At a glance the quick version
The FCI standard sets 3 kg as the upper limit (ideal about 2.3 kg); Wikipedia gives 1.5-4 kg.
Coat and looks how to spot one
smooth or long
A tiny, square-built, fine-boned dog with large upright ears. The smooth variety has a short, shiny coat; the long-haired one has moderate body hair with fringed ears and feathered legs and tail. Neither coat is thick enough to hide the outline.132
Personality what they are like
A bright, happy little dog with plenty of curiosity. It is closely attached to its people, keen to please, and neither timid nor snappy; it may be reserved with strangers and will announce visitors.132
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Up to about an hour of exercise a day; it enjoys games, agility and obedience despite its size.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The Royal Kennel Club suggests daily grooming attention; the long-haired variety needs its ear fringes and feathering brushed to stay tangle-free.31
Home where they are happiest
Well suited to apartment living, as long as it still gets daily walks and play.3
Company who they like around
A companion breed that wants to be near its owner and does best with plenty of company.31
The story where it all began
Small English terriers were fashionable in Russia from the 18th century, and in the 1950s Russian breeders rebuilt the type into a distinct toy dog. A long-coated variety appeared in 1958 from a puppy with fringed ears, and the breed was twice brought back from very low numbers in the 20th century.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 352, Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 9 Continental Toy Spaniel and Russian Toy. Provisional 21 February 2006, definitive 11 July 2017; smooth and long-haired varieties.4
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Toy group, registered as Russian Toy (Imp).3
- AKC
- Foundation Stock Service since August 2008; eligible for companion events from January 2010.2
- UKC
- Recognised 2008.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Russkiy Toy. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
You might also like
English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
Pražský Krysařík
Chihuahua
PapillonLike what we are building? Buy us a coffee.
The breed atlas is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show ads. If it helped you, a small tip keeps the research going. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI standard no. 352 fci.beused for history, coat, colours, size, temperament
- Wikipedia: Russkiy Toy en.wikipedia.orgused for history dates, AKC/UKC recognition, fun facts
- The Royal Kennel Club: Russian Toy royalkennelclub.comused for exercise, grooming, lifespan, home
- FCI nomenclature: Russkiy Toy (352) fci.beused for recognition
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.