Московская сторожевая: фото, описание породы, характер собаки

The Moscow watch dog breed has been one of the most popular among Russian owners for 60 years. Massive and impressive dimensions, which are combined with kindness and loyalty to the owner, always captivate and distinguish dogs of this breed from many others.

Московская сторожевая

Photo of Moscow watchdog | dreamtime.com

Brief description of the breed Moscow watchdog

Dogs of this breed are distinguished by high growth (as a rule, not less than 70 cm), large weight (at least 45 kg), well-developed muscles and strong bones. Males are larger than females of this breed. Most often, the color of the Moscow Watchdog breed is white with dark patches (black, brown, red). Dogs of this breed have characteristic hanging ears and a wide muzzle, thick hair and large teeth. The life expectancy of dogs of this breed is 10-13 years. The Moscow watchdog was bred by crossing other breeds: St. Bernard, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Russian Pinto Hound. The main purpose for which breeders tried so hard is the adaptability of the breed to Russian (sometimes harsh) climatic conditions, as well as the ability to protect the territory entrusted to the dog. Owners of the Moscow Watchdog breed note their devotion and excellent guarding abilities. These animals are great hard workers who are not afraid of difficulties. Strong muscles and large growth allow dogs of this breed to be a kind of weapon protecting the owner's territory.

basic information

Breed name:	Moscow watchdog
Country of origin:	Russia
The time of the birth of the breed:	20th century
Type of:	1
The weight:	45 – 60 kg
Height (height at the withers):	66 - 78 cm
Life Expectancy:	10 - 13 years old
ICF classification:	not recognized
Puppies price:	100 – 400 $
Most popular nicknames:	list of nicknames for the Moscow watchdog

Evaluation of the characteristics of the breed Moscow Watchdog

Adaptability (a definition meaning how easily a dog can adapt to changes in life)	🐶🐶🐶
Shedding level (Level and frequency of hair loss in the animal)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Tenderness level (The level and amount of tenderness and affection that the dog gives in return for attention to itself)	🐶🐶🐶
Exercise needs (Dog's daytime activity level)	🐶🐶
Social need (The required number of contacts of the dog with other animals, as well as people)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Apartment content (A factor that determines the level of noise and other inconveniences that a dog can deliver to owners in relation to the size of the apartment to the size of the dog)	🐶
Grooming (The number of bathing, brushing, and the number of professional grooming sessions required for the dog)	🐶🐶
Friendliness in an unfamiliar environment (Features of the behavior of a dog in a society with strangers or in an unfamiliar environment)	🐶🐶🐶
Tendency to bark (Tendency to bark and its frequency and volume)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Health issues (Potential health status of the dog)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Territoriality (The dog's tendency to protect his home, yard, or even his owner's car)	🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
Friendliness to cats (The tendency towards tolerance for cats and decreased manifestation of hunting instincts)	🐶🐶🐶
Intelligence (The ability of the dog to think and solve emerging difficulties (not to be confused with learning!)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Education and training (The level of difficulty in training the dog to perform certain actions)	🐶🐶🐶🐶
Friendliness to children (A factor that determines how friendly a dog is to children, whether he likes to play with them and tolerate some childish pranks)	🐶🐶🐶
Game activity (The concept is determined by its very name, and, as a rule, is found in almost all dogs)	🐶🐶
Observation (The ability of a dog to detect the presence of a stranger on its territory)	🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶
Friendliness to other dogs (The tendency of the dog to find common language with his other relatives)	🐶🐶🐶

Moscow watchdog photo:

Origin story

The very name of the breed speaks of the main purpose of these dogs. It was for the purpose of breeding guard dogs that such a breed was created in the second half of the twentieth century. After the Second World War in the USSR, the need for breeding a new breed of dogs increased sharply - unpretentious, easy to care for and extremely responsible for the territory allotted to it. The Ministry of Defense of the country instructed the school of military dog breeding to recreate an unpretentious and physically developed breed. Moscow watchdogs are the brainchild of the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel, they combine the best qualities of their ancestors - St. Bernards, shepherds and hounds. Demand for dogs given breeds has not dried up for many years, they have become known and loved not only in Russia, but also abroad.

The nature of the Moscow watchdog

Sad and a little melancholic, Moscow watchdogs are a great friend to their owner and his family members. These animals are distinguished by endurance, fearlessness and the desire to protect the owner. The presence of such a dog allows owners of country houses and those who live in the private sector to sleep peacefully. Moscow watchdogs never succumb to difficulties, they are always aimed at protecting the entrusted territory. In addition, Moscow watchdogs get along well with children and other animals, which captivates many owners. These dogs are very smart and loyal, they always stand guard over their human family. It is worth noting that the Moscow watchdog breed is not a “bark”, barking is only given when necessary, when there is a threat from the outside. These dogs are well trained, obedient, which makes them high-class guards. The Moscow watchdog loves movement, but easily adapts to the calm rhythm of the owner's life. With the right training and a competent approach, dogs of this breed become real friends of a person, leaving an indelible mark on a person’s soul from such friendship. But you should not fearlessly trust such animals with the life and health of the baby, Moscow watchdogs can harm the child reluctantly, because of their large size. It is advisable to acquire such a dog for the defense of a land plot and private ownership, since keeping Moscow watchdogs in apartments is undesirable.

Maintenance and care

Such dogs can live even in a small apartment, even on a large plot of land, but they need more freedom and space. It is noteworthy that they get along well with people, obey them, but are always ready to fight the enemy who encroached on the life and health of the owner.
These dogs shed twice a year, but their coat needs constant care. Luxurious silky coat should be combed daily - Ideally. But the realities of life are such that weekly "hairdressing services" for Moscow watchmen can be the norm.The most important - to accustom a dog to a brush (or slicker) from an early age, then there will be no problems with an abundance of wool on furniture and clothes, and the animal will always be neat and beautiful. It is worth remembering that neglect of combing threatens with the appearance of tangles, which cause discomfort to the animal and constitute a huge problem for the owner of the dog. Bathing these dogs should be carried out at least 4 times a year, but you can manipulate more often if the animal is dirty. Moscow watchdogs consider it a joy to be able to swim in an open pond, so the owner should not interfere with the active pastime of his dog. Bathing in ponds, rivers and lakes perfectly hardens and entertains these large dogs, so the owner is only on hand.The owner of the dog must take care of vaccinations in a timely manner (against gastroenteritis, plague, rabies, leptospirosis). Responsible attention to health will allow the four-legged friend to stay with the owner as long as possible, and it will save him from the heavy burden of guilt of remorse when the vaccination was not carried out in a timely manner. Do not forget about the prevention of deworming and insecticidal methods of parasite control.To live in a Moscow watchdog family, the owner should take care of buying food bowls, brushes, a muzzle, a leash and a collar. It is also worth taking a place for the animal in the apartment, where there will be no too frequent human walking, drafts and too dry air. But it is preferable to keep dogs of this breed in the wild, providing their aviary and booth with heaters. Moscow watchdogs tolerate heat and frost well, which makes them universal. Walking with a dog of this breed involves a two-time promenade, which will last at least 30-60 minutes.Feeding the Moscow watchdog breed involves a bias towards raw lean meat, which will be mixed with porridge or vegetables. Never feed your dog bony food - it won't do you any good, but it can do a lot of damage. You can give sea fish as food to dogs of this breed, but river fish can provoke the appearance of worms. Dairy products can harmoniously fit into the diet of a dog, provided that he loves them.

Training and education

From a very early age, it is worth accustoming a dog to order and obedience, because such a breed can even inadvertently harm a person and other animals. Dog from 2-3 months she should know elementary master commands (“No!”, “Come!”, etc.). A distinctive feature of these animals is their long stay in the childhood period, which greatly complicates training and education. However, with the right approach, Moscow watchmen can quickly learn the necessary skills, which usually consist in guarding the life and possessions of the owner. In the absence of patience and training skills, you need to contact a specialist who will pick up the key to the animal’s heart and be able to influence the Moscow watchdog in such a way that it will become obedient, easily and quickly accepting the owner’s commands. The nature of dogs of this breed requires communication with an adequate, calm, self-confident person. If we translate the mood of the Moscow watchdog into a human way, then we can say that these animals love to act more than bark.

Health and disease

The main weaknesses of dogs of this breed are considered to be diseases of the joints and the endocrine system. Improper food and maintenance are also fraught with allergies. Allergies and possible obesity in these dogs can be corrected by the owner, but dysplasia should be under medical supervision. Like all human pets, the Moscow watchdog can be prone to invasive diseases, so attention and measures must be taken to eradicate and prevent the appearance of worms and fleas (or other parasites).

Some interesting facts

Cases are known when the owners of these dogs left them to look after the children. And it is worth noting that these animals coped with their duties brilliantly. Moscow watchmen are always on guard of the threat, they are vigilantly watching the apartments and people entrusted to them.
Moscow watchdogs are called upon to serve man, which they do brilliantly. Huge, in appearance a little clumsy dogs, always kind to a person. They steadfastly endure heat and cold, and for more than a decade guard the friendship of the owner and the trusted territory.
Moscow watchdogs never lose their dignity, they are proud, but kind and obedient. Only in the wrong hands dogs can grow up ill-mannered and out of control. Inept training (or lack thereof) can turn a dog of this breed into an uncontrollable big monster that will annoy both the owner and others.