Moscow Water Dog
Encyclopedia
The Moscow Water Dog, also known as the Moscow Diver, Moscow Retriever or Moskovsky Vodolaz, is a little-known dog breed
derived from the Newfoundland
, Caucasian Ovcharka
(Caucasian Shepherd) and East European Shepherd. It is now extinct, but was used in the development of the Russian Black Terrier. The Moscow Water Dog was produced only by the Red Star Kennels, the state operated organization chartered to provide working dogs for the armed services.
After World War II
, there were very few working dogs in the Soviet Union
as many had been killed during the war. Some were imported but there were not enough to establish a dedicated breeding programme for a specific breed. The Central Military School of Working Dogs (the Red Star Kennels), under the command of Colonel G. P. Medvedev began working on developing a number of their own specialised breeds by crossing the available stock. A few breeds were established including the Moscow Newfoundland, a cross of German Shepherd Dog
and Newfoundland; the Moscow Great Dane, using German Shepherd and Great Dane
; the Brudasty Hound, which was an Airedale Terrier
and Russian Hound mix; the Moscow Watchdog
, a combination of St. Bernard
and Caucasian Ovcharka; and the Moscow Water Dog. The most successful breed to come out of the programme was the Russian Black Terrier, which gained international recognition in 1984; it derived from a combination of 14 different breeds including the Moscow Water Dog in the later stages of its development.
Moscow Water Dogs were bred in Krasnaya Zvezda, Belarus
, by interbreeding Newfoundland males with East European Shepherd and Caucasian Ovcharka bitches, and by mating the offspring with each other. They were developed as a water rescue/lifesaving
dog, but according to O. Krasnovskaya, "That was not a good idea as [they] were not willing to save drowning people, but mostly were looking to bite them so this breed was never developed".
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
derived from the Newfoundland
Newfoundland (dog)
The Newfoundland is a breed of large dog. Newfoundlands can be black, brown, gray, or black and white. They were originally bred and used as a working dog for fishermen in the Dominion of Newfoundland, now part of Canada. They are known for their giant size, tremendous strength, calm dispositions,...
, Caucasian Ovcharka
Caucasian Ovcharka
- External links :* *...
(Caucasian Shepherd) and East European Shepherd. It is now extinct, but was used in the development of the Russian Black Terrier. The Moscow Water Dog was produced only by the Red Star Kennels, the state operated organization chartered to provide working dogs for the armed services.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, there were very few working dogs in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
as many had been killed during the war. Some were imported but there were not enough to establish a dedicated breeding programme for a specific breed. The Central Military School of Working Dogs (the Red Star Kennels), under the command of Colonel G. P. Medvedev began working on developing a number of their own specialised breeds by crossing the available stock. A few breeds were established including the Moscow Newfoundland, a cross of German Shepherd Dog
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
and Newfoundland; the Moscow Great Dane, using German Shepherd and Great Dane
Great Dane
The Great Dane , also known as German Mastiff or Danish Hound , is a breed of domestic dog known for its giant size...
; the Brudasty Hound, which was an Airedale Terrier
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is a breed of the terrier type that originated in Airedale, a geographic area in Yorkshire, England. It is traditionally called the "King of Terriers" because it is the largest of the terrier breeds...
and Russian Hound mix; the Moscow Watchdog
Moscow Watchdog
Moscow Watchdog is a breed of dog that was bred in the Soviet Union. It descends from crosses between the St. Bernard, Caucasian Shepherd, and Russian Spotted Hound breeds. The breed is very large and weight is between 100 and 150lbs. Unlike its modern St Bernard counterparts, the breed needs lots...
, a combination of St. Bernard
St. Bernard (dog)
The St. Bernard is a breed of very large working dog from the Italian and Swiss Alps, originally bred for rescue. The breed has become famous through tales of alpine rescues, as well as for its large size.-Appearance:The St. Bernard is a large dog...
and Caucasian Ovcharka; and the Moscow Water Dog. The most successful breed to come out of the programme was the Russian Black Terrier, which gained international recognition in 1984; it derived from a combination of 14 different breeds including the Moscow Water Dog in the later stages of its development.
Moscow Water Dogs were bred in Krasnaya Zvezda, Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
, by interbreeding Newfoundland males with East European Shepherd and Caucasian Ovcharka bitches, and by mating the offspring with each other. They were developed as a water rescue/lifesaving
Lifesaving
Lifesaving is the act involving rescue, resuscitation and first aid. It often refers to water safety and aquatic rescue however it could include ice rescue, flood and river rescue, swimming pool rescue and other emergency medical services. Lifesaving also refers to sport where lifesavers compete...
dog, but according to O. Krasnovskaya, "That was not a good idea as [they] were not willing to save drowning people, but mostly were looking to bite them so this breed was never developed".