Russian Toy
A tiny, fine-boned Russian toy dog in smooth and long-haired varieties, lively and devoted to its owner.
At a glance
- Size
- Toy
- Height at the withers
- 20–28 cm
- Weight
- 1.5–3 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–14 years
- Exercise
- 30–45 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, Silky, short, long
- Colours
- Black and tan, Brown, Blue, Red, Tan
- Bred for
- Companionship
- Country of origin
- Russia
- FCI
- Group 9, no. 352 · Companion & toy dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 5/5 – Very high |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 1/5 – Very low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a tiny, portable dog
- live in a flat
- want a lively companion
Think twice if you …
- have young children
- need a quiet dog
- live somewhere cold without dog coats
Care
Temperament
Lively, alert and affectionate, devoted to family and cautious with strangers. Can be vocal.
Exercise
Short walks and indoor play; they enjoy games and trick training.
Grooming
Smooth coats need little care; long-haired dogs need weekly brushing, especially the ear fringes.
Training
Bright and willing; start socialisation and house training early.
Health
Patellar luxation, retained baby teeth and other dental problems, and leg fractures are the main concerns. Ask the breeder for knee and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Kneecaps (patella)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Russian Toy developed from English Toy Terriers in Russia, where breeders continued work after the original breed declined. A long-haired variety appeared in Moscow in the 1950s, and the breed was recognised by the FCI, first provisionally and on a definitive basis since 2017.
Russian Toys are lively, alert and very attached to their owners. They are light and easy to carry, and they adapt well to flats, but their fine bones make them vulnerable to falls and rough handling. They are often vocal and wary of strangers, so early socialisation helps.
Did you know?
The long-haired Russian Toy was first known as the Moscow Long-haired Toy Terrier.