Bolonka Breed Description

An Owner's Bolonka Description
I originally wanted a Bichon but then I discovered that the Bolonka is basically a smaller variation of that breed and perhaps a descendent of them, I couldn't resist taking this little girl home. Sweetpea is about as loveable as can be.

She's proved herself to be a sweet companion even though she can be temperamental, not uncommon in some of the other small breeds either. She's intelligent for sure, since I never have to be harsh in her training or discipline. She always seems to be especially attentive and obedient to me. Of course, she and I have spent many days together and although she gets along well with others, she's mine and she knows it.

Just like most of the smaller breeds, she is totally oblivious of her size so she makes a great watch dog. She'll let you know about uninvited guests, and for that matter, even invited guests that she doesn't know yet will start her barking. When she was a pup she developed some negative traits, like excessive barking, so I decided she would benefit from some obedience training. I found a local pet store chain offered inexpensive classes, and completed their course together. I've never regretted that decision: I know how to get her to behave the way I want, and she knows how to respond to my request, which makes her happy in her desire to please me.

Sweetpea is one energetic little dog and gets all the exercise she might ever need just by running around my apartment. She'll suddenly start racing around, tearing through the rooms, leaping up onto to furniture and sailing off onto the area rugs. It's hysterical to watch, and she knows it. She really goes to great lengths to get attention. Of course, I gladly give it to her. I know that I have spoiled her a bit too much, but that's my shortcoming, not hers, and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

 

Introduction

The Bolonka is a new breed of toy dog re-discovered in Russia after the fall of Communism, but the breed can possibly be dated back to the early 18th century. They are a smaller type dog from the Louis IV courts and were presented to Russian nobility as gifts. The Bolonka is a curly coated breed that evolved similar to the present day Bichon Frise except it is much smaller. This breed originated from small, sturdy, balanced dogs; today it is slightly longer than height at withers.

History

To say there's confusion about this toy breed is the understatement of the year. Linguistics are the culprit, but sorting out the facts won't be easy.

This dog was 'discovered' in Russia after the fall of Communism. Few records survived, no breed registries were continuously operational during that period and questions outnumbered answers.

The dogs are believed to have been developed from the Bichon Frise, which was brought to St. Petersburg from Europe in the 1700s. Here's where the languague questions arise: the word Bolonka means Bolognese in most Slavic tongues. So is this really a Russian dog, or a dog from Italy given a Russian name for the region it came from (Bologna)?Is the dog Russian by heritage? Or is it a Bichon Frise (or Bolognese) that visited way back when and liked it so much it stayed and went native?

In any event, the dogs are fairly well known and popular in Germany, which would have adopted the Bolonka name of the neighboring Russians. Little white dogs were all the rage amongst the rich, famous and noble. Bichon Frise, or the Franzuskaya Bolonka (the white Bolognese translated into Russian) were glorified in portraits of nobility on the Continent and in St. Petersburg. After the 1917 Revolution, breeding became isolated in the USSR. It is most likely from that point forward that the Bolonka developed into a specific breed of its own, distinct from its forebears.

General Description

Sturdy little dogs, Bolonkas have an endearing expression

Black, brown, gray, beige, red and mixtures or black and tan, black and gray or gray and tan No solid whites accepted in the standard and white markings are limited to no more than 20 percent.

Colors

All colors with white acceptable in small quantities only

Living Area

Suitable for people in towns and cities as well as in the country.

Recognized By

ARBA, NATBC, DRA

Pets4You offers listings of Bolonka breeders with puppies for sale.