Book excerpt: The Black Russian Terrier is a breed of dog that was developed in the USSR, in the Red Star Kennel, during the late 1940s. The breed is commonly known as the 'Tchiorny Terrier' and in its abbreviated form 'BRT.' The Black Russian Terrier was originally developed to be used as a military and working dog. Despite the breeds name including 'Terrier, ' the Black Russian Terrier is not actually part of the terrier grouping of dogs. The breed is believed to be a mixture of seventeen different breeds including the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, The Airedale and the Newfoundland. In modern times the breed is normally employed as a work dog, a guard dog, a sporting dog or simply as a companion dog. The Black Russian Terrier has a double coat with a coarse outercoat and a slightly softer undercoat. The breed's coat is known to have a hard and dense texture. It is typical for owner's to trim their Black Russian Terrier's coat to create a 'beard' and 'eyebrows' on the dog's face - in a similar fashion to Schnauzers. The Black Russian Terrier will always have a predominantly black coat but may have a few grey hair scattered across its body. As a whole the breed is known to be calm, confident, intelligent and protective. Before purchasing any pet it is important to understand that as a pet owner you are responsible for the care and wellbeing of your pet. It is important to try and learn as much as you can about the animal you are considering to keep as a pet to make sure that your lifestyle, household and financial status are suited to provide your pet with the best possible care. This guide has been designed to provide you with both precise and concise information about a Black Russian Terrier's basic needs to help you provide your pet with the best quality care practices. This guide will give an in-depth explanation on training your Black Russian Terrier, raising your Black Russian Terrier from a puppy, grooming, health care and everything in between! "The Black Russian Terrier: A Complete and Comprehensive Beginners Guide to: Buying, Owning, Health, Grooming, Training, Obedience, Understanding and Caring for Your Black Russian Terrier," by Michael Stonewood is the perfect purchase or gift for a first time Black Russian Terrier owner. This guide includes sections on caring for a puppy, breeding, health care, training, the basic cost of owning a Black Russian Terrier and much more. This book is the second edition - the first edition was published by 'Dog Care Professionals.'