Russian Toy Terrier vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison

Russian Toy Terrier vs Boerboel - Breed ComparisonRussian Toy Terrier is originated from Russia but Boerboel is originated from South Africa. Russian Toy Terrier may grow 42 cm / 16 inches shorter than Boerboel. Russian Toy Terrier may weigh 87 kg / 191 pounds lesser than Boerboel. Both Russian Toy Terrier and Boerboel has almost same life span. Russian Toy Terrier may have less litter size than Boerboel. Both Russian Toy Terrier and Boerboel requires Low maintenance.

History

russian toy terrier - historyThe Russian Toy Terrier is one of the dog breeds that hails from Russia in the 20th century. The Russian nobility fancied these little dogs as companions but also as they were useful for catching rats and being watchdog.They would set off an alarm with their barking.

It is believed that the Manchester Terrier and the English Toy Terrier were the foundation breeds for this dog.

They are available in smooth and long-haired varieties. The breed has recently been recognized by the UK Kennel Club but is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club.

boerboel - historyThe name ‘Boerboel’ is derived from an Afrikaans/Dutch word, and the large Boerboel dog from South Africa has been specifically bred to be a farmer’s dog. Bred also to be a strong guard dog, the Boerboel is a mix of different African and European breeds, which in all likelihood, will include the Bullmastiff, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Bulldog. These dogs were used to hunt baboon and leopard.

There is some information that suggests that the Boerboel was brought to South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652. Other information suggest that the dog is a descendant of the old Boer Hund, a powerful animal which was invaluable to the farmer.

In was in January 2010, that the American Boerboel Club was elected as the AKC’s Parent Club. The Boerboel was accepted into the Miscellaneous Class in the Working dog group.

Description

russian toy terrier puppy - descriptionThe Russian Toy Terrier is a petite dog and is inclined to be a fragile dog breed. It belongs to the toy group. It is also known as the Russian Toy Terrier or the Russkiy Toy.

The dog’s small size means it is ideal for living in the city or the countryside.

He measures between just 20 and 28cm and weighs between just 1kg and 3kg.

The dog has a small head with big eyes and ears which are large ad erect. The tail was always traditionally docked to give it a cute, compact look, but these days it is left long.

You also get a long-coated dog and the smooth coated dog. The long coated variety has a lot of feathering around the tail, legs and ears. Colors of the coat can be solid red, brown and tan, black and tan or greyish and tan.

Temperament:

This little dog is full of character and is bold and cheerful. He is such a loyal, devoted little dog and small though he is he is territorial, protecting and guarding his owner. It is such a sociable little dog, devoted to his human family, while being wary of strangers.

Even a small dog like this will need training and socialization as he can become yappy and clingy if he is constantly piked up and petted.

Looks

boerboel puppy - descriptionThe Boerboel is a big, strong dog with powerful muscles. His height is between 61 – 66cm. He is similar looking to the Boxer dog, just heavier and bigger. The head of the dog is broad and big and the short, smooth coat can be of various shades, with breeders trying to achieve a single color of light tan and with no white. Their coats can also be red, different shades of brown and brindle.

The dog has a black facial mask and the eyes are brown with the ears being of medium length and floppy. The Boerboel’s tail has always been docked, but today breeders are keeping the tail long. Many Boerboel lovers object to this, saying it detracts from the distinctive look of the Boerboel.

Temperament

The Boerboel can be a wonderfully loyal and loving pet to their owners. They are territorial dogs and suspicious of strangers. This is a dog where it is imperative that they receive training and socialization as a puppy. They have leanings towards being aggressive so they wouldn’t be recommended to first time dog owners, unless of course the first time owners are firm and strong.

Boerboels raised the right way can be gentle giants. They often get bad publicity as regards to aggression, but this is because of they way they have been raised. Boerboels have been bred to be tough and fearless and they make excellent watchdogs. When raised and trained correctly, they make awesome, devoted companions, even around children and other pets.

Characteristics

russian toy terrier dog - characteristicsThe Russian Toy is a small, feisty dog with long legs and huge upright ears. He is intelligent too. Don't let his fine structure deceive you as he is far more robust and tough than he looks.

He is a great playmate for disciplined, respectful children who know how to be kind to animals. Wild, unruly kids could so easily accidentally break one of his tiny little legs during rough play.

He loves his human family though and is guaranteed to make you an excellent little pet and companion.

boerboel dog - characteristicsA well trained, socialized Boerboel makes a splendid pet. This is one breed known to have excellent guard- and watch dog characteristics. Boerboels are known for being protective when necessary. When not on guard, they make wonderful pets. He’ll need plenty of exercise, but he loves to also spend time indoors with his human family.

This a a bold, fearless dog who becomes devoted to his family. With the right training he is obedient and affectionate and knows how to behave appropriately indoors- and outdoors. For such a big dog, the African Boeboel’s temperament can be surprisingly gentle and affectionate around the family that he loves.

Health Problems

russian toy terrier puppies - health problemsThere isn’t too much information about inherited health problems with this dog and he can live to be 11, 12 or 13 years of age, maybe even longer.There are one or two health problems to be aware of -

Patellar Luxation:

This condition occurs with the knee caps of the dog and either one or both back legs can be affected. Sometimes surgery will be required to help the dog.

Teeth Problems:

Little dogs always battle with their teeth, and the Russian Toy Terrier can experience problems when the puppy or ‘milk’ teeth don’t fall out. It affects the development of adult teeth. Sometimes the vet even has to have the teeth removed.

boerboel puppies - health problemsMany health problems experienced with any dog are found in the way dogs are fed, the way they are exercised and the way they are attended to when they are ill. Boerboels are healthy dogs and suffer fewer health defects than most similar breeds. The average life expectancy of a Boerboel is about 10 to 12 years. There are one or two health issues you’ll want to watch out for with your Boerboel.

Hip dysplasia

This aliment is typically found in large breed dogs. It’s a problem caused by a malformation of the hip joint. Over time hip dysplasia causes discomfort, pain and even arthritis and lameness. It is genetically inherited, with its severity being influenced by environmental factors. There are treatments available to alleviate the symptoms and make the dog more comfortable.

Obesity

The Boerboel has plenty of muscle mass, and because he is such a large dog with a big appetite, he can lean towards obesity. Plenty of activities will be imperative to maintain muscle mass and ward off obesity. Over-eating suppresses the immune system, so over-feeding your dog simply contributes to ill health.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

russian toy terrier dogs - caringThe Russian Toy Terrier is a small breed and isn’t going to need too much exercise. However it will do him good to get out to sniff around, and a walk every day will be recommended.

Grooming:

Your Russian Toy Terrier is a fairly low maintenance dog and isn’t going to require specialist grooming. The little dog will simply require some occasional brushing to remove loose hair.

When you brush him, check inside his mouth for bad teeth as small dogs like this can suffer from pain with overcrowding of teeth.

Diet:

Tiny though he is, the Russian Toy Terrier will need good food. It will be tempting to pop sugary treats into such a tiny little dog’s mouth. This can in fact be seriously dangerous for him, not to mention that he can become obese. This opens up anew set of health problems.

You can feed this little dog commercially manufactured food but it should be the best quality one for small breeds.

Give him some tasty homemade food too. Simply add into one big pot chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your tiny pets dry kibble once or twice a week.

A tiny bit of raw meat can also go a long way to ensuring his skin stays healthy and free of skin infections.

Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Grooming

boerboel dogs - caringBoerboels are a robust breed and their short hair doesn’t shed heavily. Your Boerbul will require a thorough brushing twice a week to remove loose hair and to keep the coat shiny and healthy.

Boerboels, just like any other dog, should have their teeth brushed regularly to prevent tartar and plaque build-up. Left unattended, your pet can battle with tooth decay and gum disease.

Feeding

Your Boerboel puppy will need ‘large breed puppy’ dog food. Speak to your veterinarian about wet- or dry kibble choices. An adult Boerboel will certainly need raw meat in his diet. When you do research, you find that the best Boerboel breeders are advocates for raw feeding. Home made food with rice, vegetables and meat as well as the best quality commercially manufactured dog foods for large breeds are excellent choices but raw meat is imperative as part of every dog’s diet.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
Origin:
Russia
South Africa
Height Male:
20 - 28 cm
7 - 12 inches
64 - 70 cm
25 - 28 inches
Height Female:
20 - 28 cm
7 - 12 inches
59 - 65 cm
23 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
1 - 3 kg
2 - 7 pounds
70 - 90 kg
154 - 199 pounds
Weight Female:
1 - 3 kg
2 - 7 pounds
68 - 90 kg
149 - 199 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 13 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
5 - 10
Size:
Toy dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Russkiy Toy
South African Boerboel, African Boerboel, South African Mastiff, African Mastiff
Colors Available:
Solid red, black and tan or greyish and tan., brown and tan
Fawn, Red, Brown, Brindle
Coat:
Smooth coated
Short and dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal, Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Russian Toy Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Russian Toy Terrier vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  3. Russian Toy Terrier vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  4. Russian Toy Terrier vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  5. Russian Toy Terrier vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  6. Russian Toy Terrier vs Pekingese - Breed Comparison
  7. Russian Toy Terrier vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Russian Toy Terrier vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  9. Russian Toy Terrier vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  10. Russian Toy Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  11. Russian Toy Terrier vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  12. Russian Toy Terrier vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Russian Toy Terrier vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  14. Russian Toy Terrier vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  15. Russian Toy Terrier vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  16. Russian Toy Terrier vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  17. Russian Toy Terrier vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  18. Russian Toy Terrier vs Phalene - Breed Comparison
  19. Russian Toy Terrier vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  20. Russian Toy Terrier vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  21. Shih Tzu vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Silky Terrier vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Snorkie vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Toy Bulldog vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Toy Mi-Ki vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  27. Bullmastiff vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  28. Great Pyrenees vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  29. Boerboel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  30. Boerboel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  31. Boerboel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  32. Boerboel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  33. Boerboel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  34. Boerboel vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  35. Boerboel vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  36. Boerboel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  37. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. Boerboel vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  39. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  40. Boerboel vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  41. Boerboel vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  42. Boerboel vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  43. Presa Canario vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  44. Labrador Husky vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  45. Argentine Dogo vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  46. Giant Schnauzer vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  47. Goldador vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  48. Dogo Cubano vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  49. Dogo Sardesco vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  50. Central Asian Shepherd vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds