Skye Terrier vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison

Skye Terrier vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed ComparisonBlack Russian Terrier is originated from Russia but Skye Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Black Russian Terrier may grow 50 cm / 20 inches higher than Skye Terrier. Black Russian Terrier may weigh 42 kg / 93 pounds more than Skye Terrier. Both Black Russian Terrier and Skye Terrier has almost same life span. Black Russian Terrier may have more litter size than Skye Terrier. Black Russian Terrier requires High Maintenance. But Skye Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
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Russia
United Kingdom
Height Male:
72 - 76 cm
28 - 30 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Height Female:
68 - 72 cm
26 - 29 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Weight Male:
50 - 60 kg
110 - 133 pounds
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
12 - 18 kg
26 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 12
3 - 5
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
BRT Russian Black Terrier • Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier • Chornyi • Terrier Noir Russe • Russian Bear Schnauzer • Black Terrier • Tchiorny Terrier
Skye
Colors Available:
black only
shades of grey, Fawn
Coat:
Rough and thick, slightly waved
Long, straight, hard topcoat
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

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.

skye terrierThe Skye Terrier is a hardy dog breed and is actually considered to be an endangered native dog breed in the United Kingdom.

They were found on the Isle of Skye, although there is some confusion about its history. They were used long ago to hunt but these days they are essentially companion dogs.

They found their way to America and the Skye Terrier Club of America was founded in 1938. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1887.

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.

skye terrier puppy - descriptionThe Skye Terrier is a medium-sized dog standing at between 23 and 26cm in height and weighing between 12 and 18kg. The legs are short and sturdy. He is double coated with the top coat being straight and hard and forming a beard around the face area. The coat can be fawn, and in various shades of grey which are sometimes even black. The ears of the dog are medium sized and erect.

Temperament:

The Skye Terrier has always been a hunting dog and he enjoys quite a bit of exercise – walks, ball games as well as indoor games. Small though he may be, he is strong willed with a mind of his own and will benefit from being trained and socialized.

This is also necessary as he has a fairly reserved nature. He gets on well with children and makes an excellent family pet but he is ready to take on smaller pets in the home. He will bark when confronting strangers and makes an excellent watchdog too.

He is able to adapt well into life in the city or the countryside. He isn’t a dog to be left outside day after day and will just die of boredom, frustration and loneliness.

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.

skye terrier dog - characteristicsGive the Skye Terrier the attention he wants and he will reward you with his loving companionship.

He loves the entire family but is best suited to homes where children have been taught to be kind to animals and to treat them with respect.

He has moderate energy levels and will expect you to give him a fair amount of exercise. The Skye Terrier can make an excellent companion for you and your family.

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.

skye terrier puppies - health problemsThe Skye Terrier is a healthy dog breed. Perhaps the only issue that could be a problem with him is orthopedic problems. He is an achondroplastic dog, meaning a large body on small legs.

He could develop spinal problems if he were allowed to constantly be jumping off beds and high chairs.

Orthopedic problems affect the bones, muscles and joints and can actually be debilitating. Orthopedic conditions can be ligament tears or hip dysplasia for instance, accompanied by arthritis.

You’ll notice your dog has an abnormal way of walking or running, inability to get up once lying down and he may have arthritis and pain.Be careful because obesity can trigger problems with the joints and bones.

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.

skye terrier dogs - caring● The coat of the Skye Terrier is long and silky and will most certainly require brushing every day if you keep the hair long. Such silky hair can easily become matted.

● Little dogs like this will need their teeth being checked regularly. You can even try to buy special pet toothpaste and toothbrush and brush his teeth yourself. If you prefer, a professional dog groomer can do this for you and at the same time trim his nails and check his ears and clean the insides of the ears too to avoid infection.

● Provide him with his own warm, dry place to sleep.

● Don’t ignore his exercise needs. A dog without exercise will get sick.

● Provide him with top quality food as the quality of the dog food you buy makes a huge difference to his health and longevity. He is a small dog and there are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods specially made for small, energetic dogs.

Try to include some home-made food for him which can be simply mixed into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

● Have him neutered or spayed if you aren’t wanting puppies.

● Keep his vaccines up to date against some deadly canine diseases, and get him to the vet when he shows signs of illness.

● He isn't a large dog but will still need to be trained and socialized.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Skye Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  3. Skye Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Skye Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Skye Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Skye Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Skye Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Skye Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Skye Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Skye Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Skye Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Skye Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Skye Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Skye Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Skye Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Skye Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Skye Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Skye Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
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  20. Skye Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  25. Skye Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  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