Donald B. Anderson

With nearly 60 years’ experience within the world of dogs, Donald B. Anderson was drawn by destiny to the Black Russian Terrier in 2004. This interest was initiated by information that this “new dog” had been created by the Russian military under Stalin’s rule, following WWII. The captivating attraction was that its format was founded on Anderson’s beloved Giant Schnauzer breed. This discovery was the driving force that hurtled him head on into a complex labyrinth of dead ends, closed doors and false promises — the nightmare of research projects.

His professional approach to the world of dogs, bolstered by a 40-year career in international conference organization and high level international protocol, served well in establishing contacts and working relationships, over time, within the world of the Black Russian Terrier. Despite the inevitable challenges in breaking the perceived Russian codes of secrecy, Anderson has garnered a phenomenal amount of information.

In 1961 he began showing Bullmastiffs in Eastern Ontario and in1967 introduced the Giant Schnauzer to Canada. He boldly took on the dog-fancy establishment of the day, being ostracized for refusing to crop the ears of his Giants. Only one young female, Jannel, in his Prestigia Kennel, was cropped and she came that way. He was obviously ahead of his time.

In 1966, he began a 46-year (part time) research project on the history of a native Canadian breed, the Tahltan Bear Dog. Anderson has acquired a great deal of data, including “one of a kind” documents and personal letters from long-departed breeders and owners of that now-extinct breed.

Over the years, Donald Anderson has collaborated with the Canadian Museum of Natural History, the Provincial Museum of Natural History of British Columbia and the Canadian Kennel Club. The National Museum honoured him by giving permission to photograph the only preserved specimen of the Tahltan Bear Dog in existence. The Tahltan Bear Dog was determined to be extinct in the mid 1970s.

Donald B. Anderson is the holder of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal. He also is the recipient of Awards of Excellence for Exemplary Professionalism in the Federal Public Service of Canada. He holds a Degree in Law and Security Administration.