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Russian Toy

Russian Toy
Toy Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

8-11 inches

Weight

Up to 6.5 pounds

Life Expectancy

12-14 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    80% 80%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    20% 20%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    80% 80%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

Small, graceful, and animated, the Russian Toy has long legs, delicate bones, and slender muscles. They are vivacious and upbeat people who have a keen intellect and a drive to please. This species enjoys cuddling and being close to its human companions, yet they can occasionally be a little distant from outsiders. They are neither aggressive nor cowardly.

 

A toy breed with roots in the Russian aristocracy is known as the Russian Toy. He generally has a good disposition and enjoys playing and running. Many of them are pleased to do nothing more than relax in your lap all day, content in the knowledge that they are the prize jewel in your home, while others will rush across the house or yard chasing toys as long as you can keep up with them. They enjoy human company and will communicate with you if they feel abandoned. Either their coat is smooth or semi-long. The Russian toys with long coats won’t have an adult coat until they are more than a year old, and full fringing won’t appear until they are three. The variety with a smooth coating feels sleek and smooth to the touch. The two kinds also have a slight attitude distinction. Compared to Long Coats, Smooth Coats tend to be a little more terrier-like. However, they both have outsized personalities. e longhaired species has distinctive feathering on its limbs, tail, and ears in addition to a lovely ruff on its chest.

What To Expect When Caring For a Russian Toy

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

The Russian Toy is a generally healthy breed; similar to many toy breeds, their teeth are their main area of a dental concern. The majority of pups do not lose all of their deciduous (puppy) teeth, and by the time they are nine months old, the remaining deciduous teeth must be surgically removed. Tartar buildup on the teeth, or periodontal disease, can start as early as one year of age. Plaque can be reduced and surgical dental cleaning or tooth removal can be avoided with regular dental care, such as brushing your teeth. Responsible breeders check their stock for diseases including patellar luxation and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and owners should be aware of the possibility of eye injuries like ulcers.  
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Patella Evaluation
  • Periodontal Disease Evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

For obvious reasons, the longhaired kind needs more maintenance than the smooth-coated variety. Body hair on the long coat ranges in length from 1-3 inches. They have conspicuous feathers on the backside of their limbs, and their ears are coated in dense, long hair that forms a fringe. Longhairs should be combed two to three times per week, and dirt should not accumulate on the fringes. To maintain a healthy coat, a monthly bath with premium shampoo and conditioner is typically sufficient. The short, close-lying, lustrous hair of the smooth-coated Russian Toy is without an undercoat or fringes. It is advised to regularly brush the smooth coat with a soft brush once a week and to take occasional showers to preserve the coat free of dead hair and dry skin. A daily shammy wipe-down adds luster to the coat, too.

Exercise

The Russian Toy is thought to have a mellowly high level of vitality. They require frequent exercise, although due to their small stature, a short run or regular yard work typically suffices. They enjoy running and playing till they pass out in your lap for a long cuddle. They also enjoy going for walks with their humans. It is advised to use a harness instead of a collar when walking your Russian Toy because little dogs' necks and tracheas are more delicate than those of large dogs. It's also advised that while your Russian is inside your house, you don't leave a collar or harness on him. A collar or harness can frequently become tangled up in household items and hurt your little imp.

Training

Russian toys are typically amenable and ready to please, which makes them easy to train. They can be stubborn and assertive since they are still terriers at heart. They make excellent contenders for agility and trick-dog competitions thanks to their clown-like antics and outgoing, cheerful personalities. The RTCA, the AKC parent club for the breed, strongly advises early socialization of your youngster. Puppy kindergarten lessons and all levels of obedience training are offered by numerous all-breed kennel groups, community centers, and veterinarians.

Nutrition

The Russian Toy should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is made commercially (with extremely small kibble) or at home under the direction and agreement of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.  

History

The English Toy Terrier first came to Russia in the 18th century, marking the beginning of the Russian Toy’s connection with English ancestry. This is demonstrated by a preserved specimen of a little black and tan terrier from 1716–1725 on display at the Zoological Museum in St. Petersburg. The specimen, which is 14 inches tall at the withers, bears the following inscription: “Dog of the sleek-haired terrier breed named Lisetta, belonged personally to Peter the Great.”

 

Importing English Toy Terriers became common in Russia in the 18th century. Due to their diminutive size and outgoing personalities, these dogs were adored by socialites. At social gatherings and the opera, showing up in public with a well-behaved little terrier became rather fashionable. The Toy Terrier evolved into a sort of “living accessory” for the affluent. The Russian Toy was almost eradicated during the 1917 Russian Revolution. The breeding of dogs for companionship was stopped, and it was unclear what would become of the Russian Toy. Following Stalin’s demise, a concerted effort was undertaken to revive the Russian Toy in the Soviet Union’s Moscow, Leningrad, Sverdlovsk, and Irkutsk areas. In 1958, a special puppy was born, maybe as a result of a mutation or the introduction of other unidentified little breeds into different lineages. The current Long Coat, formerly known as the Moscow Long-Haired Toy Terrier, was founded by the son of a pair of smooth-coated parents. In 1966, the first official standard for the two breed types was created.

 

The Moscow Long-Haired Toy Terrier and the Russian Toy Terrier were recognized as two subspecies of the same breed under a new breed standard in the 1980s. The “Terrier” was removed from the breed’s name in 2006 when the Russian Toy was added to the FCI list of approved breeds. The breed now goes by the name Russian Toy and comes in both long and smooth coat variants.

 

 

The population of these tiny dogs had increased at the start of the 20th century, and the breed was no longer rare but had evolved into a status symbol. The name “English Toy Terrier” was no longer used to describe the breed. It was simply known as the Russian (Russkiy) Toy Terrier in Russia.