Russian Toy
The Russian Toy is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world, developed in Russia in the mid-20th century from the English Toy Terrier. It is an elegant, lively, and devoted companion dog with long legs, expressive eyes, and large erect ears. The breed is well suited to apartment living, forms strong bonds with its owner, and thrives on human companionship.
Weight
1–3 kg
Height at withers
20–28 cm
Life expectancy
11–13 years
Size
extra small
Activity
medium
Shedding
low
Barking tendency
high
Apartment friendly
Excellent apartment dog: the breed does not need much space and requires only 40–60 minutes of daily outdoor exercise. Can be trained to use an indoor potty pad. Sensitive to cold, so a warm apartment suits it well.
Care
Brush smooth-coated dogs weekly with a rubber mitt; long-coated dogs daily with a soft bristle brush. Bathe monthly. Clean teeth, ears, and eyes regularly. Always use a harness instead of a collar on walks to protect the fragile trachea and neck. Protect from cold and drafts; use dog clothing in winter. Feed 2–3 small meals daily with high-quality small-breed food.
Health
Patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, dental disease (periodontal disease, overcrowded teeth), hypoglycemia, bone fractures due to fragile skeleton, collapsing trachea, hydrocephalus
Coat
Smooth/long
Travel
The Russian Toy travels well in a soft-sided carrier in the aircraft cabin. Place a favourite toy or an item with your scent inside the carrier to help the dog feel calm. Consult a vet before travel. Protect the dog from cold and drafts during journeys. Feed no later than 3–4 hours before the flight.
Carrier size
A soft-sided carrier approximately 45 × 28 × 28 cm (L × W × H) is suitable; the dog must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down. A standard small-breed in-cabin carrier fits the Russian Toy comfortably.
Harness size
A soft harness in size XXS or XS (typical chest girth 28–38 cm) is recommended. A harness is essential instead of a collar to protect the breed's fragile trachea and neck.
Leash
A lightweight leash 1.2–1.8 m long or a retractable leash with a lock. Always attach to a harness, never a collar. Supervise outdoors at all times: the dog's small size makes it vulnerable to birds of prey.
Airline cabin travel
usually allowed
This breed guide is always at hand in the Hani Walk app — along with the walk tracker, digital pet passport and vaccination reminders.
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