Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka

Bolonki are small, balanced dogs that are longer than tall. The breed is known for its graceful movements, sweet, alert expressions, and outgoing personalities.

The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka has a double coat. The undercoat is well developed. The outer coat is dense, thick, and soft and forms large curls that fall naturally. The breed standard requires Bolonki to have beards and mustaches. Both fashionable and functional, bows often hold up the hair on the tops of their heads.

Initially, all Bolonki were black—presumably to hide dirt at a time when shampoo was scarce. The current breed standard permits all colors except white (but white markings on the toes and chest are allowed). Black remains one of the most common colors along with brown, gray, red, and wolfgray with fawn, silver, and tan markings.

Bolonki have compact bodies with broad, well-muscled backs, deep chests, and short, level loins. They have medium-sized, rounded eyes that are dark brown or hazel. Their small, high set ears are carried drooping or folded, and their noses are either solid black or match their coat colors. Bolonki have medium-length, high set tails that are carried over their backs or off to the side.

The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka hails from Saint Petersburg and Moscow. During the 1700s, Louis XIV of France bestowed these small dogs' ancestors as gifts to Russian nobles. The breed, better known as Bolonka (Bolonki, when plural), was developed through by crossbreeding companion dogs such as Bichon Frise, Pekingese, and French Bolognese with Russian street dogs. The result was the intelligent, outgoing Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka.

Russia was known for its working dogs, not small breeds like Bolonki, which were considered unnecessary extravagances. But things changed in the 1960s when Khrushchev came to power. Scarce housing and sharp increases in apartment living rendered large working dogs obsolete in Russian cities, giving rise to the demand for smaller breeds.

Interest in the Bolonka has increased steadily in Russia, where the breed has earned its keep as a companion and guardian. Promises to maintain the breed standards led the Russian Kennel Federation and the National Russian Bolonka Club to allow dogs to be exported and bred in other countries.