Black Russian Terrier (Comprehensive Owner's Guide)

Book excerpt: This Comprehensive Owner’s Guide to the Black Russian Terrier serves as a complete introduction to this outstanding all-around working dog and guardian breed! The Black Russian Terrier, created in Russia in the 1950s as the ultimate protection breed, is recognizable for its solid black coat color and solid muscular construction. This up-and-coming rare breed has captured the dog world by storm, as thousands of owners are discovering the breed’s unique blend of resourcefulness, strength, loyalty and trainability. The opening chapter discusses the creation of the Black Russian Terrier, or the Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier as his comrades at home call him, in the aftermath of World War II from the Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale Terrier, and other breeds. The book continues with chapters on characteristics and the breed standard encapsulating all of the virtues of the “Black Pearl of Russia,” offering sound advice about which owners are best suited to the breed. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are brimming with detail and illustrated with handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 photographs in this compact, useful, and reliable volume. The author’s advice on obedience training will help readers better mold and train their dogs into the most socialized, well-mannered good canine citizens. The extensive chapter on healthcare provides accurate information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, parasites, infectious diseases, and more. The final chapter on solving behavior problems—from aggression and chewing to separation anxiety and barking—will be of use to owners of puppies and adults as well. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as vaccines, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and more. Fully indexed.