The origin of the breed and the standard of the exterior of the Moscow guard dog, character and health, advice on care, interesting facts about the breed. Puppy cost. The breed of Moscow watchdogs has long become one of the most beloved in the CIS. A strong, balanced and easy-to-care dog that feels equally great both in the snow-covered frosty Siberia and in the middle latitudes, capable of being an excellent guard and a benevolent friend. The animal is both incredibly formidable for an intruder and capable of being a caring nanny for a child. Whoever has seen at least once how this huge dog carefully lifts a fallen baby by the sliders or dashingly rolls children on a sled will forever get rid of fear of this giant.
The history of the creation of the Moscow watchdog
This breed is entirely the creation of human hands. Moscow Watchdog was born quite recently, in the 50s of the XX century, thanks to the painstaking work of many scientists, breeders and dog handlers of the Soviet Union.
But back to the background. After the end of World War II, which rolled like a fiery roller across most of the European territory of the USSR, the country lay in ruin and was in dire need of service and guard dogs. The livestock that existed in the pre-war years was almost completely exterminated by the war.
It was in these difficult years for the state that the management of the Krasnaya Zvezda (Krasnaya Zvezda) service dog kennel near Moscow (now this kennel is located in the Moscow region, near the city of Dmitrov) received a government assignment from the USSR Ministry of Defense to select several service species at once. So, the kennel was ordered the following large breeds: "Moscow watchdog", "black terrier" (better known as "Stalin's dog"), "Moscow diver" and even - "Moscow dog". All these dogs were badly needed to carry out security and sentry services and perform various official functions in a variety of natural and climatic conditions.
To solve this difficult task at the disposal of the nursery were transferred single specimens of animals exotic for the USSR breeds. These were dogs: Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Newfoundland and St. Bernard, brought as trophies from defeated Germany. Also in the selection it was supposed to use the Caucasian and German shepherd dogs, breeds of Russian greyhounds and hounds. However, the idea of creating a "Moscow Great Dane" was quickly abandoned. Although the "Moscow diver" was created (and even was presented at the first post-war All-Union exhibition in Moscow in 1958), it did not receive its further development as a service dog. Thus, the main finishing breeds of the kennel were: "Black Terrier" and "Moscow Watchdog".
The selection of representatives of the latter species was carried out under the guidance of professor-biologist N. A. Ilyin and the head of the breeding nursery N. I. Bortnikov, under the general leadership of the commander of the "Krasnaya Zvezda" Major General G. P. Medvedev.
Military breeders were faced with the task of obtaining a large, powerful, but mobile animal, possessing the necessary guarding qualities, simple to train and unpretentious in care and maintenance, capable of withstanding low and high temperatures. To create a new species, the starting breeds were selected: St. Bernard, Caucasian Shepherd Dog and Russian Pied Hound. Subsequently (due to the small amount of breeding material), inbreeding (closely related crossing) of the descendants of the first and second generations was applied.
In addition to developing the exterior of the animal, all descendants obtained from crossing underwent the necessary training to identify working protective qualities. Dogs "weak" in terms of working talents were also eliminated. The first working specimens of a new species of guard dog (with fairly stable signs of the same type of exterior) were presented to a wide circle of dog breeders in 1950 at the 14th city exhibition-show of service dog breeding in Moscow.
In the future, breeders sought to obtain a unique look of the Moscow watchdog, which would be significantly different from the original breeds and was easily visually recognizable. To this end, the blood of a German shepherd was also poured into the breed, and experiments were also carried out with docking the tail and ears of the animal. The final version of the exterior was received only in the mid-50s of the last century and remains unchanged to this day.
In 1958, the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel presented 28 new guard dogs at the regular service dog show. In the same 1958 in the "Catalog of the 22nd Moscow City Dog Show" for the month of May, the standard of the "Moscow Watchdog" was published. In 1967, the first dog-champion appeared (Champion of the USSR Exhibition of Economic Achievements in 1967), a seven-year-old dog named Orslan. It was he who became the first elite breeding dog of this breed.
Later in the kennel "Krasnaya Zvezda" was organized the distribution of puppies of the new Soviet variety in other kennels, as well as in the hands of experienced amateur dog breeders (through the city clubs of service dog breeding). And although the new dogs quickly gained popularity among specialists, the true recognition of the created species as a full-fledged breed occurred only in 1985.
In 1990, the All-Union Moscow Watchdog Club was created in the capital of Russia (in 1992, with the liquidation of the USSR, it was renamed the All-Russian National Club under the auspices of the Russian Cynological Federation). In 1992 and 1997 there were changes in the standard.
In April 2008, the breed (with the introduction of refinements to the standard) was officially approved by the International Cynological Federation (FCI) in the Molossian category.
Purpose and use of the Moscow guard dog
The main task of the "Muscovites" living on the territory of the CIS is their direct vocation - the protection of the house and the estate. Much less often, this large watchman can be found in a city apartment as a show dog or a pet. Even owners who have real champion dogs try to keep them in special enclosures or in the courtyard of a country house. So the dog is more comfortable, and the owner is more free. The use of dogs of this breed by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation as guard dogs for the protection of military facilities was noted.
External standard of the Moscow watchdog
The representative of the breed is a fairly large dog, proportional in build, with a rough wide-bodied body, it is not for nothing that FCI classifies it as a Molossian. The growth of the largest individuals of the variety sometimes reaches values that significantly exceed the requirements of the international standard, which determines the height at the withers, 77–78 centimeters (for males) and 72–73 centimeters (for bitches). With weight - the same picture: from 55 kg and above - in males and 45 kg and above - for females.
- Head large, voluminous, with a wide powerful skull, quite harmonious with the constitution. The forehead is wide and convex, with a shallow longitudinal groove. The occipital protuberance and superciliary arches are developed, but the protuberance is difficult to visually discern due to the well-developed muscles. The stop (transition from the forehead to the muzzle) is short, sharp, deep. The muzzle is slightly shorter than the cranial part of the head, wide, blunt and voluminous in the region of the eye sockets, with well-developed cheekbones. The lips are dense and thick, overlapping the lower jaw, without wings, and are black in color. The bridge of the nose is wide, almost straight. The nose is wide and large, black in color. The jaws are powerful and broad, with a strong bite. The teeth are large, white, with large canines. Scissor bite. Broken canines or incisors are not considered a disadvantage (as with all fighting, guard and herding dogs).
- Eyes round, small in size, deep set, wide, straight set. The color of the eyes is dark (brown or dark brown). The eyes are calm, confident and not fussy.
- Ears set above eye level, small in size, triangular-rounded, hanging (on the cartilage), touching the front edge of the cheekbones.
- Neck very strong and muscular, rather high set, with a slight dewlap. The scruff of the animal is well defined.
- Torso the Moscow watchdog has a light Molossian type, slightly elongated format, perfectly balanced, strong, with a strong skeleton. The chest is developed, deep, long and wide. The back is strong, muscular, broad and straight. The withers are distinctly expressed, high and wide (the withers are especially developed in males, which visually easily distinguishes them from females). The croup is wide, of moderate length, sloping, strong. The belly is moderately tucked up.
- Tail in set, it is a continuation of the croup, thick and rather long (up to the hock), evenly covered with long hair. In a calm state, the tail is lowered; when the dog is excited, it acquires a crescent shape and rises to a level above the back.
- Limbs straight and parallel, with large and round paws. They are strong and durable, with a good balance of ligaments and musculature. The paws are formed "into a lump", arched, with strong fleshy pads and large claws (the color of the claws is different).
- Wool long, very dense, with warm undercoat and straight guard hair. The fur on the head and forelegs is the shortest. There are back "feathering" on the limbs, a lush "mane" around the neck (especially lush in males). A "wave" can go along the fur in the area of the thighs, waist and croup. The tail is pubescent more or less evenly.
- Color Moscow guard dogs are allowed very different, but usually associated with the pedigree origin of the ancestors ("Muscovite" is more often similar to St. Bernard or "Caucasian"). The standard provides for the following colors: orange piebald, spotted (white with red spots, red with black spots, black with red spots) and sable. The color must have the presence of reddish tones and spots. The coat on the chest of the animal, most likely with a predominance of white (this is the main color of the "Muscovite" color). The limbs from the knee and elbow down, including the legs, should also be snow-white. Blackness on the ears, dark "glasses" around the eyes, or a completely black "mask" on the animal's face is considered preferable.
Characteristics of the behavior of the guard dog breed
The breed, which so successfully combined the exterior of its progenitors: the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the St. Bernard, inherited their working qualities quite differently in character from both, possessing its own uniqueness.
So, the "Muscovite" is much more active in protection, tolerates heat well and does not suffer from cold in winter. She is more mobile, but does not strive to escape (as it certainly happens with a "Caucasian" chained). The dog is smart, disciplined, always confident in its abilities, independent in decisions (but without exaggeration towards disobedience). He is quite sympathetic to the presence of other dogs (and even cats) in the house and does not strive for indispensable dominance in relationships or for the manifestation of aggression. Get along well with family members and especially well with children and the elderly.
When performing security functions, the "Muscovite" is not lazy and equally vigilant guards the house and property day and night. Hearing, sight, flair and protective instincts of the animal are perfectly developed, and the special mobility of a large guard allows one animal to guard a rather vast territory.
In a relationship with the owner and family members, the dog is very affectionate and caring. He behaves carefully and carefully with small children and is absolutely not aggressive in manifestations. Moreover, bitches are much more friendly and attentive to children than males and more like big shaggy nannies, concerned only with caring for a little man, sometimes to the detriment of their guard duties (which is why the owner often has to have another guard dog). And this despite the fact that it is believed that "Muscovites" are more vigilant and zealous watchmen than dogs.
A large, formidable-looking Muscovite dog, possessing a balanced and obedient character, excellent protective inclinations, capable of both frightening off and protecting is, while not requiring special priorities in content (and even eating much less, in comparison with other wolfhounds) - it is practically the standard of a guard dog. This is a wonderful reliable friend who vigilantly guards your peace.
Moscow watchdog breed health
The life expectancy of a "Muscovite" is not very long and rarely exceeds 9 years. Although often from the owners we hear about a much shorter age of these dogs, not exceeding 6 years. And this despite the fact that this pet grows up slowly - only by the age of 3, reaching adulthood.
Due to the closely related inbreeding as a result of which the Moscow Watchdog was created, there is a predisposition to dysplasia of the hip and elbow joints, causing serious harm to the health of the dog. Often, veterinarians note the breed's predisposition to the development of allergies (including food allergies), as well as obesity with an improperly organized diet and inadequate walking of the animal.
Moscow Watchdog Care Tips
Caring for representatives of this breed is quite simple and fits well into the standard rules. In general, a working dog, as it was originally created, so as not to often run after it with a brush in hand. But this is only true for working guard dogs.
If the dog has an exhibition purpose, then you will have to sweat with combing and bathing (the dog's size is rather big). And then it is better to make up the diet from holistic class feeds or, at least super-premium class, use the highest quality multivitamins and other tricks. After all, your dog should be the best! However, there is nothing new here or going against the care of, for example, the same thoroughbred champion - St. Bernard or Newfoundland.
Features of training and education of the Moscow watchdog
The Moscow watchdog lends itself well to training, but an experienced dog handler should supervise the training process.
Interesting facts about the Moscow watchdog
In connection with the increasing rumors about the increased aggressiveness and danger of the Moscow Watchdog breed, the All-Russian National Club of this breed carried out a special study, which revealed that:
- manifestations of aggression towards other dogs "Muscovites" show only in 44% of cases, and in 37% of dogs this aggression is poorly expressed;
- aggressiveness towards humans is more inherent in males (39%) than in females (about 23%);
- manifestation of hostility towards humans is significantly expressed only in 31% of dogs of this breed, weakly expressed aggression also does not exceed 31%;
- resentment towards children (strangers) is present in a weak form in 55% of individuals and is completely absent in 13% of the breed;
- aggression of the breed towards its owner in a weak expression was noted only in 6% of dogs.
Price when buying a puppy from Moscow watchdog
A variety of these representatives of the canine has long and firmly settled in the territory of the former Soviet Union. The largest breeders are located in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Stavropol, Yekaterinburg) and in Ukraine (Kiev, Lugansk). Of the foreign nurseries, the most famous nurseries are: "Russian Bear" (Czech Republic) and a nursery with a strange name "Al Qaeda" (Poland).
The cost of a pedigree puppy of an average level in Russia ranges from 20,000 to 65,000 rubles and above.
For more information on the Moscow Watchdog breed, see here:
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