The Russian Toy owes its existence to the small toy terrier types of England, and the desire of Russian aristocracy and elite families to own English things (particularly English dogs and English horses). The first small companion-type toy dogs were seen in Russia in the early 1700’s, and there is an example of a black and tan toy terrier named Lizetta in the Museum of Zoology in St Petersburg. Lizetta belonged to the Russian Emperor, Peter the Great, and this made the ownership of neat, tiny toy companion breeds popular.
By 1874, Russian Toys were competing in dog shows, and 11 Russian Toys were listed as being exhibited in a St Petersburg show in 1907, however these were still very closely related to the English Toy terriers.
The October Revolution in 1917 meant that the Russian Toy diminished in popularity, as all things relating to aristocracy, wealth and nobility were then frowned upon. The lack of numbers and the political isolation of the country caused the creation of a new breed, with a breed standard drawn up that was distinct from the earlier English style breed. Since the 1950’s this new, contemporary style Russian Toy differed significantly from the classic toy terrier, and in 1958 the first long haired Russian Toy litter was born. Years of careful development later and the breed now has two varieties, the Long haired and the Smooth haired.
First recognised by the Russian Kynological Federation, but at that time classified as Terriers, following a revision to the breed standard in 2003 in conjunction with the Federation Cynologique Internationale, they were finally moved to the Companion and Toy group in 2006. In the UK, they are currently on the Import Register for the Toy group.