Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Terrier Versus Black Russian Terrier: Introduction
- Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier: Overview
- Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier
- Price of Australian Terrier versus Price of Black Russian Terrier
- The Popularity of Australian Terrier versus Popularity of Black Russian Terrier
- Health Problems of Australian Terrier versus Health Problems of Black Russian Terrier
- Do Australian Terriers shed more than Black Russian Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Terrier or the Black Russian Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Terrier or the Black Russian Terrier?
- Can Australian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Terriers and Black Russian Terriers?
- Is the Australian Terrier Easier to Train than the Black Russian Terrier?
- Can Australian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Australian Terriers good family dogs? What about Black Russian Terriers?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Terrier vs. Black Russian Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Terrier or the Black Russian Terrier?
- Does the Australian Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Black Russian Terrier?
- Do Australian Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Black Russian Terriers?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Australian Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Black Russian Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Terrier Versus Black Russian Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Terrier and for the Black Russian Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Terrier or the Black Russian Terrier
Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Black Russian Terrier is a giant-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
On the other hand, the Black Russian Terrier belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Terrier to the Black Russian Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Australian Terrier | Black Russian Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 11 years |
| Weight | 14 to 16 pounds | 80 to 140 pounds |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 10.5 years |
| Average Price | $1200 | $2890 |
| Price Range | $975 – $1500 | $2400 – $3550 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 134 | 119 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Terrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Black Russian Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Australian Terrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Black Russian Terrier is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Australian Terrier is a better pet than the Black Russian Terrier. So, you should get the Australian Terrier!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier
Below is a list of where the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier
The Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier.
Australian Terriers weigh 14 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Australian Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Black Russian Terriers weigh 80 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Black Russian Terriers are 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Australian Terrier versus Price of Black Russian Terrier
The average price of the Australian Terrier puppy is $1200. The price of the Australian Terrier typically ranges from $975 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Terrier can be as low as $150 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 18 Australian Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Black Russian Terrier puppy is $2890. The price of the Black Russian Terrier typically ranges from $2400 – $3550. However, the price of a Black Russian Terrier can be as low as $250 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 12 Black Russian Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Black Russian Terrier is more expensive than the Australian Terrier.
| Australian Terrier | Black Russian Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1200 | $2890 |
| Price Range | $975 to $1500 | $2400 to $3550 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Terrier and Black Russian Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Terrier puppies or how many Black Russian Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Black Russian Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Terrier puppy or the Black Russian Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of Australian Terrier versus Popularity of Black Russian Terrier
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Black Russian Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Australian Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Black Russian Terrier is 119 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Australian Terrier is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Terrier
Popularity of Black Russian Terrier
| Year | Australian Terrier Popularity Rank | Black Russian Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 122 | 118 |
| 2014 | 139 | 127 |
| 2015 | 125 | 116 |
| 2016 | 136 | 119 |
| 2017 | 137 | 116 |
| 2018 | 139 | 118 |
| 2019 | 142 | 114 |
| 2020 | 134 | 126 |
Health Problems of Australian Terrier versus Health Problems of Black Russian Terrier
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Black Russian Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Australian Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Black Russian Terrier than for the Australian Terrier.
3 health tests are recommended for Australian Terrier while 7 tests are recommended for the Black Russian Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Terriers and in Black Russian Terriers.
Australian Terrier Health Problems
Australian Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Australian Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Terriers here.
Black Russian Terrier Health Problems
Black Russian Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Black Russian Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Black Russian Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Black Russian Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Black Russian Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Black Russian Terriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Terriers and Black Russian Terriers
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Australian Terrier Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Australian Terrier ranks 2 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 385 Australian Terriers, 70 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Australian Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Black Russian Terrier Breed is Hyperuricosuria problems.
This is because the Black Russian Terrier ranks 2 out of 11 dog breeds for Hyperuricosuria problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 219 Black Russian Terriers, 3 of them had Hyperuricosuria problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Black Russian Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Black Russian Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Terrier and in Black Russian Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier:
| Disease | Australian Terrier Rank | Black Russian Terrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 2 out of 145 dog breeds | 96 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 75 out of 115 dog breeds | 86 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 134 out of 182 dog breeds | 33 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 176 out of 198 dog breeds | 10 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Hyperuricosuria problems | Not Common | 2 out of 11 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 10 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 43 out of 49 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Do Australian Terriers shed more than Black Russian Terriers?
Australian Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Black Russian Terriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Australian Terrier or the Black Russian Terrier
Australian Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Black Russian Terriers drool moderately.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier
Australian Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Black Russian Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Terrier or the Black Russian Terrier?
Australian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Black Russian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Terrier or the Black Russian Terrier?
Australian Terriers are OK for new dog owners.
Black Russian Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Can Australian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Black Russian Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Terriers and Black Russian Terriers?
Australian Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Black Russian Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Australian Terrier Easier to Train than the Black Russian Terrier?
Australian Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Black Russian Terriers are very easy to train.
Can Australian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Black Russian Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Are Australian Terriers good family dogs? What about Black Russian Terriers?
Australian Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Black Russian Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Terrier vs. Black Russian Terrier
Australian Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Black Russian Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Is the Australian Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Black Russian Terrier?
Australian Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Black Russian Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Terrier or the Black Russian Terrier?
Australian Terriers are very easy to groom.
Black Russian Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Australian Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Black Russian Terrier?
Australian Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Black Russian Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Australian Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Black Russian Terriers?
Australian Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Black Russian Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Australian Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Black Russian Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Black Russian Terrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Black Russian Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Australian Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Australian Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Australian Terrier and how the Black Russian Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Australian Terrier and of the Black Russian Terrier to other breeds:
Australian Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Australian Terrier versus Cockapoo Australian Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Australian Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Australian Terrier versus Cockapoo Australian Terrier versus Norwich Terrier Australian Terrier versus Schipperke Australian Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Australian Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog Australian Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier Australian Terrier versus Chi-Poo
Black Russian Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Black Russian Terrier versus Rottweiler Black Russian Terrier versus Aussiedoodle Black Russian Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier Black Russian Terrier versus Boerboel Black Russian Terrier versus Labradoodle Black Russian Terrier versus Plott Black Russian Terrier versus Chi-Poo Black Russian Terrier versus Bich Poo Black Russian Terrier versus Border Terrier Black Russian Terrier versus Borzoi
Conclusion: Australian Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Terrier and the Black Russian Terrier better suits you and your family.