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Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Russkiy Toy Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Russkiy Toy Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Russkiy toy close up sideview

Don’t let their size fool you! Despite being one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, Russkiy Toys have huge personalities. Better known by their more common name — the Russian Toy — this particular breed hasn’t been around for nearly as long as other dog breeds.

Russkiy Toys actually evolved from English Toy Terriers that were imported to Russia in the 18th century. However, it’s amazing that this breed even still exists today because they were almost completely wiped out during the Russian Revolution in the early 20th century.

Breed Overview

Height:

8 – 11 inches

Weight:

Up to 6.5 pounds

Lifespan:

12 – 14+ years

Colors:

Black & tan, blue & tan, brown & tan, red, red & brown, red sable

Suitable for:

Loving families, active families

Temperament:

Smart, eager to please, protective, playful, highly trainable

But thanks to the introduction of other small dog breeds into the Russkiy’s genetic line (which could explain their striking resemblance to Chihuahuas), this breed is no longer rare. As a matter of fact, the breed as we know it today has only been around since 1958, when the first modern-day Russkiy Toy puppy was born.

Today these dogs can be found in both long and smooth-coated varieties in colors ranging from red to brown to black, most of the time with tan markings. If you’re considering owning one of these adorable and personable dogs, we’ll tell you everything you need to know in this guide.

Russkiy Toy Characteristics

Energy:
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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Russkiy Toy Puppies

Russkiy toy close up
Image By: Pixabay

Russkiy Toys are intelligent but impish little dogs that love their humans big. Although they aren’t the most energetic dogs, Russkiys do love to play and be mentally stimulated as a result of their intelligence. They don’t care if they’re inside or outside, they’ll run around your house just the same as if they were in your backyard.

With that being said, having a big yard with a fence is a plus in order to keep them safe and prevent your inside furniture and decor from potentially getting destroyed due to their playfulness. Let them have their “zoomies” outdoors so that when they come back inside, they can participate in their other favorite activity: laying in your lap and being lazy.

Because of their love for their owners, they’ll make an excellent protector and watchdog over you and your house. But don’t mistake their protectiveness for aggressiveness- they’re too sweet for that. Just be sure to return their affection because they aren’t afraid to let you know that they’re feeling neglected. And since they have a desire to please, training them as puppies should be a piece of cake.


Temperament & Intelligence of the Russkiy Toy

Russkiy Toy
Image By: dien, Shutterstock

The first thing that you need to know about these dogs is that they love and they love hard. They truly thrive on constant love and affection from their humans. That doesn’t mean that you have to pet and play with them all the time. They don’t need constant activity, just companionship. Sometimes a warm lap to cuddle up in will do just fine. But they do have a playful nature and may feel neglected if their humans can’t provide both playtime and snuggles.

The Russkiy’s desire to play comes from the fact that they are highly intelligent dogs. They love to interact with humans, other animals, and toys because it provides them with stimulation and helps them learn so that they aren’t bored.

Their intelligence combined with a desire to please also means that they are highly trainable. Since they love their humans, they want to do what they know will make them happy. Whether you’re trying to teach obedience or tricks, it shouldn’t be difficult as long as you provide them with affection in the process.

They are also very vocal dogs because they want to communicate with their humans. They will bark to alert but may also try to vocalize just to get your attention when they feel like they are being neglected. But Russkiys aren’t aggressive, so the old adage is true. Their bark is worse than their bite.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Russkiys are great family dogs. The more people that are there to provide them with affection, the more they thrive. But they aren’t good dogs for workaholic families since they love to play. Active families that can dedicate time to running around with your pup are what Russkiys need, whether that be going to the park or staying in their own backyard.

You also don’t have to worry about Russkiys around children since they aren’t aggressive in nature. Your dog will see your kid as just one more person who will pet and play with him. However, that doesn’t mean that they should be left unsupervised with children, as all dogs may nip or bite as a defense mechanism if provoked. Although you can train your dog, it’s just as important to teach your children how to interact with your dog.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Russkiys are good with other dogs if they aren’t immediately forced to have a relationship with them. They are very friendly with people that they know but can take to warm up to strangers, including dogs and other pets. Due to their small size, you may have to be careful when introducing them to larger dogs in case of any aggression.

If you have cats, your Russkiy may also try to “challenge” them since they are often the same size as cats or smaller. But they aren’t trying to be aggressive toward cats. Usually, this is done in order to “size them up” and can eventually even lead to your dog and cat playing with each other.

As long as you introduce your dog to other pets under your supervision and keep them separated when you’re not there, they should be fine. Once Russkiys become familiar with your other pets, they will warm up pretty quickly and may even start to play together which will give you a break from playtime.

divider-dogThings to Know When Owning a Russkiy Toy:

Your Russkiy can’t thrive in your home without you there to feed and care for him. This includes grooming and monitoring your dog’s health as well. Here are some important things to know about caring for your Russkiy.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Since Russkiys are toy dogs, they also have very small mouths so they need dog food that contains small kibbles. This can help them to chew and digest the food more easily and prevent choking. Puppy food normally has smaller kibbles than adult dog food, but you shouldn’t continue to feed your adult Russkiy puppy food just because the kibbles are smaller.

Russkiys are purebred dogs, so any food that you feed them should be both high-quality and nutritious. Puppy food contains different nutrients than adult dog food does. There are adult dog foods that have small kibbles and provide your dog with the nutrients he needs to stay healthy. Look for foods that are high in meat-based proteins (e.g., chicken or turkey as the main ingredient) and low in fat.

Although they are small and active dogs, they can become overweight, especially as they age and their metabolism slows down. It’s important to feed your dog the proper amount of food for its weight (which can be found on the back of the bag). When training your Russkiy, you also shouldn’t overdo it on treats, as this can also cause your dog to gain weight, especially if they aren’t getting the right amount of exercise.

Exercise 🐕

Russkiys aren’t the most energetic dog breeds out there, but they aren’t the most relaxed either. They have a moderate amount of energy, which means that they benefit from regular exercise in order to stimulate them and keep them healthy.

Since they are small dogs, it is important that you don’t exercise them too much because they can tire out and become overworked more easily. This is not a dog that you should take with you while going for an hour-long hike or jog.

Instead, Russkiys benefit from 10-15 minute intervals of exercise two to three times per day. That exercise can take place in the form of a short walk around the park or your neighborhood or by playing fetch or running around in the yard. Your dog will let you know when he gets tired by either panting or stopping playtime altogether, so watch your dog closely and allow him time to rest and rehydrate.

Training 🎾

These dogs are highly trainable and want to do what they know pleases their owner. However, they can have a bit of independence and stubbornness about them, so it is important to use the proper training techniques in order for your training to be most effective.

Socializing and training your puppy early is key for them to develop the desired behaviors as they grow into adults. If you’re having trouble training them yourself, seek out a professional dog trainer for help. But it isn’t just obedience training that Russkiys can benefit from.

Since Russkiys are active and intelligent dogs, they make great candidates for competing in dog shows. Trick shows and agility competitions are two activities where your dog can thrive with the right training. Plus, this can be a great way to give your Russkiy the daily exercise that he needs.

Grooming ✂️

Russkiys don’t require as much grooming as other dogs because they don’t shed as much. With that being said, the long-haired variety will require more frequent grooming than the smooth-coat variety. Their long hair is especially prominent around their ears and tail, both of which can become dirtier than other areas of your dog’s fur.

Long-haired Russkiys should have their coat brushed two to three times per week, while smooth-coat Russkiys can benefit from a once-per-week brushing. If you regularly brush your dog, then bathing can be done less frequently. One bath per month with a high-quality shampoo will help keep your dog’s fur healthy and shiny. Monthly nail trims can also be beneficial for your dog and can help prevent it from scratching you.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Although purebred pups tend to suffer from more health problems, Russkiys are actually an overall healthy breed. The biggest issue that you need to watch out for is teeth problems. It is common for Russkiy puppies to not lose all of their milk teeth (baby teeth). They should lose all of their baby teeth by 9 months of age. Otherwise, they may have to be surgically removed.

Another problem that can occur in Russkiy dogs is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is caused by a buildup of tartar and bacteria in a dog’s gums. If left untreated, it can cause serious problems for your dog including gingivitis, bleeding gums, and tooth loss. Your dog may also struggle to eat and become less playful and more aggressive.

Because periodontal disease occurs in the gums, it can be hard to recognize until it is already at an advanced stage. Once the disease gets past gingivitis, it is not reversible. It is necessary to take preventative measures by regularly brushing your Russkiy’s teeth. You may also wish to have your vet do regular periodontal disease evaluations.

Minor Conditions
  • Remaining milk teeth
Serious Conditions

Male vs Female

One of the biggest decisions you have to make when getting a dog is whether you want a male or a female. In some breeds, whether you get a male or female makes a difference. But in Russkiy toys, there is no distinguishable difference between male and female as far as size and temperament. Whichever gender you get really just depends on your preference.

It is important to note that you should choose the gender of your Russkiy carefully if you have other dogs. You may not want to mix a male and female dog, especially if your other dog is much larger than a Russkiy. Due to their small size, it can be dangerous for female Russkiys to become pregnant by a larger dog. Spaying and neutering your pets can help prevent this, but male dogs can still be aggressive toward females even if both of them are fixed.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Russkiy Toy

1. Russkiys Were a Status Symbol in 18th Century Russia

Due to their rarity, these dogs were mostly owned by Russian aristocrats and socialites. Their small stature allowed them to be “living accessories” at social events such as operas and parties.


2. There Used to Be Two Separate Breeds

We previously mentioned that there are two varieties- smooth-coated and long-coated- that both fall under the Russkiy breed. But up until 1980, the smooth-coated Russian Toy Terrier was the original breed, while the long-coated Moscow Long Haired Toy Terrier was considered a separate breed.


3. They Used to Be Called Russian Toy Terriers

Because the breed developed from English Toy Terriers that were imported to Russia, the full breed name was the Russian Toy Terrier, but the last word was dropped when the dogs were registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale, the largest organization for purebred dogs in the world.

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Russkiy Toys may be one of the tiniest dog breeds, but they have one of the biggest and spunkiest personalities. These little dogs are full of love and character and they are sure to make you smile with their crazy antics.

Their favorite activities include playtime and hanging out with anyone who will give them pets and affection. After playtime, they’ll love to just lay down with you while you watch your favorite TV shows. If you decide to get a Russkiy, it won’t take long for it to become the center of attention in your home.


Featured Image Credit: mon_elevage, Pixabay

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