Walker Hound vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison

The Moscow Water Dog was developed in the Soviet Union around the same time as other classic Soviet dogs. The Moscow Watchdog and the Black Russian Terrier are a couple of these other dogs. The Water Dog came from crossing the Caucasian Oytcharka with the Newfoundland. The breed is known by many names including the Vodolaz which means “diver of deep Water”. The Moscow Water Dog was only bred in the Russian state’s Red Star Kennels as working dogs for the military.

Following the second World War, most of the working dogs had been destroyed during the war. Not enough dogs could be imported to begin a breeding program for any working breed. So, the Soviet Red Star Kennels began to create several working breeds. Included in this group with the Moscow Water Dog, were the Moscow Newfoundland, the Moscow Great Dane, the Black Russian Terrier, and the Brudasty Hound.

The only really successful breed coming from this program is the Russian Black Terrier. All the rest are either extinct or found only in Russia today. The Moscow Water Dog was supposed to be a life saver/water rescue dog, but the dogs they developed were too aggressive, and the program was scrapped. It seemed that the cross had bred a dog that had too much of the working water dog traits and not enough of the rescue dog traits. The military breeders tried to pass the dogs off as a Russian Newfoundland and sell it to the non-military.

These non-military owners of the few “Russian Newfoundland”, did not try to change the dogs through breeding. Instead over time they bred the Russian Newfoundland with pure bred Newfoundlands almost eliminating the “Russian” portion of the breed. By the early 1980’s the stock had been so diluted with the pure Newfoundland that the Russian Newfoundland was basically extinct.

The Red Army kennel had other breeds with some of the genes of this breed in their lines. This included the Brudasty Hound, the Moscow Great Dane, the Caucasian Oycharka, the Moscow Watchdog and the Russian Black Terrier. The Russian Navy was unhappy with the situation and never again let the army developed the Navy’s waterdog.

The Walker Hound is actually two different breeds today both descendant from the original Walker. They are the Running Walker Hound and the Treeing Walker Coonhound and mark their ancestors as the American Foxhound and the English Foxhound. The Treeing Walker is a breed developed in the United States when a “Tennessee Lead Dog” was crossed with a Walker Hound. The Running Walker is considered a Foxhound not a coonhound. They Running Walker does not have a treeing instinct and is not as common in hunting in the southern US as the Treeing Walker Coonhound.

In 1945 the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the Treeing Walker Coonhound and by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 2012. They were developed to hunt and “tree” racoons – so the coonhound label. They also are capable of hunting bears, deer, bobcats and mountain lions. Their baying voice is distinctive that even at a great distance a hunter can recognize the voice of his dog.

Both types of Walkers are calm, gentle and friendly family dogs. The original Walker Hounds were bred in Kentucky by John Walker and George Maupin. The Walker Coonhound, Treeing was recognized as part of the English Coonhound breed by the UKC in 1905. In 1945, they were then recognized as their own breed by the UKC.

They have become the most popular hound competitor in coon hunt competitions. They are known for speed and an ability to catch more racoons in a shorter period of time than any other coonhound. They also tree squirrels, cougars. Opossums, roof rats and skunks.

The Moscow Water Dog was intelligent, vigilant, an excellent swimmer, and great in artic waters. However, he was too aggressive and instead of saving the swimmer, they would attack them. The Moscow Water Dog is a tall, balanced and powerful dog. They have a wide muzzle and a square head like the Newfoundland. Their eyes are dark and small while the ears are triangular. The nose and lips are black. He has webbed feet of course and a hanging tail.

The coat on the Moscow Water Dog was of course waterproof and double. The top coat is very dense, straight and soft. It is usually a dark brown with some black and white.

This working dog is tall and lean with the males being somewhat larger than the females. They have broad skulls and hanging, long ears with a long muzzle. They have a soft expression in their dark eyes, straight legs and compact cat-like feet. The coat is smooth, glossy and fine. The traditional color is a tricolor or a bi-color in white with black and tan markings. The bicolors are white and tan or white and black. Their speed comes from the long , powerful and muscled legs and hindquarters along with the frame that is lean and streamlined.

Children friendliness

yes

Special talents

Swimming and stamina

Adaptability

Yes but needed some land. Better in countryside.

Learning ability

This is an intelligent dog, but he could not be trained out of his aggressiveness.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness yes they are good with kids

2.Special talents Walkers are capable of covering a lot of ground in a hurry. Speed and treeing instinct.

3.Adaptability too anxious to lie idly around a suburban home or condo.

4.Learning ability highly intelligent but stubborn

Because the breed was around for such a short period there is not a lot of documentation or information regarding genetic or propensity health issues. There are however a few issues that just his heritage and Newfoundland blood would lend itself to.

• Tendency toward obesity. Do not free feed.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia – could lead to arthritis.
• Bloat or gastric torsion – could be fatal.
• Cardiovascular issues.
• Addison’s Disease
• Hypothyroidism

Health Problems

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a fairly healthy breed needing to watch out for accidents on the hunting trail from shrubs, brush and tree limbs. They can become tick infested if you are not careful, especially in their long ears that flop on the side of their head. Clean their ears weekly and check them after every run in the woods.

They are also prone to hip dysplasia and eye issues. Hip dysplasia can cause lameness and/or arthritis. Before to keep the ear clear of debris and wax to avoid ear infections.

Feeding the puppy

Required high quality food made specifically for large or giant puppies. Feed 3-4 times a day a total of 21/2 -3 cups.

Feeding the adult

Required high quality food made for large or giant dog breeds. Feed twice a day a total of 2 cups.

Games and Exercises

The Moscow Water Dog did not need a high level of exercise, but they did have a lot of stamina. They loved to swim. Not overly active – more of a couch potato.

Caring for Pet

1Feeding the puppy – don’t overfeed. Feed quality medium size breed 3-4 small meals per day

2.Feeding the adult – don’t overfeed. Feed quality medium size breed 1-2 small meals per day

3.Points for Good Health extreme endurance and speed

4. Games and Exercises

running or hiking companion. long daily walks at a minimum. He loves to run and play with his family. Hunting and “coon trials” are his specialty and best ways to get exercise. He needs to run