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Breeding Program
Our objective is to conserve and improve the breed in structure, temperament, conformation and working ability, never
sacrificing one for the others.
MIDNIGHT SOLO’S KENNEL
Breeding program is geared to breed strong, healthy dogs with steady temperament, excellent working skills and great conformation,
according to the Black Russian Terrier breed standard.
All breeding stock is x-rayed, earned confirmation and/or working titles, or has the above mentioned titles in pedigree.
We breed for quality, NOT for quantity. Therefore we only have a very limited number of puppies each year. Every puppy born
here at Midnight Solo is raised in our home NOT in a kennel setting and properly socialized before it goes to the new home. We
will only place puppies in homes with carefully screened people.
Our desire is to produce top quality, healthy, fun-loving Black Russian Terrier puppies with tons of attitude and showmanship,
which are a pleasure to live with as pets, make excellent working and show dogs.
Our BRTs are very important part of the family and are first and foremost well-loved pets. They receive the love, attention
and training that they require and deserve.
Midnight Solo warrantees our puppies’ from genetic problems. All of our puppies are provided with first shots, are de-wormed,
receive a health check from our Veterinarian, are identified by microchip or tattoo and are fully registered so you know where
your puppy comes from and can be confident of a puppy's physical well being.
If you are committed to owning a top-quality Black Russian Terrier and are capable of making the commitment this type of dog
deserves, please consider a puppy from Midnight Solo.
Due to the limited number of puppies each year, reservations are recommended.
What is a ‘pet quality’ puppy?
We often get calls or e-mails from people looking to add a purebred dog to their households. More often than not, the caller or
writer specifies that he wants ‘just a pet,’ so he doesn’t want to pay a lot of money for a puppy.
The most reliable source of a puppy is a responsible breeder who has titled his dogs in confirmation and /or working modalities,
does health checks, breeds for good temperament, according to the breed standard and backs up his puppies with a contract and a
health guarantee. Please check Midnight Solo’s breeding program for details.
Just what do show/working dog breeders consider to be a pet quality puppy?
In shows, dogs are judged against a written standard that describes the ‘ideal’ specimen of that breed. Standards describe
proportions, angles, size, bite, etc. which best enable the dog to perform the required task. Cosmetic requirements, such as
coat color and type, eye color, etc. are also part of the standard.
Theoretically, ‘pet’ or ‘companion’ quality refers to dogs that vary from that standard in such a way that it would be difficult
for that dog to finish its championship. ‘Pet’ or ‘companion’ quality does not refer to structural, health, or temperament
problems that would impact the dog’s quality of life.
BRT standard contain words such as ‘robust and rustic’ that leave room for interpretation. And as in so many things, no two
people will agree on an interpretation of ‘robust or rustic,’ so what one breeder considers a show quality dog, another would
consider a companion. Some breeders will not show dogs that vary from the standard in minor ways, while some other breeders
routinely show dogs that vary significantly from the standard.
Why should a pet owner seek out a show/working dog breeder when purchasing ‘just a pet’?
Responsible breeders are knowledgeable about their breed, perform applicable health checks and certifications on their breeding
dogs, socialize and evaluate their puppies, and stand by the dogs they sell. Dogs are chosen for breeding based on their genetic
compatibility, not because “I have a female Golden, you have a male Golden, so....”
Responsible breeders will be there as a resource to the new owners, supplying information and general guidance if it is needed.
They will be concerned about the welfare of that dog for the rest of its life, so they will want to be sure it’s the right home
for that dog. Getting money for the dog and getting it out of their house is not their priority as it is with pet shops, brokers,
or not-responsible breeders. Good breeders ask potential companion buyers lots of questions, and may even require references.
Is the Black Russian Terrier The Right Dog For You?
Before you buy a Black Russian Terrier or BRT puppy, consider what your needs are as well as what the dog's needs are.
Do those needs conflict?
Will you enjoy owning a BRT? If you are looking for a bright, brave, responsive dog with whom you will be able to spend time,
whom you will enjoy grooming, whom you plan to obedience train; if you are looking for a protective, loyal dog who will be
devoted to you and your family for the rest of his life -- then you would enjoy owning a Blackie, the breed might be right
for your family. And, that's what you're hopefully looking for: a breed you can enjoy.
Don’t buy a Black Russian Terrier because of pictures you've seen, or what you've read about the breed. Don't even base your
decision on what the devotees of the breed tell you about them. MEET THE DOGS. Watch them at shows, but more important see
them at their home. Adult BRTs will act differently toward you than they do their owners, because they are very loyal and
protective, rather than extroverted, sociable types. When you spend some time with a BRT and his owner, you'll begin to get
an idea of what a Blackie is like to live with. Ask to watch as the BRT is groomed. Watch an obedience training as practice
session at home or a formal class. Take your time. Ask questions! Visit as many breeders as you can. Get to know the breed.
It’s the only way to find out if a Black Russian Terrier is the right dog for you.
At Midnight Solo we believe in matching the puppy with the new owners. We carefully select a dog for the owners,
keeping in mind what the dog is being purchased for.
Is a BRT a breed for me?
How much space do you need: The Black Russian Terrier is a large breed and does well in the house, but in Europe has adapted to the small space of apartment living. We believe that BRTs do best as a part of a family, living at home, not in a kennel.
Training Requirements: Basic obedience is a must. A BRT puppy will grow into a large strong dog. Firm, but gentle training is the key, your Blackie will be eager to learn and please you. A BRT puppy must be socialized from the start to new people, other animals and situations.
The Black Russian Terrier is a multipurpose, versatile working dog. The working dog group includes some of the most intelligent breeds of dogs. If you have never owned a BRT before, you'll be amazed at how quickly he learns, and at the number of things you can teach him. But this intelligence carries an obligation with it. A BRT won't be happy left alone in a pen or in your house all day. A working dog enjoys life most when he is given responsibility and a job to do, whether the job is, obedience, agility, baby-sitting, guide-dog, guarding, drafting, carting, herding, etc.
The Black Russian Terrier must be regularly trained and worked with. But once again, think and look at your lifestyle. Most obedience instructors recommend in the beginning, that you work with your dog for an hour a day. With a puppy the training time should be broken in a few 2-5 minutes sessions, depending on the age of the pup and the task you are teaching, because they have shorter attention span. No intelligent dog should be left in "cold storage" only to be worked when the owner's conscience gets the better of him. Working with your dog doesn't have to mean formal obedience work. But, he has to know basic obedience and once you get hooked in obedience, you'll probably want to go all the way into competition trials to show him off. However, teaching him tricks or games, letting him help you by carrying things or finding something for you --- these activities allow him to use his mind, and gives him a feeling of being important to you. Is your schedule loaded with a job, social commitments, club-work or numerous other hobbies? You will have to leave room for time with your Blackie.
Protective qualities: The Black Russian Terrier was bred as a guard dog. He feels that one of his jobs is to protect his family and home. As a guard dog, the BRT has a strong sense of his territory: this means they are not usually roamers, but it does not mean, nor is it an excuse to let them run loose.
You don't need to train him to do this; his guard instincts come naturally to him. He will be watchful of people on your property, expressing caution and suspicion with a low growl. Most Blackies take life seriously. They aren't happy-go-lucky types of dogs who will go wagging up to everyone, especially when they are grown-up (after 2-3 years of age). However, a BRT quickly learns to differentiate between strangers and the friends or relatives-who visit your home frequently, greeting the latter folks graciously once in your home.
Exercise: Moderate. BRT are big muscular dogs and need exercise to build and maintain healthy muscle mass to be and look their best. Do you personally, like to go for long walks or jog, bike daily?
The BRT is a very family oriented dog and will want to accompany you and the family to the beach, store, walk in the park, help pulling the gardening wagon or pull your kids on sleds in winter, go for a car ride to keep you company. As a loyal family member your BRT will gladly join any activity you might come up with. In the past, have you enjoyed playing energetically with your dogs? You'll be happier, and so will your dog, if you choose a breed that fits into your present lifestyle, rather than expect to change your way of life because you've acquired a dog. You may, if you choose the wrong breed, come to resent the dog.
Grooming: BRT is a non-shedding, hypoallergenic breed, but needs regular grooming. A BRT needs to be brushed regularly to look his best and to prevent matting of the beautiful black coat, and keep the skin healthy.
The Blackies that you see at the shows and in photographs just didn't come that way: hours of time went into grooming and preparing them. The dog's head needs the most attention. If you don't keep your dog's banks and beard brushed, dry and clean, his beautiful appearance could suffer (ask your breeder-owner for tips on how to). Grooming isn't an extra -- it has to be done, whether you do it yourself or pay someone else, regular grooming is essential to your dog's health and to your enjoyment of your dog.
If you are not planning to show in confirmation, your Blackie can be kept clipped back 3-4 times a year.
Litter Announcement
Puppy Questionnaire
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