Discovering the Moscow Water Dog Breed

The Moscow Water Dog is a versatile and intelligent breed that originated in Russia. It's a medium-sized dog with a muscular build and a water-resistant coat.

They have a strong instinct to retrieve and swim, which makes them well-suited for water activities. Their coat is made up of a double layer, with a thick undercoat and a coarse outer coat that sheds water easily.

The Moscow Water Dog is an ancient breed that dates back to the 16th century, when they were used as hunting dogs by Russian aristocrats. They were highly valued for their intelligence, athleticism, and loyalty.

Their high energy level requires regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

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The Moscow water dog was originally commissioned by the Russian government and navy to create the ultimate rescue dog. They wanted to combine the best traits from various breeds to create a super-swimming, water-rescue pup.

The creation of the Moscow water dog involved mixing the gentle nature of the Newfoundland with the work ethic, power, and bravery of the Caucasian and Eastern European shepherds. This unique blend of traits was intended to make the Moscow water dog an ideal rescue dog.

Unfortunately, the Moscow water dog picked up some aggressive tendencies from the Eastern European shepherd, making it more likely to bite drowning victims than rescue them. This ultimately led to the breed's demise and extinction in the 1980s.

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The Moscow Water Dog has a fascinating history that dates back to the 19th century.

The breed originated in Russia, specifically in the Moscow region, where it was bred to retrieve waterfowl.

Its early ancestors were likely the Central Asian Ovtcharka, a large and powerful dog that was used for guarding and hunting.

The Moscow Water Dog was originally bred to be a working dog, not a companion animal.

Its early history is closely tied to the region's hunting traditions, where it was used to retrieve game from water.

The creation of the Moscow water dog was a deliberate attempt to breed the ultimate rescue dog. The Russian government and navy commissioned the project, hoping to combine the best traits from various breeds.

To achieve this, the state-operated Red Star Kennels, under Colonel G. P. Medvedev's command, selected breeds known for their size and work ethic. The goal was to create a dog that could handle cold water and inclement weather.

The breeders chose to mix the gentle nature of the Newfoundland with the power and bravery of the Caucasian and Eastern European shepherds. This combination resulted in a dog with an ideal fluffy double-coat.

However, the breed picked up some aggressive tendencies from the east European shepherd, which proved to be a major drawback. The Moscow water dog was more likely to bite drowning victims than rescue them.

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The Moscow Water Dog was likely a large breed, weighing between 110 and 140 pounds and standing 26 to 30 inches tall.

Their thick, fluffy double coat was a key feature, helping to insulate them from the cold water they were bred to work in. This coat required frequent grooming to stay in good shape.

These dogs probably had webbed feet, similar to their Newfoundland ancestors, although this isn't entirely clear.

Their dominant coat colors were likely brown or black, but they could also have had grey, white, or sable coat combinations due to their varied genetic history.

Moscow Water Dogs were prone to health issues, including cardiovascular problems, Addison's disease, and hypothyroidism, thanks to their Newfoundland heritage.

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The Moscow water dog was likely a large breed, weighing between 110 and 140 pounds.

Their height was probably around 26 to 30 inches tall when fully grown.

These dogs had an athletic build, but it was hard to see due to their thick, fluffy, double coat.

The undercoat of these dogs was super thick to help insulate them from the cold water.

They may have had webbed feet, but unfortunately, this isn't clear.

The dominant colors of their coat were likely brown or black, but other colors like grey, white, or sable coat combinations were also possible.

These dogs shed a ton, and their coats required frequent grooming to stay in the best shape possible.

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The Moscow water dog was likely prone to cardiovascular problems, Addison's disease, and hypothyroidism due to the Newfoundland blood in their pedigree.

Their large size made them susceptible to joint pain and hip dysplasia.

Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, was another potential issue they faced.

Caucasian shepherd dog ancestors may have predisposed them to cataracts.

Their active lifestyles likely helped mitigate the risk of weight gain, but it's still a consideration for owners.

The average life expectancy of a Moscow water dog was between 9 to 12 years.

The Moscow Water Dog was created by combining Newfoundlands, Caucasian shepherd dogs, and East European shepherds, which makes its ancestry a mix of different breeds.

Unfortunately, these dogs didn't have ideal temperaments for their work, leading to their extinction. They were more aggressive than desired, limiting their ability to perform water rescues.

The Moscow Water Dog was likely a bold, hard-working, and intelligent breed, but its projected fearless and independent mindset made it difficult to train.

The Moscow water dog was likely a bold and hard-working pooch, thanks to its parent breeds. These dogs were probably highly intelligent, but it's difficult to say whether they would be highly trainable due to their fearless and independent mindset.

They were probably at medium energy throughout the day, but ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. This made them happiest when doing their job and staying busy.

Unfortunately, the Moscow water dog was more aggressive when faced with high-pressure situations, which ultimately led to the extinction of the breed.

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The Moscow water dog's personality and key takeaways are a fascinating topic. Unfortunately, these dogs did not have ideal temperaments for their work.

Their aggressive nature limited their ability to perform water rescues. This temperament issue ultimately led to their extinction.

Here are some key takeaways about the Moscow water dog's creation: