We had many surprises during Eurasia 2003. Especially the presence on the rings of some typical Russian breeds, which are not yet approved by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Close up on those breeds, and on the approved ones too!
Russian dog fancy has been booming since the fall of the Wall, and especially since the mid 1990’s. Many breeders are getting more and more important at the international level. Besides the approved breeds – the Borzoi, the Central Asia Shepherd Dog, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, the Southern Russian Shepherd Dog, the Samoyed and the last one, Black Russian Terrier – other breeds appeared in Russia recently. Yet, for the moment being, one can’t find those breeds outside of their native country. They are: the Russian Toy Terrier, which comes in a smooth and in a long haired varieties, the Aboriginal Afghan Hound, Moscow’s Guard Dog, the Russian Shepherd and the Coloured Bolognese Bichon.
Here are the 6 Russian breeds internationally approved. They are very diverse, but apart from the Borzoi, which is still occasionally used nowadays to hunt hares, they all have the same use.
The BorzoiThe Borzoi is the most ancient of all the dog breeds currently approved. The original name of this Russian Hound is Russkaya Psovaya. There were about 60 Borzois in Eurasia. This superb Hound has been know in Europe since the end of the 19th century. And even if in Russia, company and show dogs represent the greatest majority of all the Russian Borzois, some of those dogs are still used as Sighhounds to hunt hares.
The Central Asia Shepherd DogIn Russia, this dog is called Sredneasiatskaïa Ovtcharka. This is a splendid guard dog, particularly courageous, with a very strong bone structure. This dog had been the subject of a report on aniwa.com, at the occasion of . Dogs can be taller than 70 cm at the withers, and they are very powerful. Yet when they move, they are very elegant and easy, and this can be surprising for the neophyte. In some regions, fighting – which has nothing in common with what goes on in the USA (Texas) – is a selection criterion for certain breeders.
The Caucasian Shepherd DogThe first individuals appeared in the region of Leningrad in the 60’s. There were different varieties of the Kavkazskaïa Ovtcharka (Azerbaijan, Georgian). At the end of the 70’s, there was a scission which separated the different varieties according to their morphology, their hair, their geographic origins. The most en vogue variety nowadays is undoubtedly that with the “Bear Type.” This dog is natural born guardian. And be it to watch a plant, a garden or a military base, he always knows what’s expected from him. Picture of the best dog in Eurasia. He is here shown with hi winter coat.
The South Russian Shepherd DogThis herding and guard dog is still quite rare outside of its native country. This large dog is really very powerful and resistant. It is weary of strangers. This dog does not require a lot of care, and it perfectly adapts to a great variety of weather and temperature.
The SamoyedThe Samoiedskaïa Sabaka comes from Northern Russia. This versatile working dog can be used both as a herding or guarding dog. It is very active and devoted to its owners. It is one of the most powerful dogs from the FCI Group 5. It is of an average size, yet very powerful and with a lot of stamina. Its abundant coat is one of the key reasons for its popularity. This dog does not stand very well to be confined indoor.
The Black Russian TerrierThis breed is the latest approved by the international world of dog fancy. After having been first approved in the Terrier Group, it has been included in its natural group, that is the Group2. Among his ancestors, one can find the Giant Schnauzer and the Rottweiler. This breed is a creation of the Russian Army. It is now the most popular of all the Russian breeds: indeed, there were almost 100 of them at Eurasia, and it was the most represented Russian breed of the show.
Log in
