Toy Terrier: breed description, education and training, content

The Russian Toy Terrier is a miniature decorative dog breed that has not lost its popularity over the years. Mischievous and funny pets do an excellent job of playing the role of a sincere companion and loyal friend, and if necessary, a fearless protector.

The history of the appearance of the Russian Toy Terrier goes back to the 50s of the last century, when Russian breeders began to create a new decorative breed. English smooth-haired toy terriers were used as parents, who were considered excellent rat-catchers in their homeland and brought to tsarist Russia in the middle of the 19th century.

Dogs liked the Russian nobility and soon became the personification of wealth and position in society. However, due to the events of 1917, English toy terriers, like everything bourgeois, lost their relevance and were sharply criticized by the Soviet system. Over time, the breed lost its purity of blood, and the dogs that were launched into breeding 30 years later only vaguely resembled their purebred ancestors.

In the course of crossing the selected individuals, exceptionally smooth-haired puppies were born, and only on October 12, 1958, the first long-haired baby was born from a pair of smooth-haired toy terriers Johnny and Daisy.Because of the non-standard coat, the puppy was rejected and would have remained unknown to anyone, if by chance it had not ended up in the hands of the leading specialist of the Moscow Toy Terrier section Zharova E.F. It was with this puppy, nicknamed Chikki, that the history of the formation of the breed began long-haired toy terriers.

An interesting fact is that long-haired representatives of the breed, which until 1966 generally belonged to the category of an experimental breed group, received official recognition and registration much earlier than their smooth-haired "parents". And already at the end of 1966, Zharova managed to achieve the approval of the standard for her pets - Moscow long-haired toy terriers. The full formation of the Russian Toy of both types as an independent breed was completed in 1969, and by the end of the year more than 300 dogs with a pedigree were registered.

In the 60s and 70s of the last century, the cost of Russian toy terrier puppies was quite affordable. In this regard, pensioners often became dog owners, who took the animal solely for the soul and were absolutely not interested in breeding. Moreover, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, representatives of other miniature breeds poured into Russia, and the Russian Toy Terrier was practically lost. The breed was already supplanted by newfangled foreign competitors, and the owners of the remaining livestock stopped attending exhibitions.

However, in the late 1980s, Zharova, together with other enthusiasts, began to revive the Russian Toy. It was very difficult to do this, since the former purebred livestock got old, and their descendants were in other clubs. But step by step, literally from scratch, the breed was still restored, and already in 1996 the Russian Toy Terrier National Breed Club was opened in the capital. The following year, the club organized the First All-Russian Breed Show, which aroused great interest in dog breeders and attracted close attention to the breed.

The breed was officially recognized by the FCI only on 21.02.2006., when the meeting of the Breeding Commission approved the decision to assign it the official standard No 352. At the request of the Federation, both varieties - the Moscow Long-haired and Russian smooth-haired Toy Terriers were combined into one breed and given a common name - Russian Toy Terrier. However, at first the breed had the status of "temporarily recognized" and did not have the right to claim important international titles. A permanent permit was issued only in 2017, which allowed Russian Toy dogs, on an equal basis with other breeds, to claim world and European champion titles.

The Russian Toy Terrier, which is often called "Toychik" in everyday life, is a small, elegant and very active dog. Adults are characterized by lean muscles, thin bones, and poorly expressed sexual dimorphism, clearly visible only in the behavior of animals.

• The head of the Toy is round in shape, the transition between the muzzle and the convex forehead is well pronounced. The occipital protuberances with superciliary arches are poorly visible.
• The muzzle has a pointed shape with thin cheeks and, according to the standard, is 1/3 the length of the head. Small and very sharp teeth close in a regular scissor bite, the jaws are light, with thin lips tightly attached to them.
• The large, round eyes are set far apart and, according to the standard, are always dark brown in color.
• The nose is small, pigmented to match the color or black.
• Erect ears have a triangular shape, set high, rather large in relation to the head.
• The neck is long, gracefully arched, set very high.
• The chest is not very wide, has an oval shape and is somewhat deepened.
• The abdomen is tucked up, there is no pronounced underbelly.
• The back falls noticeably towards the tail and is distinguished by a well-visible withers.
• The tail is usually docked, however natural length is also allowed.
• The legs are straight, thin and long. The paws are arched, oval, the toes are tightly closed.
• The movements are free and very confident, which, together with the miniature size, looks very harmonious.

As for the wool, then There are two types of Russian toy terriers - smooth-haired and long-haired. In dogs of the first type, the coat is short, tight to the body and has no undercoat. In representatives of the second type, the body is covered with straight or slightly wavy hair 3-5 cm long. Despite the sufficient length of hair, the natural contours of the body are not hidden. On the head and front of the legs, the hair is rather short, while the back of the limbs has feathers. The paws are also covered with long hair, which completely hides the claws.

The color of Russian toy terriers is black and tan, blue, purple, red (gold), with black or brown bloom or without it. Disqualification criteria include white, black, and black-and-back colors, as well as the presence of white spots, large markings and zoning. In addition to a non-standard color, a toy terrier can be rejected for a thin coat and bald patches in smooth-haired species, for too long or curly hair in a long-haired variety, and also if the puppy is lop-eared, short-legged or has an irregular bite.

However, the characteristics of the Russian Toy Terrier will be incomplete if you do not consider the advantages and disadvantages of the breed. So, the advantages of these small and attractive dogs include mobility, energy, good nature, cheerful disposition, unobtrusiveness, obedience and lack of aggressiveness.

Among the minuses, we can note the excessive "talkativeness", which often causes the just indignation of neighbors at the entrance, vulnerability to heat and cold, stubbornness, gluttony and cocky males. Besides, they are very fragile and require careful handling, especially in their relationship with children... Therefore, if there is a small child in the house, then it is better to take a closer look at some other, stronger breed and not expose the puppy to danger from communicating with the child.

The main difference between dwarf dogs and other small breeds is their height and weight. So, Russian Toy Terrier males of both types grow up to only 28 cm, and females even up to 25... The weight of the animals varies from 2 to 3 kg and depends on the sex and age of the pet. If the height of an adult does not exceed 20 cm, and its weight is less than 1 kg 800 g, then such a dog is considered a mini-toy terrier, and "micro-puppies" are often found in the litter of parents of standard sizes.

Small pets often act as tame dogs and are a kind of decoration and indicator of the high social status of their owner. However, according to professional breeders, it is undesirable to use not only mini, but also dwarf dogs for such purposes. This is due to the genetically inherent mobility and activity of toys and their need for constant movement and play.

Russian toy terriers, including mini toy terriers, actively grow up to 4-5 months. Upon reaching this age, accelerated growth stops, and the animal gradually gains muscle mass. It should be noted that during the intensive physical development of the puppy, his brain activity is also actively developing. As a result, a 4-month-old baby is in no way inferior in mental development to an adult dog.

However, it should be noted here that these data are rather average, since not only genetics, but also the conditions of detention, diet and care, affect the puppy's growth. Therefore, these points should be paid close attention and especially monitor the presence of protein foods in the pet's menu. In addition, excessive physical activity, as well as a sedentary pastime, can harm the formation of bone tissue and lead to diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Russian Toy Terriers are overly playful and energetic dogs that get along well with other pets and people. but due to the labile psyche and susceptibility to stress, it is not recommended to take such animals to noisy places... For the same reason, the Russian Toy should not be kept in a house where noisy and noisy children live, otherwise the dog will bark a lot and be in a state of constant stress, which will ultimately negatively affect its mental health.

In addition to being active and playful, the hallmark of the character of the toy is complete dependence and excessive attachment to its owner. There are cases when toy terriers, unable to withstand separation from their owners, fell into severe depression, fell ill and died. Also, one cannot fail to say about the courage and fearlessness of these small dogs. It is not uncommon to see situations when a small defender rushes menacingly at huge dogs. However, such behavior is often completely unreasonable, and the belligerent toy begins to bully about and without it.

As for the attitude towards strangers, the Russian Toy behaves very wary with them and looks at the reaction of the owner. If he is calm and benevolently disposed towards a stranger, then the dog will behave with him in the same way. He quickly makes contact with the guests who have come to the house, allows himself to be stroked and taken in his arms. In adolescence, she is not averse to gnawing the legs of furniture and shoes, which is complicated by its miniature size and the ability to penetrate into the most inaccessible corners of the apartment. Therefore, in order to avoid material damage, the puppy's freedom of movement should be limited to one room, from which it would be desirable to remove all unnecessary things.

Another characteristic feature of Toy is that it remains active throughout life. You can often see a pet of advanced years, tirelessly running after a stick or a ball. In view of the hunting past of direct ancestors - English toy terriers, the dog is not averse to chasing neighboring cats and birds. At such moments, the dog is so carried away by the chase that it does not see or hear its owner.

It should also be noted the high security and protective qualities of the toys, however, the miniature size does not allow them to be fully realized. So, at the sight of danger, that breast rises to protect the owner and fearlessly rushes at the offender... From the outside, such a sight looks very funny, however, the dog's desire to save the owner is so sincere that the offenders sometimes do not withstand his pressure and retreat.

It is better to buy a Russian Toy Terrier puppy in a kennel or from breeders with a good reputation, since buying "from hand" cannot guarantee the full compliance of the pet with its breed qualities.Such toi often have anomalies in behavior, manifested in excessive cowardice or, on the contrary, in unjustified aggressiveness. Besides, when buying a toy terrier in a breed nursery, you can always get to know the puppy's parents, see the history of their diseases and observe their behavior... Another plus of such a purchase will be the presence of a puppy card and a veterinary passport with marks on calendar vaccinations.

As for the age of the baby, then it is not recommended to purchase puppies that are under 2 months old, and the best option would be to buy a 3-4 month old pet. At this age, deviations in the exterior are already clearly visible, so the risks of running into a "fake" are much less. It is also recommended to choose a puppy in a mono-breed kennel, since in a multi-breed kennel there is a chance to get culling.

Regarding the cost of toy terriers, we can say the following: the price for a pet-class puppy starts from 20,000 rubles, a breed-class - from 30,000 rubles, and a show-class - from 40,000 rubles (data of 2019). It should be borne in mind that puppies from unscheduled matings that do not have documents are 70-80% cheaper than dogs with documents, and owners of elite genes with medalist parents, on the contrary, are 20% more expensive than the average cost. The color of the little toy also affects the final cost: chocolate and blue puppies are much more expensive than black babies.

The Russian Toy Terrier is an exclusively domestic dog and must live in warmth and comfort. When buying a puppy, you need to take care of his sleeping place and buy him a soft and comfortable bed with low sides in advance. Place the puppy "for the night" should be away from heating appliances and drafts. It is advisable to place your pet in a secluded place where he can rest calmly and at the same time will not interfere with family members walking around the apartment. Small puppies need to be provided with toys with which they will while away long hours, waiting for a walk. Toi are very fond of their toys and even at an old age they play with them with pleasure.

Russian toy needs active walks, so special attention should be paid to physical activity. An active lifestyle will help prevent obesity, which most toys are prone to, and will allow the pet to release the energy accumulated during the day. Dogs are very fond of running without a leash, however, they can only be released if they are firmly convinced of their friendliness. If the dog is constantly bullying the dogs, then it is not recommended to unhook him from the leash in public places. When going for a walk in cool weather, you should wear clothes, as dogs do not tolerate cold well and catch colds quickly.

On a walk, it is necessary to make sure that the toy terrier does not drag anything from the ground into his mouth, since many babies have this habit. In such cases, pet training helps well, and in extreme cases, a muzzle. It is very important not to allow her to jump from a height and overcome various obstacles: the dog has very fragile bones and can be injured by any careless movement. As soon as the puppy appears in the house, he should be immediately trained to relieve himself on an absorbent diaper or in a tray. In the future, such a habit will eliminate the need for walks in cold weather and will help maintain order in the apartment.

As for caring for a Russian toy, it is quite simple and includes several mandatory procedures.

• The short-haired toy is brushed weekly with a rubber mitten, while the long-haired toy is scratched every day.
• It is recommended to bathe shaggy dogs every 2 weeks, short-haired dogs - once a month.
• Claws should be cut as they grow back, about once every 2 months. It is not worth hoping that the dog will grind them off by itself: I have very little weight, so even walking on the asphalt does not solve the problem.
• Ears should be plugged with cotton wool while bathing and wiped with an antiseptic solution once a month. In long-haired individuals, you need to monitor the condition of the hair in the ears, and if it grows strongly, trim it carefully. In addition, the ears must be examined daily for infection, and even with minor secretions, immediately show the animal to the veterinarian.
• Toy terrier eyes also need daily inspection and removal of dried-on secretions.
• It is recommended to brush your teeth once a week using a dog paste and a miniature brush.
• If the animal does not take part in reproduction, then you can castrate or sterilize the pet. This procedure is performed at the request of the owner or for medical reasons at 6-12 months in males, and in females - until the first estrus, but not earlier than 5 months of age.

You can feed Russian Toy both with natural food and ready-made food. The latter method of feeding is considered the most preferable option, since it does not require a balanced menu and the additional use of vitamin and mineral complexes. All components in the feed are selected taking into account their compatibility and in the quantities necessary for the pet.

If it is decided to feed the toy with natural products, then the menu should be developed taking into account that 40% of the total portion size should be lean meat (beef or chicken) or offal. The remaining 60% should be cereals (40%) and vegetables (20%). A couple of times a week, you need to offer low-fat kefir, fermented baked milk and cottage cheese, as well as boiled sea fish with selected bones, seasonal fruits and egg yolk. In addition, with a natural method of feeding, the animal should be additionally given vitamin and mineral supplements. With any method of feeding, a toy must have free access to drinking water.

Prohibited foods that should under no circumstances be fed to Russian Toy include sweets, fatty, spicy and fried foods, as well as pickles and pastries. As for the number of feedings, puppies up to 3 months old are fed 5-6 times a day, by 4 months they are transferred to 4 meals a day, by 6 months - 3 times a day, by a year - 2 times a day. In no case should you overfeed the Toy, since the breed has a high predisposition to obesity. In this regard, you should not feed the dog from the table and leave food in accessible places for it. So, puppies 1-3 months are given 50-70 g of liquid milk porridge, babies 3-6 months - 100-150 g of still liquid food, and from 6 to 12 months - 250-300 g of solid food. For toys over one year old, the serving weight should not exceed 500 g.

The Russian Toy Terrier is a very intelligent and quick-witted dog that lends itself well to training. Pets perfectly understand the meaning of many words, so there are no problems with executing commands. Even beginners who do not have such experience can train a little toy. The only condition for raising a dog is the regularity and consistency of training. This requirement is due to the fact that inexperienced owners are often confused by the fragile physique and charming appearance of the pet, which is why they, instead of starting to educate as early as possible, begin to pamper the dog unnecessarily.

As a result, that one quickly feels permissiveness and impunity and literally sits on the neck of its owner. The dog begins to throw tantrums in the literal sense of the word and does not calm down until he gets what he wants. Such pets often drag food from the table, bark loudly, demanding sweets, show aggression and sleep wherever they please, including in the owner's bed.

The spoiled and rude dog is not going to improve at all and over the years it only becomes more stubborn and wayward. Therefore, you should not follow the lead of these cute dogs, and from the first minutes of the appearance of the baby in the house, you should immediately start raising him. The Russian Toy is trained according to the classical scheme, using a system of rewards and punishments. A stern voice and shout should be used as a reprimand. In no case should you beat and kick your pet.

It is not necessary to carry out the general course of training with the toy, but the dog should know the basic commands. You need to start training at 3 months, that is, immediately, as soon as the animal gets used to its name and owner. In addition, it is necessary to socialize the toy as early as possible, especially for overly cocky males.

The owners speak very positively about their pets and love them dearly. All as one noted the good mental abilities of dogs and their high intelligence. Toy terriers often understand their owners literally at first sight and try in every possible way to please and deserve praise. However, only exemplary dogs behave this way, the owners of which took care of their upbringing in time.

But complaints about Toy behavior are also not uncommon. On various "dog" forums, there are often reviews of pranks and waywardness of small pets. There is a bad habit of the dogs to come to the owner in bed and be very stubborn when trying to send the dog to its place. Many complain about the loud and often unreasonable barking of little toys, which causes great inconvenience when a child is born in a family. However, there are much more positive reviews about dogs. The owners simply adore their loyal and reliable friends and will not exchange the Russian Toy for any other breed.

For this breed of dog, see the next video.