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Breed Characteristics
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Russian Toy
| Other Names | Russian Toy Terrier, Russkiy Toy, Moscow Toy Terrier, Moscovian Miniature Terrier, Russian Longhaired Toy Terrier, Moscow Longhair Toy Terrier |
| Country of Origin | Russia |
| Weight | 3 - 6 lbs. (1.3 - 2.7 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 8 - 10 in. (20 - 26 cm) |
| Coat | There are two types in the breed, distinguished by their coats; one is long haired, and the other smooth coated. The only differences between the two types is the long hair on the ears of the long haired type which is usually 3–5cm long and can be straight or with a slight wave. Long haired dogs will grow a fringe on their ears by the age of three which should completely cover the outer edges and tips of their ears. The smooth haired type of the breed closely resembles the Pražský Krysařík breed of the Czech Republic. The Pražský on average is a little shorter on leg and a little heavier than the Russkiy Toy. Both of the varieties can be crossed and produce smooth and long haired puppies from the same litter. In addition, when two smooth coated dogs are bred together, they may occasionally bear a long haired offspring if the long hair blood is present in their pedigrees. However there have been no records of two long haired Russkiy Toys breeding together and producing smooth coated offspring. |
| Colour | The breed has five main colours, black and tan, blue and tan, brown and tan, sable or solid red of various shades. |
| Litter Size | 1 - 3 puppies, average 2 |
| Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | The first evidence of English style terriers in Russia can be seen in the Museum of Zoology in Saint Petersburg. On display is an English style terrier dated 1716–1726 with a sign that reads "This dog is a short hair terrier named Lizetta. It personally belonged to the Russian Emperor Peter the Great. Towards the start of the 20th century, the English Toy Terrier was one of the most popular toy dog breeds in Russia. Between 1920 and 1950, their numbers were greatly diminished following the October Revolution as these types of dogs were linked to the aristocracy and frowned upon. When the breeding was restarted almost all of the dogs used had no pedigrees or were even purebred. The original long haired Russkiy is considered to be a dog named Chikki who was born on 12 October 1958 from two smooth haired terriers. One its parents had no recorded pedigree, but had slightly longer hair than normal. Chikki was mated with a female named Irma, who had longer hair than normal and together they had three long haired puppies. The political isolation of the country at the time caused the creation of a whole new breed as breeders sought to stabilise the toy sized terriers at the time into a standard breed. The first standard for the two varieties was written in 1966 and authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, a number of foreign small breed dogs were imported, and this caused the popularity of the Russkiy Toy to decline. By the 1990s, the long haired type of Russkiy Toy had hit critical numbers, but luckily a resurgence occurred due to a new generation of dog breeders. Until this time the breed was virtually unknown outside of its homeland. The Russian / Russkiy Toy was recognised by the Federation Cynologique Internationale in 2006 With the United Kennel Club in 2008. Russian Toys are also recognized by the American Rare Breed Association, North American Kennel Club and International All Breed Canine Association. |
| Personality | A loving, intelligent, trustful companion for you and your family. You will fall in love instantly, and the only problem your RTT will create immediately upon arrival will be that he will make you want another one. Agile, hardy, lifetime devoted to the owner—this is how Russian Toy owners describe their dogs. Small, elegant dog, tall on legs, of square build. Active, very lively, neither shy nor vicious, these dogs are said to be easy to train. Obedience training is recommended for any dog size. RTTs are fun to work in agility trials. A true companion dog. Would love to go with you everywhere and due to his size you can take him. Enjoys participating in anything you do. Make sure you are this dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behavior problems. Always remember, dogs are canines, not humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts as animals. |
Care Requirements
| Health | A Russkiy Toy will often require veterinarian assistance in changing from its puppy teeth to its adult set. Without this surgery, two rows of teeth will form which can cause gum infections, bad breath and prevent the permanent adult set from coming forward. As with most breeds of dog, the Russkiy Toy can suffer from patellar luxation, which is where the knee cap slips out of place when the knee bends as the groove that normally holds it in place is too shallow. It is usually an inherited defect, which occurs during the development of the foetus and rarely by trauma. Russkiy Toys can suffer from bone fractures due to their small and sometimes delicate nature. There have been reports of severe allergic reactions to certain types of flea medication and the rabies vaccine, causing epileptic seizures in some dogs. |
| Grooming | The smooth, shorthaired coat should be gently brushed occasionally or simply wiped over with a damp cloth. The long coat should be brushed daily with a soft bristle brush. Bathe both types about once per month, taking care not to get water in the ears. Check the ears regularly and keep the nails trimmed. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Exercise | Although it is tempting to carry these dainty creatures about, these are active little dogs that need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display a wide array of behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard. Don't think that just because he is small he should be confined to a small space. |
| Other Considerations | Russian Toys are good for apartment life. |
