The Russian Toy Community

The Russian Toy, known in Russia as the Russkiy Toy, is one of the world's smallest dog breeds, a tiny, elegant and spirited companion developed in Russia over several centuries as an aristocratic lapdog and companion, achieving considerable popularity in the Russian imperial court before the Revolution of 1917 nearly exterminated the breed as a symbol of the old aristocratic order. The breed survived in small numbers within Russia but was essentially unknown outside the country until the end of the Soviet era, when it was gradually exported to other European countries and eventually received international recognition from the FCI and subsequently registration with the Kennel Club in the Toy Group. The Russian Toy comes in two coat varieties - the smooth-coated (gladkosherstny) and the long-coated (dlinnoshresty) - both of which occur in the same litters. The Russian Toy is a very small, lightly built and graceful dog of considerable elegance. The smooth variety has a short, close coat; the long variety has a flat, silky coat with distinctive fringing on the long, mobile ears and light feathering on the back of the legs and tail. Both varieties come in black and tan, brown and tan, blue and tan, sable, or red in various shades. The large, expressive eyes and large, upright ears give the face a bright, alert and very characterful expression. Adults typically stand 20 to 28 centimetres at the shoulder and weigh 1 to 3 kilograms - genuinely tiny. The character is lively, alert and deeply devoted to its own person or household - a classic small companion breed with a spirited personality and considerable personal attachment to its people. The Russian Toy forms very close bonds with its household, is active and playful for its size, and carries the alert, watchful quality typical of the toy breeds developed as companions and small guards for aristocratic households. It can be reserved with strangers and this tendency is managed most effectively through early and thorough socialisation. The very small size is both part of the breed's appeal and its primary management challenge. The Russian Toy is genuinely fragile and requires a living environment where the risk of accidental injury from rough play, dropping or clumsy handling is actively managed. Harnesses rather than collars are standard management in all very small dogs. Health considerations include Patellar Luxation, Leg Perthes Disease and dental disease. Hypoglycaemia is a management concern in very small individuals. Purchase prices from KC-registered breeders range from £1,000 to £2,500. Monthly running costs average £50 to £90. The KC and Russian breed clubs are the primary resources for breed information, health testing guidance, responsible breeders and rescue contact.