Toy Terrier: features of caring for a miniature dog. How to care for a Russian toy terrier: features of the breed

The Toy Terrier is one of the most popular mini-dog breeds in the world. These decorative dogs are great for keeping in small apartments and are easy to train. The coat of these miniature dogs is not an allergen for humans.

Before you buy a toy terrier puppy, you need to learn about the intricacies of caring, keeping, raising and feeding a pet of this breed. It is not recommended to keep an animal in a house where children under the age of 6 live. Toddlers can inadvertently damage the fragile body of miniature dogs.

Conditions of detention

First of all, it is necessary to allocate a sleeping place for the toy terrier. You can purchase a lounger at a pet store or build your own from a soft blanket with a wool cape. It is not recommended to use foam rubber and a feather mattress for making a bed. It is advisable to buy a lot of various toys for a four-legged pet.

An adult toy terrier needs to be walked daily, as keeping it at home will negatively affect its health. Keeping a pet on a leash is not worth it, because it will harm his skeleton.

Required for representatives of this breed and preventive examinations by a veterinarian. Puppies are vaccinated twice - at the age of 2 and 7 months from diseases such as hepatitis, rabies, distemper and enteritis. An adult is vaccinated once a year.

Features of care

Caring for a toy terrier at home includes:

  • periodic haircut;
  • bathing;
  • ear cleaning;
  • cutting nails;
  • brushing your teeth;
  • eye examination.

Dog hair combing tools

Only long-haired toy terriers need haircuts and combing. It is advisable to entrust this procedure to a professional groomer. It is recommended to comb the pet with the help of special brushes with natural bristles and combs with non-sharp teeth. After walking, especially in the summer, you should carefully examine the pet's coat for dirt and, if necessary, wipe it with a damp cloth.


Toi need to be bathed no more than once a month. Regular shampoos cannot be used. You should purchase specialized products at a pet store. During water procedures, the pet's ears must be covered with cotton swabs.

To prevent inflammation of the conjunctiva and the accumulation of dirt, it is recommended to wipe the eyes of a toy terrier with a cotton swab dipped in warm water or tea leaves. If your pet has profuse lacrimation, it is advisable to show it to the veterinarian.

Ears should be checked regularly for wax. If necessary, they are cleaned with cotton swabs or discs dipped in a special lotion.


Nail clipping should also be done as needed. Long claws interfere with the normal walking of the pet, so do not neglect this procedure. It is necessary to cut off only the tip of the nail, without touching the blood vessel. If during the procedure it was damaged, then the cut site should be treated with hydrogen peroxide. To carry out the procedure, a nail cutter is used, which is sold at a pet store. Nail clipping can also be done at a veterinary clinic.

Toothpaste and brush for dogs

One of the weak points of toy terriers are teeth. Their condition should be closely monitored. They need to be cleaned regularly with a special brush and paste. The procedure is recommended to be carried out at least 1 time per week.

Pet education

The upbringing of the Russian toy terrier should be done from an early age. Boys and girls are equally easy to train. The first step is to socialize your pet. It is impossible to allow the dog to growl and even more so to rush at unfamiliar people and animals. Such behavior needs to be stopped. At the same time, it is impossible to beat and shout at the dog, as it will become even more aggressive.

If the puppy gnaws on the owner's shoes or other things, then they should be removed away, and more toys should be purchased for him. For going to the toilet in the wrong place, the dog should be scolded without resorting to assault. The toy terrier must also learn that the owner of the house is not he, but the person. It is not recommended to take a puppy with you to bed. From an early age, the pet must sleep on his sunbed, otherwise he will be difficult to train, considering himself the owner of the apartment.

Long-haired toy terriers from childhood must be accustomed to the combing procedure.

The Russian Toy Terrier is a miniature toy dog. Every owner of such a tiny dog ​​knows for sure: in his heart this kid is a real brave lion, ready to rush into battle at any moment, even with a large opponent.

Story

Even before the October Revolution in Tsarist Russia, small dogs, English toy terriers, were popular among aristocrats. Later, this played against the breed. In the public mind, she was associated with the aristocracy, so the new authorities did not approve of her. For many years, toys were not imported to the USSR.

In the middle of the twentieth century, Soviet cynologists began to breed miniature dogs similar to toy terriers. Few decorative animals were brought then, often they were puppies with defects, so their appearance in the Soviet Union did not match world standards.

By the end of the 1950s, Russian breeders managed to get an animal with a successful set of genes and stable breed characteristics. The Russian phenotype was very different from the English one. And in 1958, the first puppy with long fur was born to short-haired parents. The new breeds were named Russian smooth-haired toy terrier and Moscow long-haired toy terrier.

In the 1990s, exhibitions of "toy dogs" were already held in Russia. However, the International Cynological Federation did not recognize the new breed for a long time. This happened in 2006, when the standard was adopted and the breed was recognized conditionally (temporarily). Both species are called "Russian toy". The word "terrier" according to the international standard was excluded from the name, since the experts did not find signs of a terrier in him.

Russian toy received permanent international recognition only in 2017.

Description of the breed

The very word "toy" is translated from English as "toy". This dog really resembles an elegant toy. He is elegant, thin, with high legs and lean muscles.

In size, the Russian toy is even smaller than its relative from Foggy Albion. Its weight is up to three kilograms, height is 20-28 centimeters.

It also differs from the Englishman in a large variety of colors. If the British Terrier is always black and tan, then representatives of the Russian breed come in different colors, including lilac and tan, blue and tan, red and others.

The smooth-haired Russian Toy has a short coat, shiny, smooth to the touch, without undercoat. The long-haired fur is straight or slightly wavy, 3-5 centimeters long.

Toi are smart. Ideal for an apartment. They shed little. Russian Toy Terriers are undemanding to care and maintenance.


By temperament they are very energetic, mobile and playful, always on the move. Therefore, for an elderly person, having a Russian Toy is not the best idea.

Gets along well with others and other animals, can be an excellent companion. However, representatives of this breed may not be suitable for families with children. The Russian Toy has a rather labile psyche, the dog is excitable, prone to stress.

If the house is very noisy, they shout a lot, the dog can grow up nervous and hysterical.

Toy do not tolerate loneliness, they always need company. Left alone, the dog experiences a lot of stress. So the dog is not suitable for those who spend all day at work, leaving the apartment empty, or often leave. But with toys they are allowed into public places, including many hotels and restaurants. So you can take your dog everywhere with you. For traveling, you can buy a pet carrier bag. Small dogs are usually allowed on the transport only in a bag.

Many owners believe that such a small dog does not need to be trained. But if the owner is negligent in raising a puppy, an adult dog develops dominant-aggressive behavior, he believes that he is the head of the house. This is especially true for males. He may try to constantly control everything around and hysterically "protect" the owner from everyone and everything.

Despite the "toy" appearance and size, the upbringing and training of a puppy must be taken seriously. A well-bred Russian Toy is a friendly, affectionate, loyal dog and a good friend.


When choosing, you need to pay attention to a number of points:

  1. Buy a puppy from kennels or from reliable breeders. You can check the reputation of a breeder at a local kennel club.
  2. Pay attention to the behavior of the puppy. A healthy dog ​​looks playful, active, and shows curiosity. If the dog seems lethargic, chances are he is unwell.
  3. The dog must have documents - a puppy card with the data of the parents, a veterinary certificate.
  4. Examine the puppy. Check the ears and eyes - they should be clean, without discharge. For a long-haired Toy, the condition of the coat is important. The coat should be soft and shiny.
  5. The age of the puppy matters. You can pick it up no earlier than he is 45 days old. If you have no experience in training, it is better to take a grown puppy - about three months. At this age, he already knows the basic commands, is accustomed to the tray and leash, the basic vaccinations have been made. On the other hand, babies become attached to the owner faster than teenagers.

Toy is a small but inquisitive dog, especially at a young age. He explores every corner of the apartment that he can get to, and tries everything he can get his hands on. Therefore, all wires and other dangerous objects must be removed away from the floor. If you don't want something to be gnawed on, don't leave it on the floor. It is better to close the narrow gaps between pieces of furniture with something, where the dog can get stuck. Do not hope that he will not climb somewhere. Definitely will if he can.

Slippery floors should preferably be carpeted. Your pet is a small perpetual motion machine that wants to run all the time.

The limbs are his weak point, they are thin and fragile. Slipping, the dog can injure the paws.

Arrange a sleeping place away from batteries and windows. It should be soft, but a feather or foam pillow won't work (unless you want feathers and foam all over the house). Best of all - special beds, which are sold in pet stores. Well, if you can put a pillowcase on the couch, this will make it easier to take care of the bed.

Dogs should not be allowed to jump off high surfaces.

Toy is easy to accustom to the tray, but he needs regular walks. If you can’t walk twice a day, it is advisable to allocate space for games in the apartment. The dog's energy needs an outlet.

The Russian Toy Terrier is easy to care for. It is important to give him time to play, then he will have a healthy mind.

Hygiene procedures

Check your eyes daily. If you notice any discharge, remove it with a cotton swab dipped in veterinary eye drops or tea.

If the mucous discharge from the eyes is persistent, the dog should be taken to the veterinarian.

Also check your ears daily. Earwax is carefully removed with a cotton swab.

It is important to follow the process of changing teeth. Sometimes milk teeth may not fall out when the permanent ones grow. In such a situation, contact a veterinarian to remove old teeth.

To clean your teeth, let's gnaw on biscuits.

Toy does not need a haircut, but owners of long-haired dogs that do not participate in exhibitions sometimes give their pets a haircut, leaving hair only on the ears and tail.

Bathing

It is often impossible to bathe the toy, because he has sensitive skin and irritations are possible. After walking, it is enough to wash the paws and remove dirt.

Veterinarians advise bathing smooth-haired toys two to four times a year, long-haired - up to six. Choose the mildest dog shampoo. Water is only warm. Make sure it doesn't get in your ears.

Nail clipping

Nails need to be trimmed regularly. Nail nippers or scissors are not suitable for this, you need a trimmer.

A vessel passes inside the claw, which must not be touched when cutting. In light dogs it is visible, in dark dogs it is not, so you need to cut it carefully and little by little. If blood comes out, treat the wound with an antiseptic.

Nutrition

Choose lean boiled meat and fish. Cereals - buckwheat, hercules. Foods with fiber are useful, fats and carbohydrates are harmful.

You have to cook food every day. Cooking for the future will not work: the toy has sensitive digestion.

It is better to choose premium dry food for small breeds.

walks

The collar cannot be used: only the harness! In general, it is better to use leashes minimally, a sharp jerk can lead to injuries and distortions. It is advisable to let the dog run freely in the open air (in a protected space).

For the cold season, buy a jumpsuit. The dog is easily cold and cold. It is better to have several sets of clothes. The minimum required is a warm outfit for the winter and a waterproof demi-season suit.

On the street, you will have to make sure that he does not approach large dogs. This kid is not aware of his size and does not appreciate the real strength. He does not at all think that he is smaller or weaker than others. He can easily attack even a Caucasian, even a Great Dane, to prove who is the biggest and most formidable dog here. Such meetings are best avoided.


Health

Vulnerabilities are bones, skin, heart. There are diseases of the teeth, liver, pancreas. It is important to provide proper nutrition and monitor safety. Allergies are possible.

Most often, the legs break. If your pet starts limping, contact your veterinarian immediately.

In the spring, as soon as warm weather has settled on the street, it is necessary to carry out a treatment for ticks. It is important to use a hypoallergenic agent, preferably in drops. Suitable "Frontline", "Mr. Bruno. "Bars" is undesirable to use, it can cause allergies. Shampoos and collars do not provide sufficient protection. Most drops last 1-3 months, it is necessary to repeat the treatment in time. Check your dog after each walk in spring and autumn. If you suspect a tick bite, contact your veterinarian immediately. Ticks are carriers of dangerous diseases, the bill can go up to hours.

Comprehensive vaccinations and rabies vaccinations are done once a year. 10-14 before vaccination, it is necessary to treat the pet from helminths. Suitable drug "Melbimax", suspension "Helmintal". The dosage is calculated by weight. Prevention of helminthiasis is carried out twice a year.

litter box training

Even if a puppy has already become accustomed to a tray or a diaper in the breeder's house, in a new house, due to stress, he can “forget” all his skills. You will have to toilet train him. You need to start from the first day when the baby appeared in the house.

For toilet training, you will need several trays with low sides or diapers. Spread them close to each other so that they cover a large area. Best of all, if there is an opportunity to allocate a room for this. Then in the room, cover the entire floor with diapers. Don't worry, this is temporary.

Every time the puppy has eaten, move him to the trays or lock him up in the diaper room. Say at the same time: toilet. Don't let him run away until he does his business. You can’t hold him by force, be nervous, talk rudely, it’s better to catch him several times. Speak kindly. As soon as the baby has done everything that is needed, praise him, give him a treat.


Gradually shift diapers or remove extra trays until there is one left where you planned.

Another option is to let her choose a place for her toilet herself and put a tray in this place. When the habit is fixed, the tray can be gradually rearranged to where you need.

Training

A puppy is brought up only through the game. In no case should you raise your voice at him, get annoyed and punish. The dog will cease to obey completely.

Try to be clear about what you want. Praise for every success. For the correct execution of the command, encourage affection, treats.

Toy is a smart dog. If he doesn't obey, it's because he wants to play, not learn. It will be a terrible punishment if you temporarily stop paying attention to it. Soon he will come running himself and will be more obedient.

Popular

At the end of April 2017 we got a dog.


We chose the breed for a long time. We wanted to take Pug or Spitz. But accidentally stumbled upon Toychik and what do you think? This is the ideal breed. Firstly, there is little wool (they have more hair) + mobility (a small dog, which is very convenient to keep in a small apartment or even a room).


We named our baby girl Diana. To begin with, we bought her bowls (aluminum on a stand) and, of course, a sunbed (because they love warmth). We even gave her our blanket, thanks to him she does not sleep with us, but wraps herself in a blanket! Well, the most necessary: ​​diapers and food! Be sure to purchase a dog carrier before buying! We have 2 carriers, one closed (we use it for the veterinarian, and the other is open (for transportation) Transportation in the car is still bad for us, but we are fighting it! The veterinarian said that this will pass by the year!

Toilet: First of all, be patient! First you need to buy diapers (I buy the cheapest ones in the pharmacy 90x60 and cut them) But when the dog is still very small, you don’t need to cut them! We must put diapers in every room and remove the carpets. After she will go to the diaper more and more often, then remove one by one. So that there is only ONE diaper left. Now she is 9 months old, but she still happens to betakurit in terms of the toilet. Dogs don't like dirty diapers, so try not to run it or wait for a puddle in the middle of the room, or even on your favorite carpet. We scold her for puddles and she understands this. She also loved to chew on diapers and gets the same for it! It seems that it does not trade yet! She goes to the toilet outside, but rarely. If you want the dog to go outside, then you need to walk him often and walk until he goes to the toilet and so every day! She tries to wait for us, but with the cold weather we walk her less. I’ll write about walking below!

Nutrition: Here we do not spoil her and feed her almost all the time with dry food and give her some water to drink. But sometimes we give wet food and fruits and vegetables. What can and cannot be read on the Internet. I even give a small piece of chips in a couple, well, I can’t resist her eyes!

Vet: Be sure to make a dog veterinary passport. To do this, you need to pickle the worms in advance and after that, after about 2 weeks, you take it to the veterinarian for an examination and he makes 1 vaccination. We did import! The vaccination is done at the age of 2 months, then you wait another month and 2 vaccinations are done and you can go with her even to Africa! After half a year, a few teeth and fangs are removed for small breeds (this is also decided with your veterinarian). We have already removed.

Games: The dog needs a lot of attention! with her you need to play, walk, feed and love on time! If this is not done, then the dog will run wild and start behaving ugly! Starts to whine and feel bad. Buy her a variety of toys so she doesn't chew on anything. And make more time for her!

Walk and Leash: As I said at the beginning: be patient! She will not fall in love with a leash and a collar at once! You need to do this at home, she will whine and balk a lot. I was very upset, at first, because she did not agree to walk on a leash in any way. I made her walk on a leash. I felt like a survivor. I had to buy her a harness and then everything improved. She did not become so much afraid and whine. And then, by magic, she calmly walked on a roulette wheel! Oh... stairs. I just took it and moved it slowly along each step and "oh miracle !!!" she began to overcome such obstacles. Although she has already begun to jump onto the bed as she has grown a little! We love jackets and blouses that do not cover her ass. We bought her a winter one, but she doesn't like it. We'll have to slowly accustom her to different clothes again! These jackets are needed, because. she is very cold and always shaking, and not for beauty!


The washing up: She is still afraid to wash herself, although she stands like a wooden one and looks at you with plaintive eyes. We bought a good shampoo so that there was no allergy. We do not comb it, only scratch it with our fingers. We wipe it with a towel and she runs all over the apartment and rubs her feet on the carpet. Probably angry! XD

Estrus: I don’t know about boys, but girls have puberty - in heat! She started at 9 months. How far does she go? Do not know yet, read that month! Diana licks everything, but you can still find spots. Her penis swells up to the size of the cables (And everyone thinks that this is a guy) We want to buy diapers for newborns, but I'm afraid that she will wean herself from the toilet.

Take your animals. After all, this is an uplifting mood for every day, even if it’s really bad or lonely at heart.

P.S. Take care of her skinny legs, and when she hits or it hurts, she starts squealing, then you need to take her in your arms and shake her! Very jealous and loves to kiss. Our ears stood up on their own and we did not strengthen them, our tail was docked - we took it like that!

This article is for those who are already or are just planning to become the owner of a toy terrier dog. Caring for and maintaining such a mini-dog is a lot of work, and at the same time an interesting and exciting activity.

The appearance of a four-legged comrade in the house can be compared with the appearance of a new family member.

Breeders compare caring for a dog of this breed to caring for a child. These tender babies need a reverent attitude.

Despite some difficulties in care, this breed has its advantages:

  • Toy Terriers and Toy Mini Terriers are decorative dogs that are suitable for keeping even in tiny apartments.
  • Dogs of this breed can be trained to walk on a cat tray or on a special diaper.
  • Toy terriers are called "pocket" dogs, because their weight is a maximum of three kilograms, their height does not exceed 28 centimeters.
  • Their fur is not an allergen for humans.
  • Toy Terriers eat very little, which means that you do not have to spend a lot of money on keeping a pet.

Feeding

These tiny dogs require a well-formulated and balanced diet.

You can feed your dog special food. You should choose specialized high quality feeds, and not those sold in all supermarkets. But they are quite expensive.

An alternative would be to feed specially prepared food. Such a diet should include a sufficient amount of proteins, trace elements, fats and vitamins.

In no case should you feed your tiny pet food from your table.

The body of this dog does not digest fresh milk either. Toy Terriers should not be given minced meat (fish, beef, chicken). In the same way, too spicy, fatty, salty, smoked foods, sweets are prohibited.

In feeding toy terriers and mini toy terriers, it is important to observe the frequency.

Babies up to 2 months need to be fed six times a day, older dogs - 4 times a day. Starting from 10 months, the toy terrier can be transferred to two meals a day.

Do not spoil your dog with snacks and do not overfeed him to avoid unwanted consequences in the form of extra pounds.

Toy terrier puppies can eat raw carrots.

Thicker toy terriers look cute, but live much less than their slender counterparts.

And remember, despite the fact that the toy terrier belongs to the decorative breeds of dogs, he has a wolfish appetite. Therefore, most of his diet should be meat.

Puppy toilet

In a sense, keeping a toy terrier can be compared to keeping a cat. This lap dog can easily be trained to go to the toilet on a tray.

This must be done from an early age. Fortunately, representatives of this breed are perfectly amenable to training.

But do not wait for the result of your work to appear immediately. This will take some time and patience. On average, you can achieve what you want in 10-20 days.

To train your toddler to go to the toilet in the same place on a diaper or litter box, you can use the least stressful method for your dog.

You need to cover the entire floor in the apartment with oilcloth or newspapers. Every day you need to remove one sheet until only one newspaper remains.

The puppy will understand that from now on he will have to go to the toilet in this place. Later, you can replace the newspaper with a diaper or tray.

How to equip a place for that terrier?

Dogs of this breed do not tolerate drafts and cold, they are constantly cold.

It is advisable to choose a place for that terrier away from windows, doors and cool rooms. Not the best option and the kitchen, where the window is constantly opened.

Therefore, the dog must have a place in the owners' rooms. The best option would be to make several sunbeds (one for each room), so your baby can choose where to sleep.

The toy terrier will not sleep on the floor, so it is better to buy a special house for him or equip a sunbed yourself.

Grooming and cutting

As for wool, moderate care is important here. When caring for her, use only natural brushes. Particular attention should be paid to the area behind the ears, chest and elbows.

Haircut may be required for long-haired representatives of this breed. They not only need to be carefully combed, but also periodically cut.

You should not be self-employed. It is better to entrust the haircut of that terrier to a professional - a groomer.

Bathing, brushing teeth, trimming nails

Don't bathe your dog more than once a month.

For bathing, you can use specialized shampoos and even balms. You can wash the toy terrier with baby shampoo.

After vaccination, the dog should not be bathed for two weeks.

Teeth are one of the weak points of that terrier, so they must be taken care of without fail. You can do this with a special or mint children's toothpaste.

By one year, your pet's milk teeth should be replaced by permanent ones. If this does not happen, contact a specialist. Toy terrier teeth should be brushed at least once a week.

If you do not cut your dog's nails in time, they will begin to break on their own, leading to bleeding and pain.

For these purposes, you need to use a special nail cutter (you can buy it at a pet supply store).

You need to cut only the edge of the claw, so as not to hurt or injure the animal. If you accidentally touch the skin with a nail clipper, you need to disinfect it with hydrogen peroxide (3%).

In order for the "operation" to be successful, try to distract the dog with affectionate conversations. At the same time, you need to hold the paw firmly so as not to injure the toy terrier.

If you are afraid to carry out this procedure yourself, contact the nearest veterinary clinic. The cost of this procedure does not exceed 150 rubles.

Ear and eye care

Your terrier's ears should be cleaned at least once a week. This can be done with a special tool designed for cleaning the ears, or with camphor alcohol.

It is necessary to apply the product on a cotton swab and clean the surface of the ears from dirt. You can penetrate no more than half a centimeter inside.

If any discharge appears from the ears, contact your veterinarian.

When bathing, you should cover the ears of that terrier with cotton swabs.

It is important to accustom your pet to daily washing - this is the main principle of caring for the eyes of a dog.

You can wash your eyes with boiled water or a decoction of chamomile. It is necessary to remove all discharge from the eyes.

After the procedure, you should blot your eyes with a dry cloth.

Dog clothes and walking

The fact that a toy terrier can be trained to go to the toilet on a tray does not mean at all that it does not need to be walked. Dogs need fresh air.

Walk your pet at least twice a day. Also representatives of this breed are shown physical activity. On a walk, you can play, train your pet.

Owners of toy terriers love to dress up their wards. In winter, this is especially true. Dogs are very sensitive to cold, so you need to take care of the "equipment".

For winter walks with that terrier, one cannot do without overalls with synthetic winterizer, a warm hat or hood, and warm boots with non-slip soles.

In summer, you can get by with a light outfit in order to make your pet stand out from the crowd.

How do you take care of your toy terrier? How do you pamper him? Be sure to share in the comments, it's always interesting and useful for beginners!!

For information on how to care for that terrier, watch the video: