Mark Smith posted on Black Russian Terrier FB Site:
“I thought I would invite the group to
create an unofficial list of breed characteristics to help potential Russian
owners make a more informed decision whether the breed is right for them.
My suggestions are below; do
you agree? What else would you add?”
1. Paw
of doom
a. We don't call it the paw of doom. We call it the paw of death.
b. The POD, a.k.a. the paw of doom/death, has given me a fat lip,
black eye, and tons of bruises on my arms and legs
2. Through
the legs head-butt
3. After
drinking head shake shower
4. The
waggle bum dance
5. Stick
like Velcro to you round the house
Others added:
6. The sudden
and deathly crotch sniff
7. The
butt goose
8. The
vigorous head rub all over the legs;
9. The
unexpected jump hug;
10. The
exuberant 'I love to go out for a walk' bark;
11. The
'please take off the head collar' vigorously rub the head anywhere move
12. The
excited "we're here! Look where we are!" Bark when we arrive at our
local off lead walk location. Unlike any of her other barks, but no less loud!
a. How
do they know when we actually arrive at any given destination? We can drive
most of the day, stop multiple times without a mere reaction, but when we pull
in at the final destination, Da Boyz bark and whine like mad!
b. 200
yards from the car park I always tell any friends in the car to cover their
ears
13. The
after eating must rub the food off my beard on the edge of the couch move.
a. Comes to us to dry him with towel same after the walk, but if we
don't do it "well enough" goes and robs all over the furniture
14. I'm
sitting on your lap
a. Don't
let my bone structure fool you - I seriously AM a lap dog!
15. Bum
on the couch front paws on floor
16. Sit
on your toes so you have to love me.
17. Running
around like a crazy fool after a bath
18. The
head butt to continue petting move, which includes throwing the elbow upwards
and spilling whatever drink one might be holding.
a. The
Russian head nudge is responsible for 80% of all household spills!
b. The
nose flip of the elbow is a common one while trying to balance my accounts.
19. The
black immovable object in the middle of the hallway, in the middle of the night
that is impossible to see.
a. Invisible
furry obstacle in the bathroom doorway at 3 a.m.b.
20. That
couch looks comfy...but you need support, let me get behind you.... that’ll
help!
21. Ours
is 6 months old. She likes to sneak up and stalk us like a cat would, stops and
then pounces on top of us. It's cute but I'm not sure what that will be like
when she's full grown?
22.
Counter
sniffing - but my nose is perfectly placed.
Mark Replied “the famous Russian counter surf. The prime suspect in
the great unsolved mystery of the vanishing whole roast chicken!”
Suspicious of new people to the house - it's your fault. Mom, for being so
antisocial.
And in non snow areas, water, any water, puddle or stinky pond. Again, your
fault Mom, you should supply snow...
23. You will
never go to the bathroom alone again,
24. Moldy beard.
That's the worst!!
25. THE EYE!
Lying still pretending they sleep but the eye is watching you.... Or when
they're playing outside and lay in the grass they can also send you the eye. (In the Bouvier des Flandres world this is
known as the “stink eye”)
26. The
permanent paw-print on your runners...
27. Baptizing
all visitors
28. Paw of love
and affection
29. A human in
dogs clothing
30. The mini
bark and the thunderous bark
31. Toy giving
32. MORE LOVE
THAN YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED FROM ANY LIVING BEING!
33. trying to
ram chewy sticks up your bum plus playing footsie when your walking past them.
34. The ability
to read me very accurately, caring for me sometimes when I see no danger. My
best bud and guardian angel xxx
35. We have to
watch out for anything looking a gun like thingie because Misha gives out
serious warning bark to put it down.
Took ages for him to get use to mum's cookie gun and have to send him outside
the room if you use the drill
First time noticed when got a bb gun for the daughter and he went mad giving
out to put it down talking about training in their blood!
Also constantly "patrolling " in zigzags when walking feel rather
safe with him by my side
36. Sneaking up
onto the bed very silently,
acting as a natural barrier that can be used as exercising hurdles (he never
moves out of the way),
cold snout into my face early in the morning (usually after he had a sip of
water)
37. The
stranger danger bark that rattles windows.
38. I must sleep where I can best see the doors
with hourly checks on the kids and pacing if one is ill.
39. The
stranger danger circle the kids because I don't know you.
40. The
mediator. I break up dog fights, kid fights, any altercation.
a.
Tacha also breaks up dog fights (or play she thinks is
too rough)-we call her the U.N. Peace keeper!
b. We
call our Risky the "fun police"
c.
Mine is labelled the classroom monitor, especially
bouncy dogs with no manners.
41. The I am so
glad you are home, please let me lay on your feet but only if it is a terribly
awkward position that crushes your feet alternating with the paw of death.
42. Vocal! My
female runs her mouth, sometimes for 30 minutes, after I get home. Either
telling me off for leaving in the first place, and/or telling me all that
happened while I was away.
a.
Our one is very talkative as well, as good as husky!
Absolutely love it and the tone is usually different for different
situations/people.
43. The
"I'm sorry you don't feel good let me make it all better by laying on you
and smothering you" particularly helpful if you have a chest cold- NOT!
44. The pile of
destroyed "$100 dog-proof" toys versus the much loved 25 cent stuffed
snake from Goodwill.
45. The lean!
You will stroke me whilst supporting my body weight.
46. The
"when you cooking, I’ll sneak into the kitchen and lay right behind you so
when you turn around, you'll fall on your face and then i get to attack you
with kisses "
47. The boob
magnet and of course the dressing gown lifter, with wet dripping beard.
48. The ability
to bark with a chuck-it ball in his mouth.
The perimeter check of the back yard when I say "Who's There!".
a. We do the "who's there" too
The help driving, with his head over my left shoulder, checking to see that I
am doing it correctly.
49. Sleeping in
the shower when it gets warm,
Sitting on my lap in our double wide chair,
Pushing me down the stairs to make sure we're going on that walk I talked
about!
Finding the perfect stuffed baby to show me when I come home...
The happy dance when you look outside and it Snowed oh my gosh!!
When the mail man brings your mail the bark box treat!
50. Creating
such a spectacle whenever you are out in public that your walks no longer
function as exercise again. You will be stopped by strangers every hundred yards
or so to discuss the "bear" or "gorilla" you have on a
leash.
a.
We have a Bouv and BRT so this goes double. Video’s of Konna wearing a GoPro on a walk
downtown, 3 video’s 30+ minutes upcut, lots of interaction with people we meet.
