Page 277 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia
P. 277

Russian Toy



                HEIGHT       WEIGHT       LIFE SPAN          Red
                8–11in       Up to 7lb    Over 12 years      Black and tan
                (20–28cm)    (3kg)                           Blue and tan


                                                    Small but not delicate, and with a big personality,
           TINY TERRIER
                                                    this lovable dog thrives on human company
           Small dogs have always been very popular
           as pets and many different breeds have been
                                                    Also known as the Russkiy Toy, this        smooth-haired Russian Toy. The long-haired
           created. One of the most recent is the Russian   miniature dog is descended from English   Russian Toy appeared in Moscow in 1958
           Toy, which was accepted by the FCI in 2006.
                                                    Toy Terriers (see p.211), which were first   when a puppy with a silky coat and fringed
           It is one of the smallest breeds in the world,
           and is about the same size as a Chihuahua    brought to Russia in the 18th century to   ears was born to smooth-haired parents.
           (see p.282). Despite                     indulge the aristocracy’s enthusiasm for the      After the fall of the Soviet Union in
           its small size, two                      English way of life. This association with   the 1980s, numbers of both the long- and
           features of this tiny
                                                    nobility led to a serious drop in numbers   short-haired toy terriers declined again, this
           terrier are described                    during the Communist Revolution of 1917.   time due to an influx of Western breeds.
           as large—its dark,
                                                    Then in the late 1940s the decline was     Though both types of Russian Toy remain
           expressive eyes,
           and its erect,                           further exacerbated when only dogs         rare, official recognition in Russia in 1988
           triangular ears.                         with a military function were bred. A few   ensured their survival. Despite its tiny size and
                                                    miniature dogs did, however, survive and   fragile appearance, the Russian Toy is active
                                                    their descendents became known as the      and energetic, and usually has robust health.




                SMOOTH-
            HAIRED PUPPY                                                                                        Small,
                                                                                                            round head
                                                                                       Pronounced
                                                                                       stop
                                                  Ears fringed with
                                                    long, silky hair
                                                                                                                               Round,
                                                                                                                               prominent
                                                                                                                               eyes
                                   Long, slightly
                                     wavy coat



                                                                                             Brown
                                                                                            and tan

                                                                                                                             Short,
                                                                                                                             close coat
          Well feathered
            tail extends
              to hocks
                                                                                    Fawn
                                                                                    with black
                                                                                    overlay


                                                  Slight feathering
                                                   on back of legs



                                           LONG-HAIRED                                                                     SMOOTH-HAIRED




                                                                                    Small,
                                                                                    oval feet


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