Black Russian Terrier is beautiful and spectacular dog. He adapts to any climatic conditions. Though he requires responsible training and socialization.

 This is the large breed of guarding dogs that has tough wave black hair. Decorative hair forms a forelock, mustache and beard on his head. There is a certain form of cutting. There is no need for fur trimming, an everyday combing is required.

 The tail is short-docked, only 3-5 vertebrae is remained (now the undocked tail is permitted to be). He has lively and cheerful character, devotion to his owner and great working qualities, he’s suspicious to strangers too.

 There are two standards of breed nowadays: the first adopted by FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) and the second one by RKF (Russian Kynological Federation). Today Black Russian Terrier is an active participant of dog shows nearly in each type of service dog training: the general course of training, protective and guarding work, municipal dog, Russian ring, etc. Black Russian Terrier is excellent in training. But it should be considered that this dog is not for the sitting on a chain near the private cottage. Black Russian Terrier first of all needs permanent communication with his owner and family which he lives in.

 Black Russian Terrier is huge athletic dog.
HEAD
Is proportional to the general shape, long (equal or little more than 40% of height), moderately broad in skull, with rounded, but not sharply expressed cheekbones, the supraorbital ridges are enough defined. The forehead is flat, the stop is pronounced but not abrupt, the muzzle and skull are on parallel planes. The muzzle is massive, lightly pointed tapering to the nose, the length is a little bit shorter than a half of head. “Mustache” and “beard” give the muzzle squared-off rectangular form, the lips are thick, massive, black, tight and without making chops. The nose is large and black. The pigmentation of gums is dark.

EARS
Are set on high, dropped on cartilages, not big triangular, the front edges are set to cheeks. The dropped part of ear is fleshy without nicks and folds.

EYES
Are not big, oval, looking straight ahead and set well apart, dark. The eyelids are close fitting, dark.

TEETH
Are big and white, close fitting, the complete set of teeth is 42. The incisors at the bottom are set in one line, scissors bite.

NECK
Is massive, middle length (about the length of head), dry, muscular. It is set at an angle of 40-45 degrees to the backline.

BODY
The chest is deep, well-ribbed, wide, oval, with a little bit rounded ribs. The front chest is protruding slightly in comparison with the shoulder joints. The underline of chest is on one line with the elbows or more lower. The depth of chest is 46-47% of dog’s height. He’s high in withers, long, well-developed, clearly distinguished. The height is 1-2 cm more than sacrum. The back is strong, straight, wide, muscular. In length it’s equal to ½ distance from the top of height to the tail root. The loin is short (about ½ back length), wide, muscular, arched a little. The croup is wide, muscular, moderately long, slightly falling to the high-set tail.

SIZE
The height is: male - 27-30 in. (66-76 cm), female - 25-28 in. (64-72 cm). The body length isn’t more than 6 % of male height and more than 8 % of females. The depth of chest is no less than 40 % of height. The snout is slightly shorter than skull.

WEIGHT
Male - 125-150 lb (50-60 kg), 112-125 lb (45-50 kg). Larger height in proportional body and preserving correct breed type isn’t a disadvantage.

HAIR
The outer coat (2-6 in. (5-15 cm) is thick, coarse, tight and wave. Undercoat is soft, short and dense. Well-developed decorative hair forms richly developed "eyebrows", "mustache" and "beard" on the head. The forequarters and hindquarters covered with long tight decorative hair.