07 Aug About Colja
Colja, Black Russian Terrier
“We definitely can’t have a dog,” said the world’s best husband three years ago. And then came the decisive follow-up sentence: “If we do, then at most a real one that also looks after us.” Ha!!! There it was, the little finger that I immediately grabbed. So if it’s a guard dog, then it’s okay? Mega. Dobermans, Rottweilers, German shepherds and the like just aren’t my cup of tea. But many years ago I saw the perfect dog on the street and fell in love with the breed: the Black Russian Terrier.
It looks fluffy, but appearances are deceptive.
In the 1940s, this breed was crossed by the Russian military from around 20 breeds to create the perfect, stable, robust and fearless dog.
This was quite successful.
Only the grooming of his coat was too time-consuming for a working dog.
When I suggested this breed to my favorite person, he said, “Well, if you can find one like that, I guess I could go with you.”
Ha!
Three hours later I knew which German breeder of Black Russian Terriers had the only litter that was almost ready to be sold.
The next day we had our first viewing appointment (a four-hour drive) and another two weeks later he was lying in my arms and was already bigger than a cocker spaniel.
Regular, varied training is extremely important for the Black Russian Terrier so that the dog is controllable and well socialized at all times.
He is not a racer, but he can still jump off at lightning speed if he is very interested in something.
With his weight (he now weighs well over 50 kilos), this can be unpleasant if it happens unexpectedly on the lead.
And he has watchdog genes.
You should never forget that!
If you just leave him uncontrolled in the yard for hours on end, he will do his job at some point!
And our Colja tested from day one whether HE might not be the boss in our pack.
We – especially me – had to learn a lot!
With professional help, a lot of love, patience and consistency, I have developed my leadership qualities and am now no longer questioned by my dog as “tour guide”.
I have to be a bit vigilant when I meet dogs.
As long as everyone walks past each other in a civilized manner and all dogs and people behave politely, our Colja is the most relaxed dog ever, walks on a loose lead and is a real model pupil.
What our Colja doesn’t like at all, however, is being mobbed by other – usually small – dogs on the lead.
Then he turns around, barks (which sometimes sounds a bit scary to outsiders) and reprimands the little bully.
And I have a hard time holding him, because he weighs almost as much as I do and – unlike me – has four-wheel drive.
We now use a so-called Halti, which is very helpful and also gives me confidence in unexpected situations.
But we still have to work on this “construction site” and are doing so, so that at some point it will work out without a halter.
The Halti, which is woven from fabric, is placed around the muzzle like a halter on a horse and ensures that you can very gently influence the dog’s line of vision via the front muzzle.
You don’t have to pull and tug on the collar, but the dog immediately notices the slightest impulse.
However, this must of course be carefully introduced and practiced.
And that is the basic prerequisite: that you use the Halti very sensitively and with almost imperceptible impulses and don’t tug at it, which can be very unpleasant for the dog and in extreme cases even harmful.
For me and my black Russian terrier, the Halti is the way to a relaxed walk, because when he notices that I am relaxed (and doesn’t have to worry about being knocked over by him), then he is also relaxed.
Otherwise, it is important to try out which leisure activity your dog likes best.
My Colja, for example, doesn’t like going into the water at all and he also finds dull retrieving games stupid.
But search games, mantrailing and balancing (slowly) over equipment in the dog park are great ways to keep him busy.
We also regularly practise zoo visits with him.
I’ve put together a few training sequences for you in this video.
Tugging games and anything to do with attacking, testing strength etc. are taboo for our dog.
The Black Russian Terrier has a natural protective instinct that does not need to be trained and should not be!
I made a little video where you can see what we practise every day on the walk.
We take our Colja with us as often as possible, to hotels, restaurants (we always ask beforehand if it’s okay), to work or even to a first aid course, like here – you never know.
Now that he’s a good three years old, he’s really a very relaxed, contented, calm dog who doesn’t bother anyone, doesn’t jump up at anyone and stays in his assigned spot until you release him.
It took a bit of time and a lot of work, but now we are a bit proud of him.
Incidentally, we decided against neutering him, even though many of our dog-owning friends had advised us to do so.
But you catapult the dog hormonally into retirement age, which can have a negative effect on the development of the bones and joints.
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