Russian Dog Breeds

Dog breeds that are native to Russia have had a long relationship with humans, having survived both the extreme climate and the tumultuous past of the country. It is home to some of the best-known working dogs, like the Caucasian Shepherd, while smaller breeds, like the Russkiy Toy, also come from here.

Most of the large dogs from Russia have thick coats and muscular bodies, so they can fight the bitter cold and still work tirelessly. Even though their rugged appearance might put some people off, they make intelligent, affectionate, and fiercely loyal pets.

Russian Dog Breeds

List of Dog Breeds from Russia

Small Dogs

Medium Dogs

Large Dogs

Another breed to mention would be the Sulimov dog, a hybrid of the Nenets Herding Laika and golden jackal, bred in Russia as a working dog with a superior sense of smell.

Brief History of Dogs in Russia

Siberian indigenous people like the Yukaghir and Chukchi have been known to breed dogs to help them hunt, collect food, and guard their homes. These dogs are known to be the ancestors of many present-day breeds from Russia, including the famous Siberian Husky. The breed itself is from Siberia in the northeastern region of Asia, but it comes from the Chukotka Sled Dog bred by the Chukchi people from Russia.

The 1600s and 1700s saw the need for more refined dogs fit to be with royalty and aristocrats. Small and toy dogs like Maltese (France) entered the country as they were often presented to the royal family. So, Russian breeders started to work on creating smaller dogs to suit this changed requirement.

Breeding was on hold as the country dealt with the Revolution of 1905, the First World War (1914-1918), and the Russian Civil War (1917). Many native breeds would have been lost forever without the efforts of dedicated breeders. Most of the effort was expended on breeding larger, cold-hardy working dogs, as toy dogs weren’t favored by most, as they were seen as a symbol of luxury.

Today, both small and large dogs from Russia, with their unique personalities and display of loyalty, have found their way to the heart of their humans.

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