Bolonka
Encyclopedia
Bolonka — refers to small breeds
of dog of the Bichon
type
, originally from Russia
, developed from the Bichon Frisé
and further developed in Germany
. They include the Franzuskaya Bolonka (Bolonka Franzuskaya) and the Bolonka Zwetnaya (bunte Schoßhündchen, Tsvetnaya Bolonka). Franzuskaya means French, Zwetnaya means multicolored, and Bolonka translates as "Bolognese" in a number of Slavic languages. This may pose a challenge to the idea that the Bolonka was developed from the Bichon Frisé, suggesting instead that the original dogs brought into Russia may have been French Bolognese.
and 2-4 or 5kg in weight. The Franzuskaya Bolonka is white, and the Bolonka Zwetna may be of various colours.
. The white version, the Bolonka Franzuska, was recognised by the VDH (German national kennel club) as a variation of the Bolognese
. That fact that Russian Bolonka are not recognised stems from the lack of a national kennel club in Russia, after the fall of communism. Without an active national club, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale will not recognise the Russian dogs; in addition, there have been reports of irregularities in record keeping since in present day Russia "there is no single Kennel Club but a number of smaller clubs who basically do whatever they want."
) as a variation of the Bolognese
. At the same time a coloured version was also being developed, the Bolonka Zwetnaya (bunte Schoßhündchen, Tsvetnaya Bolonka, Deutscher Bolonka). These are not yet recognised although they have active breed clubs in several countries.
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
of dog of the Bichon
Bichon
Bichon is the name for a type of related non-sporting category dog breeds. They vary in appearance, but all have tails curled over their back, a coat that is hair rather than fur that doesn't readily shed, short snouts, drop ears, and large, dark eyes. They were all bred to be amiable companion...
type
Dog type
Dog types are broad categories of dogs based on function, with dogs identified primarily by specific function or style of work rather than by lineage or appearance....
, originally from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, developed from the Bichon Frisé
Bichon Frisé
A Bichon Frise , is a small breed of dog of the Bichon type. They are popular pets, similar in appearance to, but larger than, the Maltese.-Etymology and History:...
and further developed in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. They include the Franzuskaya Bolonka (Bolonka Franzuskaya) and the Bolonka Zwetnaya (bunte Schoßhündchen, Tsvetnaya Bolonka). Franzuskaya means French, Zwetnaya means multicolored, and Bolonka translates as "Bolognese" in a number of Slavic languages. This may pose a challenge to the idea that the Bolonka was developed from the Bichon Frisé, suggesting instead that the original dogs brought into Russia may have been French Bolognese.
Appearance
Bolonka are 24 - 26 cm high at the withersWithers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
and 2-4 or 5kg in weight. The Franzuskaya Bolonka is white, and the Bolonka Zwetna may be of various colours.
Recognition
Although popular in Germany, Bolonka are not recognized as a separate breed by the Fédération Cynologique InternationaleFédération Cynologique Internationale
Fédération Cynologique Internationale is an international federation of kennel clubs based in Thuin, Belgium. The English language translation, World Canine Organisation, is not often used.Its goals are described in Article 2 of their regulations:...
. The white version, the Bolonka Franzuska, was recognised by the VDH (German national kennel club) as a variation of the Bolognese
Bolognese (dog)
The Bolognese is a small breed of dog of the Bichon type, originating in Italy. The name refers to the northern Italian city of Bologna.-Appearance:...
. That fact that Russian Bolonka are not recognised stems from the lack of a national kennel club in Russia, after the fall of communism. Without an active national club, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale will not recognise the Russian dogs; in addition, there have been reports of irregularities in record keeping since in present day Russia "there is no single Kennel Club but a number of smaller clubs who basically do whatever they want."
History
Through the connection between the Russian and French aristocracy in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, a type dog similar to the Bichon Frisé or Bolognese of today was brought to tsarist Russia. These little white dogs were favorites of the fashionable ladies of the period in both countries. After the Russian Revolution, the breed was isolated from the French dogs. The little dogs began to be taken seriously as a native Russian breed in the 1950s, and grew in popularity. Export of the dogs was strictly regulated. In 1978 a breeding pair of Bolonka franzuska was sent as a diplomatic gift from the Soviet Union into the GDR. From these and a few others, the white Franzuskaya Bolonka began to be developed as a breed in Germany in the 1980s. Eventually it was recognized by the VDF (Verband für das Deutsche HundewesenVerband für das Deutsche Hundewesen
Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen is Germany's Kennel club for dogs and represents the world federation Fédération Cynologique Internationale....
) as a variation of the Bolognese
Bolognese (dog)
The Bolognese is a small breed of dog of the Bichon type, originating in Italy. The name refers to the northern Italian city of Bologna.-Appearance:...
. At the same time a coloured version was also being developed, the Bolonka Zwetnaya (bunte Schoßhündchen, Tsvetnaya Bolonka, Deutscher Bolonka). These are not yet recognised although they have active breed clubs in several countries.