The Moscow Water Dog was a dog breed developed in Russia from the Newfoundland, Caucasian Shepherd Dog and East European Shepherd. It was also known as the Moscow Diver, Moscow Retriever or Moskovsky Vodolaz. The breed is now extinct, but it contributed to the development of the Black Russian Terrier. It was produced only by the Red Star Kennels, a state-operated organization set up to provide working dogs for the Soviet Union’s armed services. The breeding program ended after the dogs attacked people who were drowning rather than rescuing them. The breed’s history is tied to that specific working-dog program and its intended role in service to the armed forces.
Who it is for
This entry may interest readers learning about extinct dog breeds and the development of the Black Russian Terrier.
What is good
- Contributed to the development of the Black Russian Terrier
- Produced for Soviet armed services
What to know first
- Now extinct
- Breeding program discontinued after attacks on drowning victims
Verdict
The Moscow Water Dog is an extinct Russian breed with a role in the development of the Black Russian Terrier. Its breeding program was discontinued because the dogs attacked drowning victims rather than saving them.
