In 1954 the standard for the Black Terrier went into work, and later the same year the dogs were shown at the All-Union Exhibition of Economy Achievements (Moscow) where they received high marks from experts. In 1957 43 Black Terriers took part in the All-Union Exhibition of Service and Hunting Dogs. They attracted many of professional breeders, and the breed group was recognized as having future potential. Later that year the 2nd and 3rd generations Black Terriers were first time released to private dog owners who praised the dog's qualities and continued their breeding. In 1979 the Red Star Kennel and Army Navy and Fleet Volunteer Support Organization (DOSAAF) approved the standard for the Black Terrier breed. More than 800 litters have been received by that time, and the majority of more than 4000 puppies were recognized to be in compliance with standard. As the dogs of the breed group reached a relatively high exterior level, became more noble and uniform in type, a new standard which would recognize the Black Terrier breed was proposed.

The Black Terrier became a breed in 1985.
In the early 1970s the first batch of Black Terriers were exported to Finland, later spreading all over Europe and becoming popular as a Russian rarity. In the early 1980s Black Terriers debuted in international dog shows, and the breed standard was approved by the FCI under number 327. The latest breed standard was approved by the Red Star Kennel and the Central Club of Service Dogs in 1992. The dog was then renamed Black Russian Terrier, which is the name it is known by in the West. The new standard differs from that of FCI in the height parameters. The male standard height is 68-72cm+2cm, while the female standard height is 66-70cm+2cm. Deviations from the standard are considered damaging to the breeding quality of the dog.

Neck, Topline, and Body
Neck: The neck should be thick, muscular and powerful. Length is not to be excessive. There should be no pendulous or excessive dewlap. The length of the neck and the length of the head should be approximately the same. An excessively thick neck is considered a fault.
Body: The whole structure of the body should give the impression of strength.
The chest is deep and wide. The shape should be oval and reach to the elbows or a little below. The withers are high, pronounced and well developed. The topline is level and straight.
The loin is short. The abdomen is well tucked up and firm. Withers are higher than and sloping into the level back.
Croup is wide, muscular, moderately long slightly sloping toward the high tail set.
Tail is set high, thick and docked with 3 to 5 vertebrae left. An undocked tail is not to be penalized.

Forequarters
Shoulders should be large and muscular, well developed with blades broad and sloping. The shoulders should be well laid back. The angle between the shoulder blades and the upper arm is at a 100 to 110 degree. Shoulders are well muscled. The forelegs are straight and well boned. The elbows must turn neither in nor out while standing or moving. The forelegs are straight and muscular. Pasterns are short and almost vertical. Length of the front leg to the elbow should be about 53 to 54 percent of the dog's height.
Feet are large, compact, and rounded in shape. The pads of the feet are thick and firm. Nails are short and dark. Rear dewclaws could be removed.

Hindquarters
Viewed from the rear the legs are straight and parallel, set slightly wider than the forelegs. The hindquarters are well boned and muscular with good angulation. The stifle is long and sloping. The thighs are muscular. The hocks are well let down, long and vertical when standing.

Coat
Tousled, double coat. The texture of the outer coat is coarse. The undercoat is thick and soft. Length of coat should vary from 1½ to 4 inches and cover the entire body. It is a pronounced tousled coat rather than wiry or curly.

Presentation
Presentation of the breed in the show ring, the dogs outline is clearly defined. The dogs will be trimmed but should not appear to be sculpted. Ears: hair should be trimmed inside and outside the ear. The ears will lay flat to the side of the head. Forehead: Just behind the eyebrows the hair is to be shaved or cut very short so as to make what appears to be a platform. The rest of the forehead is trimmed so that the shorter hairs will blend with the longer hairs of the muzzle. This forms a "cap" which should help define length of back skull. Looking from the top of the head it should give the appearance of a "brick". The fringe from the eyebrows is brushed forward and blends with the beard and muzzle. This blending of hair should look from the side like a "triangle". Neck: The front of the neck from the throat to the point of shoulder should be shaved or scissored short. The hair on the back of the neck should appear to have a mane down to the withers. Topline: is trimmed from the withers to the tail so that when viewed from the side it appears level. The hair from the back should then blend down the sides of the dog. It is stressed that there should be no distinct lines or scissors marks.

Color
The only acceptable colors for the Black Russian Terrier is black or black with a few gray hairs. Any other color is to be considered a disqualification.

Gait
A Black Russian Terrier should move freely with a smooth easy springy motion. The motion should be well-balanced and fluid. As the Black Russian Terrier moves faster the feet will converge toward a centerline. The topline should remain level.

Temperament
The character and temperament of the Black Russian Terrier is of utmost importance. The Black Russian Terrier is a calm, confident, and courageous dog with a self-assurance which sometimes is rather aloof toward strangers. They are highly intelligent, extremely reliable. They were bred to guard and protect. The behavior in the show ring should be controlled, willing, adaptable, and trained to submit to examination.

Disqualifications
Any dog or bitch under 26 inches
Nose other than black
Undershot or overshot bite
Any color other than black.

AKC Approved: June 11, 2001
Effective: September 1, 2001

This standard is currently under review and is being revised (07-08)