20 Russian Dog Breeds

​20) West Siberian Laika
There are many Laika dog breeds from Russia and you will see several Laikas in this video. The name laika means barker and it refers to all kinds of hunting dogs from Russia. This one – the West Siberian Laika – was developed in Mansi and Khanty Laika in West Siberian and Ural for hunting purposes.
19) Black Russian Terrier
The BRT is one of the dogs developed by famous Red Star Kennel in Soviet Union era. The breeds that were used to develop the Black Russian Terrier were most likely Giant Schnauzers, Rottweilers, Caucasian Ovcharkas or Airedale Terriers. This breed was developed for working and protecting purposes and they were often times used by Soviet military and by border patrols.
18) East European Shepherd
This is another breed from Ukraine and Russia that was used for guarding and military purposes. The East European Shepherd was selectively bred from German Shepherd to create a healthier and larger dog with better ability to withstand very cold weather.
17) Moscow Water Dog
Another breed produced by the Red Star Kennel which is today already extinct. It was developed from East European Shepherd, Newfoundland and Caucasian Ovcharka for working purposes.
16) Moscow Watchdog
This dog looks like more athletic Saint Bernard right? And it is no coincidence, because the Moscow Watchdog was developed from Saint Bernard and Caucasian Shepherd dog. It is typically very strong, powerful and alert dog breed that is capable of being awesome protector, but it is also a gentle and loving family companion.
15) Russian Spaniel
The youngest of the Russian gundogs, the Russian Spaniel, was developed by crossing English Cocker Spaniels with English Springer Spaniels. It is an energetic, cheerful and playful dog breed with higher prey drive. These are also known for enjoy being in the water and they can dive to retrieve wounded birds.
14) Karelo Finnish Laika
The Karelo Finnish Laika is similar to Finnish Spitz. The main difference is the color and while the Finnish Spitz is only in solid red color, the Karelo Finnish Laika can also be fawn or black and can have some white markings. This dog is used for hunting different game such as grouse, pheasant, squirrel or fox.
13) Sakhalin Husky
Native to Sakhalin island, the Sakhalin Husky is nearly extinct breed with only few individuals surviving. This breed was used in some antartic expeditions and they were used as skilled sled dogs.
12) Russian Tracker
The Russian Tracker is already extinct dog breed with a very long history of herding and protecting the flocks, especially in Caucasus Mountains. It was a very large livestock protector up to 75 cms tall.
11) Borzoi
Also known as Russian Hunting Sighthound, the Borzoi is a very big, strong, fast and endurant which makes great hunter, but also superb companion dog. This is very adaptable breed, that bonds closely to its owner and family. The Borzoi is really tall, and some males are over 45 kg heavy and 85 cm tall, which is 100 pounds and 33 inch.
10) Central Asian Shepherd
The Alabai, or Central Asian Shepherd is a very strong livestock guardian dog from the whole Central Asian region, which includes parts of Russia and it is under Russian patronage in the FCI. This breed is extremely popular in Turkemenistan, where it has its own large monument.
9) Russkiy Toy
The smallest dog on this list is also one of the smallest of all dogs in the world. The Russkiy Toy, also known as Toychik or Russian Toy Terrier was bred from English Toy Terrier and it is a typical companion dog. This breed is measuring between 20 cm and 28 cm and weighing anywhere between 1 kg and 3 kg and it has distinctive large erect ears.
8) South Russian Ovcharka
This is another sheepdog and livestock protector from the area of todays Ukraine and Russia, to be more specific, from the region between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. This breed has a distinctive long and thick coat, which enables the dog to withstand most weather conditions.
7) East Siberian Laika
The first dog on this list was West Siberian Laika, now it is time to mention the East Siberian Laika, which hails from parts of Siberia which are east of Yenisei river. Just like majority of laika breeds, even this one is used for hunting variety of game like squirrels, sable, grouse or wild boar. This breed is known for great sense for orientation and they can always find way back home.
6) Chortai
The Chortai is another Russian and Ukrainian breed that resembles a cross between the Borzoi and English Greyhound. It is typical sighthound used for hunting where it is using its incredible speed and great eyes.
5) Yakutian Laika
The Yakutian Laika is more versatile than most of other laika dogs that are used solely for hunting, because Yakutian Laika can be a good hunetr, but it is commonly used as a sled dog and reindeer hunter as well. This breed is known for extreme endurance, high prey drive, excellent sense of smell and hearing and great loyalty.
4) Caucasian Shepherd
This is another strong livestock guardian dog, native to caucasus mountains and to countries Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and also to some parts of Russia, such as Dagestan. This dog was developed from other livestock guardians from this region, such as Armenian Gampr dog or Georgian Shepherd with addition of some other breeds, such as Newfoundland.
3) Russo European Laika
The last laika in this video is Russo European Laika. Again, this is a very good hunting dog breed, which is known to frequently treeing the prey. They are also often used for duck hunting and these dogs do like a water a lot.
2) Sulimov dog
This is not a pure dog, but a dog – jackal hybrid, developed from Lapponian herders and Turkmenian jackals. These dogs were used for airport security and as sniffer dogs.
1) Samoyed
And finally, the last dog in this video is the famous Samoyed. This dog hails from Northwest Russia and it is related to Laikas. These dogs are known for its friendliness and playfulness, for its snow white fluffy coat and for its mouth, which gives them smiling expression. These dogs were originally used for hunting, but they are much better suited for herding reindeer, which later became their main utilization.