Discover Everything About Russkiy Toy (Russian Toy)
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
Breed Profile
The Russkiy Toy, also known as the Russian Toy, is a small, elegant dog with strong musculature and fine bones. Its appearance is harmonious and gives it an aristocratic charm. With his large, expressive eyes and high-set, large ears, he radiates a special curiosity and joy of life. The head is small, the skull is somewhat rounded with a slight forehead furrow. The back is strong and straight, and the tail is usually carried erect. There are two coat versions of the Russkiy Toy: The short-haired version has a smooth, shiny and close-fitting coat without an undercoat. The long-haired variety has soft, straight or slightly wavy fur with fringes on the ears and limbs. Both variants require a certain amount of fur care, although the long-haired variant requires a little more care due to the hair fringes on the ears and limbs. This dog breed belongs to FCI Group 9 of companion and companion dogs. There is no distinction between performance and show lines as the Russkiy Toy is bred primarily as a companion dog.
| Height | 20 - 28 cm (Female), 19 - 29 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 3 - 3 kg (Female), 3 - 3 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 14 years |
| Character | Affectionate, lively, loyal |
| Coat | Short-haired and long-haired variants, no undercoat |
| Coat Color | A variety of colors and patterns, including black, blue, brown, red and their shades, often with tan markings |
| Price | 1000 - 2500 € € |
History
The history of the Russkiy Toy dates back to the 20th century in the former Soviet Union. He was originally bred as a miniature version of the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan), which was very popular in Russia in the 1920s and 1930s. However, after World War II, the number of English Toy Terriers had declined sharply, and Russian breeders began breeding their own small Toy Terriers. In the 1950s, the targeted breeding of today's Russkiy Toy began. A female dog named Chikki played an important role in the development of the breed. She was smaller than the average toy terrier of the time and had unusually large ears. Their puppies inherited these traits and became the basis of the new breed. The long-haired variant of the Russkiy Toy emerged in the 1980s through a random mutation in a litter. The Zü People found the new look attractive and decided to promote it. The breed was recognized as a separate breed by the FCI in 2006. Today the Russkiy Toy is very popular in Russia and is also gaining more and more followers internationally.
The Russkiy Toy was bred as a small companion dog for the Russian aristocracy.
Russia
1800
Character & Temperament
Despite its small size, the Russkiy Toy is a dog with a big heart and lots of character. He is known for his affectionate and loving nature. He loves being close to his people and is a real cuddly dog. But he's not just a lap dog. The Russkiy Toy is very lively and loves to play. He is always ready for a game or a small training session and is particularly happy when he gets his owner's full attention. Because of its history as a companion dog, the Russkiy Toy is very people-oriented. He loves his family more than anything and tends to develop a particularly close bond with one person. Despite his clinginess, he can also learn to stay alone if you teach him gently and patiently. The Russkiy Toy is an alert dog that pays attention to its surroundings and likes to keep an eye on everything. Although he is not a typical guard dog, he will still warn his family about the unknown. This little dog has a strong protective instinct and will not hesitate to defend his loved ones if he thinks they are in danger. Despite its size and cute appearance, the Russkiy Toy should not be underestimated. He is an intelligent and confident dog who knows what he wants. He needs clear boundaries and consistent training. But he is also very capable of learning and can be trained well with positive reinforcement and loving, patient upbringing. In general, the Russkiy Toy has a calm temperament. He is not hyperactive but enjoys regular activities and games. His intelligence and desire to please make him a good candidate for various dog sports such as agility or obedience. Mental activity is also important for this smart little dog. Puzzle toys or search games are a good way to keep him mentally occupied. Another aspect of the Russkiy Toy's character is his friendliness towards other dogs and animals. He is generally very social and gets along well with other animals as long as he has been properly socialized. A pronounced hunting or prey-catching behavior is rather rare. In summary, the Russkiy Toy is a charming, affectionate and lively companion dog, characterized by its love and loyalty towards its family. With his adaptable nature and enjoyment of shared activities, he is the perfect companion for people looking for a small but active dog.
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Did you know that the Russkiy Toy was originally bred to sleep in bed during the long, cold Russian winters to keep their owners warm? Today it is still a popular “hot water bottle replacement” in Russia!
Fun Fact!
What Awaits You
The Russian Toy is a small, elegant, lively dog with long legs, fine bones and slim muscles. He is active and cheerful, has a strong intelligence and wants to please. This breed loves to cuddle and be close to its people, although it can sometimes be a bit aloof with strangers. They are neither fearful nor aggressive.
Housing & Care
With its calm temperament and small size, the Russkiy Toy is well suited as a city dog. He can easily be kept in an apartment, but needs regular walks and playtime to burn off his energy. He loves spending time with his family, whether playing or cuddling on the sofa. The Russkiy Toy is good with children, especially if he is used to it from an early age. He can also get along well with other pets, including cats, if he has been properly socialized.
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| Child Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| City Friendly |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
The Russkiy Toy is an intelligent dog that learns quickly and enjoys working with his people. Consistent, positive training methods work best with this breed. Ball games, agility and obedience can be great ways to exercise your Russkiy Toy both physically and mentally. However, you should be careful that the dog does not become a “ball junkie”. and always maintains a healthy balance between activity and rest periods. It is important that this little dog learns to be calm even when alone and develops frustration tolerance and impulse control. A well-behaved Russkiy Toy can be a wonderful companion and family member.
Nutrition & Care
A balanced nutrition plan is key to the health of your Russkiy Toy. Smaller dog breeds like these tend to become overweight more quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on your dog's weight and feed him high-quality, nutritious food. Treats should only be given in moderation. Don't forget that fresh water should always be available! When it comes to grooming, the Russkiy Toy is quite easy to care for. There is a short-haired and a long-haired version, although the latter requires a bit more grooming. The short-haired variety only needs occasional brushing, while the long-haired variety needs regular brushing to prevent tangles. Both variants have They have no undercoat and therefore do not shed heavily. Despite its tropical origins, the Russkiy Toy copes well with the German climate. However, be sure to keep it warm in cold weather as it has little insulation material of its own.
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This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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