Black Russian Terrier health: what owners should know
Conditions the Black Russian Terrier is known to be prone to, breeder screening and everyday habits that help.
Two inherited conditions stand out because DNA tests exist for both: hyperuricosuria, which makes bladder stones more likely, and juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy, a nerve disorder that appears in young dogs. Hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, some heart conditions and bloat are also recognized in the breed.
Request hip and elbow scores, DNA results for both tested conditions, and recent eye and heart checks for the parents. Keep your dog lean throughout life. Seek emergency care for signs of bloat, and see a vet promptly for straining to urinate or blood in the urine, noisy breathing, a changed bark, stumbling, or lameness that does not resolve within a couple of days.
Numbers worth knowing
Life expectancy
10 to 12 yrs
Senior care
Individual assessment
age alone does not define care needs
Typical breed weight
45 to 60 kg