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Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier Hybrid Description

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Hybrid Description

The Black Russian Wolfhound Terrier is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Black Russian Terrier and the Irish Wolfhound. The best way to determine the temperment of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross. It is possible you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. Not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generational crosses. Please review individual breeds for potential health issues.

Black Russian Terrier Breed Description - Cross #1

The Black Russian Terrier (BRT) is a robust, large and powerful dog. The dog has large bone and well developed muscles. The breed was developed in Russia and used as guard dogs for protection. They must be balanced, have a good temperment and be reliable. The dogs have great courage and strength. They are capable of endurance. Dogs must have a large frame and heavy bone. Bitches are definitely to appear feminine but never lacking in substance.

Despite its name, the Black Russian Terrier is not a true terrier: it is believed that about seventeen breeds were used in its development, including the Airedale, the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Newfoundland, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and other breeds.

The contemporary Black Russian Terrier is a working dog, guarding dog, sporting and companion dog.

Behavior

The character and temperment of the Black Russian Terrier is of utmost importance. The Black Russian Terrier is a calm, confident, courageous and self-assured dog, although they can also be stubborn and lazy. He is highly intelligent and adapts well to training. The Black Russian Terrier was initially bred to guard and protect. He is alert and responsive, instinctively protective, determined, fearless, deeply loyal to family, is aloof and therefore does not relish intrusion by strangers into his personal space. Shyness or excessive excitability is a serious fault. If you have a family with children, the Black Russian Terrier is a great fit for it. They are great companions for children since they have a strong guarding instinct towards children. Female Black Russian Terriers have more patience and will to play with children, but both sexes get along well with children.

Brush the BRT at least once a week. It is important to remove hairs from ear ducts and cut the hairs under the paws. The BRT sheds very little if it is regularly brushed.

Health

The Black Russian Terrier is a generally healthy and somewhat long-lived dog (lifespan of 9–14 years), however it is prone to certain hereditary diseases:

Major concerns:
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Hyperuricosuria
  • Juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy

  • Minor concerns
  • Hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD): a nutritionally based developmental disease especially in young, heavy, fast-growing puppies
  • Panosteitis (pano or wandering lameness): a nutritionally based developmental disease especially in young, heavy, fast-growing puppies
  • Heart disease: the most common heart problems are aortic stenosis, mitral valve dysplasia, cardiomyopathy
  • Eyes disease: the most common eyes problems are ectropion, entropion, conjunctivitis
  • Allergies are a common ailment in dogs, and the Black Russian Terrier is no exception. There are three main types of allergies: food allergies, contact allergies and inhalant allergies
  • Hot spots
  • Fungal infection—especially in ears and beard area
  • This is why it is extremely important to screen any potential breeders as well as their breeding stock. A well intended breeder will have all health checks on all breeding stock before making the decision to breed their dogs. While health checks on breeding stock can not guarantee a puppy will not develop any health issues later on, it is important to "do your homework" on any potential breeder.



    Irish Wolfhound Breed Description - Cross #2

    The Irish Wolfhound is one of the largest and one of the tallest of dogs in the world. By the age of six months they can weigh as much as ninety pounds and do not reach maturity until twenty to twenty-four months. They have a deep chest, straggly looking fur, and similar in shape to the greyhound. They have a long tail, almost reaching the ground. The Irish Wolfhound has large feet, and a double coat that may be gray, brindle, red, black, white or fawn. Despite their great size, they are very gentle in nature. They are excellent with children, and acknowledge that they are protectors of the family. Known as the gentle giant, they are a perfect gentleman who shows no signs of aggression to their family. Irish Wolfhounds are willing to please their owners and make a good family dog for those who have adequate space and a lifestyle to feed them, as they are rather expensive to look after. Irish Wolfhounds are calm, loving and affectionate. They are very loyal and courageous.

    Behavior

    Irish Wolfhounds have a varied range of personalities and are most often noted for their personal quirks and individualism. An Irish Wolfhound, however, is rarely mindless, and, despite its large size, is rarely found to be destructive or boisterous in the house. This is because the breed is generally introverted, intelligent, and reserved in character. An easygoing animal, the Irish Wolfhound is quiet by nature. Wolfhounds often create a strong bond with their family and can become quite destructive or morose if left alone for long periods of time.

    The Irish Wolfhound makes for an effective and imposing guardian, willing to protect individuals and their family from any threat. Despite this, they are not suited to guard a house or their owner's possessions due to their independent and friendly nature. The breed becomes attached to both owners and other dogs they are raised with and is therefore not the most adaptable of breeds. Bred for independence, an Irish Wolfhound is not necessarily keen on defending spaces. A wolfhound is most easily described by its historical motto, "gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked".

    They should not be territorially aggressive to other domestic dogs but are born with specialized skills and, it is common for hounds at play to course another dog. This is a specific hunting behavior, not a fighting or territorial domination behavior. Most Wolfhounds are very gentle with children. The Irish Wolfhound is relatively easy to train. They respond well to firm, but gentle, consistent leadership. However, historically these dogs were required to work at great distances from their masters and think independently when hunting rather than waiting for detailed commands and this can still be seen in the breed.

    Irish Wolfhounds are often favored for their loyalty, affection, patience, and devotion. Although at some points in history they have been used as watchdogs, unlike some breeds, the Irish Wolfhound is usually unreliable in this role as they are often friendly toward strangers, although their size can be a natural deterrent. However, when protection is required this dog is never found wanting. When they or their family are in any perceived danger they display a fearless nature. Author and Irish Wolfhound breeder Linda Glover believes the dogs' close affinity with humans makes them acutely aware and sensitive to ill will or malicious intentions leading to their excelling as a guardian rather than guard dog.

    He should not live in the city. He needs to run often in wide open spaces. He must be brushed weekly.

    Health

    Like many large dog breeds, Irish Wolfhounds have a relatively short lifespan. Published lifespan estimations vary between 6 and 10 years with 7 years being the average. Dilated cardiomyopathy and bone cancer are the leading cause of death and like all deep-chested dogs, gastric torsion (bloat) is common; the breed is affected by hereditary intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

    In a privately funded study conducted under the auspices of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America and based on an owner survey, Irish Wolfhounds in the United States from 1966 to 1986 lived to a mean age of 6.47 and died most frequently of bone cancer. A more recent study by the UK Kennel Club puts the average age of death at 7 years.

    Studies have shown that neutering is associated with a higher risk of bone cancer in various breeds, with one study suggesting that castration of male Irish Wolfhounds should be avoided at least until the dog is fully grown.


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