in the color section, and faults the presence of bald patches in smooth coat dogs and too long or short hair on the body of long coat dogs. So, when viewing a mixed-coat group of Russian Toys, it is most important to be aware of what the correct coat is for each variety; and beyond that, they can be judged together. The smooth coat dogs should have short, close lying, shiny hair without bald patches or undercoat. The correct coat is similar to the coat of the Toy Manchester Terrier or the Min Pin, and is different than the Chihuahua coat, which is usually thicker on smooth coat dogs. The simple beauty of the smooth coat variety allows a good view of the dog’s structure and muscle, and makes it very easy to see any faults. The coat does not require any lengthy grooming or trimming (though trimming is also not allowed in the long either) and does not need to be blown dry after bath - ing. The smooth coat can be more susceptible to cold and tends to be more interested in wearing a sweater or remain - ing inside during the winter. Overall, it is a very easy coat to care for and is an option for an owner who wants a low maintenance coat.
The difference described in the AKC standard is all about the coat of the dogs and a few items which are affected by the coat. There is only one disqualification that is coat- specific in the AKC standard, and this involves the ears, where long coat dogs cannot have the absence of fringe on the ears or curly hair. In the FCI standard (country of origin), there are three additional disqualifications that are mentioned, which are semi-pricked ears in smooth coat dogs, drop ears in long coat dogs, and on smooth coat dogs numerous bald patches (more than 25%) or very soft, tousled, loose body hair with pronounced feathering. A trimmed coat on either variety is also a DQ in the FCI standard, and this item as well as the others are described in the AKC standard but not stated explicitly in the DQ section. There are two additional coat-related items that are described outside of the coat section of the standard, and the first is that semi-pricked ears are permissible on long-haired dogs with heavy fringe (but are not desirable). While the AKC standard does not specifically discuss the smooth coat ears, the FCI does state that soft ears in a smooth coat is a fault as well. The second item is called out
46 • T op N otch T oys , J une 2022
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