The first news about the origin of the Moscow Watchdog date back to the Napoleonic campaign in Russia. It is known that in the entourage of the French troops, there were some specimens of the Saint Bernard breed that were then crossed with the Caucasian Shepherd breed. The result of this crossbreeding gave rise to the Moscow Watchdog , a molosser very similar in physiognomy to the Saint Bernard, showing a more docile character than the Caucasian Shepherd . It is a large dog, massive, robust and characterized by a thick coat that protects it from the winter temperatures of the steppe.
Characteristics of the Muscovite Guardian
But let’s now discover the main characteristics of the Moscow Watchman . The weight of this dog specimen can vary between 45 and 70 kg , while the height at the withers can exceed 69 cm .
The size is supported by a top-level musculoskeletal structure that allows this vigorous dog to move even in hostile environments; the legs, particularly developed and well-proportioned to the whole body, are muscular, but not heavy; the head is broad and compact, with a short muzzle and a large black nose with well-opened nostrils; the eyes are medium-sized, slightly ringed in black, hazel or brown in color; the ears, covered with thick hair, are set high, are broad, flat and fall on the cheeks.
The coat of the Moscow Watchman is full and rough on the outside, compared to the undercoat which is softer and more vaporous; the coat acts above all as thermal protection and makes it resistant to extreme conditions and temperatures.
A substantial difference with the Saint Bernard is that the Moscow Watchman produces little drool. Attention: this type of molosser needs large spaces and a lot of physical exercise to stay in perfect health.
Muscovite Guardian’s Diet
As for the Moscow Watchman’s diet , an adult specimen requires a daily food ration of 900-1200g . The dog grows a lot in the first years of life, going from 500g of weight at birth, to 70-90 kg of an adult; for this reason, the diet must be as complete as possible, of excellent quality and balanced. The puppy must eat mainly meat to assimilate the proteins essential to form the muscles.
The meat should preferably be red and lean, cut and served in small raw bites (avoid minced meat). Beef, lamb and horse are the most suitable meats, unlike pork which is difficult for the stomach and liver to digest.
Alternatively, fish (cooked) and eggs can provide all the necessary proteins. Milk and its derivatives, rich in calcium, should be administered through some portions of low-fat cheese.
How long does a Moscow Guardian live?
Let’s see at this point how long a Moscow Watchdog lives . The average lifespan of this molosser is nine to eleven years. The Moscow Watchdog is a dog with a healthy and robust constitution and normally enjoys good health. However, it could suffer from some genetic pathologies that derive from the original breeds, such as hip dysplasia and gastric torsion.
You may also be interested in our related article: St. Bernard Dog, Character and Price
How to Raise the Muscovite Watchman
Here is some information on how to raise the Moscow Watchman . Let’s start with a basic concept. Raising a specimen of this dog is tiring, expensive and demanding, so it will require a lot of patience and dedication. Never show fear and uncertainty in front of the puppy to affirm our role as leader during the early stages of training. Laying the foundations of obedience and listening is essential, already in the first months of the dog’s life.
As always, the secret to successful training is the “rewarding” methods, with a reward and therefore basic positive reinforcement, which put the puppy in a position to learn and memorize commands without anxiety or fear. Let’s not forget that this is a very robust dog and that it would be dangerous if it were to react aggressively. If we feel that we are inadequate in training, it would be best to turn to specialized centers with the help of dog trainers. The Moscow Guardian requires special care and attention, from weekly brushing of the thick fur, to washing the coat and ears regularly. Finally, it is necessary to regularly inspect the gums, teeth, ears and nasal mucosa of the animal.