Local black Russian terrier to perform in Westminster Dog Show

Some Spring Hill and Williamson County residents may have seen an unusually large, black dog trotting around Home Depot or the streets of downtown Franklin, but this is not a bad omen; it’s just friendly ol’ Trogg.

Upon first glance, the 128-pound black Russian terrier may be a bit intimidating, but when he perceives a friend, he’s fast to sit quietly (aside from some excited panting) and expectantly at a new companion’s side, resting his heavy head against said companion’s leg and gently prodding to encourage petting.

Trogg is 6 years old and has been a show dog since he was a puppy, growing up in the home of Linda and Randy Ayers. And now, those who haven't seen him around the community may catch him on their television screens as he competes in the 2021 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Tarrytown, New York — his second time showing at the national competition.

Showing is in Trogg’s blood, Randy said. Several years ago, he and Linda decided they wanted a dog — a big dog that could be protective but didn’t shed. Sometime around 2010 or 2011, Randy met a black Russian terrier breeder at a dog show, where he also met Trogg’s father and decided he wanted that dog’s pup.

“We waited 3.5 years after we decided to get one,” Randy said. “We waited on him for that long because I was impressed with his father and with the breeder and just the overall temperament.”

Until last year, Trogg’s father was the winningest black Russian terrier in the United States. That title was stripped from him last year by a dog Linda and Randy referred to as “Trogg’s nemesis,” against whom Trogg has competed several times. However, Trogg is highly respected in the dog world and highly sought after for breeding.

He is one of only 10 black Russian terriers in the U.S. to receive a gold ranking from the American Kennel Club Grand Championship. He received the Westminster Award of Merit last year and is also a Canine Good Citizen, Farm Dog Certified, a two-time recipient of the Royal Canine National Championship Award of Excellence, multiple-time working group winner and more.

Trogg has no known defects and is in great health, a pretty perfect picture of the breed, which was created by the Soviet Union in the mid-1900s for military purposes.

“If a prisoner got out, … (the black Russian terrier had) to chase him down and pull him down and hold him until the guards got there, so he had to have a strong bite and be a big dog and strong enough to hold a man down on the ground,” Randy said. “Breeders have done a great job of taming down that temperament.”

Linda and Randy said Trogg is no doubt a protective guard dog and will bark when strangers approach the house, but he becomes “a teddy bear” to those who are invited inside. And in the ring, he’s a showoff with a “big ring presence.”

“He puffs up,” Linda said. “It’s like a bodybuilder. If they just walk out there and stand, OK, but if they walk out there, and they’re really flashy and they’re just looking so magnificent — he enjoyed doing that. He liked looking like the king of the hill.”

Trogg has a couple more shows in him this year, but Linda said he’s getting “sick of it.” After living in Franklin for 15 years, last year, the family moved to a farm in Spring Hill, and Trogg has found a new passion in patrolling the fence and checking up on the goats and donkeys.

As Trogg winds down, Linda and Randy said a big thank you goes to his handler, Jamie Clute.

After one last show in September, Trogg will be effectively retired and will get to stay at his farm with his animal friends and the Ayers' seven grandkids. He may learn some new tricks, though, in his retirement. Randy said they may explore special skills like scent work and rally.

“We’re going to see what he likes because, from here on, he gets to do what he enjoys,” Linda said.

After Trogg’s retirement, as they enjoy him as a sweet house dog, Linda and Randy can live vicariously through Trogg’s offspring. He already has a 2-year-old female puppy in Canada with 14 performance titles, so his legacy is certainly safe in the dog show world for years to come.

To catch Trogg at the Westminster Dog Show, tune into FOX Sports on Saturday, June 12, and Sunday, June 13. Learn more by visiting WestminsterKennelClub.org.