Black Russian Terrier: “The Black Pearl of Russia”

Emily Fagan showing one of her Black Russian Terriers.

Host Laura Reeves is joined by Emily Fagan, breeder of Black Russian Terriers, for a Love the Breeds episode talking about the “big black fluffy bearded beasts” that have become her “spirit animal.”

“Like they are the Black Pearl of Russia and they really are like the hidden gem. Most people, they see them and they’re like, ohh, boy, that’s kind of this big black scary kind of looking dog. And they’re so stoic and regal in public and then they come home and they’re absolute goofballs, complete clowns,” Fagan said.

“A short background history that Stalin basically was jealous of the Germans, you know, and their wonderful police military dogs. So he’s like, you know what, I’m gonna make a superior breed of dog for military and police work. He got a bunch of scientists, geneticists together and actually started developing the Black Russian Terrier. The four main contributors are the Rottweiler, the giant Schnauzer, the Newfoundland and the Airedale Terrier. So there’s the terrier. But they are very much NOT a terrier.”

Black Russian Terrier training for “bite work” competition.

The breed was utilized by the KGB, and still is today by its successor agency, the FSB, as well as being used in the Russian prison system. It’s job, Fagan said, was to terrify people. And they’re very good at their job.

The best owners of BRTs are not first-time dog owners, Fagan said. She added that structure and very defined rules are critical.

“You do need to be fair because they are very smart,” Fagan noted. “This is not an old school, put the dog on its back. You can’t do that. Absolutely not. You would ruin your relationship with this breed because it’s built on trust too. You have to build respect. So a person who understands a structured environment is really going to thrive.”