Russian Toy Terrier Dog Breed Facts & Information


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Russian Toy standing outside
Andrey Kanyshev via iStock

Meet the Russian Toy, one of the tiniest dog breeds in the world! These good-natured and elegant dogs are beloved for their intelligent, confident personalities.

“Russian Toys are very smart and love a challenge,” says breeder Nona Dietrich, owner of Gingerbread Havanese & Russian Toys. She adds they’re also very affectionate. They love to snuggle, kiss, and adore their humans—and they also love to play.

Though Russian Toys first came into existence in 18th-century Russia, they didn’t become popular worldwide until the 1990s. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the breed in 2022.

Could a Russian Toy be in your future? Read on to learn more about these tiny pups.

Breed Characteristics

Key

  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
  • Origin: Russia
  • Size:
  • Size: 8-11 inches
  • Weight: 3-6 pounds
  • Activity level:
  • Barking/howling level:
  • Good with dogs: yes
  • Good with kids: yes
  • Good for first-time dog parents: yes
  • Shedding:
  • Shedding: Seasonal
  • Hair type: Short, long
  • Grooming level:
  • Training level:
  • Drooling level:

Appearance

The Russian Toy is a compact little companion. On average, they weigh just six pounds and reach a height of 7.5 inches to 10.5 inches. They have small, narrow heads and large eyes, and their long legs and lean bodies give them a graceful appearance.

There are two types of Russian Toys: the smooth coat variety and the long coat variety. The smooth-coated Russian Toy is sleek and shiny. The long-coated Russian Toy breed was originally called the Moscow Long-Haired Toy Terrier. They have a ruff on the chest and feathering on the tail and ears.

Both varieties are considered Russian Toys under the American Kennel Club breed standard, and these dogs can be shown and bred together.

Russian Toy colors include:

  • Black and tan
  • Brown tan
  • Blue and tan
  • Red
  • Sable
  • Brown sable

History And Origin

The Russian Toy originated in Russia in the 18th century. Russian aristocrats of the time were infatuated with the English lifestyle, which they considered sophisticated and progressive. Russian socialites began importing English trends—including English Toy Terriers. These pups became a status symbol for the upper class in Russia, where they often joined their families at social events and the opera.

By the 19th century, the dogs were no longer called English Toy Terriers. Instead, they were called Russian Toy Terriers.

During the Russian Revolution of 1917, the focus shifted from breeding dogs for companionship to breeding them for military and defense purposes. This led to a significant decline in the population of Russian Toy Terriers, who weren’t fighting dogs. After Stalin’s death, there was a renewed effort to preserve the breed.

The first official breed standard was established in 1966 and later revised in the 1980s to recognize the Moscow Long-Haired Toy Terrier and the Russian Toy Terrier as two varieties of the same breed. In 2006, the breed was added to the FCI list of recognized breeds, and “Terrier” was dropped from its name.

Despite facing near-extinction twice, the Russian Toy has endured and is now recognized as a beloved toy breed.

Personality

Despite their small size, Russian Toys are fearless and love a challenge. They’re known for their energetic and playful personalities, but they’re also quick learners who enjoy practicing new tricks. According to Dietrich, they excel in various sports, like:

These feisty little pups are also highly affectionate and thrive on human companionship. Russian Toys love to be close to their people—whether you’re in the kitchen or working in the yard, they’ll never be far behind.

They like to have your lap all to themselves but will share willingly, especially if it is chilly outside, Dietrich says.

Russian Toys can be slightly aloof with strangers, but their loyalty makes them good watchdogs.

“Russian Toys love and try to protect their people,” Dietrich says. “Once they find no threat, they love everybody else as well.”

Dietrich says Russian Toys generally get along well with children and other pets. If you have young children, though, you’ll want to pay close attention and supervise their interactions. These dogs are so tiny that rough handling can hurt them easily.

Dietrich also notes that sometimes two males may not like each other—something to keep in mind if you’re thinking of getting more than one dog.

Ideal Environment

Like all dogs, Russian Toys thrive in a loving and attentive home.

According to California-based breeder Vaughn Auzenne, Russian Toys can adapt well to different lifestyles if socialized early. “They form strong bonds and really want to be with their family,” he says.

These dogs also have moderately high energy and love to run and play, so it’s important to have plenty of space for exercise. They don’t need a huge yard—just somewhere to run around several times daily.

“They don’t require more than that but love a good walk or going to agility or trick class,” Dietrich says. They can even go hiking—though they’ll need to build up their stamina first. You’ll also need to wait until their growth plates have closed, Dietrich emphasizes.

As for noise, Dietrich says Russian Toys will often bark to let you know about perceived danger. If barking becomes disruptive, focused training can help you teach them not to bark at everything.

Training

When it comes to training and socializing Russian Toys, it’s best to start early. They can develop “small dog syndrome” if not appropriately trained and socialized. This can lead to excessive barking, especially when they feel bored or threatened.

Ideally, training should begin in the puppy stage to help your dog adapt to different environments and situations, says Sally Gutteridge, dog behaviorist at Pet Sprint.

These intelligent dogs respond well to positive reinforcement, so the best way to teach your Russian Toy is to use plenty of treats, praise, and rewards!

Harsh corrections can be counterproductive, Gutteridge warns. She adds that Russian Toys can pick up new commands quickly but may develop bad habits if not trained well. They also tend to be headstrong, so she says patience and persistence are key during training.

If you’re having difficulties, working with a professional trainer can help.

Socialization tips

As far as socialization goes, Gutteridge recommends introducing Russian Toys to various animals, people, and places to reduce fear of strangers and new things. She says the best way to do that is to enroll your pet in puppy classes, which provide structured socialization and basic obedience training.

Exposing them to new experiences can help them overcome their fearfulness and limit aggressive behavior, she says.

Once you have basic obedience training down, you can engage them in more advanced activities. Gutteridge says nosework appeals to their keen sense of smell, while agility puts their energy to good use. You can also try trick training for mental stimulation.

Grooming Needs

The amount of grooming your Russian Toy will need depends on their coat type.

Long-haired Russian Toys should be brushed two to three times each week to prevent mats and tangles. You’ll also want to take care to brush out their ear fringe to keep their ears free of debris.

A monthly bath with dog shampoo and conditioner will help keep their coats healthy.

Smooth-coated Russian Toys have short, shiny hair. These dogs need weekly brushing, along with the occasional bath.

Both coat varieties shed minimally, but the smooth coat sheds less than the long coat.

In addition to brushing and bathing, regular nail trims and dental cleanings will help keep your Russian Toy feeling their best. You can also trim the hair under their feet as needed.

Health

Russian Toys are generally healthy dogs with no breed-specific health problems, according to California-based breeder Vaughn Auzenne. However, breeding dogs should still get tests for some inherited conditions common in small breeds, including:

Many small breeds also have a higher risk of dental disease, so regular brushing is essential to maintaining their oral health.

Tip: Consider investing in pet insurance with good dental coverage.

Additionally, a Russian Toy’s delicate nature puts them at risk of bone fractures. It’s important to make sure they’re handled gently, especially if they spend time around children and bigger dogs.

Getting A Russian Toy

Russian Toys are still somewhat rare in the U.S., as the AKC only recognized the breed in 2022. Your best chance of finding a Russian Toy is through a reputable breeder.

“According to the AKC, there are under 1000 of them in the states, so the chances of finding one at a shelter are pretty slim,” Auzenne explains.

It’s also unlikely you’ll find any Russian Toy mixes.

Auzenne suggests checking the Russian Toy Club of America (RTCA) for a breeder, as the RTCA holds their breeders to a specific code of ethics. Keep in mind, though, that only 16 states have RTCA-registered breeders, so you may have to travel a distance to get your Russian Toy.

If you don’t mind bypassing the puppy stages, many RTCA breeders may have older dogs available, including retired champions.

Russian Toy puppies usually cost between $1500 and $2500. If you can’t find a breeder locally, you’ll also want to budget for travel costs.

Alternative Dog Breeds To Consider

Russian Toys can generally adapt well to various homes and lifestyles. They thrive with lots of human interaction, and the ideal family will provide plenty of attention. Households with toddlers who haven’t learned to handle pets gently might not be the best fit for this tiny breed.

If you’re drawn to the diminutive size and lively personality of the Russian Toy, you might also find these other breeds appealing:

Resources

Liz Coleman

Liz Coleman

Liz is a freelance writer with a focus on pets and their fur-covered folk. She’s also a member of the Cat Writer’s Association, and her work appears in several pet publications. She shares her home in Western New York with two cats, two birds, and (arguably) too many plants.