All about the Moscow watchdog

The Moscow Watchdog is a powerful and beautiful dog that attracts the attention of lovers of large breeds. Before you get yourself a "Muscovite", you should find out all the features of its content, character and training rules.

The origin of the Moscow watchdog is not shrouded in various legends when compared with other breeds. However, the lack of mystery does not deprive the story of the emergence of interest, because this variety was bred by special order from the state authorities.

When the Great Patriotic War ended, the country needed to restore the number of service dog breeds., since most of them died during the hostilities.

The amateur staff could not solve such a problem, so the task was entrusted to the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel, which was located in the Moscow region.

In this kennel, we worked on creating a breed of dogs that would have excellent guarding characteristics, good susceptibility to training and unquestioning obedience.

The work was carried out in 1947-50, when the management of the nursery belonged to A.P. Mazover, who believed that the new breed would be the result of the actions of upscale dog breeders. As a result, the dog handlers were able to form the breed, which today is referred to as the Moscow watchdog.

For the first time these dogs appeared at exhibitions in Moscow in 1950. At that time, they were considered mestizos, who appeared from St. Bernard Barry and the Caucasian shepherd dog Asha.The animals already possessed the basic qualities of the "Muscovites", but the dog breeders did not stop there.

There were long thoughts on how to get a unique breed that would stand out from other varieties and have its own temperament. In the process of creation, other breeds began to participate:

• representative specimens of German shepherds;
• individuals of the Russian canine greyhound;
• dogs of the Russian piebald hound breed;
• Newfoundland.

The work on the creation of a new breed was accompanied by many difficulties, since it was difficult for dog breeders to correct the dog, which was obtained in the course of crossing so many varieties.

But the dog handlers from "Krasnaya Zvezda" were able to cope with the assigned tasks. Only the best individuals of their breeds participated in the selection. Attention was drawn not only to external indicators, but also to service, along with a propensity for training.

The search was completed by mid-1950, when breeders created a new breed, following instruction from government officials.

The first Moscow watchdog standard was established in 1958. On its basis, a decision was made on further adjustments. All subsequent modifications were carried out by amateur cynologists, along with kennel clubs.

In 1985, the breed was officially adopted in the USSR as a breed with an approved exterior. In 1992, the Moscow watchdog suffered repeated adjustments, which the dog breeders spoke of as not entirely successful.

The new version was approved in 1997, but this standard was also revised several times. These processes are considered normal when working on new breeds of dogs.

At the moment, connoisseurs of these dogs are trying to achieve that the Moscow watchdog is recognized as an independent one in the FCI.

A stern dog that looks like a mixture of St. Bernard with a Caucasian Shepherd Dog, has a specific appearance. Despite the fact that the muzzle resembles a St. Bernard, and the shaggy coat is comparable to the Caucasian, there are significant differences between these breeds.

The minimum weight for a Muscovite dog is 55 kg. St. Bernard weighs 70 kg. The skull of the Moscow sentry is narrower, the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is smoothed.

And also the characteristic of the breed implies a stronger constitution, along with an elongated body. Dogs are light and agile.

It stands out for its large size, cheekiness. The forehead is moderately convex, wide. It is crossed by a longitudinal groove. The muzzle is characterized by a blunt shape with volume. Its length is significantly shorter than the skull.

The infraorbital area is filled normally, the occipital protuberance with the superciliary arches is well defined.

"Muscovites" have fleshy lips that are painted black. The flews are absent.

Scissor bite. The jaw itself is massive, it has 42 white teeth. They fit snugly together, the incisors are in a single line. In the exterior, several teeth are allowed to be missing if they were broken or knocked out.

If this situation is congenital, it is considered a defect.

In purebred individuals, the lobe is black, large and elongated in width.

The eyes of the Moscow watchdog are deeply set and are hidden under black eyelids.

The breed standard dictates that the iris should also be black.

The ears are in the shape of a triangle, the tip is softly rounded.

With the help of cartilage, the ear sheet is supported in a hanging state.

The front of the ears should touch the cheekbones.

The neck of the animal is endowed with muscles, of medium length with a rather developed nape. Suspension is moderate, may be absent in some representatives.The absence of dewlap is not a breed defect.

Compared to St. Bernards, "Muscovites" have a more stretched body.

The back is distinguished by a strong bone, sufficient width. The loin is short and voluminous. The croup is slightly sloping.

The rib cage is of sufficient depth, the ribs are convex and widening towards the croup. The lower abdomen line is slightly tucked up.

Feet are set parallel to each other, straight. The shoulder blades are of sufficient length, obliquely directed. The shoulders are well muscled. The thighs of the Moscow watchdog differ in the same length as the shins.

The limbs are massive. The front legs are rounded, the pillows are thick and resilient. The hind ones are similar in shape to an oval.

If the puppies have extra fingers, they are removed.

The tail is thick and should continue the line of the croup. When the dog is in a relaxed state, it sits down and bends slightly at the tip.

When the animal is excited, the tail takes on the shape of a crescent and is positioned over the back.

The coat is abundant. The hairs are double and consist of guard hairs with a thick undercoat.

Bitches cannot boast of such showiness, since their fur is more modest due to the small number of hairs in the restroom.

White color with red, black-red or sable spots is allowed.

The standard provides for a white-colored chest area, as well as snow-white feet with a tail tip. There is a black mask with goggles on the head.

The ears should also be black.

On average, these dogs live about 9-11 years.

The most dangerous disease for the Moscow watchdog is considered to be hip dysplasia. This disease is genetic in nature.

Dysplasia destroys compounds. Subsequently, osteoarthritis appears, which causes lameness and deprives the ability to fully move.

The disadvantage of dysplasia is that it cannot be cured. It is possible to slow down the development of the disease with the help of quality veterinarian care, but it will not work to get rid of it.

In addition to dysplasia, the following diseases are encountered:

• obesity;
• food and contact allergies;
• skin infections (most often it is coccidiosis);
• fungus (dermatomycosis);
• infections (viral enteritis, kennel cough, plague, rabies);

Any person who wants to become the owner of such a breed should familiarize themselves with the list of positive and negative qualities.

Benefits include the following:

• Moscow Watchdog is easy to learn;
• the dog can act as a guard, companion, bodyguard;
• the animal quickly finds a common language with all household members;
• the breed is suitable for enclosure keeping;
• unpretentious care.

Despite such a number of advantages, the animal also has negative traits:

• a special type of training is required, with the help of which you can control and exploit the strengths of dogs;
• for the animal to grow to the required size, you will need a sufficient amount of balanced food;
• Moscow watchdogs shed very much;
• the breed is not suitable for apartment maintenance.

The breeders from the Krasnaya Zvezda kennel tried to create an aggressive and impulsive breed that would get its qualities from the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Their calculations were only partially justified.

The animal will decide to conflict with someone only if the other side shows its intentions.

Character traits depend on the inherited genes.

If the animal gets more from the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, it will be suspicious and ferocious. This dog is characterized by ease of lifting and work as a bodyguard. Individuals in which St. Bernard genes predominate have a more phlegmatic character. Such dogs will be pets of the whole family and good house guards.

The Moscow Watchdog rarely speaks. You can hear it only if necessary.

With household members, the dog is peaceful. This is due to her innate attachment to the person with whom she needs to live in the same territory.

With children, dogs are restrained, but only with their own. She may be indifferent to other people's kids who ran into her territory or express her dissatisfaction.

Many people talk about the fact that they were able to raise hyper-responsible nannies from their pets. In fact, everything is different. The dog will not resist if it is harnessed to a harness, it can play tag with a child and even forgive them little pranks. But you shouldn't leave your child with the Muscovite. This is due to the large size of the animal. Even with the help of an active wave of its tail, the dog is able to knock a small child off his feet.

The animal does not divide people into pets and listens to everyone.

But his restraint does not mean that the dog will not be able to understand who is the boss in the house, and whose word is considered the law in the family.

Initially, you should understand which sex dog is more suitable for keeping. The Moscow Watchdog will vary greatly in terms of gender, character, appearance.

It has been proven by dog ​​breeders that the bitch will more actively protect her plot, but she is also characterized by increased aggression towards other family members. She will only recognize one owner. The male loves to fight with other dogs.

If the animal is chosen for work, you need to understand that the bitch will periodically release from her duties when she begins to estrus, childbirth and the period of feeding the babies.

Every person will like the puppy of the Moscow watchdog. Outwardly, the children are similar to a bear cub, whose eyes are filled with sadness. However, when choosing, one should take into account not only the external parameters of the puppy, but also other qualities.

Every responsible owner is obliged to pay attention to several indicators.

• Moscow watchdog standard. Before viewing dogs, you need to study the breed standards. Even a little kitten is obliged to look in accordance with the stated rules.

• Pedigree. The presence of documentation is considered to be an indicator that the dog is purebred and possesses all breed characteristics. The cost of a purebred puppy with documents will be higher compared to individuals without them, but in this way a person will be able to protect himself from acquiring a non-purebred dog.

• External indicators. It is recommended to choose a well-fed puppy with a wet nose, clean ears and eyes. The kitten must have a good appetite and be cheerful.

• Color pigment. The presence of white spots on the head, the absence of so-called glasses in the eye area may indicate a weak nervous system.

• Sociability. If you need a dog that will be a family pet, you need to pay attention to sociable individuals. They will consider the household members of the pack and become a good companion to the owner. If you need a guard, you should choose from suspicious puppies.

• Manufacturers. Parents of a puppy convey their character and external indicators, so you should not buy a baby from a cowardly bitch. To know what the "Muscovite" will look like in the future, you can ask for a photo of the father of the litter.

The puppy should be taken to the home when he is 7 weeks old.

Acquaintance with the future pet should happen earlier in order to monitor its growth and changes in character.

• During the visit, attention should be paid to the behavior of the mother of the litter. If the bitch is shy and frightened of the visit of a new person, then her puppies are also at risk of inheriting such character traits.
• Don't pick the largest puppy. A large mass is an increased load on the joints, which in the breed do not differ in strength. A month old puppy should weigh about 3.5 kg if there are many siblings in the litter. For small litters, the optimum weight is 4.5 kg.
• When choosing a friend, you should examine the puppies. It should be warm and firm. An umbilical hernia should not be present.
• The breeder should report how many puppies there were in the litter. Having less than six babies is good, as it means the babies are getting enough milk.

Each owner thinks about the question of how best to name his Moscow watchdog. I would like the name to demonstrate the power and courage of the breed. For such a dog, the nickname, which is called small dogs: Lyalka, Kid, Bim, is not suitable. It is best to opt for options that are suitable for large individuals.

Owners of bitches can give their pet the following names:

• Ayda;
• Ayna;
• Barefoot;
• Bertha;
• Burma;
• Bonya;
• Bella;
• Vita;
• Vesta;
• Grace;
• Jessica;
• Dana;
• Dina;
• Jeanne;
• Crave;
• Zlata;
• Zalta;
• Zita;
• Ida;
• Irma;
• Bark;
• Katrin;
• Lyolya;
• Lime;
• Leila;
• Leona;
• Malta;
• Prism;
• Palm;
• Tseya;
• Shelley;
• Juno.

A reliable guard can be called by the following names:

• Amur;
• Ajax;
• Akela;
• Bundy;
• Bose;
• Boston;
• Walter;
• Grant;
• Thunder;
• Hector;
• Gucci;
• Gray;
• Django;
• Dick;
• Dingo;
• Ermak;
• Euro;
• Jean;
• Zheka;
• Zach;
• Zlatozar;
• Irbis;
• Eastwood;
• Prince;
• Cooper;
• Coconut;
• Karay;
• Leo;
• Fierce;
• Lord;
• Marty;
• Max;
• Noah;
• Nick;
• Nemo;
• Olympus;
• Oxy;
• Osti;
• Oscar;
• Pirate;
• Pegasus;
• Polkan;
• Ralph;
• Rolf;
• Ron;
• Rex;
• Simba;
• Sting;
• Falcon;
• Steve;
• Tyson;
• Tyler;
• Ulan;
• Umka;
• Urs;
• Filka;
• Felix;
• Phil;
• Hulk;
• Hitch;
• Tsar;
• Gypsy;
• Chester;
• Chuck;
• Circassian;
• Charlie;
• Chance;
• Shrek.
• Yarik;
• Amber.

Despite the fact that "Muscovites" are famous for their unpretentiousness, the owner needs to know how to care for the dog and how it should be kept.

If the purpose of the acquisition is to protect the territory, then the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Germans are more suitable for this. They are considered the most budget-friendly option, as they are less picky about their diet and eat much less compared to the Moscow watchdog.

The walk should be 4 hours long. This is the minimum amount of time the animal must warm up.

If the animal lives on the street, it will need to equip a spacious booth, as well as an aviary, which is fenced off by two closed walls.

Owners of any dog ​​breeds are divided into two fronts:

• fans of natural food;
• connoisseurs of ready-made feed.

In the first case, all the necessary components for the normal development of the dog must be present in the diet.

These can be different products.

• Raw meat.Until the puppy is one month old, he should receive at least 100 grams of meat, cut into small pieces. It is best to buy beef or lamb, horse meat. Pork is strictly contraindicated for dogs. When the puppy is 2 months old, you can add cartilage veins to the diet.
• Boiled chicken, rabbit. Tubular bones should not be given even to an adult dog.
• Chicken necks raw.
• A couple of times a week, meat should be replaced by boiled offal or sea fish.
• Boiled egg (no more than a couple of times a week).
• Fermented milk diet (unsweetened).
• Buckwheat porridge, oatmeal, and steamed wheat bran.
• Vegetables, fruits with herbs and berries are required in the diet. Can be given raw or cooked.
• Top dressing of a vitamin-mineral type, along with calcium gluconate, seaweed.

Do not feed dogs with the following foods:

• hot, spicy, fatty, salty or sweet foods;
• broths;
• pasta;
• chocolates;
• raw river fish;
• any legumes;
• mushrooms;
• alcohol;
• products made from yeast dough;
• tea or coffee;
• vitamins in which iron is present;
• grapes, onions, garlic;
• seasonings and spices.

If you plan to feed with ready-made feed, you need to pay attention to:

• vitamin and mineral composition;
• shelf life;
• energy value.

The dog should always have access to fresh water.

Despite their large size with external sluggishness, the Moscow watchdogs are active.

If the owners keep their pets in the apartment, they will have to take care of quality walking. You will need at least 4 walks a day with active games.

For individuals that live in an aviary, it will take 2 hours a day if the dog can move freely around the enclosure.

You can walk babies only after they have been vaccinated with two complexes. Until the baby is one year old, he should not be loaded with long walks, along with energy-intensive games. This is due to the fact that the joints of the animal must have time to get stronger.

Moscow watchdog hygiene procedures are also laid.

• The coat should be brushed every week. When shedding begins, such a procedure is integral to grooming. During this, you need to use a furminator or a simple slicker.
• You can wash the animal no more than a couple of times a year. For these purposes, you should purchase a special shampoo. "Muscovites" who live on the street bathe by cleaning them with snow and wiping them with a cloth mitten.
• After each walk, you need to check the animal for harmful insects. And you will also need treatment with special agents against ticks and other parasites.
• Preventive measures against helminth infection.
• You constantly need to inspect and wipe your ears, eyes, nasal mucosa for discharge. Chamomile-based decoctions or simple tea brewing will help to cope with this. If you have a putrid odor or pus, you will need to contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Trimming the claws is done if the animal does not erase them naturally.
• Routine vaccination.

If the owner of a Moscow watchdog wants to get offspring from his bitch, he should know that it is only possible to breed a dog after the third estrus. Males are ready to reproduce after 2 years of age.

Males are ready to reproduce after 2 years of age.

The floor in the room must be rough.

To get breeding offspring, you should remember the following rules:

• the kennel club should be notified about the planned mating in advance;
• the animal must be vaccinated one month before estrus;
• if the bitch is overweight, she needs to be put on a diet, or extra pounds can negatively affect the bearing of offspring;
• when estrus began (on the first day), the club should be notified and a referral for mating should be obtained from there;
• the whole procedure must be agreed with the owners of the dog;
• mating is carried out on the 10-13th day of estrus;
• when mating, play between animals should not be allowed, and it is advisable to invite an experienced instructor

Every dog, regardless of its breed and size, must undergo a general training course in order to be socialized for society.

Such a dog is considered safe and well-mannered.

An ill-mannered Moscow watchdog may turn out to be uncontrollable, which will lead to dire consequences. Some owners parted because of this with their pets.

To avoid negative consequences, you need to assess your capabilities in advance.

You need to weigh your financial condition and free time that you will need to spend on walks and raising your pet.

Some dog handlers believe that "Muscovites" always show kindness to every member of the household. This is not the case, because such behavior is characteristic only if the dog is immediately shown who is in charge here.

Otherwise, the animal will take the place of the leader and will control its owner with other family members.

This concept is interpreted both literally and figuratively. The dog must follow the "Fu" command unquestioningly. Disobedience should not be allowed.

Puppies take a long time to mature. Dogs reach maturity only at 2-3 years.

At this point, the animal reaches the necessary parameters in the exterior, character and psyche.

However, this does not mean at all that the process of education can be postponed until later.

If the owners do not plan to send the dog into service dog breeding and attend exhibitions, you can do the usual home education. It consists of learning simple commands and practicing unquestioning obedience.

In other options, you will need the help of a professional training instructor. Despite the fact that the animal belongs to the category of intellectuals, it is distinguished by its special stubbornness. Therefore, the owner must be persistent and patient.

It is also important for the reason that being on the street with an inadequate large dog is a big risk for those around you. Aggression even without human intervention is inherent in this breed in the blood, so you need to be able to stop its manifestations instantly with the help of commands.

You can watch about the Moscow Watchdog in the video below.