Breeds / Toy
Russian Toy puppies
Bright, alert and closely bonded to their own people, the Russian Toy is a very small, fine boned Russian companion breed that comes in a smooth and a longhaired variety.
The facts
- Size class Toy
- Country of origin Russia
- Adult weight Up to 2.9 kg
- Adult weight in pounds Up to 6 lb
- Adult height 20 to 28 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short double
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 12 to 14 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Russian Toy
The Russian Toy was developed in Russia from English Toy Terrier stock kept by the aristocracy, then rebuilt from very few dogs after the breed almost disappeared. They are among the smallest breeds going, up to 2.9 kg and 20 to 28 cm, fine boned and long legged, with large upright ears carried high. They come in a smooth coated form and a longhaired form with fringing on the ears and legs. The temperament is bright, attentive and closely attached to one or two people in the house.
Energy is moderate and a yard plus daily walks covers it. The smooth coat needs a weekly brush, while the longhaired variety wants two or three sessions a week with the fringes kept clean. Walk them on a harness rather than a collar, since small dogs have fragile necks and tracheas. They are rated three out of five with children, so supervision and socialisation are needed, and their size makes them easy to injure. Make dental care a habit, because teeth are this breed's main health problem.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Russian Toy puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A toy breed puppy at eight weeks is small enough to be genuinely fragile. They can be hurt by a jump off a sofa and by being stepped on, and toy breeds are prone to low blood sugar, so they need frequent small meals rather than two big ones. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Retained deciduous teeth, which usually need surgical removal by nine months of age
- Periodontal disease, which can begin by one year and is slowed by regular tooth brushing
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), detectable by DNA test
- Corneal ulcers and other eye injuries, found by an ophthalmic examination
Your Russian Toy puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Toy for a Russian Toy.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the Up to 2.9 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 22 inch (22 x 14 x 16 in, 56 x 36 x 41 cm) for an adult of up to 2.9 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other toy breeds
More on the Russian Toy
Previous: Rough Collie · Next: Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Russian Toy breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/russian-toy/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Chris Willis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.