“CORRECT BREED TYPE INCLUDES ITS LARGE EARS...”
Th e head of the Russian Toy is small in comparison to its body. Th e Skull is NOT wide (width at the level of zygomatic arch- es does not exceed the depth of the skull). Th e stop is clearly pronounced. Th e shape of the head is triangular when viewed from above. Correct breed type includes its large ears, which are big, erect and set high. Important breed characteristics to remember are a square built dog with long legs and fine bone. Large erect ears, slight- ly sloping topline and a slight rounded croup. Th e tail is carried high, never below the horizontal of the backline. On the long coated variety, the decoration of the ear fringe on a mature dog usually at an age over three can be quite attractive. When judging the Russian Toy you will easily find that every thing about
the breed is one that is built for speed and great agility! Movement is described as easy, straightforward and fast. No noticeable change in the topline when moving. Both Varieties will be given equal consideration. Th e Smooth is the original variety. Th e ears are mobile and can be facing any direction on the move. Th e tail must be carried up above the horizontal on the move but may drop when not in motion. You will see a variety of tail carriage in a line up. Some up and wagging, others down yet attentive. Presently, the FCI standard calls for the Russian Toy to be a “docked” tail breed, allowing for the tail to left in its natural state in countries where docking is prohibited. Th e Breed has developed
over the last decade as to be left in its natural state. Th e tail should be carried in a sickle according to the FCI standard. However, a sickle in AKC language is not the same. Size in the Russian Toy has a great vari- ance from four pounds and four and one half inches from the lower to upper ends of the standard. Th at is a great variance for a toy breed. It will not be uncommon to see dogs in these ranges. 7-11 ½ inches is the ideal range and weight has a minimum of 2.2-to a maximum 6 pounds range! Th ere should be no preference, but the breed has been bred as a small decorative companion and should remain an elegant toy! In closing, I hope you have a good visu- al of what is correct Russian Toy type and how it should be presented.
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2015 • 287
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