About the breed Russian toy

Russian toy longhair

Russian toy is not so well spread breed in the Czech Republic. First individuals of this breed were imported to the Czech Republic in 90´years of last century. Thanks to devoted work of owners and breeders their number slowly grows up. Nowadays there is born about twenty puppies of Russian toy yearly (just compare to circa 1000 puppies of Chihuahua). It is likely you have never met Russian toy yet. It is a pity, because it is real experience.

Russian toy was originally Russian national breed not approved by FCI(The   Federation Cynologique Internacionale resident in Belgium). It was originally called Moscow Toy terrier. During 2006 things has changed and the breed was preliminary accepted by FCI. At the same time its original name Moscow Toy terrier has changed to new breed name Russian toy (in original Russkiy Toy). This is why you should search for the name Russian toy.

According to FCI Russian toy has been classed to the 9th group of FCI among the companion breeds (In the Czech Republic they are exhibited at national and international dog shows on Sundays). For the provisional time of 10 years the Russian toy cannot gain the title CACIB from international dog shows. Besides the Russian toy is full-value breed with possibility to participate at every national, international as well as world dog shows.

Russian toy has longhair and shorthair variation. The shorthair variation looks relatively like the breed "Pražský krysařík” but it has not come to the Czech Republic yet.

Club of breeders of few numerous dogs’ breeds (KCHMPP) take care of keeping Russian toy in The Czech republic. We are members of this club as well. ČMKU (Bohemia and Moravia cynology union) is control organization issuing pedigrees and administration pedigree books.

Russian toy is tiny dog with big heart. It is very emotionally depending on his master and his family. It likes fondling but it is not officious. It wants to be still near to his master or rather on his lap.

(Well - you can guess where Tosca is right now while I am writing this text). It is tiny dog but beside that it is full value breed. It can pass the base training of obedience; it can patrol and reliably draw your attention to the unexpected visitors.

His size has also advantages. I call them “practical pocket dog”. Your doggy can accompanies you everywhere. Just use bag hung on your chest (baby carrier). You have free hands and your dog is feeling well.

Russian toy is very tiny therefore it respects some barriers rather symbolically and by its obedience. The typical example is gap in the fence or higher bracketed door (see photo). Russian toy is very good jumper.

Russian toy is lusty, very resistant and strong breed. As the name says this breed was cultivated in Russia. As we know the Russian winter is quite far-famed so if you want to buy some fashionable pullover for your Russian toy I can compose you that there is no need of it. Well – maybe if you intend to promenade your doggy in some attractive overalls at the fashion week.:) In such a case you would do better going for walk to nature. Russian toy likes snow as you can see in short video here. Luckily Terry is sable otherwise I would not see her in the snow.:) 

If you want your Russian toy to get along with other dogs it is desirable to acquainted it with them from puppy age. Your puppy has to understand the basic principles of hierarchy of kennel and socialize well.

In general if it meets variety of stimulus already in early age, it would grow up into balanced and good socialize fully-grown dog.

Russian toy likes playing, retrieving and

romping with others dog’s friends.

Russian toy is lively, gung-ho and full of energy. No doubts you would not get bored with it. They go for every horseplay. And how we spent time with our Russian toys? You can see in activities.

Upbringing has to be first of all uncompromising as by every dog. You have to bring up your dog and not conversely. It is very important to determine the rules of living together from the very beginning and these rules must not be contradictory.. For example if you do not want your doggy to sleep in your bed with you never allow him to do so. Dog would never understood why he could be in the bed as a small sweet puppy and now (when he is grown dog) it is prohibited. Russian toy can conjure almost professional sad views of all kind just to have one’s own way. It will be up to you where your toy will sleep. However I have to calm you down – you get used to it.:)

   Terry camouflages in the grass.:)

The name of breed “toy” can lead to delusion that (as well as in the Czech translation - Hračka) the doggy is real toy but this is pure nonsence. Russian toy is vivacious critter which needs your love, care and responsibility. Therefore if you do not want to devote your time to the doggy you would do better to abandon the idea of procure him. Dog certainly is not fashion accessory.

Russian toy care

From the space point of view Russian toy is easy to please. Evan the small flat would suit him. More important is the possibility to be in the company of his master providing you get the regular daily walks.

The coat care is not difficult. You just should tease out your doggy once a week. Bathing is similar to another breeds. It depends on current need but the doggy should take the bath at least once a year.

Well, let’s summarize it: feed him, walk him, scratch him and play with him. 

Standard Russian toy

New standard: F.C.I. - Standard č. 352 / 12.6.2006 / GB

RUSSIAN TOY

(Russkij Toy)

TRANSLATION: RKF, revised by R. Triquet and J. Mulholland.

ORIGIN: Russia.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD: 21.02.2006

UTILIZATION: Companion Dog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.: Group  9 Companion and Toy dogs.

                                    Section 9 Continental Toy Spaniels and Russian Toys.

                                    Without working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: At the beginning of the 20th century, the English Toy Terrier was one of the most popular toy dogs in Russia.  However, in the period 1920 – 1950 the breeding of pure toy terriers was almost stopped and the number of dogs fell to a critical level.  Only in the mid-fifties did Russian dog-breeders begin the revival of the breed.  Practically all dogs which were used for breeding had no pedigrees; many of them were not pure blood.  The Standard drafted for Toy Terriers significantly differed from that of the English Toy Terrier in many aspects.  From this moment, the evolution of the breed in Russia went its own way.On the 12th of October, 1958 two smooth-haired dogs, one of which had slightly longer hair, gave birth to a male dog with a spectacular fringes on ears and limbs.  It was decided to keep this feature.The male was mated with a female which also  had slightly long hair.  Thus the longhaired variety of the Russian Toy appeared.  It was called Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier. A dog breeder from Moscow, Yevgueniya Fominichna Zharova, played an important role in the creation of this breed variant.It was during a long period of development, in an  isolated context,  along with  a specifically conducted  selection that a new breed was created: the Russian Toy  with two varieties: Longhaired and smooth-haired.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: A small elegant dog, lively, long-legged, with fine bone and lean muscles. Sexual dimorphism only slightly defined.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Square build. The height at elbows is  only slightly more than half of the height at withers ; the chest is sufficiently deep. 

BEHAVIOUR/TEMPERAMENT: Active, very cheerful, neither cowardly nor aggressive. The behaviour is significantly different between males and females.

HEAD: Small compared to the body.

CRANIAL REGION:

Skull: High but not too wide (width at the  level of zygomatic arches does not exceed the depth of the skull).

Stop: Clearly pronounced.

FACIAL REGION:

Nose: Small, black or matching the coat colour.

Muzzle: Lean and pointed, slightly shorter than the skull.

Lips: Thin, lean, tight- fitting and dark or matching the coat colour.

Jaws/Teeth: Small, white.  Scissor bite.  Absence of 2 incisors permitted in each jaw.

Cheekbones: Only slightly pronounced.

Eyes: Quite large, rounded, dark, slightly prominent, set well apart and looking straight ahead. Eyelids are dark or matching the coat colour, tightly fitting.

Ears: Big, thin, set high, erect.

NECK: Long, lean, carried high, slightly arched.

BODY:

Topline: Gradually sloping from the withers to the root of the tail.

Withers: Slightly pronounced.

Back: Strong and straight.

Loin: Short and slightly arched.

Croup: The croup is somewhat rounded and slightly sloping.

Chest: The chest is oval, sufficiently deep and not too wide.

Underline and Belly: Tucked up belly and drawn up flanks, forming a nicely curved line from the chest to the flanks.

TAIL: Docked (only two or three vertebrae are left), carried high. In countries where tail docking is prohibited by law, it is left in its natural state. Undocked: sickle tail.  It should not be carried lower than back level.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS: Thin and lean; seen from the front, the front legs are straight and parallel.

Shoulders: The shoulder blades are moderately long and not too sloping.

Upper arm: Forming an angle of 105 degrees with the shoulder blade.  The length of upper arm is approximately equal to the length of shoulder.

Elbows: In line with the body.

Forearm: Long, straight.

Carpus (Wrist):  Lean.

Metacarpus (Pastern): Almost vertical.

Forefeet: Small, oval,  turning neither in nor out.   Toes well-knit  and arched.  Nails and resilient pads are black or match the coat colour.

HINDQUARTERS: Seen from the rear, the hind legs are straight and parallel, but standing a little  bit wider than the forelegs.  Stifles and hocks are sufficiently bent.

Upper thigh: Muscles are lean and developed.

Lower thigh: The upper and lower thighs are of the same length.

Hock: Sufficiently angulated.

Metatarsus (Rear pastern): Vertical.

Hind feet: Arched , a little bit narrower than forefeet.  Nails and pads are black or match the coat colour.

GAIT/MOVEMENT: Easy, straightforward, fast.  No noticeable change in the topline when moving.

SKIN: Thin, dry and tight-fitting.

COAT

HAIR: There exists two types for the breed: smooth-haired and longhaired.

• Smooth-haired: short, close-lying, shiny hair, without undercoat or bald patches.

• Longhaired: body is covered with moderately long (3-5 cm), straight  or  slightly wavy hair,  close-lying, which does not hide the natural outline of the  body .  Hair on the head and on the front part of limbs is short and close -lying.  Distinct feathers on rear side of limbs.  The feet have long,  silky hair  which completely hides the nails.  Ears are covered with thick, long hair forming a fringe.  Dogs of more than 3 years have such a fringe,  which should completely hide the outer edges and tips of the ears.  Body hair should not look tousled nor be  too short (less than 2 cm.).

COLOUR: Black and tan, brown and tan, blue and tan. Also red of any shade with or without black or brown overlay.  Richer shades are preferable for all colours.

SIZE AND WEIGHT:

Height at withers: Dogs and bitches: 20 – 28 cm  (tolerance +/- 1 cm)

Weight: Dogs and bitches: up to 3 kg.

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.

• Timid behaviour.

• Level bite or incisors sloping forward.

• Semi-pricked ears.  This condition in longhaired dogs with heavy fringes is permissible but not desirable.

• Low set tail.

• Presence of bald patches in smooth-haired dogs.

• Too long or too short hair on body of longhaired dogs.

• Small white spots on chest and toes.

• Solid black, brown and blue colours.  Tan markings too large or with dark shadings.

ELIMINATING FAULTS:

• Aggressive, overly shy.

• Overshot, pronounced undershot. Absence of 1 canine; absence of more than 2 incisors in either jaw.

• Hanging ears.

• Short legs.

• Many bald patches in short-haired dogs.

• Longhaired dogs: absence of fringes on ears and presence of curly hair.

• White coat,  white spots on the head, abdomen and above metacarpus; large white patches on chest and throat, presence of brindle markings.

• Size over 30 cm or under 18 cm.

• Weight less than 1 kg.

• Any dogs clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

• NB: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.