Stephens Stock vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison

Moscow Water Dog is originated from Russia but Stephens Stock is originated from United States. Moscow Water Dog may grow 26 cm / 11 inches higher than Stephens Stock. Both Moscow Water Dog and Stephens Stock are having almost same weight. Both Moscow Water Dog and Stephens Stock has almost same life span. Moscow Water Dog may have more litter size than Stephens Stock. Moscow Water Dog requires Moderate Maintenance. But Stephens Stock requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
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Russia
United States
Height Male:
66 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
35 - 50 cm
13 - 20 inches
Height Female:
64 - 74 cm
25 - 30 inches
32 - 46 cm
12 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 55 kg
99 - 122 pounds
41 - 58 kg
90 - 128 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 50 kg
88 - 111 pounds
39 - 55 kg
85 - 122 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 12 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 12
3 - 6
Size:
Giant
Medium
Other Names:
Moscow River Dog, Московский Водолаз, Moscow Vodolaz, Moskovsky Vodolaz, • Russian Newfoundland,Moscow Diver, Vodolaz, Moscow Retriever,
Stephens' Stock Mountain Cur Little black dog Little Darkies
Colors Available:
dark brown to black, black
Black or dark gray; white markings may appear on the neck, and feet , chest
Coat:
double coat
Short, smooth/rough outer coat; short, dense, soft undercoat
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Intelligent
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

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.

stephens stockThe Stephens Stock is a member if the Cur dog breeds. They are a scent hound bred in southeastern Kentucky by the Stephen’s family. For generations the dogs were simply known as the “little black dog”. The Cur breeds are dogs with a mixture of ancestry and the Stephens Cur is no different. However, the name Cur now means a working dog from the South in the United States. They were known as hunting and guard dogs, chasing wild boar, squirrel and raccoon. They were also called the Mountain Curs throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

These mountain working dogs came close to extinction by the 1940’s but four separate breeders set out to save the Mountain Curs. They were the founders of the Mountain Cur Club and involved Woody Huntsman of Kentucky, Carl McConnel of Virginia, Dewey Ledbetter of Virginia and of course Hugh Stephens of Kentucky. Later the name of the club was changed to the Original Mountain Cur Breeders Association or OMCBA. The Mountain View Cur, the Treeing Cur and the Stephens Stock Cur were the results of their efforts.

In the 1970’s Stephen’s decided that his Cur was different from the original Mountain Curs and should be a separate breed. He formed the Stephen’s Breeders Association and the breed was recognized as distinct from other Curs. However, it was not recognized by the UKC (United Kennel Club) until 1998.

Description

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.

stephens stock puppy - descriptionThe Stephens Stock Cur is a breed of medium size, dark dogs – either very dark grey or black. Their heads are domed, and the muzzle is short with dark eyes. The breed’s chest is broad and deep with a neck of medium length and either a rough or smooth coat. They are smaller than the other Curs like the Black Mouth Cur or the Mountain View Cur.

They are strong and capable of treeing their prey. Their body is longer than it is high, and they have powerful and long legs. Their appearance is sleek and elegant. The nose is dark and square, and their stance is alert and that of a watchdog. This is an athletic hunting dog that is aggressive in the field and chilled at home.

Characteristics

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

stephens stock dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness - They are tenacious on the hunt but once at home they love children.

2.Special talents tenacious – treeing prey

3.Adaptability They are adaptable if you can get them the exercise, they need every day. They won’t do well in an apartment without going to play and run somewhere else every day.

4.Learning ability - highly intelligent, eager to learn.

Health Problems

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

stephens stock puppies - health problemsThe Stephens Stock Cur is a fairly healthy breed, fairly isolated in the hills and mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee. They are prone to a few health conditions but there are no genetic and breed specific issues.

  • PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy can lead to blindness.

• Ear and Eye Infections. Keep them clean and keep debris out of both ears and eyes after hunting.

  • Deafness is seen in some.
  • Dental issues have been seen in some.

Caring The Pet

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.

stephens stock dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy -Feed puppies a quality food desired for medium breed, high energy dogs. Puppies should eat 3 times a day about a total of 2 cups.

2.Feeding the adult Feed a high quality dog food with plenty of protein and designed for medium size dogs. Feed a total of 3 cups over 2 meals a day.

3.Points for Good Health – They are energetic and tenacious.

4. Games and Exercises – This is a very high energy treeing hunting dog with remarkable speed and agility. They need exercise – both physical and mental. One walk a day will not do it for these dogs. Have a fenced in yard or take them to organized activities like field trials, agility, flyball, hunting, search and rescue or barn hunt. They love to hunt with their people.

Comparison with other breeds

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  9. Moscow Water Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Moscow Water Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
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  26. Stephens Stock vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Stephens Stock vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Stephens Stock vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Stephens Stock vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Stephens Stock vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Stephens Stock vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Stephens Stock vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Stephens Stock vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Stephens Stock vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Stephens Stock vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Stephens Stock vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Stephens Stock vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Stephens Stock vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Stephens Stock vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Stephens Stock vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Stephens Stock vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Stephens Stock vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Stephens Stock vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Stephens Stock vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Stephens Stock vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Stephens Stock vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Stephens Stock vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Stephens Stock vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Stephens Stock vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Stephens Stock vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison