The Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a lively family dog. The Russian lapdog stands out for its friendly characteristics, making it suitable for both children and novice dog owners.

History of the Tsvetnaya Bolonka

The Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a breed that was initially reserved for the Russian nobility. It served as a popular gift and a colorful lapdog.

To solidify the breed, it was crossed with breeds such as:

In 1964, a Russian breed standard was constructed. By the end of the 20th century, the Tsvetnaya Bolonka was a small national dog, only finding its way across borders in the 1980s. However, it is still relatively unknown in this country.

Character and Temperament

Social connection is essential for the Tsvetnaya Bolonka. Ideally, its caregivers should be present around the clock. Being alone is a significant training point for them if necessary.

Within the family, they show their cheerful side and impress with their friendliness.

However, the Tsvetnaya Bolonka can also be skeptical of strangers, as it seeks to protect its home and pack. Nevertheless, their mistrust remains within tolerable limits, without excessive barking or aggression. Encounters with unknown people or other dogs often proceed smoothly.

The Tsvetnaya Bolonka has a social core, making it adaptable to both single and multi-dog households.

The small dog’s desire for activity, alongside its pronounced family sense, is its second main characteristic. The Tsvetnaya Bolonka is lively, curious, and cheerful. Accordingly, its daily routine should offer cognitive and physical challenges, being rich in activity.

Acquiring a Tsvetnaya Bolonka

Although there is an increased demand for Tsvetnaya Bolonkas, the number of U.S. breeders remains low. This unfortunate fact leads to a continual rise in the purchase price of the dog. Therefore, you should budget between $1000 and $1500. Currently, there are only a few breeders listed with the AKC, resulting in increased travel times. However, if you buy from a reputable breeder, it can be an investment that pays off.

What to Look for When Buying?

Given the high purchase price, the breeding work should be extensive and knowledgeable.

These criteria distinguish a good breeder:

Puppy Development and Training

The Tsvetnaya Bolonka is an excellent beginner dog. Due to its intelligence and willingness to cooperate, it is relatively easy to train. Is the Tsvetnaya Bolonka a beginner dog? Training is comparatively simple, making it an ideal beginner dog. However, attending a dog school can be a good complement to private training, as the social contact and activities there are very enjoyable for the dog.

Since the Tsvetnaya Bolonka forms strong bonds with its caregivers, they must train it to be alone. Early socialization is equally important, as it is essential to be able to take the dog everywhere. However, since these issues also apply to owners of other dogs, they are not typical breed problems.

How to care for a Tsvetnaya Bolonka?

The Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a genuine family dog. It prefers to be in the company of its caregivers rather than alone. However, due to its friendly and open nature, there is nothing wrong with taking it to appointments outside the home. Is a Bolonka a barker? If socialized and well-trained, it does not exhibit excessive barking or other disruptive behavior. Therefore, the Tsvetnaya Bolonka is suitable not only for outings but also for the office.

The Russian family dog equally loves all age groups (children, adults, seniors). It also does not show aggression towards other dogs of its kind.

In terms of accommodation, the Tsvetnaya Bolonka has no preference. It does not necessarily need a garden and feels comfortable in an apartment. However, in pure apartment living, it is even more important to compensate for the limited living space with activities.

Activities with the Tsvetnaya Bolonka

While the Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a balanced family pet, it still requires activity. Therefore, the Russian toy breed is looking for an owner who is also active. How much exercise does a Bolonka need? Ideally, the Bolonka should enjoy one to two hours of exercise daily. Due to the Tsvetnaya Bolonka’s good trainability, owner and dog can also participate in dog sports courses (for example: dog dancing or agility). However, extensive walks are just as welcome for the Tsvetnaya Bolonka.

Health and Grooming

The Tsvetnaya Bolonka has the basic advantage of being less susceptible to hereditary diseases.

However, there is a slightly increased risk of the following diseases:

With the appropriate diet, you can prevent the onset of diseases or alleviate symptoms.

The Tsvetnaya Bolonka’s food should meet the following special requirements:

Also, make sure to feed appropriate portion sizes to avoid joint-damaging excess weight.

In terms of fur, there are no notable peculiarities despite its length. Occasional brushing is usually sufficient.

Interesting and Fun Facts

The Russian family dog impresses with its overall personality, but there are two more surprising details:

Do you have a Tsvetnaya Bolonka or are you considering getting one? Tell me in the comments what you think makes it so special!