Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier - description of the breed (with photo)

The Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier belongs to the 1% of the breed that was created in Russia. Distant relatives of terrier dogs arrived in Russia from England. Stately beauties were bred there to hunt rats. They differed only in their fur, as they were smooth-haired. The first long-haired terrier appeared in 1957. The Moscow Society of Dog Breeders began to study this breed and in 1966 the first standard of this breed was identified. Currently, official clubs in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and other cities train this amazing breed.

Description of the Russian Toy Terrier breed

Popularity 7th among 263 dog breeds

Lifespan:

10-12 years

Breed group:

Decorative

Height:

20-28 cm

Country of origin:

Russia

Average price:

15-25 thousand rubles

Weight:

1.4-3 kg
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Advantages and disadvantages

• Pros:
• thanks to its miniature size, the Russian Toy Terrier will fit perfectly into even the smallest apartment;
• affectionate and friendly dogs, do not perceive aggression at all;
• get along well with other pets, be it a cat, ferret or songbirds.

• Minuses:
• during the training process, dogs can show self-will, indiscipline, and stubbornness;
• Toy terriers bark often and a lot, you can wean them off this only at a young age, otherwise the moment will be lost;
• cunning and sneaky people quickly figure out the weaknesses of the owner’s character and try to make the most of them.

Character and temperament

The Russian Toy Terrier, smooth-haired and long-haired, has a balanced, friendly character with irrepressible energy. The dog is intelligent by nature and, due to its mobility, is very curious. A brave toy can bark even at a large dog.

The dog is affectionate and devoted, cannot stand loneliness. He always demands attention, attracting him to himself with pranks and games. If there is a lack of care for one’s own person, one can become embittered. He senses the intonation and mood of the owner well.

The Moscow Toy Terrier has a balanced, friendly character.

Key facts

The description of the Toy Terrier breed is often contradictory - some do not understand how such a small and fragile creature can be called a dog. Other people are sure: a small dog is the best companion and companion!

Indeed, the toy is a tiny creature, smaller than the average cat. But he does not notice his size and is ready to be a true devoted friend with a big heart.

He will begin to accept the owner’s commands, and even more so to carry them out, only when the person treats him with respect. These dogs categorically do not want to live in an authoritarian family, and moral pressure can result in a whole bunch of diseases for them.

However, if you indulge your dog too much, this sly one will quickly figure out all your weaknesses and take control into his paws. And then you will be his dog - that’s why it’s important to raise your baby.

The characteristics of the Toy Terrier breed emphasize their vulnerable nervous system - shouting at them is strictly prohibited! In general, it is better to exclude factors in the house that can provoke stress in the animal.

A trained and socialized dog will feel comfortable in any situation - on the street, in a car, in a house with a lot of guests. The main thing is that your beloved owner is nearby.

The size of the toy terrier is tiny, one might say, doll-sized: they weigh up to three kilograms, some individuals easily fit in one hand. This means that you can take them with you on any trip – be it to the store or to another country.

The lifespan of a toy terrier depends entirely on the owner. In general, dogs easily overcome the 15-year mark, but only if they were well looked after - fed properly, dressed for walks, vaccinated on time, and avoided fractures and other injuries. Many Toys die in the hands of inept owners at an early age, so it is definitely impossible to classify the breed as easy to care for.

Advantages and disadvantages

The breed has a number of advantages:

• pretty, not aggressive, friendly;
• easy to learn;
• tolerates travel and acclimatization well;
• small sizes do not affect security qualities;
• compact and undemanding in care;
• devoted.

Along with the advantages, there are also disadvantages:

• Often difficult pregnancy and childbirth in bitches.
• Zealous attitude towards the owner.
• Sometimes mentally unstable.
• Damage to objects and property.

All deficiencies can be eliminated with good care and proper upbringing.

History of the origin of the Russian Toy Terrier

The ancestors of these kids were English toy terriers. In their homeland, they performed the role of rat catchers very well. In the era of Peter I, they began to appear in Russia. Miniature charmers quickly won the hearts of society ladies and turned into pets. They lived in luxurious residences, went to balls with their mistresses and guarded their chambers.

But with the advent of Soviet power, the popularity of toy terriers began to fade sharply. Now more practical, working dogs were in fashion. And decorative dogs have turned from pets into “excesses”. So the number of individuals gradually decreased, and toy terriers simply died out.

Only by the 50s did Soviet cynologists decide to bring back to life the genus of miniature dogs. But by that time there were no more purebred individuals left. Scientists had to work with dogs with an unknown pedigree and those individuals that Soviet soldiers took from Germany during World War II. The task was further complicated by the Iron Curtain that sheltered the country from the outside world in those years: it was impossible to compare the resulting animals with the cubs of English toy terriers. And for many years, experts did not even suspect that they had bred a completely new breed of dogs. Russian toy terriers turned out to be one and a half times smaller than the British ones, their proportions and skull shape were significantly different.

But this was not the end. In 1957, a toy terrier puppy was born with long hair near the ears, on the paws and tail. It looked so touching that breeders decided to breed their own breed from it. This is how the Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier appeared.

Despite the fact that the breed had considerable popularity within the country, no one knew about them abroad for quite a long time. And the International Canine Association recognized miniature dogs as an independent breed only in 2006 - now they could take part in international championships.

A strange beast, isn't it? But even more surprising is that today this fairy tale has come to life and appeared before us in the form of a tiny, completely unusual-looking terrier, who left in the fairy tale only two camel humps that were out of place in reality, but decorated her arshin ears with a wonderful, thick and long flowing in the wind. wool, thanks to which her appearance took on the resemblance of a blooming orchid. This is a Moscow Toy Terrier. The history of this amazing breed, or rather its smooth-haired brother, which later served as the basis for its creation, on Russian soil began precisely at the time when Ershov wrote his fairy tale. However, overseas prehistory is even more ancient.

During the Middle Ages, a special group of medium-sized hunting dogs, called terriers, was formed in England. They were used mainly for hunting badgers and foxes in holes, as well as for exterminating rats. The latter not only spoiled food and seed supplies with enviable regularity, but were also carriers of deadly diseases. Therefore, it is not surprising that the dexterous rat-catching dogs were highly respected by the residents. The best exterminator of rats was considered to be the black and tan terrier from Manchester, with all its appearance and character suitable for this task: medium-sized, agile and fit, on high but strong limbs, with a small elongated head on a flexible neck, large movable ears, allowing for accurate and quick determine the source of the slightest rustle. In the 17th century in England, rat extermination competitions were very popular, which were held in specially built arenas. Subsequently, when rat games were prohibited, the Manchester Terrier was divided into two varieties based on height. The smaller one was called the Small Manchester Terrier, considering it not as an independent breed, but as a dwarf variety of the Manchester Terrier (this state of affairs has remained in some countries to this day), and later it began to be called the English Toy Terrier (from English (toy) and be considered an independent breed (although this breed was officially recognized only in 1962). Thanks to their exquisite noble appearance, compactness, cheerful disposition and ease of keeping, the terrier quickly gained popularity as a lap dog. At the beginning of the 19th century, in this capacity, they quickly settled throughout throughout Europe, including Russia, and also went overseas.

In Russia, the toy terrier has become one of the most numerous breeds of indoor dogs. At exhibitions and at the beginning of our century, they made up a third of the total number of exhibited lap dogs. However, the October Revolution caused irreparable damage to the breed in our country. Most of the owners were representatives of the intelligentsia, and it was this class that suffered the most in those troubled times. In addition, throughout the Stalinist period, breeding of breeds of interest to the Soviet Army and the national economy was encouraged. Owners of decorative dogs were declared to be crazy bourgeois. And yet, in spite of everything, thanks to the unique devotion and love of the owners for their pets, a certain number of toy terriers, sometimes very good (for example, the dog presented in the photograph in A. Mazower’s book “Breeding in Service Dog Breeding”), but more often not purebred, preserved. In the mid-fifties, a group of dog handlers attempted to recreate the Toy Terrier breed. It was necessary to collect literally bit by bit and most of the dogs originally used did not have pedigrees. The livestock began to grow rapidly and gain popularity. However, this was the period of the harsh “Iron Curtain”, which excluded any contacts with European dog handlers. It seemed impossible for us to follow the path trodden by the bourgeoisie; we must have our own path in everything, a socialist one. As a result, in the early sixties, a standard was developed in our country that was very different from the true standard of the English Toy Terrier, and this breed went its own way in our country. The Soviet standard differed primarily in the description of the structure of the head: it required a high convex forehead, a sharp transition from the forehead to the muzzle and a short, pointed muzzle, while a real English toy, on the contrary, has a flat forehead, an unpronounced transition and a long muzzle. Long-term selection in isolated conditions in a specific direction subsequently led to the emergence of a new breed - the Russian Toy Terrier.

In 1957, two smooth-haired dogs, one of which had a slightly elongated coat and no pedigree, gave birth to a male with spectacular feathering on his ears and limbs. They named him Chicky. It all started with him. His charming appearance - magnificent fluffy ears, elegant shirtfront, bright red tan marks on a black background - invariably attracted the attention of both ordinary people and specialists.

A group of Moscow dog handlers, headed by E. Zharova, decided to make an attempt to consolidate such an original appearance in the offspring. Therefore, Chikki was bred to a black and tan female, which also had a slightly longer coat, resulting in three long-haired puppies. The center for the creation and breeding of the breed was MGODS - the Moscow City Society of Decorative Dog Breeding, which later grew into MGOLS. In accordance with the place of birth, the new breed was dubbed the Moscow Toy Terrier. Here, in the Moscow club, the breed quickly grew and flourished, winning more and more new admirers, and this is understandable. After all, the majority of Muscovites in the 60s and 70s lived in communal apartments or in not too spacious “Khrushchev” buildings. In such far from comfortable conditions, driven only by enthusiasm and inexhaustible love for the breed being created (the puppies were ridiculously cheap), Moscow cynologists managed to create an original breed, as if from a good Russian fairy tale.

The number of Moscow Toy Terriers gradually increased. In 1964, they were first presented at the exhibition - there were 24 of them. In 1966, the first standard was adopted, which has survived to this day with only minor changes. By the end of the 60s, more than three hundred dogs were already registered. Breeding centers have emerged in a number of Russian cities. However, in the 80s, the situation with the Toy Terrier breed became sharply complicated: the import of decorative dogs of various European breeds from abroad intensified, which, thanks to massive advertising and the eternal craving of Russians for everything foreign, began to quickly displace our little ones. Moreover, Moscow toy terriers often served as a kind of currency in calculations. Thanks to this, a number of European countries have their own Toy Terrier breed and started breeding. But in their homeland, the number of Moscow Toys decreased to a critical level and by the beginning of the 90s the breed was on the verge of extinction. In most Russian cities, terriers have disappeared completely. In several cities smooth-haired toys were still bred. Moscow toi survived only in Moscow, and even then in very small quantities. The breed was in danger of extinction, but, fortunately, it was from this moment that the popularity of the breed began to grow. The number of competent breeders has increased, and tiny toys have appeared at large exhibitions, invariably arousing general interest and expanding the ranks of admirers.

The Toy Terrier breed has entered a new stage of development. The number of Toy Terrier dogs began to gradually increase. A rapid restoration of their numbers is impossible primarily due to their low fertility; In litters one or two, occasionally three, puppies are born. Three or four puppies in a litter are very rare. Therefore, even now the Moscow Toy, even in Moscow, remains one of the rare breeds and few Russian cities can boast of their presence and not all even major exhibitions are honored with their participation; the Toy Terrier is much rarer than many traditionally rare breeds: mastiffs, shar- pei, mastino, yorkshire terriers, etc.

But still, the Moscow population is already quite sufficient so as not to fear for the future of the breed. Breeding is also underway in some other cities of St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Minsk, Krasnoyarsk, etc.

But Moscow Toy Terriers are bred not only in Russia. This breed, despite the fact that its standard has not yet been approved by the FCI (the breed is not recognized in organizations under the auspices of the FCI, in our country representatives of the breed are shown in the so-called XI group - without the right to participate in the “Best-in-Show” - Note .ed.), can long be considered international. As already mentioned, many toys were exported to Europe during the 80s. They were exported both before and after that. Therefore, it is not surprising that for several years now they have been bred in a number of countries: Finland, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and the USA. By the way, the USA also has its own miniature terrier.

In June 1996, the National Club of Russian Toy Terriers was organized in Moscow. This is undoubtedly an important moment in the development of the breed, as it allows you to consolidate the efforts of individual clubs and breeders, adjust and control the condition and development of the entire breed. At the first All-Russian Toy Terrier Exhibition, held in Moscow in May of this year, 93 Toy Terriers were entered, of which 36 were long-haired.

Last year the Moscow Toy Terrier turned 40 years old. What kind of a modern Moscow Toy Terrier is he?

This is a very tiny, toy-looking toy terrier with huge erect ears, decorated with a thick fringe of long silky hair, gently falling on the sides of a small, chiseled head.

The attentive look of large dark blueberry-like eyes, a straight back, tall thin legs with fluffy fringes, soft wool slippers on tiny paws, a provocatively protruding docked tail. Add to this the perky terrier character, combining energy, cheerfulness and readiness to attack anyone, even a superior enemy, boundless devotion to only one owner and enormous, enormous love for him, and you have a real Moscow toy. The amount of love concentrated in this tiny body would be more than enough for five large dogs. The Moscow Toy Terrier is so small in size that many of them could compete with the Chihuahua for the title of smallest dog. In terms of ease of maintenance, they are generally unrivaled: they take up no space in the apartment at all, the amount of food is two to three tablespoons per day, no trimming, no haircuts. At the same time, they are not afraid of the cold - they can be safely walked in mild frost. They are also unrivaled in their watchdog qualities: of course, they won’t tear an intruder to pieces, but a loud dog barking, capable of competing in volume with a police siren, will always scare away an uninvited guest. But not a single suspicious rustle escapes his huge moving ears. Toy does not create any problems either in public transport, or in a car, or at the dacha, or when visiting exhibitions. And besides, no matter where you find yourself with a Moscow Toy Terrier in your hands in our country or especially abroad, you will always be the center of attention: the appearance of this baby is very fabulous and unusual.

By the mid-90s, there was noticeable qualitative progress in the breed, but there was a need to refine the standard. The new one was to be developed by the national club together with the RKF. The Toy Terrier breed standard took a long time to prepare and now, at the beginning of this year, it was approved.

In the new edition, the Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier and its smooth-haired brother are united under one name - Russian Toy Terrier, as two coated varieties of one breed.

The standard quite fully and concisely describes the elegant dog in all details and gives a clear idea of ​​​​the appearance of this breed. It must be admitted that on the whole the standard is successful. However, some points still do not seem entirely appropriate.

When drawing up a breed standard, we care primarily about its future. Well-known English cynologist Harry Baxter said in an interview with Friend magazine: “Zoologists first discover a species and then describe it, but cynologists do the opposite: first they create a description of the breed, and then they adjust the breed to it.” One cannot but agree with this. The standard should describe not what is, this is what descriptive zoology does, but what should be. The breed standard is both the Constitution and the Path of Development. If the standard is successful, the breed flourishes and conquers the whole world. The standard is mediocre - the breed is dying out. Therefore, the responsibility when drawing up a standard is very great. Every phrase, every word is of great importance.

The Toy Terrier breed standard must necessarily meet two criteria: physical vitality (i.e., harmonious build, ensuring good health, easy movement and normal reproduction) and originality (i.e., unlike any other breed).

Toy terriers can safely be classified as extreme breeds, since they have extremely small stature and exist, as it were, on the edge below which the existence of dogs is physiologically impossible. Such a small stature is one of the most important distinctive features of the breed, and this is successfully legitimized by the standard. But despite this tiny size, all other parameters must be such as to ensure the viability of dogs of this breed. Considering the above, I, as a breeder of the breed, had several questions for the dog handlers of the national club who compiled the Toy Terrier breed standard.

Why is the shoulder angle of 110-120 degrees accepted as the norm in the standard? From a biomechanical point of view, the ideal shoulder angle is 90 degrees - every dog ​​breeder knows this; a toy terrier with a noticeably straightened shoulder cannot have free movements. American canine specialist R. Elliott, after a detailed study of video recordings of the movements of dogs of various breeds, came to the conclusion that “the shoulder must have the correct position, regardless of what is attached to it.” The importance of cultivating the correct glenohumeral joint is also noted by Russian dog handlers. For example, in one of his works, E. Yerusalimsky points out: “...the position of the scapula is steeper than we would like, therefore, the position of the ilium is more flattened, respectively, the position of the hip is more vertical and, as a result, the hip span is smaller. As a result, the step of the rear leg cannot be made as long as required, the space capture suffers, and of course, the speed suffers.”

It seems that the standard should, if possible, be conducive to ensuring that even with such tiny legs, he has the opportunity to use them with maximum productivity. Otherwise, from a cheerful, tireless travel companion, he will turn into a sedentary, exclusively “sofa” dog. Now the state of affairs in the breed is such that the vast majority of modern toy terriers, especially smooth-haired ones, have a noticeably straightened shoulder - 110-120 degrees or more.

However, as stated above, the standard should describe what should ideally be. It turns out that the expert, working in strict accordance with the standard, is obliged to punish dogs (having a truly correct or close to the correct shoulder angle of 90-110″) for this, and to give to dogs that are openly straight-shouldered and, therefore, without free movements preference. It is not right. Of course, it is hardly advisable to require a toy terrier to have an angle of 90 degrees as a standard, but it would be quite reasonable to recognize an angle of 100-105 degrees as the norm. By the way, in the previous standard an angle of 105 degrees was accepted as the norm.

Why does the standard necessarily require that a terrier have high legs, comparable to an Italian greyhound - up to 58%? Of course, the toy terrier should not be short-legged (similar to a Chihuahua) and the height at the elbow is less than half the height at the withers (less than 50%) is unacceptable here. But excessive high-leggedness is hardly desirable. The center of gravity is high-legged and is located high above the ground, which reduces the stability of the animal, and even this is completely unsafe, and the longer the forearm, the greater the chance of a fracture, but this kind of injury often occurs in the breed (as, by the way, in Italian Greyhounds) , which is not surprising: a thin long forearm, poorly shock-absorbing and a shoulder - jump from the sofa and... call the surgeon.

Some dog breeders even like toys that look like Italian Greyhounds, but they (dog breeders) completely forget that Italian Greyhounds exist in completely different height limits and have a different design - the design of a greyhound. For a toy terrier, greyhound-like appearance is unacceptable. In Toys, dogs with a high-legged index of 51e4 look the most viable, harmonious and at the same time elegant, but no more, and, perhaps, it is unreasonable to consider this, as required by the standard, a disadvantage.

Now let's turn our attention to the description of the head. It is quite reasonable that the head should be small and dry, and what is especially pleasing is that it was absolutely clear that the forehead should be only slightly rounded, and the ears should be erect. However, the phrase “moderately wide at the cheekbones” does not sound too specific, instead of the frank “wedge-shaped when viewed from above.” The Toy Terrier standard should leave no room for speculation. If this phrase is interpreted as “wide, but only moderately,” then that’s okay, because it’s unlikely that a toy should have a narrow head like a whippet. But if this phrase is interpreted as “albeit moderate, but still certainly broad,” then this is hardly advisable for that person. If this is supplemented with the following requirement that the length of the muzzle should be 1/3 of the length of the head, then all this turns out to be too similar to a Chihuahua.

In this light, the phrase “Chihuahua-type head” does not sound very correct among disqualifying defects. This really should be a disqualifying fault, but at the same time, the requirements for the head of a toy terrier should be fundamentally different from the requirements for a Chihuahua and be completely specific. Therefore, a wide, even moderately wide head and a short muzzle are inappropriate. More than once I have been approached from various European countries and the United States with a request to purchase a puppy, and there has always been one wish: the puppy should be a real terrier and have nothing in common with a Chihuahua. Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers have long been one of the most numerous breeds in most developed countries of the world. Possessing an absolutely remarkable appearance, fundamentally different from Chihuahuas in all respects, our Toys have a chance to gain a foothold and reproduce even in countries where Chihuahuas are numerous, and over time enter the list of the most numerous breeds in the world. Isn’t this what the Russian Toy Terrier Club should be dreaming about when drawing up a standard? Otherwise, it is unlikely that anyone will be interested in chihuahua-like dogs, while there are already high-breed, beautiful chihuahuas. Here it would be useful to recall the famous words of the famous Russian dog handler L. Sabaneev: “An expert judge will determine not only the breed, but also the origin of the dog, i.e. it belongs to one or another breeding plant, and a real breed should be recognized as such not by specialists, but by the public. If a layman distinguishes some dogs from others related to it, then you can be sure that the first belong to an independent breed, because they have quite sharp characteristics and their own type” (L.P. Sabaneev. Hunting dogs ... pointing dogs - M.: FIS, 198b, p.342). Failure to comply with this rule leads to the death of the breed. Let us recall, for example, the Muscovite Great Danes and Moscow divers; for a long time, Moscow watchdogs walked on the edge. Is it really worth taking risks with another Moscow breed? In addition, a wide skull and too short muzzle are physiologically inappropriate. I remember that A. Mazower in his lectures more than once drew attention to the fact that the shape of the skull must necessarily correspond to the shape of the pelvis, because if the pelvis is narrow and the skull is wide, then problems during childbirth are guaranteed. H. Harmar, a famous American breeder, in her the book “Dogs and Their Breeding”, also points out this problem “There are always difficult births, the muzzle of the skull and the pelvic openings do not correspond in size to each other, and further: “If dog breeders realized what misfortunes and suffering they cause to their dogs, ... then they would have already decided that it would be wiser to change the standards.” Chihuahuas, compared to terriers, have a noticeably wider chest, and therefore a wider pelvis, and a very wide skull is in complete harmony with this. That terrier's chest is not wide, and the pelvis is correspondingly not wide, and in this context, a wide, even moderately wide head does not harmonize.

Dog breeders have known for a long time that the structure of the head is biologically interdependent with the structure of the body, and there is no doubt that our dog handlers know this very well. L. Sabaneev wrote at the end of the last century: “Between the structure of the head and the body structure, there is some other rather mysterious relationship: a narrow head almost always determines the lightness of the body and vice versa.”

Later, the existence of such interdependence was scientifically confirmed by the law of homological series of academician N. Vavilov and the doctrine of dog constitutions by L. Mazower, and the research of biochemists gave this a very specific scientific explanation. The shape of the head and especially the length of the muzzle are in a certain dependence on the concentration and blood of a special hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland - somatotropin. The same hormone significantly influences the formation of other parts of the body. With a low concentration of this hormone, called acromicria by biochemists, a shortened muzzle, a wide skull, and a massive structure usually develop. These are bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese. A high concentration of somatotropin, called acromegaly, is usually characterized by a long muzzle, narrow skull, high legs, and dryness. These are primarily greyhounds. Thus, everything in the body is interconnected, a change in one entails changes in another. You can make a collage: on a photo of an Italian greyhound, instead of its head, paste a photo of a Chihuahua’s head. It will be funny, but in reality such a “left-handed” behavior is inappropriate.

Regarding a muzzle that is too short, it is also appropriate to mention that it is not good for a toy, not only because it is too reminiscent of a Chihuahua, but also due to the fact that the oral cavity turns out to be very micron, insufficient not only for the placement of teeth, but also for normal grasping and chewing food. Imagine: a tiny dog, a micron-sized head, and only a third of this head is a muzzle, and even as narrow and pointy as possible - this is no longer a breed, this is a parody. Chihuahuas, having a short muzzle, have a wide skull, noticeably wider powerful jaws and a correspondingly larger area of ​​the oral cavity. But on the other hand, the muzzle, which is too long, equal in length to the cranial part, somehow does not suit the terrier. Therefore, the most appropriate length for toys seems to be a muzzle length corresponding to 2/3 of the skull. By the way, most of the best toys have just such a muzzle, and, perhaps, you shouldn’t artificially create unnecessary difficulties for yourself in this.

It is also puzzling that someone has doubts that our toy terrier is a real terrier. Based on the history of the breed, it is clear that they are direct descendants of purebred English toy terriers, a small variety of Manchester terriers, the same ones about which at the beginning of our century the German dog handler Karl Kriechler wrote: “This is a real terrier.” Of course, in the formation of the terrier breed, stray dogs, similar to a Chihuahua or someone else, also took part in the formation of that terrier breed, but name me at least one breed, except, perhaps, the Czech terrier, in the creation of which stray dogs did not participate, and every step is reliably known .

But it is reliably known that otter hounds - Otterhounds - took an active part in the creation of Airedales, whippets - in the creation of Bedlingtons, bull terriers, American and English Staffordshires, as well as Boston terriers - bulldogs (which, by the way, is very noticeable in their appearance), but no one even thinks that they are not terriers and should be transferred to another FCI group. Nothing specific is known at all about the ancestors of the Doberman, but on this basis no one is going to classify them as hunting or decorative dogs. Look at the photograph published in 1954 in A. Mazower’s book, which shows one of the dogs that probably participated in the restoration of that terrier in Russia. This is real English that.

As for the appearance of our toy terrier, it fully corresponds to all the classic traditions of the terrier. Someone may be confused by a slightly rounded forehead, a pronounced transition and a somewhat shortened muzzle, but Dandie Dinmonts, Border Terriers, Norfons and especially Norwiches have a similar structure, and this does not bother anyone. Their character is also that of a terrier: always energetic, cheerful, recklessly courageous, boldly attacking any enemy, a cat, which is usually three times heavier than them, a large dog, a suspicious person. For those who disagree, I suggest you get acquainted with my Anfiska - she attacks instantly.

So why are Russian toy terriers not terriers? In my opinion, they should enter the “Best-in-Show” ring in the third group, in the subgroup of super-small terriers, next to the English toy, silky terrier and Yorkshire, and not in the ninth, along with the French bulldog, pug and poodle. By the way, in Scandinavian countries, Moscow Toy Terriers have long been recognized and, of course, belong to terriers. The prospect of seeing our toy terriers in the ninth group extremely upset our Scandinavian colleagues, and they very much asked that their wishes be taken into account when resolving this issue.

There is only one thing left to say, something that is completely unimportant for the appearance of the breed, but which seems unfair: the name.

As for smooth-haired toy terriers, the name “Russian” is most suitable here. As for the longhaired Toy, changing the name - the name given at the birth of the breed by the creators - seems very unfair.

The breed was born precisely in Moscow and was created by Moscow cynologists, and in accordance with this, for more than a third of a century it has been proudly bearing the name “Moscow”. It is by this name that he is known in all countries of the world. The long-haired toy terrier owes its second birth to Moscow: when in the early nineties the breed was on the verge of extinction, it was possible to preserve it only thanks to several Moscow dog handlers: Zharova, Kopylova, Smaika, Karpysheva, etc. If not for them, this breed is now simply there wouldn't be. When the World Dog Show took place in Bern, during the ceremonial parade, the Bernese Shepherd was brought out onto the field with special honor, as the main shrine and symbol of Bern. Many cities: Brussels, Boston, Rottweil, Bordeaux and others can be proud of the breeds that bear their name.

The reason for changing the name was that, supposedly, if there is one standard for long-haired and smooth-haired toy dogs, then the name must certainly be the same. However, in reality this is not entirely true, and if desired, it was quite possible to keep both names. There are a number of examples of this. The griffon standard combines three varieties at once, each of which has its own name; Belgian, Brussels and Brabant. The Papillon standard also combines two varieties with different names: Papillon and its fold-eared variety, Phalene. The same is true for Belgian Shepherds - the standard with this name combines four coat and color varieties, each of which has its own name: Tervuren, Groenendael, Malinois and Laekenois. By analogy with this, it would be quite normal to title the standard “Russian Toy Terriers”, or, taking into account the need to translate into a foreign language, “Toy Terriers of Russia”, and call the varieties “Russian Smooth-haired Toy Terrier” and “Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier”. Thus, there is an opportunity to preserve the name “Moscow”, and in this regard, the management of the national club would like to see a more specific and principled approach. Moreover, the headquarters of the national club is located in Moscow, and who else but us, Muscovites, should take care of what rightfully belongs to our beloved city.

There is hardly any doubt that the Russian National Toy Terrier Club is headed by competent and experienced dog handlers, and they have very specific, reasoned answers to many of my, perhaps somewhat naive, questions, and I want to believe that soon we will be able to read their answers in press. But still, if some of the affected provisions of the standard seem to have been adopted hastily, then you should probably think about the need to make minor adjustments to the standard.

Some may think that it is too late to talk about all this, because the standard has already been approved. But the breed standard of the toy terrier is not something frozen, it lives and changes along with its breed. The standard must constantly evolve along with the breed, always being ahead of it and anticipating its development. Therefore, adjustments to the standards are not only possible, but from time to time they are necessary. Moreover, despite all that has been said, the standard we have considered is, on the whole, very successful; only a few small adjustments are required. I would like to believe that those on whom this depends will be able to realize the importance of this step, forget personal interests, ambitions and bring the standard into full compliance with the laws of harmony and the true interests of the breed. We are only temporary guardians of the breed, others will come for us, and it is up to us whether they will remember us with a kind word or curse us. We are the steps along which the rock moves, and I want to believe that these steps will lead not into the abyss, but up. And then our reward will be a real Moscow toy, a small outlandish animal from a Russian fairy tale - a living orchid of Moscow, a worthy competitor to European breeds, the pride of Russian dog breeding.

Appearance of the Russian Toy Terrier

It is difficult to confuse this dog with another breed - even in the photo, the Russian Toy Terrier has characteristic features.

General impression

The weight of the Russian Toy Terrier reaches 3 kilograms; the dogs grow only 20-28 cm in height. Sometimes toy terriers are born even smaller than specified in the standard. Despite their small size, Russian toys are truly elegant. Thanks to their thin skeleton and weakly defined muscles, the dogs look graceful.

Head

The skull of the toy is small, but quite high and wide, the cheekbones are almost invisible. The transition from forehead to muzzle is well defined. The small nose can be black or match the main color. It is acceptable to have several incisor teeth missing due to a unique bite.

The eyes are large, slightly protruding due to their size. Set wide apart.

Large but thin ears are set high. Standing.

Torso

The back is level, the ridge line smoothly descends from the withers to the tail. A toned stomach and short lumbar area create a sculpted lower body. The chest is narrow but deep.

Forelegs

The front legs of the toy are straight, the elbows point back, and the lean muscles are not expressed. Shoulders and shoulder blades are the same length.

Hind limbs

The hind legs are slender, set slightly wider than the forelimbs, but not clubfooted. The thigh muscles are quite developed, but dry. The paws are small, oval, and gather in a “lump.” The pads are either black or match the base color.

Tail

It is possible, but not necessary, to dock the tail of a Russian Toy Terrier. Both options are allowed. The docked tail is short, no more than 3 vertebrae, pointing upward. Undocked – long, sickle-shaped, carried at or above the level of the back.

Movement

It moves with fast but free steps, does not waddle or limp.

Wool

The characteristics of the coat depend on the variety of the individual. Shorthaired Toys have a smooth coat that lies close to the body. There is practically no undercoat.

In long-haired individuals, the guard hair can reach 3-5 cm in length. In the area of ​​the body, the fur lies tightly to the body. Near the ears there is a fringe of long hair. In adult dogs, it hides the entire edge and tips of the ears. Long and lush fur also grows on the paws.

Color

Purebred Russian Toy Terriers may have the following colors:

• ginger;
• pale yellow;
• brown and tan;
• black and tan;
• blue and tan.

Toys do not have spotted skin.

Size

On average, miniature dogs grow no more than 28 cm at the withers. But there are also particularly small representatives whose height is less than 20 cm.

Breed description, standards and appearance

The height of the Moscow Toy ranges from 22 to 27 cm. Weight must correspond to height and cannot be more than 3 kg.

The head is small, wedge-shaped. The lobe is small, with well-opened nostrils. The muzzle gradually tapers towards the nose. The lips are thin and fit tightly. Scissor bite.

The eyes are round, large, widely set, from dark brown to black.

The large, high-set ears are triangular in shape.

The length of the body is equal to the height. The body has a square outline. The back is straight and strong. The loin is muscular. The stomach is taut.

The tail is sickle- or saber-shaped and set quite high. It is allowed to dock the tail at the level of 2-4 vertebrae.

Color and coat type

The Longhaired Toy Terrier has not very long hair on the head, body and front of the paws. The back and bottom of the paws have featherings through which the claws are not visible. The tail and ears are also fluffy.

The fur on them looks like fringe. It shouldn't be too wavy or curly.

The smooth-haired Moscow Toy has a very short and smooth coat that shimmers in the light. There should be no bald spots on it. The Mini Toy has no undercoat, so the smooth-haired Toy is defenseless against the sun's rays and cold.

The most common colors of smooth-haired and long-haired toy:

The following colors are also allowed by the standards:

• lilac and tan;
• ginger;
• blue and tan;
• pale yellow;
• cream.

The color of the nose should match the color tone.

Character of the Russian Toy Terrier

Although Russian Toys are overly energetic and active, they are very loyal to their owners. The dog also treats pets with warmth, but it has true love only for its owner. This dog is not allowed into a house where there are small children - they are too noisy and loud. The psyche of a toy terrier cannot cope with such circumstances.

Russian toy terriers are emotional babies. And they are great at conveying their emotions to their owners. They love to play, run and have fun, although they are not particularly resilient. This little dog constantly needs your attention. If you decide to get yourself a toy, then be sure that loneliness and free time will disappear from your life forever.

And although representatives of this breed are not at all aggressive, they can be excellent watchdogs and bark loudly as soon as an uninvited guest appears on the doorstep. Among seasoned breeders, Toy Terriers are renowned for their handling skills. If the owner, moved by emotion, succumbs to provocations at least once, the dog will find a way to take advantage of this again.

These cuties can be quite hot-tempered. They can burst into barking at any rustle in the entrance or on the street, and it is unlikely that they will be able to quickly calm them down. But they are distinguished by phenomenal memory - some individuals can remember a person they saw several years ago.

There are several key character traits of the Russian Toy Terrier that breeders highlight:

• the Russian toy becomes so attached to his owner that when he changes family, he not only falls into a prolonged depression, but may even die;
• this breed is contraindicated for the elderly or people with severe chronic diseases due to its activity and temper;
• due to its difficult nature, it often gets into fights with larger animals;
• the breed is not completely balanced, therefore it is highly not recommended for children under 14 years of age;
• treats strangers arrogantly and with suspicion, however, quickly changes his opinion if the owner is friendly to them;
• barks for any reason, so people suffering from migraines should avoid this breed;

Although he is willful, he is quite easy to train if the process is supported by the owner.

Description and characteristics of the breed

Moscow Toy Terriers are small in size, have a perky disposition and a restless temperament. The size of the dog is comparable to that of a pocket dog. The mischievous dog has good hearing and a lively mind. He is devoted to his owner until the end of his days. Toys are good companions for adults and mischievous playmates for children. They are stubborn by nature and love to bark with or without reason.

The pet's body is small, but at the same time very muscular, not prone to obesity. The maximum weight of an animal is 2 kg with a height of 25 cm.

This is interesting! Decorative representatives of the breed can easily do without walking on the street if they have the comfort of home.

An active dog is unlikely to become a good friend for an elderly person; it is more suitable for young and energetic people.

Moscow Toy Terriers are small, mischievous dogs with a restless temperament

Education and training

No special techniques have yet been invented for training Russian Toys, so standard training methods are usually used for them, but with some reservations. Small dogs react extremely poorly to pressure from the owner and any desire to subjugate them. In these cases, the kids withdraw into themselves or begin to play dirty tricks on the owner out of spite.

Of course, representatives of this breed are quite smart, but they will not make ideal students. Success in executing commands can only be expected with sufficient persistence and patience. In general, raising and training a Russian Toy Terrier will go smoothly if you know the character traits of your little friend well.

Until 6 months of age, a dog should absolutely not be punished, no matter how naughty it may be. This can leave a serious psychological mark and greatly hinder the learning process in the future. But you shouldn’t allow your dog too many liberties either.

No matter how cute a puppy may seem, he should never sleep in your bed. If he were unfortunate enough to fall off it in the middle of the night, it could result in a serious spinal injury.

Don't forget to reward your pet for its success. This will not only help in the training process, but will also let the dog understand what behavior the owner expects from him.

The main disadvantage of the breed is frequent non-stop barking. Toy terriers can start barking from any noise in a neighboring apartment or in the entrance. The first mistake that inexperienced owners make is to start petting and gently calming the dog. However, the animal understands this as praise and only tries harder. But you shouldn’t hit a dog either, this can have a detrimental effect on a shaky psyche.

It is best to stop barking with a clear command “Ugh!” or “You can’t!” Sometimes you can add a light slap with a rolled up newspaper. You can simply ignore the dog until it calms down and comes to you. This shows your disapproval of the process. Without receiving praise for his efforts, the toy terrier will quickly stop organizing concerts.

However, to implement this technique you will need strong nerves of the owner and a lot of time. If no one has raised your grown puppy before, then the ignoring method will not work.

During games, kids often don’t even notice how they bite their owners. And although the bite of a toy terrier is unlikely to be dangerous to health, it should not be ignored. As soon as the puppy bites you, signal the pain by shouting “Ouch!” and interrupt the game for a while, leaving the puppy alone.

Character

An untrained person often has problems with the temperament of Russian Toys. You should understand in advance that they behave very capriciously and hot-tempered. They love to bark restlessly, especially if they hear someone outside the door. And if you consider that their voice is extremely sonorous, this can result in serious problems with their neighbors.

Moreover, with improper upbringing, they can snap at their owners, which is absolutely not allowed.

They get along well with children and love to play and run together. But you shouldn’t leave them alone with the child, because if your baby accidentally offends this ball of fur, he will definitely snap back or even bite back. All this can end with either a slight fright or teeth marks.

However, all character problems can be corrected through early socialization. Also, these little dogs need to be raised in a calm, loving atmosphere and shouted at them less often. Then they will grow up more balanced and quiet.

They get along well with other dogs. Although if you have another pet at home, then that one may begin to be jealous of you and, accordingly, become more nervous than usual. On walks, they love to chase cats and birds, so be sure to keep your pet on a leash so that it doesn’t get lost.

To read: Mysterious domestic Maine Coon lynxes: features of the breed, character of cats, care tips

Health and illness of the Russian Toy Terrier

The breed is a long-lived breed, provided it receives proper care. Many toys do not live to see 10 years of age, dying from injuries.

Possible diseases

On average, Russian Toy Terriers live from 10 to 15 years. Some centenarians set a record of 20 years.

Eye diseases (cataracts, retinal atrophy) and brain diseases are very common among small dogs. With hydrocephalus, the dog cannot navigate in space, and periodically it experiences seizures similar to epileptic ones. This disease appears at the age of 1.5-2 months and in 70% of cases requires surgical intervention.

The thin skeleton and excessive activity of dogs often leads to injuries. Of particular danger are injuries to the femurs, which can lead not only to lameness, but also to atrophy of the hind legs.

Toys' teeth begin to change at the age of six months. Sometimes baby teeth do not fall out on their own, which can lead to improper growth of the molars. In this case, you have to resort to the services of a veterinarian.

You should never leave food in a dog's bowl or give your dog access to a bag of food. The breed does not have a developed sense of satiety, and dogs will eat until they have eaten everything. It is necessary to carefully monitor your pet's diet.

If he cannot jump onto the sofa or bed, do not lift them there under any circumstances. From a surface where the dog cannot climb on his own, he will most likely fall and suffer a skeletal injury.

Walk your toy in areas where large dogs do not go. There are often cases when babies provoke aggression from larger individuals, after which they are injured.

Reproductive health

Bitches begin to come into heat at about 1 year of age. But there is no need to rush into mating: experienced dog breeders advise breeding dogs no earlier than both representatives reach 2.5 years of age.

A pregnant Toy Terrier bitch in most cases gives birth to 4 to 8 puppies. Sometimes their number can grow to 12 babies per mating. You should not breed your girl with a male who fertilizes other dogs more than once a month or if he is older than 10 years. In these cases, there is a high probability that the bitch will not become pregnant at all.

These dogs endure sterilization with difficulty, but without negative consequences. Small breeds are prone to various types of sexually transmitted diseases, so if your plans do not include further breeding of the breed, it is better to take care of sterilization when the dog goes through its first heat.

Health, illness and life expectancy

If well maintained, toy terriers can live up to 15 years. The size of toys and the genetics of the breed have become the reason for susceptibility to certain diseases. Most often, toys have:

• ligament and joint injuries;
• diseases of the organs of vision;
• creases in the tail and ears;
• ear diseases;
• hydrocephalus;
• allergic reactions;
• pancreatitis;
• alopecia.

Important! Any illness should be treated by a specialist. Self-medication can result in the death or disability of the pet.

Features of feeding and diet

There are three options for feeding Russian toys:

• natural food prepared by the owners;
• dry and canned food;
• mixed diet with the addition of both natural food and prepared feed.

In the first option, the dog's menu should consist of meat (preferably beef), low-fat dairy products, boneless sea fish, cereals, raw egg yolk, as well as vegetables and fruits. The serving size is calculated as follows: 50-80 grams of food per 1 kilogram of dog weight.

Rye crackers with the addition of vegetable oil (no more than 1 teaspoon per day) are perfect as a treat. Bones, smoked meat, baked goods, river fish, exotic fruits and egg whites are strictly prohibited.

Under no circumstances should you give your toy terrier the following foods:

• sugar;
• chicken;
• potato;
• wheat.

In the case of food, it is preferable to feed the toy with specialized varieties. They contain several types of cereals, animal protein, as well as fruits and vegetables. It is better to exclude food containing soy, yeast, wheat and corn.

An adult dog is fed 2 times a day, a puppy – up to 4 times. If your dog tends to be overweight, reduce the amount of carbohydrates.

Toy Terrier Behavior and Skills

Nature has endowed Russian Toys with good nature and temperament. They become favorites, get along with other animals, and easily adopt the character and habits of their owners. Dogs are ready to run all day long, play next to an energetic person, and become calmer if their owner is phlegmatic.

Dogs like the Toy Terrier need care and attention, but they do not abuse attention.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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Toys respond well to training if you are persistent.

Care and maintenance

The Russian Toy is a typical city dog ​​that does not require excessive care. She lives well even in the smallest apartments and in some cases is even litter trained.

Sometimes it seems that such a miniature dog is difficult to take seriously. It looks more like a piece of furniture. Posts on social networks, photo shoots and numerous trips to crowded places turn the animal into a fashion accessory. However, she expects no less care and attention from you than a dog of any other breed. Nowadays it is quite common fashion to dress your pet in clothes from famous manufacturers. But if you listen to the opinion of dog breeders, you shouldn’t get too carried away with fashion shows. Of course, several overalls for autumn-winter are a must, but dresses with corsets and high-heeled boots are too much.

The care and maintenance of a toy terrier must be within reason. You shouldn't set aside time every day to brush your ears or teeth. Be guided by the amount of pollution. Carrying out hygiene procedures 1-2 times a week is the optimal frequency. You can find a special cleaning lotion in veterinary pharmacies. Nails need to be trimmed once every 2-3 weeks. Long-haired cats need to be combed every day with a fine-toothed comb.

Dogs do not need the services of a groomer, nor do they need frequent brushing. A bath for babies is arranged no more often than once every six months. Washing them too often can cause problems with your dog's skin, which can lead to the appearance of bald spots in an already short coat. You can bathe your dog only after reaching 6 months.

Russian Toys are quite difficult to litter train. Some people don’t get used to it at all and go to the toilet exclusively with a diaper or newspaper. At an early age, place the puppy in a tray or on a diaper after every sleep, feeding or play so that he relieves himself in the appropriate place. Don't forget to praise him after he finishes to reinforce the results.

Alternatively, you can place the dog in a crate with a tray, bowl and bed. This way she will quickly understand that going to the toilet near her own bed is a bad idea. If your efforts are not in vain, you don’t have to take your dog outside in bad weather, which means the risk of him catching a cold will be reduced.

If you decide to get a Russian Toy Terrier, then it would be wise to purchase a large number of different toys. The dog will soon lose interest in the same dog, and as soon as this happens, it will begin to chew everything that catches its eye, including furniture, shoes or other pets.

Remember to check your dog's paws after every walk for damage or debris stuck between the toes. Just because a dog isn't limping doesn't mean he couldn't accidentally step on a piece of glass and bring it home without even noticing.

How to care?

A lot depends on the care and training of this breed. It should be taught the rules of behavior in childhood, since it will be impossible to retrain an adult dog. Otherwise, these tailed friends of humans are not too demanding of their owner, and the main points for their care consist of the following points:

• As soon as you get yourself a puppy of this breed, immediately let him know who is boss in the house. He should not snap at you and follow all your commands,
• From a very early age, introduce him to other dogs and people often. This way he will grow up to be more tolerant of strangers and will not bark at them without reason,
• Since long-haired Toychiks have hair on their ears that allows dirt to accumulate in them, they need to be washed several times a week. Tar soap is best suited for this,
• their eyes almost never water, and if this does happen, it is most likely due to an allergic reaction. In this case, take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
• The claws of toys have a strong structure, so they are difficult to grind down. They should be trimmed at least once every few weeks. Overgrown claws will interfere with the dog’s free movement, contribute to deformation of the fingers and scratch your rugs,
• You should approach feeding carefully and not overfeed your pet. They often have problems with obesity, so do not give him anything beyond the norm, no matter how pleadingly he looks at you. Well, in general, this breed is most suitable for low-fat food and a mixed diet. You can also get by with premium dry food.

Tips for choosing a puppy

The puppy can be weaned from its mother at the age of 2.5-3 months. By this time the baby should weigh 1.5 kg. Individuals whose weight is less than 600 g are most likely defective and should not be taken. You need to carefully study the puppy's pedigree, even if you are not going to take him to shows.

There are several reasons not to take dogs from a particular breeder:

• Toy Terrier puppies are not allowed out of their cage, even to show you;
• the animal's fur has bald spots in places;
• squinting or bulging eyes may be a sign of high intracranial pressure;
• there should be no discharge near the eyes and nose;
• All puppies must have a veterinary passport.

You should only contact trusted breeders: carefully study the reviews and be sure to ask for all documents for both the puppies and their parents.

How to choose the right puppy?

It is better to buy smooth-haired and long-haired Toys from a nursery that has positive reviews. This way you can be sure that instead of a small Moscow Toy Terrier they won’t give you an ordinary mongrel.

• Before purchasing, you should look at where the babies are kept and what their parents look like.
• The puppies themselves should be moderately active, but not aggressive.
• There should be no inflammation on the skin, and no smudges under the eyes.
• Each child must have a passport containing information about vaccinations received.
• Representatives of the show and breed class must carry documents confirming their breed.
• Moscow Toy Terrier puppies are distinguished by long limbs.
• There should be no white spots on the body. Appearance and color must meet the standards.

The cost of Moscow Toy Terrier puppies varies depending on the class. The show class includes the best representatives of the breed who are promising for participation and victory at exhibitions. In Moscow, the price for a show-class puppy can reach 100,000 rubles. It is better to buy a baby who is 4 months old. Only at this age can the exterior and all breed data be assessed.

Representatives of the breed class meet all breed standards and can participate in breeding. They cost from 30,000 to 50,000 rubles.

Pet-class toy terriers have certain external disadvantages. They will not be able to participate in exhibitions and are prohibited from being bred, but they can become ideal pets. Their prices start from 18,000 rubles.

It is worth noting that long-haired toy terriers are more expensive than smooth-haired ones.

How much does a Russian Toy Terrier cost?

The average price of a Russian Toy Terrier in nurseries ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 rubles. Of course, you can always find advertisements from private breeders. Then the price may drop significantly to 12,000-17,000 rubles.

The cost of a dog is greatly influenced not only by gender, but also by class and color. The most expensive puppies are lilac-tan and blue-tan. The cheapest ones are red ones. And although gender differences in the appearance of toy terriers are almost invisible and both sexes have almost the same characteristics, a female will cost you an order of magnitude more, especially if you plan to breed puppies in the future.

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Description

Standard

Breed characteristics:

• rounded head;
• prominent forehead;
• clear transition from muzzle to skull;
• cheeks slightly filled;
• thin ears (vertically set), triangular in shape;
• straight teeth;
• presence of correct bite;
• small nose, color - black or matches the main shade of the coat;
• oval shaped chest;
• the body shape is square;
• not pronounced withers;
• wide hips, limbs are smooth and well muscled;
• the paws are oval in shape and have curled toes;
• the color of the claws is similar to the shade of the fur or nose;
• the location of the tail is above the spine, the length reaches the hock joints;
• weak expression of the genital organs (manifestations are noticeable in the behavior of the animal).

Colors

Colors of the Russian Toy:

• black;
• chocolate;
• brown;
• ginger;
• white;
• lilac;
• isabella (shade of lilac).