Longevity
Life expectancy
With attentive care, a suitable diet and good medical follow-up, the Russkiy Toy can live from 12 to 16 years. Longevity depends on the quality of the breeding, the lifestyle and hereditary predispositions.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its small size makes it sensitive to trauma, cold and falls. It is not a hardy outdoor garden dog. Well monitored and well socialized, it can nevertheless live many years indoors.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Monitor the teeth, kneecaps, tremors, hypoglycemia in very young puppies and trauma. A refusal to jump or a carried paw justifies an examination.
Patellar luxation : Very small breeds are predisposed to unstable kneecaps, hence the value of a gait examination.
Dental problems : The small mouth promotes tartar, tooth loss, and infections.
Neurological fragility : Some dwarf lines may show tremors or other signs to watch for.
Trauma and hypoglycemia : A shock, a jump, or fasting too long in a puppy can have serious consequences.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
He fears cold dampness and wind. A coat in winter and short outings in bad weather are often necessary. In summer, avoid burning asphalt and overheating in carrier bags.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The Russkiy Toy must maintain a silhouette suited to its morphology, with palpable ribs without excess. The ration must match the actual activity, age and sterilization. Regular weighing prevents overly significant variations.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Brush the teeth several times a week.
- Avoid jumping off the couch and games that are too rough with large dogs.
- Protect from cold and rain.
- Weigh often: 200 g too much counts for a lot.
Vaccination
Russian Toy vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Russian Toy need? Like all dogs, Russian Toys should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Russian Toy vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Russian Toy booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Russian Toy need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Russian Toy
Patella examination, dental check, neurological monitoring if signs appear. Regular weighing: the slightest excess weighs heavily on 2 kg.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
