military Kynology – which was a department of the Soviet Ministry of Defense. It took many years to develop the Moscow Watchdog which then became a very successful breed.

It took until 1985 for the breed to be “officially” recognized in the Soviet Union and until 1992 to be recognized by the Federation of Dog Breeders in Russia and until 1997 for the standard to be approved by the Russian Kennel Club. They are still working with the FCI to gain international recognition for the breed. At the moment they are considered a part of the Molosser group and shown in the “Special Show” in Russia.

Committed breeders brought the Moscow Watchdog to Hungary in 1986 in order to make the breed more popular. In addition to this there were many breeders from previous Soviet States that wanted to preserve the breed as well. There were about 500 Moscow Watchdogs in Hungary around then. Currently there are about 27 Moscow Watchdogs in the United States. The breed is known to be a gentle giant and very much a family dog these days.

wire haired fox terrierThe Wire Haired Fox Terrier originates in England, and it is thought that the dog developed from the white English Terrier being crossed with the Bull Terrier and maybe even the Beagle.

The hunting crowd wanted a dog that was small enough to disappear down a hole to flush out a fox.

Even though the Wire Haired Fox Terrier used to be a pet of Queen Victoria as well as King Edward VII, it only became popular as a family pet in the 1930s.

Description

moscow watchdog puppy - descriptionThe Moscow Watchdog is related to the mountain dogs and is a very large breed. They are sturdy, muscular and powerful. They have big heads and a thick double coat that sheds profusely four times a year. They have a long tail, an arched chest and an air of confidence.

He is in the Mastiff family and is smart and trainable. He is not clumsy but has big bones. He is surprisingly agile and active for a dog his size. Unlike the St. Bernard he is not a couch potato. He is also differentiated from the St. Bernard because he does not drool.

Temperament:

These dogs are large but they’ve got a gentle temperament and are good with kids, being playful and energetic with them.

Even though he is a docile dog, you want him trained and socialized, and then he gets along well with other pets too. His sheer size makes it that it is best to supervise him when he’s around small children. He is also a protective dog breed, willing to bond closely to, and protect his human family.

wire haired fox terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wirehaired Fox Terrier is a medium-sized dog, standing at between 33 and 38cm in height and weighing between 6 and 9 kg.

The face is fairly long and he has semi-erect, semi-floppy ears and the high set tail is usually docked. The double coat is wiry, curly and coarse and is essentially white with tan or black markings. White is always the predominant color of the Wire Haired Fox Terrier.

Temperament:

This little dog is cheerful, cheeky, playful, feisty, lovable and full of the joys of life. He is also strong-willed and independent.

He makes a great playmate for kids and loves being in the company of his human family. He will get on well with other pets in the family too.

He is intelligent which means you can have him easily trained and socialized and the kids will love to teach him some tricks too. He is a high energy dog and will require a good dose of exercise.

He’ll become stressed and frustrated if he doesn't get the exercise he needs.

Characteristics

moscow watchdog dog - characteristicsThis is a large dog who likes to be involved and busy, even though he is so big. He isn’t suited to city life and being confined to a tiny garden as he needs space.

They’re independent dogs too and you can leave them alone during the day. He is social, so while you can leave them during the day while you’re at work, he’ll want your attention when you get back. They're such loving, loyal family pets that you owe it to him to make this gentle giant of a dog as happy as can be.

wire haired fox terrier dog - characteristicsOne thing is for sure – when you bring a Wire Haired Fox Terrier into your home, you’re going to have a dog with endless energy. It is why they make such good pets when you’ve got kids in the house.

They like to please their owners and they respond well to training and socialization. They’re also brave and protective, making good watchdogs.

They’re loving, loyal and companionable, and there are plenty of stories about the loyalty of these dogs. Anyone who has had one of them as a pet will tell you what splendid dogs they are.

Health Problems

moscow watchdog puppies - health problemsMoscow Watchdog is looked upon as a fairly healthy dog breed but there are some risks such as hip dysplasia as well as some other large breed problems.

With big dogs like this, hip dysplasia is a threat. Its an hereditary condition where the parent dogs pass down the problematic genes. Hip dysplasia results in inflammation and pain for your pet, and where once he loved to play, he is reluctant to and battles to get up after lying down.

wire haired fox terrier puppies - health problemsThese robust little dogs can succumb to any one of the many common dog illnesses there are -

Epilepsy:

The Wirehaired Foxy is a healthy dog, but it is thought that Epilepsy could be a problem with this breed. Your spunky dog may seem a little bit confused before he falls to the floor lying on his side and twitching like he’s having a bad dream.

This is brought on by uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the dog’s brain. The seizure can last for a minute or so but even so, whether it is a twitch or violent shuddering, it can leave you shocked and disturbed.

He can sometimes even urinate during the seizure. It is imperative to get your pet to the vet who will know precisely how it can be controlled.

Dental Problems:

Dental disease is also a common problem with dogs and unfortunately, your Wire Haired Fox Terrier also battles with this. The problem starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and then it can cause infection of the gums and roots of the teeth.

Left unattended to, your pet could lose his teeth, and it jeopardizes your pet’s health as well.

Caring The Pet

Excercise:

moscow watchdog dogs - caringThe Moscow Watchdog is a giant sized dog and will require a lot of regular exercise, and apart from a fairly brisk daily walk, will also need games and a run in the park.

As a large dog requiring a regular dose of physical exercise as well as mental stimulation, he is better suited to life in the country or at least where there is a large garden.

Grooming:

The Moscow Watchdog has a medium length coat, and as a moderate shedder, you will need to simply brush his coat twice a week to remove loose hair. There is no professional grooming required for these dogs.

Diet:

Homemade food is always a treat for a dog, but if you’re feeding your Moscow Watchdog commercially manufactured food because of the sheer convenience it provides, make sure the packaging says 'large- or giant dog breed' food. This way you know your pet is getting the right amount of minerals and vitamins for his size.

Always buy the best quality food to avoid giving your pet an overdose of colorants and preservatives. Try and give your pet some home-made food such as boiled chicken, some brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. These can be added to his kibble every now and again.

A simple diet like this agrees with your pet and he will be healthy and happy with his lot.

wire haired fox terrier dogs - caringGroom your pet. Brush twice weekly. Wire Haired Fox Terrier owners like to hand their pets in at professional groomers to have their hair cut short and made more manageable. The hair is kept quite long around the muzzle.

Check inside the ears that there are no signs of infection.

Trim the nails.

Exercise your pet every day.

Provide your pet with the best food there is. Always buy high quality food that can contribute to your pet’s health and which is suitable for his size, age and activity levels. The Wire Haired Fox Terrier is inclined to be a greedy dog and with a dog like this weight gain can slowly increase and can become a health problem.

Spay or Neuter. This is an excellent idea for your pet if you don’t want puppies. Not only that, spaying or neutering actually decreases the likelihood of your pet getting some types of cancer.

Provide your pet with his own dry, warm, quiet sleep area.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Wire Haired Fox Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Moscow Watchdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Moscow Watchdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Moscow Watchdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Moscow Watchdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Moscow Watchdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Moscow Watchdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Moscow Watchdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Moscow Watchdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Moscow Watchdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Moscow Watchdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Moscow Watchdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Moscow Watchdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Moscow Watchdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Moscow Watchdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Moscow Watchdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Moscow Watchdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Moscow Watchdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Moscow Watchdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Moscow Watchdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Moscow Watchdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Moscow Watchdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Moscow Watchdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Moscow Watchdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Moscow Watchdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Moscow Watchdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison