Top Russian Dog Breeds

Think of Russia and pictures of vast landscapes, from the icy Siberian wilderness to the beautiful architecture of cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg (and of course the Vodka) pop up. And when you think of Russia and dogs, the majestic Siberian Husky in the ice-capped mountains probably gets painted in your head. But after you’re done with this article, it won’t be the only Russian dog you know. 

Russia has had a very interesting history with dogs. The country has achieved some significant milestones when it comes to dogs. Laika, possibly a part husky and part terrier stray dog, became the first dog to orbit the Earth in 1957 (before Yuri Gagarin became the first spaceman in 1961). She never made it back to Earth but did make it to the history books. Belka and Strelka, two other Russian dogs, carried Laika’s legacy forward by orbiting Earth 17 times and coming back alive in 1960. ⁽¹⁾

Remember the famous scientist Ivan Pavlov (classical conditioning experiment)? Well, half the credit for his successful experiment does go to the two dogs that took part in it. Russian, again. The earliest well-preserved remains of a “pet” dog—dating back 33,000 years, were discovered in the Russian part of the Altai Mountains as well. 

Aren’t you more intrigued to know about some of the top Russian dog breeds now? Won’t make you wait any longer. Here are some of the top Russian dog breeds – ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾

Black Russian Terrier

Height – 26–30 inches

Weight – 80–130 pounds

30% terrier and the rest a mix of Rottweiler and Newfoundland, the Black Russian Terrier was developed to patrol the fences of borders, prisons and military buildings. Nowadays, you’ll find them more as a protective and loyal companion though. 

Borzoi 

Height – 26–30 inches

Weight – 60-105 pounds

Also known as the Russian Wolfhound, Borzoi is one of the fastest dog breeds in the world (they better be as the name itself means ‘fast’ in archaic Russian). With speed comes a high prey drive and emotional sensitivity. You’ll be able to recognize these dogs by their distinct long noses. 

Siberian Husky

Height – 20–24 inches

Weight – 35–60 pounds

Undoubtedly one of the most popular dog breeds, the Siberian Husky has earned a great reputation for being able to withstand sub-zero temperatures and pulling sleds in the harshest climates over long distances without stopping for a breath. You should read about Togo, the dog who led a team of other dogs to deliver lifesaving medication to Alaska by traveling more than 600 miles. These dogs are energetic, affectionate, and mischievous. 

Samoyed 

Height – 19-24 inches

Weight – 35 – 65 pounds

The breed with a beautiful smile permanently stuck on its face, Samoyed, is yet another highly popular dog breed in the world. These white, cloud-like, dogs will make you believe in love at first sight if you don’t. They are very affectionate and love to interact with humans. They come with loads of energy, especially the young ones. So, leaving them alone for a long time may not be the best idea. But who wants to stay away from such a beautiful and adorable dog for long anyway? 

Caucasian Shepherd

Height – 20-30 inches

Weight -100-170 pounds

The watchdogs of farms, homes, livestock and families of Eastern Europe’s Kavkaz (Caucasus) mountains, Caucasian Shepherds are fearless and bold. They are very intelligent as well. They do not come with a lot of energy but yet won’t really be a great option for an apartment-style living. They can grow up to be pretty big and would need a lot of space to roam around. 

East European Shepherd

Height – 24-28 inches

Weight – 75-105 pounds

Take a German Shepherd and make its coat thick enough to bear the cold and harsh conditions of the military and you’ll get an East European Shepherd. This larger and thicker version was developed by mixing German Shepherds with Ovcharkas and Laikas in the 1920s. They are fearless, confident and intelligent. You won’t find them easily in the States though. 

Russian Toy 

Height – 8-11 inches

Weight – 6-7 pounds

The newest dog breed on the Russian block and one of the smallest in the world, the Russian Toy was recognized by AKC only in 2022. However, it was popular among the Russian aristocrats during the 18^th century. They’ll remind you of Chihuahuas, just that these dogs are friendlier and more outgoing. 

West Siberian Laika

Height – 20-24 inches

Weight – 40-55 pounds

There’s East Siberian Laika and then there’s West Siberian Laika. They look identical but the eastern counterparts are thinner. They were initially used as hunters. They come with a wolf-like appearance and show similar traits as well – fearless, bold and fast. They form deep bonds with their owners and would do anything to defend them. 

Central Asian Shepherd

Height – 25-28 inches

Weight – 88-110 pounds

One of the most ancient dog breeds around, the Central Asian Shepherd breed has evidence of origin going back 5000 years. These dogs were not a result of selective breeding but a natural evolution from across Central Asia rather than one specific country.  They are willful, confident, energetic and very protective of their owners. 

While these are the most common dog breeds from Russia, there are more. They include Moscow Watchdog, Russkaya Tsvetnaya Bolonka, Russian Spaniel, South Russian Shepherd Dog, Sulimov, West Siberian Laika, and Yakutian Laika. Most of the dogs you see come from a working background as that was the need back then, especially during WWII. However, some breeders did make an effort to develop toy and lap dogs. 

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