BREED HISTORY
The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a rare toy breed, considered the rarest of the Bichon family.
It was originally discovered after the fall of the Iron Curtain in Russia but can be traced as far back as the 18th Century.
Tsvetnaya Bolonka means “colored lapdog”. The Bolonka is known by different names, Russian colored Bichon, Russian lapdogs, Bolonka Zwetna and Deutscher (Germany), Baravny Bolonsky Psik (Bolognese Color) in Czech Republic. The French Franzuskaya Bolonka is the white version.
In the early 18th century Louis the XIV of France presented the Franzuskaya Bolonka to Russian Nobility as gifts. Later the bolonka migrated to Russia with Napoleon’s army.
Russians were not allowed to import dogs, back then and there was zero interest among the common folk and farmers to have a toy breed dog, they were considered superfluous especially during the time of the Soviet Union. Only the royalty took the breed to their hearts and laps, which were frequently adorned with the bolonkas, as can be seen in many Russian paintings and pictures.
In 1951 a group of Leningrad enthusiasts led by Zhanatta A. Chesnokova along with Julia M. Zvonareva, Diana A. Ovcharenko, Galina A. Isayeva and other dog fanciers bred the first black lapdog. The bolonka was created from breeding various other small breeds which were available to the Russians at that time. There is mixed writings and beliefs as to what dogs were used and it is not completely known except possibly in journals from that time. The first black lapdog was called Tin-Tin. Vivid colored dogs are still the desired color today, ranging from black, brown, red/violet, fawn and a range of colors in between. Though there is a complete list of colors, the main thing is that there is no white dogs allowed in the breed although a small white patch on the chest and white on the toes is permitted.
The lapdog was bred to be a dark dog partially because white dogs showed dirt and shampoos, conditioners and even soap except harsh lye were scarce in the Soviet Union in those days. A colored dog which would hide the dirt a white coated dog could not, a sturdy dog which was not fragile who could do long walks and adjust to its family’s life style, and most of all a dog that could contribute something in the means of work was some of the goals of the early breeders and is still a goal maintained by today’s breeders.
The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka which was produced and still exists today are loveable little charmers, their personality will stand out with their capacity for being happy and spreading joy like the sun breaking through the gloom to all those they meet. They are set apart from other small breeds for this endless abundance of spreading happiness as well as their sturdy hardy structure. They are easy going, not easily excitable making them a fantastic family member and companion for children, seniors, therapy purposes and active families. Do not be fooled by their small size, these are dogs that will happily accompany you on a good walk, hike or even boating and swimming. Being extremely smart and almost intuitive this little dog can interact in its own way and different ways with the varied people and other animals in its environment including other dogs, cats, birds, and farm animals. They are amicable little souls exhibiting little to no aggression unless they are in a situation where aggression is shown to them first.
The Russians did need a working use for the little dog and as such bred them to be the guardians of its domain or territory. The bolonka is quite sociable and bonds hard and fast to their humans and animals and are quick to alert of approaching dangers. Being very obedient if raised in a gentle but firm manner they are great little show dogs, blossoming in many areas of the show world from conformation, to agility, to obedience, to companionship and therapy. Their small size up to 10 ½ inches, does not prohibit them from being an active participant in their families lives.
Their coat consists of long silky big curls, waves or kinks which vary in size with a soft and downy undercoat which can resemble soft cotton at times. The undercoat has soil-repellant qualities which is said can reduce the incidence of matting which was a requirement of the Russian breeders.
From 1951 through to 1962 the breed grew in population and the first book to record them was in 1958.
They began to participate in shows in Russia.
In 1966 they were called Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka and in 1978 the Bolonka was sent to Germany and the Bolonka Zwetna was created there with a slightly different standard, allowing white.
After the fall of the Iron Curtain interest in the Russian Tsvetnaya specific breed of Bolonka revived. These little dogs were favorites of the fashionable ladies of the period in both countries. Export of the dogs was strictly regulated until the curtain fell.
Although popular in Germany, Bolonka are not recognized as a separate breed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) which governs all countries in the world of dog showing except Canada, U.S. and England but are currently allowed to be shown at the FCI shows in the miscellaneous section. The white version, the Bolonka Franzuska, was recognised by the VDH (German national kennel club) as a variation of the Bolognese. The fact that Russian Bolonka are not recognized originally is from the lack of a national kennel club in old Russia, after the fall of communism. Without an active national club, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale would not recognize the Russian dogs; in addition, there have been reports of irregularities in record keeping since then. For many, many years the Russian Kynological Federation (RKF) has become Russia’s registry for the bolonkas.
In January 2013, the Nordic Kennel Union officially accepted the Russkaya Tsvetnaya Bolonka and not the Bolonka Zwetna, and since then it has been allowed to participate in dog shows in the NKU member countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. The American Kennel Club added the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka to the Foundation Stock Service Program in 2015 and assigned the breed to the Toy Group.
Today Bolonki (the plural of Bolonka) are still considered the rarest of the Bichon family and one of the hardest breeds to acquire and is still the choice lapdog for the elite as is demonstrated by the increased fame it has gained recently by being the chosen breed of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
To learn more about this wonderful breed click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolonka