Russian Toy Puppies

Russian Toys are extremely affectionate, playful, and loving with their owners. This breed can be standoffish with strangers though and should be socialized when young to help with this. These dogs are intelligent and while they can be stubborn, are not difficult to train. Though they are not aggressive, Russian Toys are extremely loyal which makes them protective of their family.

Overall, Russian Toys don't have too many health problems. Because of their small size, Russian Toys can be susceptible to bone fractures from actions like jumping down from a couch. They can also get patellar luxation, a condition where a dog's kneecap moves out of place. Additionally, this breed may also need their baby teeth surgically removed if they do not naturally fall out.

Russian Toys are energetic and playful dogs that enjoy daily walks and plenty of play. When given the chance, Russian Toys enjoy being able to run around in an open space. Because this breed is small and fragile, walking a Russian Toy with a harness leash is recommended over using a collar.

Russian Toys don't require a lot of intense grooming. Short-haired Russian Toys can be groomed with a damp cloth about once a week since their coat is smooth. Long-haired Russian Toys with longer coats need to be combed and brushed more than once a week. They can be bathed as needed, which is usually once every month. Any longer hair on their ears, tail, and legs should be brushed out when grooming, and the hair on their paws should be trimmed.

Russian Toys are light to moderate shedders depending on their coats. Most of their shedding is done in the Spring and Fall.

Russian Toys are very small and are usually black and tan, brown and tan, or red (although they can come in various other coat colors). Russian Toys with longer coats are recognizable by having longer hair on their ears, legs, belly, and tail. This breed is frequently confused with the Chihuahua and the Papillon due to their similar size and appearance.

Russian Toys were bred from the English Toy Terrier in Russia. In the past, these dogs were more like English Toy Terries and were popular companions among aristocrats. Their popularity among the wealthy eventually led to the breed's existence diminishing during the 1917 October Revolution. In the 1950s the Russian Toy that we know today emerged as a breed separate from the English Toy Terrier and the first long-haired Russian Toy was bred in 1958. The Russian Toy was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2022.