Breed History

There is a large contrast between the dogs from Russia. The Borzoi belongs to the largest breeds, the Russian Toy is in any case the smallest, yet one of the most elegant.

At the start of the 20th century the English Toy Terrier was one of the most popular companion dogs in Russia. Every woman who belonged in some way to the higher class saved neither trouble nor expense to own one of the smallest specimens. The smaller the dog was, the higher one considered the status of its owner.

Between 1920 and 1950 however there was a big change in Russia. The Tsar and other noble people were driven away or even murdered due to the Revolution and the political changes.  As the aristocracy left the country, 99% of the toy dogs left with them.  The few remaining were frowned upon as non-productive symbols of aristocratic or bourgeoisie excess.  They didn’t hunt, didn’t guard, didn’t protect and many were killed for being ‘useless’.

Sometime in the 1950’s however, some rational breeders realized what was lost in terms of small companion dogs, and decided to revive what they could of the breed. At that time the borders were closed and the import of the English Toy Terrier heavily hampered if not made impossible.

A breeding program was started, but which dogs exactly were used is one of Russia’s best kept state secrets. Actually the biggest ‘secret’ is that no one really knows anymore.

It is known that the smallest dogs they could find were used. Pedigrees weren’t a factor and most likely a large number weren’t pure bred.  What was important was size, phenotype and personality.

Much is speculation, but because the borders were closed at that time, there was almost no access to the use of such breeds as the Yorkshire terrier or the Chihuahua. Although there is no doubt that some Chihuahua blood entered the line. We do know that the Russian Toy shows a lot of differences with the breeds who probably furnished contributions, like the English Toy Terrier and the Papillon.

At first only smooth-haired dogs were bred, but in 1957 there was one pup in a litter with fringes at the ears and limps. This little boy was named Chicky and immediately attracted a lot of attention of many breeders. The puppy was owned by a kynologist from Moscow, Zharova, and she got assigned the tasks to develop this longhaired variety, by the MCCDD (the Moscow City Community of Decorative Dogs, the forerunner of the RKF.)  This bloodline was called the Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier at first.

Within the Russian Toy community Yevgeniya Fominichna Zharova is very famous for the work she did.  It is known that in the early 1960’s Nikita Khrushchev, the leader of Russia, received two long-haired Chihuahuas as a gift from abroad.  In 1964 he gave them to Zharova. The female was not used due to her small size but people who knew Zharova said she used the male to improve the long-haired line.

The breed standard was first published in 1993.  On February 22, 2000 the National Club of Russian Toys established the new revised standard for Russian Toys.  On February 27, 2003 the FCI accepted the Russian Toy for consideration.  And as a result, on February 21, 2006 the FCI made the decision to recognize the Russian Toy breed but they enforced the RKF to remove the word “Terrier” from the name of the breed. (Previous name was ‘Russian Toy Terrier’)

Beside the recognition of the RKF in its homeland and the FCI, the Russian Toy is also recognized by the DRA, the AKC-FSS, the ARBA, and many other clubs.

Behaviour

The Russian Toy is one of the smallest breeds in the world. It is a loving, intelligent and reliable companion for its owners. This very little house pet is hardy for his size, fearless, neither shy nor aggressive and doesn’t need a lot of food to thrive.

The breed is easy to raise and not difficult to train. In fact the Russian Toy enjoys training and one cannot wish for a better pupil. Despite his small size this dog will do well at obedience or agility. The Russian Toy is very active and lively and he can run and play the whole day.

They enjoy participating in everything you do. You will never find another dog making such an effect! You'll fall in love instantly! And the only problem this dog creates immediately upon arrival – he makes you want another one. Russian Toys combine absolutely incongruous features such as tiny size and a huge self-respect; boldness, which goes up to impudence and improbable fidelity; tenderness and intelligence. He is cheerful, graceful, elegant, proud, has a good sense of humor and improbably beautiful!

Russian Toys are good for indoor living only.






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