Dog Breeds from Russia

Dogs were brought for a purpose and these dogs do just that and have adapted to the harsh climates of Russia.

1. Black Russian Terrier: developed during WW2 in the USSR by mixing multiple imported breeds  and was mainly used as military working dog.
2. Bolonka: This is the one I would want off the list. This breed dates back to czarist Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries and were breed as fashionable companions to wealthy women.
3. Borzoi: breed for hunting wolves starting in the 9th and 10th centuries but this slighthound is not as popular as it once was.
4. Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Originating from the Caucasus mountains and were breed to protect property and livestock because of their aggressive natures.
5. Central Asian Shepherd Dog: also breed for the purpose of protecting property and livestock in the USSR. This breed is also used in traditional dog fighting however the dogs seldom injured each other because they were looking for the most dominate and not really the most aggressive.
6. Laika: a hunting dog skilled in bark-pointing and was very popular in the 19 and 20 centuries.
7. Russian Spaniel: because Cocker Spaniels have little legs they were bred to have longer legs so they could move through the harsh Russian terrain and help hunting
8. Russian Toy: This dog was bred to be a watchdog and a ratter but the breed nearly went extinct when the Iron Curtain fell.
9. Samoyed: a herder and a carting dog, this breed was developed by the people in Siberia. Recent studies has this is the oldest breed tracing back 3,000 years.
10. Siberian Husky: And of course, the sledding and carting dog that has spread across Russia and into Alaska. It is most popular for is ability to make it through tough terrain and being able to travel more than 600 miles.