Russian Doodle Terrier -- Russian Black Terrier X Poodle

		Russian Doodle Terrier
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Russia <> France -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Russian Doodle Terrier

The Russian Doodle Terrier is a rare hybrid dog that combines the best characteristics of the popular Standard Poodle with those of the unique Russian Black Terrier. Calm, affectionate, loyal and protective, the Russian Doodle Terrier is an ideal companion and a wonderful family dog. He's gentle with children and other dogs, especially if he's been fully socialized from an early age. This socialization process is important for young dogs so that they grow up confident and trustworthy. Like many dogs, Russian Doodle Terriers love to play. The Poodle's influence can sometimes make them a little zany, but this only serves to endear them even more to their owners. Their soft, often curly or tousled, very dense coats are a trademark of their appearance, and they can have bearded faces like their relative the Russian Black Terrier. These dogs are big and strong but fluid in their movements, and are protective of the family. Normally a calm dog, they'll let you know verbally if strangers are around. Their alertness comes from their professional background; these dogs lack nothing. A unique and rare hybrid dog, the Russian Doodle Terrier is a beloved pet and companion for its owners.

History of the Russian Doodle Terrier

The Russian Doodle Terrier is a rare hybrid breed; a look at the parents for indications of characteristics that may be inherited is the ideal way to get a view of the hybrid.

	A little of the Russian Black Terrier
	The Russian Black Terrier was developed by the Soviet army to produce a dog wonderfully suited to the harsh Russian winters. Red Star Kennels did a remarkable job, producing a dog that could run along fences, chase and catch intruders, and stay warm enough to survive. Among the breeds used to create such a dog were Giant Schnauzers, Airedales, Rottweilers and Great Danes. Blackies, as they were nicknamed, worked at rail crossings, in prisons and at various military sites. When the military had too many puppies, they began selling them to the public, where dog lovers refined the breed by adding Newfoundland Dog lines for added stability. In 1958, the Soviet army created the first breed standard for the Russian Black Terrier. Admired for its ability to protect home and family, its reputation as an excellent working dog and its elegant appearance captured the public imagination. The Black Russian Terrier was introduced to America in 1889 and 1900. The American Kennel Club accepted the breed as part of the working dog group on July 1, 2004. Today, the Blackie's popularity continues to grow, as more and more people get to know this amazing animal. Their elegant appearance, sociability and love of children are appreciated by many owners.

	Standard of the Russian Black Terrier


	A little of the Poodle
	The Standard Poodle is the largest Poodle in size, and was bred to be a working dog. It is thought to be descended from the Barbet and the Hungarian Water Dog. The Poodle was trained to retrieve waterfowl from streams for eager hunters, and its dense, curly coat protected it from icy waters. While the fancy cut of today's Poodle is a far cry from the cut used by hunters to enable the dog to swim more easily, it is a unique style that has stayed with the Poodle through the ages. The clipper helped the dog swim faster and protected it from getting stuck in reeds. By the 18th century, Poodles were well known in Europe, particularly in Germany, where they are thought to have originated, and then in France, which fell in love with the dog and refined its haircut into the elegant Poodle cut we know today. The Poodle was recognized as an intelligent dog and was used in traveling circuses to perform all kinds of tricks. The Poodle was also popular with the nobility, becoming a valuable companion for many noblemen and women. Today, the Poodle is still a popular breed, excelling in agility trials, field trials and outdoor sports. Whether fanciful or not, these are hardy, intelligent, hard-working dogs with a sense of humor, very affectionate and loyal to their masters.

	Standard of the Poodle

Appearance of the Russian Doodle Terrier

Big and bold is the best description of the Russian Doodle Terrier. Large and solid-bodied, they possess the athleticism and agility inherited from the Poodle. The body is well proportioned and has an elegant yet robust shape. The chest is fairly deep and the legs are sturdy but supple. The strong neck supports the wedge-shaped head, and the face can be bearded, a gift from the Russian Black Terrier parent. The muzzle is often long and pointed, with teeth that meet like scissors. Drooping ears and fluffy eyebrows make it hard to see where the eyes are, but then you notice the deep, round eyes of liquid amber that watch your every move. His face is curious and intelligent; he's one of the smartest dogs in the world, and he knows it. His coat envelops him like a dense, tousled suit, and can come in a variety of colors such as black, brown, cream, silver and white, to name but a few. The tail is often long and bushy, or may be docked. Strong, flowing, active and a real charmer, these seductive dogs are unique and rare, but worth seeking out if you have the time to devote to them.

Temperament of the Russian Doodle Terrier

Impressive in stature, solid yet fluid in movement, the Russian Doodle Terrier is a dog that is almost a contradiction in terms. They may seem formidable at first glance, especially if they have the facial and body characteristics of the black Russian Terrier relative - tall, massive and muscular. But their nature is the opposite: they are calm dogs, confident but not aggressive unless pushed, and affectionate and family-loving. Loyal and devoted, they make ideal companions and willing playmates. Full of energy and highly intelligent, this dog loves mental challenges such as training, field trials, agility or daily walks with you. They need human companionship and like to be included in family activities. Although he's a big, sturdy dog, he can adapt to life in an apartment, as long as he takes one or two daily walks to expend some of his energy. An active family will be a pleasure for this dog, as he's not the type to sit and snooze all his life. He wants action. Lots of action, so keep that in mind when looking for a new companion. His dense coat and curly fur require quite a bit of maintenance to keep him in tip-top shape, but it's well worth it when you see how beautiful this dog is to the touch. Like most dogs, Russian Doodle Terriers respond to positive reinforcement and praise when they learn something new. Brutal methods will not work with this dog and should not be used with any dog. He may be stubborn, but he's only testing you to see who's boss. The boss should be you, not the dog, otherwise you may end up with a demanding companion who tests your patience to the limit. Be the boss your dog wants you to be, in a fair and gentle way, and your hybrid will do whatever you want it to do.

Needs and activities of the Russian Doodle Terrier

Active and full of mischief, especially when they're young, Russian Doodle Terriers are big, active dogs who want to take part in everything that's going on around their home. They love human company and will do anything to become part of your life. They need regular daily walks to expend some of their accumulated energy, and make excellent walking or biking companions. Just keep them on a leash, as they have a strong hunting instinct and can get distracted by interesting trails or small, fast-moving animals. They love to play in water and thrive on mentally stimulating games or training. These dogs adapt very well to most climates and homes. They adapt best to a home with a yard they claim as their own, which they patrol to make sure no stranger enters unnoticed. Children will love a dog that just wants to play with them, and these dogs can play for hours. But when they're exhausted, they like nothing better than to curl up at your feet or as close to you as they can get. If you don't have the time to make sure your dog is well exercised and has constant company, he's not the dog for you. He needs to be with you, period.

Maintenance of the Russian Doodle Terrier

Your Russian Doodle Terrier's coat should be brushed every day or two to keep his dense, tousled coat looking its best. While grooming, check that your dog is in good health and has no cuts or lesions to heal. Dogs won't tell you if they're injured, they just persevere, so watch out for telltale signs of injury when you brush their coat. Their ears can be prone to infection as they are quite hairy, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to accumulate. Gently wipe the inside of the ear with a soft, damp cloth to clean it, then dry it carefully, taking care not to damage the delicate inner ear. Check the eyes to make sure they aren't weeping or that long hairs aren't creating a problem for the eyes. Prevention is always the easiest and most economical route to take when it comes to your dog's health. Bathing these big dogs is a real mission, but fortunately for you, they don't need it very often, unless they've stepped in mud or rolled in something nasty. Always use a dog shampoo that preserves their skin's natural oils and keeps their coat weather-resistant. Teeth and nails are next on the list: a quick trim of the nails is all that's needed, and brushing your Russian Doodle Terrier's teeth most of the time will help prevent any health problems and maintain good breath.