Russia is the largest country in the world with a total area of 17,098,242 square KM. In traditional culture, the dog is considered a symbol of loyalty, devotion and impurity. Along with their economic development and increased nuclear power, They have developed several Russian dog breeds that are friendly to their environment. Among these breeds, Learn more about top 10 Russian dog breeds.
Table of Contents
Details About Top 10 Russian Dog Breeds
01.Siberian husky
Siberian Huskies originated in Northeast Asia where they are bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia for sled pulling and companionship. It is an active, energetic, resilient breed. Today, the Siberian Husky is typically kept as a house pet, though they are still frequently used as sled dogs by competitive and recreational mushers. Siberian Huskies have thick hair that keeps them warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. This is one of the best in top 10 Russian dog breeds. Their coat has two layers: a soft one inside and a longer one outside. It helps them stay comfy even in really cold temperatures, like -50 to -60°C (-58 to -76°F). Siberian Huskies have almond-shaped eyes that are slightly slanted. The eyes can be brown, blue, or black and it’s okay if they’re different colors or a mix of colors. Siberian Huskies have fluffy tails. They like to wrap their tails around their faces and noses to stay extra warm. When they curl up to sleep, they often cover their noses for warmth, which people call the “Siberian Swirl.”
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Husky; Sibe , Chukcha
- Origin: Siberia
- Height: Males – preferred 21–23.5 inches (53–60 cm)
Females – preferred 20–22 inches (51–56 cm)
- Weight: Males – preferred 20–27 kg (44-60 lb)
Females – preferred 16–23 kg (35-50 lb)
- Coat: double coated
- Color: White, Black, Gray & White, Sable & White, Black & Tan, Silver-gray, Red &White, Black & White, Grey
- Life span: 12-15 years on average
02.Samoyed
The Samoyed is a very old type of dog. Nomadic tribes in Siberia chose them to herd reindeer and pull sleds when necessary. This is another one in the list of top 10 Russian dog breeds. At first, these dogs came in many colors, but now white is most common worldwide. They are Playful, Friendly, Lively, Sociable, Stubborn, Alert. Samoyeds are excellent companions, especially for small children or even other dogs, and they remain playful into old age. According to the Samoyed Club of America, when Samoyeds become bored, they may become destructive or start to dig.
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Bjelkier, Samoiedskaya Sobaka
- Origin: Russia
- Height: Males- preferred 53–60 cm
Females- preferred 48–53 cm
- Weight: Males- preferred 20–30 kg
Females- preferred 16–20 kg
- Coat: double-layer coat
- Colour: White, White & Biscuit, Cream
- Life span: 12-14 years on average
03.Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound)
The Borzoi is a Russian breed of hunting dog of sighthound type with a deep chest, narrow limbs, and smooth, long fur. This is number three in our list of top 10 Russian dog breeds. It was formerly used for wolf hunting. and until 1936 was known as the Russian Wolfhound. The Borzoi originated in the sixteenth century Russia by crossing Saluki and European sighthounds with thick-coated Russian breeds. The Borzoi is an affectionate and athletic breed of dog with a calm temperament. In terms of obedience, Borzois are selective learners who quickly become bored with repetitive, apparently pointless activity, and they can be very stubborn when they are not properly motivated.
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Russian Wolfhound, Russian Hunting Sighthound
- Origin: Russia
- Height: Males- preferred 75–85 cm (30–33 in)
Females- preferred 68–78 cm (27–31 in)
- Weight: preferred 27–48 kg (60–105 lb)
- Coat: medium length, silky and wavy, short length
- Colour: White, brown, black, cream, tan, and other variations
- Life span: 9-14 years on average
04. caucasian shepherd dog
For ages, dogs akin to Caucasian mountain dogs have aided shepherds in the Caucasus Mountains as sheep defenders, shielding them from threats like wolves and human sheep-thieves. This is dear one in the list of top 10 Russian dog breeds. These dogs span a vast region, showing notable regional differences. Soviet breeders in the twentieth century singled out certain varieties among Caucasian dogs to form the Caucasian Shepherd Dog breed. I believe this sizable breed isn’t suited for compact residences or individuals without livestock requiring safeguarding.
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Caucasian Mountain Dog, Caucasian Ovcharka, Caucasian Owtcharka,Caucasian Sheepdog
- Origin: Caucasus
- Height: Males- preferred 72–75 cm (28–30 ins)
minimum 68 cm (27 ins)
Females- preferred 67–70 cm (26–28 ins)
minimum 64 cm (25 ins)
- Weight: Males – minimum 50 kg (110 lb)
Females- minimum 45 kg (100 lb)
- Coat: straight, coarse, stand-off coat with well-developed undercoat
- Colour: any solid colour, piebald or spotted colour, except liver, blue, and solid black
- Life span: 5.4 years on average
05. black Russian terrier
The Black Russian Terrier was originally bred for its work capabilities rather than its looks and initial specimens only shared the physique and fur type of today’s Black Russian Terrier. This is serial no 5 in the chart of top 10 Russian dog breeds. Due to its origins as a working breed, this terrier exhibits a robust “work ethic” and requires tasks to stay content. Early training is crucial, as they respond well to firm, consistent instruction, often excelling in obedience contests. They also demonstrate proficiency in various dog activities like agility and Schutzhund training.
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Russian Terrier, Tchornyi Terrier, BRT, RBT
- Origin: Russia
- Height: Males- preferred 72–76 cm (28–30 in)
Females- preferred 68–72 cm(27–28 in)
- Weight: Males- minimum 50–60 kg (110–130 lb)
Females minimum 45–50 kg (99–110 lb)
- Coat: Rough and thick, slightly waved
- Colour: black
- Life span: 10.9 years on average
06. Russian toy
Here in top 10 Russian dog breeds, we found Russian Toy as number six. The Russian Toy is a diminutive breed initially developed in Russia from the English Toy Terrier. It comes in two coat types: smooth and long. Previously, the smooth-coated variant was referred to as the Russian Toy Terrier and the long-coated as the Moscow Long-Haired Toy Terrier. However, in 1988, both were consolidated under the unified name of Russian Toy Terrier. They adore companionship, shed little, and display high levels of affection towards their owners.
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Russian Toy Terrier, Russian Terrier, Moscow Toy Terrier, Moscovian Miniature Terrier
- Origin: Russia
- Height: preferred 20–28 cm (8-11 in)
- Weight: up to 3 kg (6.5 lbs)
- Coat: smooth and short coat
- Colour: Black and tan, brown and tan, blue and tan, or red with or without black orbrown
- Life span: 12-14 years on average
07.Mosco Watchdog
The Moscow Watchdog is one of most beloved in top 10 Russian dog breeds. This is originating in the former Soviet Union and now in Russia, is a guard dog bred from mixes of the St. Bernard, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, and Russian Pinto Hound. It inherits the size, allure, and intelligence of the St. Bernard along with the vigilance and assertiveness of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Previously rare outside Russia and former Soviet regions, they are gaining popularity in Europe and the United States. This breed is recognized for its substantial size, strength, and yet gentle and compliant nature.
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Moskovskaya Storozhevaya Sobaka
- Origin: Soviet Union
- Height: preferred 72-78 cm (28-31 in)
- Coat: A dense, double coat capable of withstanding extreme cold
- Colour: Red-piebald, spotted: white with red spots, red-black, black-red, sable
- Life span: 9-11 years on average
08.Central Asian Shepherd
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is another nice breeds of top 10 Russian dog breeds. This is a livestock guardian breed. It has been historically employed to protect sheep and goat herds, as well as for guard duties. It shares a close genetic kinship with other native Livestock Guardian dogs from Central Asia, including the Georgian Shepherd (Nagazi), Kangal dog and Akbash. Regrettably, this dog is prohibited in Denmark.
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Alabai, Boribasar, Tobet, Chuponi, Central Asian Ovcharka, Volkodav
- Origin: Central Asia
- Height: Males- minimum 70 cm (28 in)
Females- minimum 65 cm (26 in)
- Weight: Males- minimum 50 kg (110 lb)
Females- minimum 40 kg (88 lb)
- Coat: Both short and long haired
- Colour: White, black, grey, russet, straw, grey/brown, brindle or flecked
- Life span: 5-7 years on average
09.Russian spaniel
In the list of top 10 Russian dog breeds, The Russian Spaniel is a compact, robust dog with a sleek. It’s close-fitting coat adorned with feathering on the ears and legs. Ideal for hunting in marshes, fields, and forests, it excels in retrieving birds as well as rabbits and other small game. This breed is beloved in its homeland of Russia due to its small size, making it well-suited for urban living and easy transportation to hunting grounds. Standardized in 1951 in the Soviet Union post-World War II, it is a product of crossbreeding English Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, and other spaniel varieties.
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Rosyjski Spaniel
- Origin: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
- Height: minimum 38.1–45.1 cm (15–17.75 in)
- Weight: minimum 9.1–15.9 kg (20–35 lb)
- Coat: short, tight, silky coat with feathering on the ears and legs
- Colour: brown and white, black and white, red and white or tri-coloured
- Life span: 14 years on average
10. East European Shepherd
The East European Shepherd is in the last of top 10 Russian dog breeds. It is a Ukrainian and Russian shepherd dog breed. It was purposefully developed in the Soviet Union by selectively breeding the German Shepherd. This was done to produce a larger dog better equipped to endure cold climates, primarily for military and guard duties. Considerably larger than the German Shepherd, it is renowned for its remarkable intelligence, bravery, determination, and resilience. Owners frequently liken its temperament to that of a Doberman.
MORE INFORMATION
- Other names: Vostochno Evropeiskaya Ovcharka or VEO
- Origin; Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
- Height: Males- minimum 67–72 cm (26–28 in)
Females- minimum 62–67 cm (24–26 in)
- Weight: minimum 30–60 kg (66-132 lbs)
- Coat: dense and of medium length, with a well-developed undercoat, and often with longer soft hair on the ears, neck, limbs and tail.
- Colour: black-and-tan, sable or solid black
- Life span: 10-14 years on average
There are more blogs about many other dog breeds- here
