10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Russian Bolonka
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The Russian Bolonka is a unique breed of dog that many people are not familiar with. You don’t see many of them in public unless you’re visiting Russia, the country of their origin. Although rare, there are a few distributed throughout the world, but the numbers are still low compared to many other dog breeds. The Russian Bolonka is a breed that is worth learning about if you’re particularly fond of small lap dogs. To help you become better acquainted with this lovely little dog, here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about the Russian Bolonka.
1. The Russian Bolonka nearly went extinct
According to The American Kennel Club, the Russian Bolonka is a dog breed that nearly disappeared from the face of the earth during the period of the Cold War. The numbers dwindled and it was hard to find any remaining members of the breed. When the Cold War ended, increased interest in this dog resulted in breeders reviving the Bolonka and repopulating it, bringing it back from the brink of extinction. With this in mind, the Russian Bolonka is considered to be an exceptionally rare and valuable breed.
2. Russian Bolonka’s are exceptional companion dogs
The Bolonka is highly prized for its value as a loyal and affectionate companion dog. These sweet-natured dogs will love you unconditionally and ease loneliness. They love attention from their masters and enjoy sitting on your lap. Bolonkas have been referred to as the ultimate lapdog because of their small size, their love of giving and receiving affection, and their lovely appearance.
3. Russian Bolonkas are good for small homes
If you live in an apartment or small house, the Russian Bolonka may be a good choice. They are small dogs that don’t require much room to thrive. As long as you can give this dog love and affection he will adapt to almost any size home environment. At full maturity, they measure between 7 to 11 inches in height and weigh between 4 to 11 pounds. You could conceivably carry your Russian Bolonka in a large handbag. This small and compact dog is as cute as a button and he doesn’t take up much room.
4. The Russian Bolonka is a socializer
Don’t expect your Bolonka to guard the home. This dog is sweet in personality and loves to socialize with his family and friends. Most Bolonka’s are non-confrontational and show little signs of aggression by nature. They would rather get along with everyone and have a good time. They do crave interaction with humans, though, so you’ll need to plan on spending plenty of time with your Bolonka or he may feel depressed. If you must be gone for a long time, this may not be the right choice for you because Bolonka does not do well if he is left alone without love and attention.
5. Russian Bolonkas are good for people with allergies
If you or a member of your household have allergies, the Russian Bolonka may be a superior choice for a housepet. This small dog is prized for its hypoallergenic fur. His coat is medium and wavy and the breed does not shed much of its coat. Because of the length and texture, you should provide routine grooming with regular combing or brushing with a wide-tooth comb. He also needs to have his eyes, ears, teeth, and nails tended regularly. He is a fancy little dog that looks adorable with ribbons in his hair. His mustache and beard may require daily washing to remove all food particles and keep him looking his best. The hair should also be trimmed from around his eyes because it can grow fast.
6. Russian Bolonkas are good for families with kids
Russian Bolonkas are noted for being good with children. While any dog is capable of being grumpy or biting when hurt or harrassed, the tendency to bite is remarkably low with this breed. When properly socialized from puppyhood, Bolonkas make an excellent addition to families with small children, however, supervision is always recommended with any pet.
7. Bolonkas are intelligent dogs
Wisdom Panel says Bolonkas are intelligent and clever dogs that learn quickly. This makes them easy to train. You can teach them to do tricks that will keep the family and the dog entertained. They love to play hide and seek, fetch and chase a ball.
8. Bolonkas have a good lifespan
Some of the larger dog breeds will break your heart because they only live a few years. The Russian Bolonka is known for its long lifespan. This dog lives an average of 12 to 16 years, depending on his physical health, nutrition, and the care he receives. Some may live even longer.
9. The Russian Bolonka has a rich and storied history
The Rusian Tsvetnaya Bolonka first made its way to Russia during the 1700s. Louis XIV of France gave the breed as a gift to Russian nobles. They were so enamored of this breed that they perpetuated the breeding processes and the Russian Bolonka became one of the most beloved dogs of the nation. It was especially popular with the nobility and the very wealthy. Although the numbers were never high, sometime before the Cold War, the numbers decreased so low that the breed was in danger of disappearing. The Bolonka is a dog breed that has a rich and storied history and it has narrowly escaped going the way of the dodo.
10. The Russian Bolonka is recognized as an official breed
The Russian Bolonka holds an esteemed position among dog breed organizations. it is an old breed that is officially recognized by numerous agencies, according to Dog Breed Info. The American Rare Breed Association, the American Kennel Club, the Dog Registry of America, Inc, and the North American Tsvetnaya Bolonka Club all recognize this dog as a very rare and special breed.
