Moscow Watchdog
The Moscow watchdog is a guard dog developed in the former Soviet Union, now Russia. It descends from crosses between the St. Bernard, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Russian Pinto Hound. It contains the physical size, attractiveness and intelligence of a St. Bernard and the awareness and assertive traits of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
Appearance
The Moscow watchdog is known to be a large powerful breed with a gentle and obedient temperament.Moscow watchdogs stand at least tall and in females but the ideal heights is at least in males, in females. The breed should weigh at least in males and in females. Their coat is a dense, double coat capable of withstanding extreme cold. Coat color can be red piebald, white with red spots, red-black, black-red, or sable spots, with a black mask on the head.
Temperament
The Moscow Watchdog is self-confident and balanced in temperament, but it requires training and early socialization with both people and animals. As a companion, the Moscow Watchdog is known to be a gentle giant, assertive and protective of his or her family when in danger. Raised properly with training and discipline, the Moscow Watchdog adapts easily to any environment and is a perfect protective family pet.History
Russia
Following World War II, loss of working dogs and rising crime created a demand in the Soviet Union for a guard dog that was cold tolerant down to and highly adaptable to different structures and environments, such as warehouses, railroads, labor camps and infrastructure. In response to this demand. the Central School of Military Dog Breeding, a department of the USSR Ministry of Defense, developed the Russian watchdog using crosses between Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, St. Bernards and Russian Pinto Hounds. In 1958, the first breed standard was published. The Central School of Military Dog Breeding, today known as the 470th Methodological and Canine Center, continues to breed Moscow watchdogs today.In 1992, the breed standard was approved by the Federation of the Dog Breeders of Russia and in 1997, by the Department of Animal Breeding and Pedigree of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia. The standard was also approved by the Russian Kennel Club in 1997.
The Russian Kennel Club is working with the International Kennel Federation to gain official recognition. Currently, the Moscow Watchdog is considered by the FCI as part of the 2nd group Molosser. In FCI sanctioned dog shows, they are shown in what is referred to as a "Special Show." Inside Russia, they are widely shown and a recognized breed.