Russian Toy (Smooth Haired)

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
No daily exercise
Training
No training
Size of home
Apartment – no outdoor
Time at home
Mostly home
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Very quiet

History

The Russian Toy is a very small breed of dog originally bred in Russia. There are two types of coats in the breed: smooth coat and long coat. The smooth-coated variety was previously known as the Russian Toy Terrier and long-coated as the Moscow Long Haired Toy Terrier.

The breed was nearly wiped out twice; first in the 1920s with the rise of Communism due to the toy dog's traditional link to the aristocracy and again in the 1990s with the influx of foreign breeds following the fall of the Iron Curtain. The smooth coat type is the older of the two, with the long coat type first appearing in 1958. (1)

Appearance

The Russian Toy is one of the smallest breeds in the world, measuring between 20 cm and 28 cm and weighing anywhere between 1 kg and 3 kg. It has a small, distinctive head with large eyes and triangular ears. There are two types in the breed, distinguished by their coats; one is long-coated and the other smooth-coated. (2)(3)

The breed has four main colors: black and tan, blue and tan, brown and tan, solid red of various shades. Red includes sable (red where the tips of the hairs are black, known as overlay) and red sable (red with brown overlay). (1)(4)

Temperament

Active and cheerful, the Russian Toy was originally bred both as an anti-rat dog and a watch dog. The second quality is still active in the breed, and they can be very vocal. They can become quite attached to their family, regardless of the ages of the family members. (1)(5)

Russian Toys are usually very reserved with strangers, but very loyal to their owners, always ready to protect them from any perceived danger.

Health

Until the 1990s, the breed was almost unknown outside of Russia, and so relatively few details on associated health issues are known. (1)

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Russian Toy (Smooth Haired) you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Russian Toy (Smooth Haired) and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

References

Wikipedia.org
Deep, John. "Russkiy Toy". 2puppies.com.
Russkiy Toy (Revised July 1, 2009)". United Kennel Club.
"RUSSKIY TOY". www.fci.be.
"Breed Info". Russian Toy Kennel: Malenkaya-Mafiya

Image: Shutterstock.com

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 22 Dec 2017)

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Breed Standard - Russian Toy (Smooth Haired)

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The Standard of the Russian Toy (Russkiy Toy) (Long Haired) is the same as the Standard of the Russian Toy (Russkiy Toy) (Smooth Haired) with the exception of the following:

Physical Standards

Coat	Long-haired: Body and neck are covered with moderately long (3-5 cm), straight or slightly wavy hair, close-lying. Hair on the head and on the front part of limbs is short and close -lying. Distinct feathers on rear side of limbs and the tail. Ears are covered with thick, long hair forming a fringe. In adult dogs the fringe, should completely hide the outer edges and tips of the ears. Body hair should not be tousled or fluffy.

Coat

Long-haired: Body and neck are covered with moderately long (3-5 cm), straight or slightly wavy hair, close-lying. Hair on the head and on the front part of limbs is short and close -lying. Distinct feathers on rear side of limbs and the tail. Ears are covered with thick, long hair forming a fringe. In adult dogs the fringe, should completely hide the outer edges and tips of the ears. Body hair should not be tousled or fluffy.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.