Russian breed - WHAT is it? Please HELP...

[crow_noir]

For over a year now S.O. and i have seen now and then a man walking these two BEAUTIFUL dogs a few miles from here. They sort of looked like Norwegian Elkhound mixes to me. Well today S.O. was nice enough to stop the car for me so i could get out and talk to the guy and see if I can pet the dog (he only had one with him.) He said that it is a Russian breed called something like a SchowShee or something. He had no idea on the spelling of the breed.

They're almost all black, but have a silver underfur. To me it looked like a minature plush German Shepherd. On the other hand it still looks like a skinny NE (although this one was a tad overweight.) The tail hangs about the same as a GSD's does. I'd say it would be about the same height as a Norwegian Elkhound.

I have NEVER seen or heard of these anywhere else. (he said the other one is his sister's dog.) And I've read about almost 450 dog breeds. I still discover one or two new ones a year. This is the first time i learned about a breed by meeting one before reading about it though.

I spent an hour online looking for some sort of clue. (I don't think it is the Laika. They seem bigger and look all wrong. Same with the Bear Dog.)

Anyhoo, I'm TOTALLY in love. I gasp in delight each time I've seen them. Getting to meet one in person was just as awesome.

I want to know more! What is their history, what is their intended purpose, supposed standard temperament, etc.

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Any help would be appreciated!

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I have no idea. Too bad you don't have a picture! The only breed I can think of at the moment with similar colouring to an Elkhound is a Keeshond, but I know they aren't what you're describing.

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

I thought of the Alaskan Klee Kai, which obviously aren't from Russia! But here is a picture anyway... They do come in other colors as well.

[Kater]

Caucasian Shepherd Dog? a.k.a. Kavkazskaia or Caucasian Mountain Dog. (probably larger than what you are describing...)
East Siberian Laika?
Those are my best guesses after looking in a dog breed book...

[koxka]

Goggled for it that is what I found.

Russian Dog Breeds


Is that one?

Caucassian

[crow_noir]

I do appreciate the help and anyone looking!

Keeshond -WAY too furry.

Alaskan Klee Kai - you're right... so not it. Too small and looks too much like a husky or Mal.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Kavkazskaia, Caucasian Mountain Dog - Nope and nope. Seems too big and too St. Bernardish looking. and too furry.

East Siberian Laika - That's they one i was thinking it looked closest to. Wrong tail though. It comes close in size, shape, and from the looks of it fur.

http://www.dogomania.com/gallery/breeds/978430259.html

http://dobrota.perm.ru/brothers/dog/porods/231.html

They look so similar, yet all at the same time... NOT.

[cloverfdx]

Maybe this 'breed' is actually a cross breed, that has been given a fancy name?

ETA: List of Russian breeds

Black Russian Terrier
Borzoi
Caucasian Mountain Dog
Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Russian Spaniel
Russian Toy Terrier
Samoyed
Siberian Husky
South Russian Ovcharka

[Ginger's Mom]

I tried going by the "sounds like" name, since I was just coming up with the same dogs everyone else did when trying to find Russian dogs, and I came up with a Sanshu, which is described as being similar to a large Shiba Inu or small Akita. The few pictures I found are very Shiba-looking.

But I just thought I would mention it. They are listed as being very rare.

[crow_noir]

I was wondering the same thing.

As for the list... Yeah, i've seen it. Still, finding one small list online is like saying the only breeds in existence are the ones on the AKC's list. I figure over here in the states it's highly unlikely to know about all the breeds they have over there.

Maybe this 'breed' is actually a cross breed, that has been given a fancy name?

ETA: List of Russian breeds

Black Russian Terrier
Borzoi
Caucasian Mountain Dog
Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Russian Spaniel
Russian Toy Terrier
Samoyed
Siberian Husky
South Russian Ovcharka

[crow_noir]

Thanks... but nope, that's not it.

I tried going by the "sounds like" name, since I was just coming up with the same dogs everyone else did when trying to find Russian dogs, and I came up with a Sanshu, which is described as being similar to a large Shiba Inu or small Akita. The few pictures I found are very Shiba-looking.

But I just thought I would mention it. They are listed as being very rare.

[crow_noir]

Maybe this isn't a Russian breed?

I was just hoping someone on this vast network may have seen something like it.

If i had been thinking i would have asked the guy if we could take a picture of it. (It would have been a REALLY crummy picture, but then at least you'd have SOMETHING more to go by.)

[cali]

an Utonagan perhaps?

http://www.gotpetsonline.com/picture...utonagan-0017/

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

A Foo Dog?

[crow_noir]

Thank you again everyone for looking.

Utonagan - WAY too wolfish looking.

Foo Dog - Too wide/husky/big boned and too fluffy.

[luvofallhorses]

looks like a keeshond to me. Cute, though. I know it's not a keeshond just saying the dog resembles one.