Description |
Russian Toys, also called Russkiy Toys, are toy-sized dogs. It is a very special looking breed. It is one of the smallest breeds in the world, and it can be either longhaired or smooth haired. Smooth haired Russian Toy Terriers look like a little deer. It has four long legs, strong body, long neck, and a small head with a little muzzle, big smart eyes and large stand-up triangular ears. The Longhaired Russian Toy, also known as the Russian Toy Terrier and the Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier is a copy of the smooth haired variety and differ only because of its beautiful long fur on its ears. If you see a Longhaired Russian Toy you will be really impressed. Short coat all over the body and these ears looking like a butterfly? You will never find another dog making such an effect! Both varieties can be crossed and have longhaired and smooth haired pups at the same litter, however a couple of smooth haired toys can give a longhaired pup in their litter (like at the very beginning of the breed) but two longhaired toys never-ever will give birth to a smooth haired variety. For top show Russian Toy mostly wide spread colors are black and tan, red (from light to deep) and sable in both long and smooth hair varieties. You may also find brown and tan, rare in Longhaired Russian Toys, and blue and tan, the most rare color. The Russian Toy of breed quality can be with little white spots on the chest and toes and pets can be solid black, brown or blue (except red) It doesn't mean that red color Russian Toy Terrier cannot be of pet quality. But it will not be because of color. White color is prohibited. This breed has a small head and a small nose with is either black matches with the dog's color. The stop is clearly defined. The skull is quite high but not too wide (width at the level of cheek-bones does not exceed the scull height). The muzzle is lean and pointed, slightly shorter than the scull. The lips are thin, lean, tight and dark or matching with the color. Jaws/Teeth are small and white. It has a scissor bite - six incisors on upper and lower jaws are desirable. The eyes are quite big, rounded, a bit prominent, set well apart and straight, dark. Eyelids are dark or matching with the color, tight-fitting. The ears are big, thin, set high, upstanding. The neck is long, lean, set high, slightly curved. The chest is quite deep, not too wide, oval-shaped. The tail is shortly docked (two or three vertebras are only left), gaily curried high. In countries where tail docking is prohibited by law, it can be left in its natural state. It should be carried a little higher than level of back, desirable of sickle curve. |
Temperament |
Loving, intelligent, trustful companion for you and your family. You will fall in love instantly, and the only problem your RTT create immediately upon arrival – he makes you want another one. Agile, hardy, lifetime devoted to the owner, - this is how Russian Toys owners describe their dogs. Small, elegant dog, tall on legs, of square built. Active, very lively, neither shy nor vicious. They are said to be easy to train. Obedience training is recommended for any dog size. RTTs are fun to work in agility trials. A true companion dog. Would love to go with you everywhere and due to his size you can take him. Enjoys participating in anything you do. Make sure you are this dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behavior problems. Always remember, dogs are canines, not humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts as animals. |
Height, Weight |
Height 8-10 inches (20-26 cm)
Weight 3- 6 pounds (1.3-2.7 kg.) |
Health Problems |
- |
Living Conditions |
The Russian Toys are good for apartment life. |
Exercise |
Although it is tempting to carry these dainty creatures about; these are active little dogs, who need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display a wide array of behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. Don't think that just because he is small he should be confined to a small space. |
Life Expectancy |
- |
Grooming |
The smooth, short-haired coat should be gently brushed occasionally or simply wiped over with a damp cloth. The long coat should be brushed daily with a soft bristle brush. Bathe both types about once per month, taking care not to get water in the ears. Check the ears regularly and keep the nails trimmed. This breed is an average shedder. |
Origin |
At the beginning of the 20th century, the English Toy Terrier was one of the most popular decorative dogs in Russia. However, in the period, 1920 - 1950 shipping of toy terriers was almost stopped and the number of dogs fell to a critical level. Only in the mid-fifties did, Russian dog-breeders began the rebirth of the breed. Practically all dogs, which were used in breeding, had no pedigrees; many of them were not of pure blood. Standard established for Toy Terrier significantly differed from the English Toy Terrier's standard in many aspects. From this moment, the evolution of the breed in Russia went its own way. On the 12 of October in 1958 two smooth-haired dogs, one of which had a slightly longer hair, gave life to a male dog with a spectacular fringe on its ears and limbs. The decision was made to keep this characteristic. The male was mated with a female dog which also had a slightly long hair. So the longhaired variant of the toy terrier appeared. It was called Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier. A dog breeder from Moscow Yevgueniya Fominichna Zharova played an important role in creation of this breed variant. The long isolated evolution and specific selection process have resulted in the creation of a new breed - the Russian Toy of two types: longhaired and smooth-haired. |
Group |
Toy |
Recognition |
FCI
The FCI recognizes this breed as the "Russkiy Toy" - long coat & smooth coat. |
Description |
Also called the Continental Toy Spaniel, the Papillon has a tail which is long and plumed and carried curled over the back. For this reason the Papillon was once called a Squirrel Spaniel. Its long lustrous coat is white with patches of any color, except liver. The butterfly ears are carried either erect or drooping. Papillon with drop ears are called Phalene Papillon (Moth). There is a well-defined white nose band. It has an alert and intelligent expression. The Papillon's muzzle is short and a bit pointed. The dog should be white with patches of any color. A color other than white should cover both eyes and both ears back to front. |
Temperament |
The Papillon is sometimes called the butterfly dog - because the ears look like butterfly wings. It is a friendly, intelligent dog that is tougher than it looks, and loves outdoor exercise. A gentle and affectionate dog, lively, vivacious and charming. Playful and amusing but can also be calm, patient, gentle and dignified. Steady and silent. Loves to be cuddled but also likes to romp outdoors. They are steady, obedient and are not yappers. Papillons can be trained to perform small tricks. Good with cats when they are socialized with them. They can also be difficult to housebreak, but are in general easy to train otherwise. If you allow this dog to become pack leader to humans, it may become very possessive of its owner and resent outsiders. When a dog believes he is pack leader to humans, it is called Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors, where the dog is allowed to believe he owns the house. This can cause a varying degree of behavior problems such as, but not limited to, being, nervous, high-strung, timid, separation anxiety, guarding, growling, snapping, biting, obsessive barking, dog aggression and being untrustworthy with children. These are not Papillon traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way humans are treating the dog. Since most people who own small dogs, because of their size, unknowingly allow them to run the show, they are not generally recommended for young children. However, if you are your dog's firm, consistent pack leader, providing rules he must follow and limits to what he is and is not allowed to do, along with daily pack walks, the Papillon can be very trustworthy with children. |
Height, weight |
Height: Dogs 8-11 inches (20-28cm) Bitches 8-11 inches (20-28cm)
Weight: Dogs 8-10 pounds (4-5kg.) Bitches 7-9 pounds (3-4kg) |
Health Problems |
Sometimes prone to problems with the kneecaps (patella) in the hind legs, this can sometimes be corrected by surgery. Also fontanel (an opening at the top of the skull similar to a baby human's "soft spot"). It sometimes corrects itself but if it does not, the dog needs to be protected. Some have a difficult time under anesthesia. |
Living conditions |
Although they can be good city dogs, they are sometimes not good apartment dogs, because the dog has a strong instinct to protect their property, and many will bark excessively at nearby noises, not making the distinction between casual noises and those worthy of a real alarm. |
Exercise |
Papillon need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. |
Life Expectancy |
Some as long as 16 years. |
Grooming |
Daily combing and brushing of the long, silky, single coat is important and fairly straightforward. These dogs are usually clean and odorless. Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. Keep the nails clipped and have the teeth cleaned regularly because they tend to accumulate tartar. They are average shedders and do not matt or tangle. |
Origin |
The Papillon is one of the oldest breeds of dog, with a recorded history in Europe going back nearly 700 years. The breed was originally called the epagneul nain or dwarf spaniel, and sported spaniel-type dropped ears. The dog was later known as the Continental Toy Spaniel (or sometimes just toy spaniel), which is the main name the FCI standard goes by. This tiny breed is recognizable in 13th through 15th century Italian frescoes. It was featured in many paintings of the Renaissance period; in fact much of the breed's development is known because of its depiction in paintings. The breed was widespread in Italy during the Renaissance and later perfected by French breeders. Over time, an erect-eared type, fringed as to resemble the ears of a butterfly, developed (Papillon means "butterfly" in French).
In the United States and according to the AKC standard, Papillons (erect-eared) and Phalenes (drop-eared) can be born in the same litter and are shown together as one breed. The AKC calls the breed a Papillon, with the Phalene being the name for the drop eared variety. Where as the FCI calls the breed a Continental Toy Spaniel with two varieties, the Papillon for the erect eared dogs and the Phalene for the drop eared dogs.
While the AKC allows for the Papillon and Phalene to mix mate, the FCI strictly prohibits mix mating because of problems with the position of the ears. One FCI breeder states, "When a Papillon and Phalene are mixed most of the time incorrect ears on both varieties are the result, i.e one ear erected one dropped or both bended on top or a different combination of the mentioned problems. The correct position of Phalene ears is to lay close to the side of the head showing no gap, but when you mix the two the ears they do show a gap which is called "open ears". If there are the opposite genes in either variety incorrect ears will always show up in the litters."
Some of its talents include: watchdog, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. |
Group |
Gun Dog, AKC Toy |
Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR |
