The Russkiy Toy is a small-sized, fairly rare breed that comes in both short- and long-haired coat varieties. Long-haired Russkiys will need a bit more grooming, in part because of the long feathering on their ears, legs, and tail--but overall, neither coat variant needs too much work.
See below for further details on maintaining the Russkiy Toy coat.
Though the two different coat varieties have slightly different needs, Toy Russian Terrier grooming requirements aren't too time-consuming overall. The short-haired variety will need weekly brushing, and baths every couple of months; long-haired Russkiy Toys will need more frequent brushing (2-3 times per week), and baths once a month. While not required, long-hairs can have their coats trimmed occasionally to reduce the occurrence of tangles and mats. Both coat variants are average shedders.
Brushing: A pin brush will work fine on both coat varieties; owners of long-haired Russkiys will also need a 2-in-1 comb for working through tangles and mats. Brush as follows: first wet the coat with mist from a spray bottle, then starting at the shoulders, use the typical line-brushing method over the entire coat. (Owners of long-hairs may want to use the comb on the feathering on the ears, legs, and tail.) If you encounter a tangle or mat, first try working through it with your fingers, then continue working it out with the comb.
Bathing: These little dogs are small enough to be bathed in the kitchen sink; a bathtub or outdoor kiddie pool and a garden hose will work too. To bathe: first give the dog a thorough brushing, then wet the coat completely; add a small amount of shampoo to the dog's back, then lather well, working downward as you go. (And be sure to use canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans can irritate the dog's skin.) Go over the legs, underbelly, and tail, then finish by using a washcloth to clean the ears, head, and face. Long-hair owners will need to pay special attention to the ears, to make sure no dirt/debris is trapped in the hair there. Long-hair owners can also repeat the above-described process with canine conditioner. After a final rinse, towel- or blow-dry, then give the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.
Haircuts: Some owners of long-haired Russkiys have their dogs' coats trimmed occasionally to keep them neat, and the long feathering is scissor-trimmed and evened out. Though owners can certainly cut their Russkiys' hair themselves, at least one visit to a professional groomer is recommended. The groomer can demonstrate the proper hair cutting method, and provide tips on how to groom a Russkiy Toy in general.
