Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka

Part of the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka’s claim to fame is a lush, long coat of curls. Buse says the coat should be soft and thick, but the undercoat, in particular, will become matted if not brushed and combed regularly. 

Here’s the typical grooming routine you can expect: 

• Bathing: Bolonka dogs need regular baths, about once a month. You can take your Bolonka to the groomer for a full-service treatment—including a haircut, bath, and nail trim—or learn to do these tasks at home.
• Brushing: For a Bolonka with a full-length curly coat, be prepared to brush their hair every day with a pin brush like the We Love Doodles Pin Brush. A fine-tooth comb is helpful for brushing the hair around their eyes, and Woods says you’ll need to tie up the hair on top of their head to keep it out of your pup’s eyes. 
  • You can also give your Bolonka a short haircut to make hair care easier. “Many pet people have them cut down to puppy cut or teddy bear cut,” Buse adds. Shorter haircuts reduce the amount of time you need to spend brushing out tangles.
• Eye care: Pay special attention to the hair around their eyes, as this area is prone to tear staining. Use a gentle wipe, like Angels’ Eyes Wipes, to clean their face. You may need to wipe the hair around their mouths, too, if they accumulate food stains. 
• Ear care: Regularly make sure that your Bolonka’s ears don’t show any signs of infection or irritation. Like other curly-coated dog breeds, hair can grow inside the ear canal. Left unchecked, this can result in an ear infection. 
• Dental care: Be diligent about getting your Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka puppy used to having their mouth and teeth handled. This desensitization will make it easier to establish and maintain a daily routine for brushing your dog’s teeth, which is especially important for small dog breeds at greater risk of dental disease, like the Bolonka. 
• Nail care: Your Bolonka will need a pawdicure every two to four weeks to keep their nails trimmed and healthy. If you can hear your dog’s nails clicking across the floor, they’re too long.

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka dogs catch on quickly to new cues and are eager to please their pet parents, Woods says. Because of this, the breed can be a good fit for new pet parents who might not have much experience training a dog.

That said, consistent positive reinforcement training is still a must. You’ll also need to socialize your puppy early and often, exposing them to new people, animals, environments, and situations in a positive manner. This combo of training and socialization will help your Bolonka grow into their very best self.

The best diet for a Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is high-quality dog food that meets AAFCO nutritional standards. They may do best with an option made especially for small breeds, such as Hill’s Science Diet Small & Mini Breed Food. Find the best food for your dog by asking your vet. 

Pick a formula that’s appropriate for your dog’s life stage. Bolonka puppies need a puppy food diet with the right balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to support growth. By the time your Bolonka is about a year old, switch to adult food.

As your Bolonka grows, you’ll also want to adjust how often you feed them. Most adult dogs do well with twice-a-day feedings, but Bolonka puppies may need more frequent meals to help prevent hypoglycemia. 

Your veterinarian is your best resource for how often and how much to feed your dog. 

Because the Bolonka is a toy dog bred for companionship, they don’t require much daily exercise. At the same time, Buse says they’re not couch potatoes and love to play. 

Indoor games are a great way to bond with a Bolonka and meet the dog’s need to expend energy. Try hide-and-seek, or send your dog on a hunt for their favorite toy in a hidden spot. For times when you can’t play interactively with your pup but need to provide a mentally stimulating diversion, these dogs enjoy playing with a puzzle toy or relishing a special chew treat.

And never overlook the benefits of regular outdoor exercise. “Leash walking is a good way to exercise them as well—a couple brisk walks a day will suffice,” Woods says. She adds that physical exertion helps curb unwanted behavior, such as nuisance barking. 

Because Bolonki are such easygoing dogs, this breed fits in just about anywhere, from city life to rural living. Just keep in mind that the Bolonka’s curly coat can trap debris easily, so a short cut is best to avoid frequent tangles if your dog spends a lot of time exploring outside with you. 

Russian Bolonka dogs have a playful personality that meshes well with children. Just make sure that playtime doesn’t become too rough—the Bolonka is an itty bitty dog who could get hurt by overly rambunctious play. 

And because these dogs love to sit in a lap and receive attention and affection, they make wonderful companions for seniors, too.