Moscow Watchdog

100-150 lbs
25-27"
Moscow
Moscow Dog, Moskovskaya Storodzevay Sobaka

The Moscow Watchdog is a recently developed dog breed from Russia that was designed as a watchdog. A mix between the Caucasian Ovtcharka and the Saint Bernard breeds was used as a basis for the breed, with smaller contributions from a few other breeds. They are generally amicable, but they are able to switch gears and be ferociously protective when it is needed. These large dogs are generally approachable animals when properly socialized, but can become over-protective on occasion. This breed requires a little more activity than either of the main parent breeds and is generally happier and easier to live with in a larger home with a secured yard than in a small home or an apartment.  

purpose Purpose
Watchdog
history Date of Origin
1980s
ancestry Ancestry
Caucasian Ovtcharka

Moscow Watchdog Health

Average Size
Male Moscow Watchdog size stats
Height: 25-27 inches Weight: 100-150 lbs
Female Moscow Watchdog size stats
Height: 25-27 inches Weight: 100-150 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
  • Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat
Minor Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Arthritis
Occasional Diagnoses
  • None Known
Occasional Tests
  • Blood Panel
  • Hip and Elbow X-rays

Moscow Watchdog Breed History

The Moscow Watchdog, also known as the Caucasian Otchartka, is a recently developed dog from Russia that is intended to be an all-around watchdog, suitable as a family or working dog as well as being tolerant to the cold temperatures and harsh winter conditions that are often found in Moscow. In order to create the proper mix of bulk, independent intelligence, assertiveness, and gentleness, several breeds were considered as a basis for this large and imposing animal. Eventually, in the 1940s and 50s, breeders sanctioned by the government, such as General Medvedev at the Military Cynology School, settled on a combination of the Caucasian Ovtcharka dogs, a breed chosen for their alert and protective nature, and the Saint Bernard dogs, a breed chosen for their genial and easy-going demeanor, with some additional contributions from breeds such as Russian Harlequin Hounds, German Shepherds, and the Russian Wolfhound. The resulting canine was a large, intelligent animal that was well-suited for guarding the railroads, warehouses, and labor camps that the government needed to be protected, but also generally affable rather than aggressive, and by the 1960s the resulting dog was dubbed the Moscow Watchdog. The first breed standard for the Moscow Watchdog was published in 1985, the same year that the Soviet Union granted the breed “official status.” The following year several of these new dogs were taken to Hungary in 1986, but the breed standard remained unapproved by the Federation of the Dog Breeders of Russia until 1992, and the Russian Kennel Club until 1997. 

Moscow Watchdog Breed Appearance

The Moscow Watchdog is a very large dog that stands a little over two feet tall and generally weighs between one hundred and one hundred and fifty pounds. They tend to be slightly longer than they are tall, generally with a hardy and well-muscled build. Their head is typically massive with a furrow running down the center of their skull and a deep, wide muzzle that is just a little bit shorter than their skulls are. The eyes of the Moscow Watchdog are small, dark, and round with black eyelids while their small, triangular ears are set high up on the sides of the head and hang down close to their cheeks. They have a fairly thick, double-layer coat that consists of a short, dense undercoat overlayed by a slightly longer layer of protective, weather-resistant fur that typically comes in white with large reddish patches often spotted with white, brown, or black. The white of the face is often adorned with black patches and freckles as well. 

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Moscow Watchdog eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Moscow Watchdog nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
brown Moscow Watchdog coat
Brown
white Moscow Watchdog coat
White
red Moscow Watchdog coat
Red
black Moscow Watchdog coat
Black
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Moscow Watchdog wavy coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Moscow Watchdog Breed Maintenance

These dogs don’t normally require a great deal in the way of grooming. Bathing should only occur on an occasional basis as bathing that occurs too frequently may strip the coat of its naturally protective oils. This dog does shed rather heavily but thoroughly brushing out their coat at least a few times a week will help to control the shedding hair as well as removing any mats or tangles in the fur. These dogs do have a tendency to shed much more heavily during the change of seasons, and it will more than likely require daily brushing during those times to control the shedding. Care of the teeth and nails can be attended to by a weekly brushing of the teeth and a monthly clipping of the nails.

Brushes for Moscow Watchdog
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Moscow Watchdog requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Moscow Watchdog Temperament

These are typically very companionable canines with their family and overall friendly but wary and quite discerning with strangers. While these gentle giants are generally very patient with children within their families, all interactions between this dog and small or younger children should be closely supervised. They are also generally friendly with other animals in the home as long as they are socialized with them and they have a fairly low prey drive compared to many other breeds. Moscow Watchdogs who have not been properly socialized when they were young may develop anxiety or aggression when dealing with strangers, and as these dogs have a very independent nature, training should start early for the best results. When training is started early in the dog’s life, it is usually fairly straightforward, however mature dogs with no prior training may be much more challenging to begin training with. They do have a rather well-developed guarding instinct, and although they are generally amicable, they will respond with force if they feel that they or their family are threatened. 

Moscow Watchdog Activity Requirements

The Moscow Watchdog tends to be slightly more active than either of the parent breeds and should get at least an hour or more of vigorous activity each day. It is important not to overly stress the joints of large and giant sized dogs like the Moscow Watchdog by running or jumping too forcefully as this can instigate or worsen joint issues such as arthritis and hip dysplasia, particularly while the dog’s bones are still forming. These dogs are not well designed for smaller living areas like apartments and are better suited to a larger home, preferably with a secured yard to stretch out in.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
14 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Moscow Watchdog Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$40.00 - $60.00
food bag monthly cost

Moscow Watchdog Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Moscow Watchdog size stats at six months
Height: 21.0 inches Weight: 75.0 lbs
Female Moscow Watchdog size stats at six months
Height: 21.0 inches Weight: 75.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Moscow Watchdog size stats at 12 months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 106.5 lbs
Female Moscow Watchdog size stats at 12 months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 106.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Moscow Watchdog size stats at 18 months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 112.5 lbs
Female Moscow Watchdog size stats at 18 months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 112.5 lbs

Moscow Watchdog Owner Experiences

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