Russian Toy Terrier Long Hair Breed Overview

Author

Reads 508

Shallow Focus Photography of Wooden Nutcracker
Credit: pexels.com, Shallow Focus Photography of Wooden Nutcracker

The Russian Toy Terrier Long Hair is a delightful breed that's perfect for those who want a small but lively companion. They typically weigh between 3-4 pounds and stand about 10 inches tall.

Their long hair requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling, so be prepared to brush their coat daily. This breed is known for its friendly and outgoing personality.

Russian Toy Terriers are highly intelligent and trainable, but they can be stubborn at times, requiring patient and consistent training. Their intelligence and adaptability make them a great fit for city living.

Their lifespan is relatively long, ranging from 12-15 years, making them a long-term companion for many families.

Russian Toy

The Russian Toy is a refined and diminutive breed, originally bred in Russia from English Toy Terriers and other small companion breeds. They are associated with the aristocracy and were once nearly wiped out due to their association with the gentry.

Credit: youtube.com, Russian Toy Dog - Top 10 Facts

The average life span of a Russian Toy is 11 to 14 years, so be prepared to take on a lifelong commitment. They can become quite attached to their family, regardless of age.

Russian Toys are active and cheerful, bred originally as both ratting and watch dogs. They can be very vocal, and their second quality as a watch dog is still active in the breed.

Their long coat requires more grooming than the smooth-coated variety, with body hair 3 to 5 centimeters long. Regular baths and brushing are essential to keep their coat healthy.

The Russian Toy is generally a healthy breed, but health conditions like progressive retinal atrophy and patella luxation can occur. Regular dental care is crucial to prevent periodontal disease.

This breed is loyal, intelligent, and charming, but they are sensitive souls and not suited for a rough lifestyle. They demand a luxurious lifestyle and are best suited for indoor living.

The Russian Toy loves to snuggle and be close to their human companions, but can be aloof to strangers. They are not ideal for families with toddlers due to their fragility.

Russian Toys need moderate daily exercise to stay happy and healthy, with short walks and backyard games ideal. They are intelligent and would make excellent therapy dogs, but may be too small for service dog work.

Breed Characteristics

Credit: youtube.com, Russian Toy Terrier Breed Information 101

The Russian Toy Terrier Long Hair is a unique and charming breed. They have a silky, fine coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting.

This breed is known for being intelligent and trainable, which makes them a great companion for first-time dog owners. Russian Toy Terriers are also adaptable to living in small spaces, making them perfect for city dwellers.

Their friendly and outgoing personalities make them a great addition to any family, but they can be wary of strangers, so socialization is key.

Check this out: Great Dane Dog Colors

Information and Pictures

The breed's physical characteristics are quite distinctive, with a short, broad head and a short, docked tail.

The breed's coat can be a variety of colors, including black, blue, and red, with or without white markings.

Their eyes are small and dark, and their ears are short and V-shaped.

The breed is known for its muscular build and athletic ability, making it well-suited to active families.

On average, the breed stands between 10 and 12 inches tall and weighs between 10 and 15 pounds.

Their short coats require minimal grooming, but they do need regular nail trimming and ear cleaning to stay healthy.

Breed Appearance

Small terrier dog with brown fur and tongue out standing near wooden fence on grassy ground in sunny suburb area
Credit: pexels.com, Small terrier dog with brown fur and tongue out standing near wooden fence on grassy ground in sunny suburb area

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.

They come in two types, distinguished by their coats: one is long-coated and the other smooth-coated. The longhaired variety has a coat with long hair on his ears and the back of his legs, while the smooth-coated variety has a sleek and smooth coat.

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).

Their distinctive head features large eyes and triangular ears. Many people think the smooth coated variety look like little miniature deer.

Breed History and Maintenance

The Russian Toy Terrier Long Hair has a rich history that spans centuries. It's believed to have evolved from English Toy Terriers gifted to Russian aristocrats by English royalty.

Credit: youtube.com, 99% of Russian Toy Dog Owners Don't Know This

These small dogs quickly became favored by the aristocracy, with many having at least one as a companion. After the Russian Revolution, the English Toy Terrier was almost completely wiped out in Russia.

The breed was developed through selective breeding of English Toy Terriers with toy spaniels of unknown lineage. This led to the creation of a distinct breed with its own personality traits.

The Russian Toy Terrier Long Hair only came in the longhaired variety after 1958, when a longhaired male puppy named Chiky was born from two smooth coated parents.

Russian Toy Breed History Revised: Toy Breed History

The Russian Toy has an illustrious past as a chosen companion for Russian aristocracy. Many believe he evolved from English Toy Terriers gifted to Russian aristocrats by English royalty.

These small dogs quickly became favored and most aristocrats had at least one of these little dogs. After the Russian Revolution, the English Toy Terrier was almost completely wiped out in Russia.

Credit: youtube.com, Russkiy Toy 🐶🐾 Everything Dog Breeds 🐾🐶

It took several years of selective breeding the English Toy Terrier with toy spaniels of unknown lineage to develop the Russian Toy. With this selective breeding, the Russian Toy no longer looked like the English Toy Terrier and he also has his own personality traits.

The Russian Toy only came in the smooth coated variety until 1958 when a longhaired male puppy was born from two smooth coated parents. This male puppy was named Chiky and was later bred to a female who had hair that was slightly longer than the typical Russian Toy.

In 2006, the Federation Cynologique Internationale officially recognized the Russian Toy as a breed. The FCI recognized both the smooth coat and the longhair as the same breed.

The Russian Toy gained official recognition from the United Kennel Club in 2008. The American Kennel Club added the Russian Toy to its Foundation Stock Service in 2010, allowing him to participate in companion dog events sanctioned by the AKC.

Consider reading: Akc Flat Coated Retriever

Breed Maintenance

Terrier Puppy Playing with Toy
Credit: pexels.com, Terrier Puppy Playing with Toy

The Russian Toy is an easy keeper, but they do require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their fur. They need to be wiped down daily with a soft cloth or chamois, and a soft slicker brush can be used daily to remove dead hair and promote healthy skin.

The smooth coated variety needs daily grooming to prevent matting, while the long-haired variety requires daily combing with a comb and soft slicker brush to prevent tangles and mats from forming.

Their ears and feathering need to be kept combed to prevent tangles or mats from forming, and the hair around their anus and between their paw pads needs to be trimmed regularly.

A mild shampoo should be used when bathing, and they need to be bathed about once every week to every two weeks. Regular dental care is also essential to prevent periodontal disease and keep their teeth clean and strong.

As a small breed, they require extra care and attention to their grooming needs, and regular dental care is crucial to prevent tooth tartar buildup and promote healthy teeth and gums.

Discover more: Dogo Argentino Teeth

Russian Toy Temperament

Credit: youtube.com, Uncovering the Mysteries of the "Russian Toy" Dog - What You Need to Know!

Russian Toys are known for their outgoing and affectionate nature, making them excellent family pets.

They are naturally wary of strangers, but with proper socialization, they can become confident and friendly.

Russian Toys are intelligent and trainable, responding well to positive reinforcement techniques.

Their small size belies their bold and adventurous personalities, but they are not suited for households with very young children.

Russian Toys are generally quiet, but they can be prone to barking if they sense something unusual.

They thrive on attention and interaction, making them a great choice for families who want a lively companion.

Russian Toys are generally good with other pets, especially if they are socialized from an early age.

Russian Toys are adaptable to apartment living, but they do require regular exercise and mental stimulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Russian Toy dogs rare?

Yes, Russian Toy dogs are a rare breed, with only about 775 in the United States. Their scarcity makes them a unique and sought-after companion.

Is a Russian Toy terrier a Chihuahua?

No, a Russian Toy terrier is not a Chihuahua, despite their similar size, but they share some physical and behavioral characteristics. While they may look alike, they are distinct breeds with unique histories and traits.

How big do Russian Toy terriers get?

Russian Toy Terriers typically reach a height of 20-28 cm and weigh between 1.5-3 kgs, making them a small but adorable breed.

Jenna Koch

Senior Writer

Jenna Koch is a versatile and passionate writer with a keen interest in exploring various topics. Her writing career has taken off with a focus on informative and engaging content, covering a range of subjects that spark curiosity and interest in readers. Jenna's expertise lies in crafting well-researched and accessible articles that cater to diverse audiences.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.