Russian Toy
Group: Toy
Size: Small
Coat length: Short
Grooming required: Every day
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Flat, Small or Large House
Garden size: Small/Medium
Lifespan: Over 12 Years
Exercise: Up to 1 hour per day
It's a dog similar in size and looks to the chihuahua and can have a smooth or long-haired coat which can be black and tan, blue and tan or red. They have 'pricked' ears with 'fringes' of hair which sometimes don't fully develop until they are around 3 years old.
They were bred initially as watch dogs and rat-catchers. They are very loyal to their family and are often trained for agility and obedience.
Both coat types shed but not overly. The long coated do need a comb occasionally to brush out any tangles.
Puppies can suffer from tooth problems as their adult teeth come through, and as with many small dogs, they can suffer from patellar luxation (slipping kneecap). They can also have very delicate bones, simply due to their size.