Russian Toy
俄羅斯玩具犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Russian Toy (Russkiy Toy) is one of the smallest breeds in the world — under 3 kg — descended from English Toy Terriers kept by the Russian aristocracy, and it comes in a smooth and a long-coated variety with fringed ears. Charming, lively and devoted, it thrives on human company and will let you know when it feels neglected; the smooth coats are a little more terrier-like. Like most toy breeds its main health concern is its teeth — retained puppy teeth and early dental disease — and the parent club advises a harness rather than a collar.
Facts
| Size | Toy |
|---|---|
| Height | 18–29cm |
| Weight | 1.5–3kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: toy FCI: 9 |
| Role | Toy |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Dental disease
Dental disease is commonly reported, especially in small breeds. Ask your vet about home tooth-brushing and dental checks.
Retained puppy teeth
The AKC says most Russian Toy puppies do not lose all their deciduous (puppy) teeth and need the remaining ones removed by about nine months, and that tartar build-up can start by one year. Ask your vet to check the mouth at vaccination visits and about home tooth-brushing.
Eye injuries
The AKC notes that owners should be aware of the risk of eye injuries such as corneal ulcers in this breed. Ask your vet urgently if an eye is held shut, weepy or cloudy.
Behaviour
Big personality, fragile frame
The AKC describes a good-natured imp that will dash around chasing toys for as long as you keep up — or lounge in your lap all day, content to be the jewel of the house — and that thrives on human companionship. Because small dogs have fragile necks and tracheas, the AKC and the parent club recommend walking on a harness rather than a collar and taking collars and harnesses off indoors, where they can catch on furniture.
Eager to please, terrier at heart
The AKC says Russian Toys are generally agreeable and eager to please, so very trainable, but they are terriers at heart — can be stubborn and will try to be the boss — and their clown-like antics suit agility and trick-dog work. The parent club highly recommends early socialisation and puppy kindergarten classes.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Russian Toy
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Russkiy Toy (Toy Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Russian Toy
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Russian Toy (standard no. 352, group 9)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's FAQ asks new owners to socialise their puppy early through puppy kindergarten and obedience classes, to walk the dog on a harness because of its fragile neck and trachea, never to leave a collar or harness on unsupervised at home, and to keep up weekly grooming and nail trims; it describes a good-natured dog with a larger-than-life personality that loves to play.”
— Russian Toy Club of America — FAQ via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Russian Toy — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Russkiy Toy — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Russian Toy — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Russian Toy — FCI standard no. 352 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]FCI-Standard No. 352 — Russian Toy, 05.12.2017 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]FAQ — Russian Toy Club of America — Russian Toy Club of America (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.