Russian Doodle Terrier: Black Russian Terrier & Poodle Mix
Height: | 22-28 inches |
Weight: | 65-110 pounds |
Lifespan: | 10-12 years |
Colors: | Black, gray, brown, red, cream, white |
Suitable for: | Active families with children, those needing a guard dog, experienced dog parents, dog owners capable of managing a large dog, those with dog allergies |
Temperament: | Very intelligent, Deeply loyal, Strong and confident, Affectionate towards family, Loves kids |
Finding the best dog for you and your family can be tough. There are so many desirable traits you could want, and even more breeds available than you may know what to do with. But what if you could have it all in a single dog?
The Russian Doodle Terrier is one of those rare breeds that may fit the bill. Bred by crossing a Standard Poodle and a Black Russian Terrier, this pup can check most of — if not all — the boxes you’re looking for in a family pet.
They’re deeply loyal to their families and absolutely love children, quickly developing a protective, nurturing nature towards them. Russian Doodles are also quite active and thoroughly enjoy having friends and playmates to romp around with.
Another joy to owning a Russian Doodle is their above-average intelligence. Standard Poodles are among the smartest dog breeds, and this pooch definitely inherits that quality. They can have a bit of a stubborn streak while training, but that’s easily overcome with strong positive reinforcement.
And like the Poodle, the Russian Doodle is hypoallergenic. This means that their coats are very low shedding and don’t bother people with allergies as much as other breeds may.
The Russian Doodle is an amazing dog for those looking for a well-rounded family dog who can truly do it all.
What is a Russian Doodle Terrier?
The majestic looking Russian Doodle Terrier brings the smarts of the Standard Poodle together with loyal, protective nature of the Black Russian Terrier for a wonderful family dog who loves playing with the kids, taking in walks or runs with his owner and generally just hanging out with his people.
The Russian Doodle Terrier is the offspring of the intelligent Standard Poodle and the protective Black Russian Terrier.
Origin
As a designer dog, the Russian Doodle Terrier most likely dates back to the 1980s when breeders first begin mixing pure-bred dogs to produce puppies that carried the desired traits of both parent breeds – typically a healthier, smaller, hypo-allergenic or gentler form of a popular breed.
Pedigree
The Russian Doodle Terrier’s mixed breed status means he doesn’t qualify to be a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) however his parent breeds are both members in good standing. The Poodle joined AKCs “sporting” group in 1887 while the Black Russian Terrier was named to AKC’s “working” group in 2004.
How easy are Russian Doodle Terrier to train?
Russian Doodles are very smart dogs and can be very easy to train. However, they may have a stubborn streak at first. Don’t look at this as a sign of low intelligence though. In fact, your Russian Doodle may actually be just testing you and the limitations you put forward. But with strong positive reinforcement, they’ll quickly learn who the master is.
You’ll also need to start with socialization training as soon as possible. Their overprotective nature can quickly get out of hand if no efforts are taken to curb this trait when they’re younger.
Diet and Nutrition
The Russian Doodle Terrier is a large-sized dog who is fairly active and the food you choose should reflect this. Opt for a top quality, nutrient-rich kibble that meets his age, size and activity levels and is high in protein / low in fillers such as carbs. As he comes from two breeds that can experience joint issues later in life you need to keep him fit and trim so plan to feed 2 to 3 meals daily (versus free feeding) and because Poodles can be prone to digestive issues, choose a food that is lower in fat.
The Russian Doodle Terrier is a loving family dog with a highly protective nature.
How would you describe the temperament of Russian Doodle Terrier?
Your Russian Doodle Terrier is a loyal, loving family dog who does well with kids and other pets alike. He is highly intelligent and with this comes a stubborn streak that can make him a challenge to train, but worth the effort. His strong protective instinct means he has great watch- or guard-dog potential however will need early socialization to ensure he can get along well with new faces and animals. This handsome boy does best when he has a job to do or is kept busy because boredom can lead to destructive behaviors.
How Big do Russian Doodle Terrier Get?
Your Russian Doodle Terrier will be a big dog and weigh in the range of 65 to 110 pounds once he reaches adulthood.
How healthy are Russian Doodle Terrier?
Overall, the Russian Doodle is a healthy pooch. They’re not as susceptible to heart problems or liver issues as some other dogs. But they do have a few issues that you should be concerned with. First, they may become arthritic or develop joint problems. This is, in part, due to their genetic ancestry and also just the fact that they are large dogs in general. Another issue that you need to keep a watchful eye out for is bloat.
Bloat can become a serious issue if not treated or prevented. To minimize the chances of bloat, feed them smaller meals at regular intervals instead of all their food at once and minimize their exercise immediately after eating.
Serious Conditions
- Patellar luxation
- Bloat
Minor Conditions
- Skin allergies
- Cataracts
How active are Russian Doodle Terrier?
Russian Doodles are pretty active pups and require daily exercise. We recommend ensuring that your pooch gets at least 1.5 hours of exercise each and every day. And if you have a fenced-in yard, they’ll absolutely love running around and goofing off in it. Either that, or you’ll find them constantly alert and patrolling their domain to ensure no strangers attempt any funny business.
How long will Russian Doodle Terrier live?
The average life span of a Russian Doodle Terrier is 10 to 12 years.
Recognized Clubs
Although the Russian Doodle Terrier doesn’t make the American Kennel Club (AKC) list of purebreds, he is a member of the Designer Breed Registry (DBR) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
Although the Russian Doodle doesn’t shed too much and is hypoallergenic, that’s not to say that they don’t need any grooming. In fact, they should be brushed as often as possible to prevent knots or matting within their hair. Once a day will suffice.
Also, they’re floppy-eared dogs which means that you’ll need to spend special attention on their ears. It’s easy for bacteria or other scum to get trapped within and cause complications. But a wipe down with a damp towel and thorough drying is usually all it takes to keep your pup’s ears healthy.
Puppies
Russian Doodle Terrier pups will grow into big dogs that can have an over-protective nature when it comes to their family. Early socialization is crucial for this dog and should begin when he is a puppy. As both parent breeds can be prone to joint issues, take it easy when exercising and leash training this pup. Over-stressing tiny limbs can result in joint problems later in life.
Male vs Female
When it comes to male vs female in this breed, there are very few noticeable differences. Female Russian Doodles do tend to be a bit smaller than the males and are less territorial. Other than that, particularities in your pup will be much more determined by which parent breed they resemble more, both in personality and in looks.
Related Questions
What’s the Price of Russian Doodle Terrier Puppies?
Russian Doodles aren’t the cheapest of breeds around. You can usually locate one from a reputable dealer for around $2,500-$3,000. However, that normally covers just the upfront cost of the puppy. You’ll need to pick up appropriate bedding, food, and toys which will tack on an additional charge.
Keep in mind that they can also be a relatively expensive dog to maintain as well. And that’s because of two factors: their size and their potential health issues.
They are a large dog and will ultimately require much more food per day than smaller breeds. This means you will end up spending substantially more on dog food in the long run. Also, each of the parent breeds has a genetic history of joint problems. And this can result in more frequent vet trips if these issues present themselves.
So before buying your Russian Doodle, be sure to check their parentage from the breeder to see which genetic conditions may manifest in the future.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The Russian Doodle does well with other pets, particularly when socialized at an early age. While they are part terrier, they don’t exhibit ultra-high prey drives that many other terriers possess. This means that they’re more likely to develop a loving relationship with other pets rather than attack them.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
This is an excellent family dog. The Russian Doodle is absolutely great with all family members including other pets and children. They especially love children! You wouldn’t imagine them as a nanny dog, however, there’s a natural instinct they possess that keeps “their” children close to their hearts.
Final Thoughts
When properly trained, the Russian Doodle can truly be an ideal family dog. They’re loving, playful, and just great with children. And when the time comes to be protective, they won’t hesitate to defend those they love. They’re hypoallergenic, which minimizes health concerns for several owners. And despite their size, they can cope very well with apartment living provided they get their daily exercise.
All-in-all, the Russian Doodle is a great dog, and any family would be lucky to have one join their pack.