“This is a breed that does all the things expected of a Toy dog—and more.”
In the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka we found the ulti- mate companion dog. This is a breed that does all the things expected of a Toy dog—and more. They make great Rally dogs along with doing Agility and regular Obedience. I also have a Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka that lives in Arizona and walks two miles a day with her owner. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka are a relatively healthy breed of dog. We test for all the usual things such as heart, patellas, hips, and most importantly, a DNA test for PRA-cd. At the time the lab is testing, they can also test the breed for furnishings, which could be lacking. Most long-coated breeds have a short coat variety, and the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is no exception. All Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka should have their furnishings (moustache and beard). Many Rus- sian Tsvetnaya Bolonkas that are kept as companion dogs have their coat in a puppy cut. This makes it easier to manage their coats. Dogs being shown must be in full coat, along with the moustache and beard. Puppies are allowed to be shown in their puppy coat. The Rus- sian Tsvetnaya Bolonka comes in many colors, from light fawn to solid black. Disqualifying colors are solid white, parti-colored, and merle. For more information, please visit our club web site at: www.rtbca.com .
MY EXPERIENCE WITH RUSSIAN TSVETNAYA BOLONKA
I saw a picture of a Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka on the Internet in the year 2000. I was unable to get the dog out of my mind. As fate would have it, that same year, I judged a Russian con- formation breed show in Brooklyn, New York, and met some of the Russian judges who were at the show. We discussed the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka breed, and I received a promise that when they returned to Russia, they would find a Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka puppy and send it to me. In September of that year, after a six month wait, I received a darling female puppy by the name of Ludushki Ocharovashk. “Gigi,” as she was called, was the best ambassador the breed could have in the United States. Gigi never met a person she didn’t like and would stand on two legs and dance for whatever audience she could find. In 2001, I was joined by Havanese breeder Dr. Pa- tricia McRae, and we imported a male and another female. The following year we were joined by two more Havanese breeders, Jane Falkenstein and Nancy Holmes, and imported another male and three females. By 2004, there were other kennels breeding Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonkas. Notable was Thereasa Huff’s kennel, Bolonka Treasures in Arizona, Cindy Jensen and Glinda Harrison with My Darling Dogs kennel in Idaho, and Debbie Buse with Debbi’s Bolonkas kennel in Minnesota.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Candace Mogavero started in purebred dogs in the 1970s with two Siberian Huskies. From there, she acquired her first Belgian Sheepdog, and later, Belgian Tervurens. Her Belgians were shown, and many finished their conformation championships. By the late 1970s, Candace applied for her AKC judge’s approval and, as of this year, she received her 25-year AKC pin. Candace purchased a Havanese puppy in 1999, finishing her championship along with five other Havanese that she owned. Her first Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka was purchased from Russia in 2000. Can- dace’s dogs were shown in the rare breed shows and did very well. The following year, Candace was joined by Havanese breeder Patt McRea, and they purchased two more Russian Bolonkas and started a registry for the breed in the US. In 2015, the breed was accepted into the AKC FSS program, and in 2023, the Rus- sian Tsvetnaya Bolonka will be moving to the Miscellaneous Class.
48 • T op N otch T oys , O ctober 2022
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