OK, this has got to be a great question for your next trivia night. Name three dog breeds that come from Russia.
How did you go? You might have got the Siberian Husky (Siberia in the name is pretty much a give-away) and perhaps even the Borzoi, after the famous Russian ballet.
But did you know that some other dog breeds are considered native to Russia, including the Samoyed?
On this page, we have gathered a list of the intriguing dog breeds that come from Russia, along with some interesting facts about Russian dogs.
The range of Russian dog breeds are as vast and diverse as the country and people itself. Some of them, like the Central Asian Shepherd are one of the ancient dog breeds, with a history that can be traced back over 5,000 years. Others, like the Russian Toy are much younger breeds, designed for those living in cities and apartments.
The most popular Russian dog breeds are the Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Borzoi and Black Russian Terrier. But several other fascinating breeds exist, most of which are not well known outside the country, including the Moscow Watchdog, Laika, Caucasian Sheepdog, Russian Toy Terrier, and the Sulimov (a dog crossbred with a jackal).
While most Russian breeds were bred as working dogs (including hunting, guarding and police dogs), there are some wonderful pets on the list as well.
- Samoyeds, affectionately known as Sammies, are big dogs that were bred to hunt, pull sleds and herd reindeer. Sammies are positive, vibrant, and enthusiastic and always look like they are smiling.
- The Borzoi is a calm, elegant large sighthound that is also one of the five fastest dog breeds in the world. They can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.
- The Black Russian Terrier is one of the smartest and the fiercest working dogs to originate from Russia. But that doesn’t stop them from being affectionate and wonderful pets. Their waterproof double coat means they can live and work anywhere.
- The Moscow Watchdog is a crossbreed of the Saint Bernard and Caucasian Shepherd. These massive dogs can weigh up to 150 pounds but are highly active and need lots of exercise.
- The Franszuskaya Bolonka is one of Russia’s lap dogs. Its white coat was inspired by popular French dogs, such as the Bichon Frise and Toy Poodle.
- The Russian Toy is the ultimate Russian lapdog. They were originally developed in Russia from the English Toy Terrier and are almost as small as the Chihuahua.
So, if you are looking for dogs that are strong, loyal, and intelligent, take a look at our list and you might just find your next pup coming from Russia, with love.