Black Russian Terriers are the fifth rarest breed in the world and probably not the dog for everyone, but are considered the most intelligent breed in the world, with brains between monkeys and humans; they are extremely smart. The Owner/Handler of Yuri drove to Toronto to fetch him and then began minimal training because by nature, he already had many skills.

As an alert assistant, "Yuri starts getting real uneasy and steps on my feet or brushes against me if he senses I am going to have a seizure", wrote his Handler. "He starts doing this thirty to forty-five minutes before it happens", she explained. Thus, the Handler knows when to sit down, long before the seizure begins.

Before obtaining Yuri, his Handler suffered 47-breaks in her arm as a result of a car accident. A fall while having a seizure and potentially breaking her arm, could cause her to have her arm amputated. In this case, the services this Service Canine provides are extremely valuable. "He is not only my best friend, he is my freedom and security", his Handler explained.

Yuri was welcomed into the home and heart of his Handler, who quickly learned his worth and loved him so much; she decided to obtain a female. "Laska" was flown directly from Warsaw into Chicago on a ten and a half hour flight when she was only six-weeks old. Like Yuri, her Handler is training Laska, who will eventually be 75 to 130-pounds and as tall as her mate. The names bestowed on these two beauties have meanings in the Russian language:

Yuri is the Russian name for "George" and while not quite as romantic as his new mate, Laska, which means "love" in the Russian language, it provides an interesting history. Yuri's full name is Yuri Mac Zahadavich; his first name derived from Doctor Zhigavo, (a favorite movie of his Handler), his middle name contains the three initials of his Handler's husband's name, and his last name comes from his Sire. In Russian, the word "Vich" means "son of", so his translation is Yuri Mac, son of Zahada and Zahada is a Black Russian Terrier Champion in Russia.

Yuri is two years old, weighing in at 110-pounds in January 2007. (His handler thinks he may have enjoyed too much of a holiday.) Yuri may reach the weight of as much as 130-pounds and full-grown males are typically 27 to 30-inches tall.

Black Russian Terriers have talents as watchdogs, guarding, police, search and rescue, tracking, retrieving, sledding, agility, obedience, and of course, tricks. They are eager to please their Handler with tasks as Service Animals.

Ruth Cummings, Handler/Owner

Note: The Russian Military began breeding Black Russian Terriers in the 1950's, and today use them to guard the Siberian borders to help keep control of their country. Russia did not want the Black Russian Terriers to leave their country and consider them as national treasures. Breeders smuggle them out by flying them on Polish Airlines into Warsaw and then changing planes. The Russian Military goal was to create a "super man-stopper" and accomplished this with approximately 17 different breeds, including Giant Schnauzer-Airedale crossbred with Airedale-Rottweiler crosses and Giant Schnauzer-Rottweiler crosses. In 1957, the new breeds of Black Russian Terriers were exhibited during an all-Russian Dog Show and interest in this breed enveloped. Political conditions persuaded the military to sell the canines to private parties, and this new group of breeders then focused on developing traits that helped the Black Russian Terrier become a member of society, with good temperament, intelligence, loyalty, and trainability. Finally, in the 1960's and 70's the last combinations of other breeds were made. The breed was first exhibited in the United States in 1991. While this rare breed remains difficult to find, they were designated as an "AKC Working Group" in the large arena in July 2004 in the USA.

Update: On September 30, 2007, Yuri viciously attacked and mauled his Handler while she was in bed. Fortunately, the Handler suffered only bites on her arm and feet, but her Veterinarian told her she could never trust him again because no amount of training would ever "train this trait" out of him. Ultimately, the Veterinarian wisely suggested, "He will have to be put down". On the following day, Yuri was laid to rest.

Yuri attacked due to a syndrome common in Springer canines. Canines suffering with "Springer Rage Syndrome" do not have to consume any ingredient to bring on an attack. Many dogs studied with "Springer Rage Syndrome" had abnormally low amounts of serotonin metabolites in their urine and cerebral spinal fluid suggesting the dominance aggression was associated with abnormally low levels of serotonin in the brain. Several well-known veterinarians are doing trial treatments for this chemical imbalance. Low levels of Serotonin in human beings cause a vast amount of various illnesses, diseases and syndromes, none of which are apparently aggressive in a human being, but rather cause depression. There is an abundance of information on the Internet regarding Springer Rage Syndrome. One of the best articles regarding this syndrome is written by Lyn Johnson, DVM, is posted on this link on the Internet.

The Handler of this unique and special canine was both upset and relieved stating, "I could never close my eyes around him again. I am hurt and miss him, but I never want this to happen to anyone." She continues to work with "Laska" who is providing her Handler with the assistance as what Yuri once did, as well as working in the ring and receiving many awards. We gratefully thank this Handler/Owner for this information and sincerely wish her tremendous success with Laska, who is now serving this Handler as an Alert Assistant.

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