Thank you for visiting our health page!

Here you’ll find important information about the health and well being of the Black Russian Terrier at all life stages – including during your search for a breeder and puppy. As a small animal veterinarian of more than 20 years, and co-breeder with my wife and partner DeAnne Hawkes, I trust these articles will help you begin or continue your journey as a BRT owner. Please contact us at any time to learn more about BRT health and related concerns.

Respectfully,

Richard Hawkes, DVM

Health Concerns in Black Russian Terriers

Any breed of dog can be afflicted with a variety of health problems and the Black Russian Terrier is no different. While any number of disorders can be possible, there are several diseases or conditions that come to the forefront in the BRT. The following information is provided to educate BRT buyers or owners with respect to some of the common maladies…

Health Testing in Black Russian Terriers

There are a variety of health tests that most breeding dogs should have performed prior to being used in a breeding program. This is to help ensure the healthiest puppies possible are being produced. Unfortunately, when dealing with genetics, you can still have undesirable results even when breeding two perfect dogs. However, with proper testing and selection...

Allergies and the BRT

Hot spots, ear infections, chewing the feet, generalized itchiness, hair loss, poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea…what do all of these symptoms have in common? If your Black Russian Terrier shows any or all of these signs, it could mean your dog is suffering from allergies. Allergies are common in the canine species and come in variety of shapes and...

Eye Diseases and the BRT

As with most dog breeds, the BRT can be susceptible to a variety of eye diseases or conditions. Some are genetic or inherited, while others may be acquired. Some have potential to be serious, while others are nothing more than a nuisance. Following are some eye problems that may occur in a BRT, along with descriptions and what you can expect...

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)

Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) or gastric torsion, is an issue any owner of a large or giant dog breed should know about – especially owners of deep-chested dogs like the BRT. GDV is a twisting or flipping of the stomach on its axis. When this occurs, the pylorus (small opening at the base of the stomach through which partially...

Veterinary Care for Your BRT

Now that you have acquired your Black Russian Terrier, there is some basic veterinary care advice I'd like to share that should be useful. First on the list is choosing a veterinarian or veterinary hospital/clinic if you don’t already have one. The Internet and yellow pages can help you locate veterinary services; however, the best way to find a good vet is by...

Buying a Black Russian Terrier Puppy

Having researched the Black Russian Terrier and investigated health problems commonly seen in the breed, you have made your decision to move forward with the purchase of a BRT puppy. So what should be your next step? This section of the Black Russian Terrier Owner’s Guide will help you select a breeder and aid in the purchase of your BRT puppy...