Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison

The Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a rare toy breed which was developed in Moscow.

It is believed that the dog’s ancestors are the Toy Poodle, Pekingnese, Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu. The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka has also become more well known since the British royal couple, Willam and Kate, have them as pets.

This feisty little dog was developed in England a couple of centuries ago. He has a well documented history. An interesting aspect with this dog is that the very name ‘Jack Russell’ became a common name for predominantly white terriers after the death of clergyman Jack Russell.

The Russell Terrier was developed from Jack Russell working terrier strains that were used in the 19th century for hunting fox. The dog has been standardized by Kennel Club recognition. The Fedédération Cynologique Internationale also recognizes the breed.

It was in the early 1970s that the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Great Britain was formed.

The Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a small dog standing at 22 – 27cm in height and weighing between 2 and 4kg. He has been developed to be a companion dog.

The long coat of the dog is wavy or curly and is a grey color, brown, red, white or black. The males have a beard and mustache.

Allergy sufferers appreciate that the dog doesn’t shed but the coat will need to be brushed to prevent matting. The ears are medium length and the tail curls up over the back.

Temperament:

These dogs are sturdy, happy, social, playful little dogs with a loving, loyal temperament. They’re balls of fun and make super playmates of disciplined children who have been taught to be kind and gentle with animals.

They are well balanced, amicable dogs with a streak of independence. They’re intelligent too and will respond well to training and socialization.

He isn’t aggressive and isn’t a yapper either. He is a friendly dog, even with strangers but he can still prove to be a good watchdog. Small and compact, he can do well in the countryside or the city.

The Russell Terrier has a weatherproof coat that is mainly white with patches of tan or black or maybe even both. You get the smooth haired type, the broken type- as well as the rough haired Russell Terrier. All these coats shed.

He is a small dog standing at between 20-35cm in height and weighing between 7 and 12kg.

Temperament:

Your Russell Terrier is a jaunty, fearless, confident little dog with a powerful personality. The bright face with alert eyes are constantly telling you that he is just ready to spring into action when you’re ready.

He just loves games and sports and you won’t have to ask him twice to join in. Happy and energetic, you could say it's his desire to hunt as well as his high energy levels that make it necessary for him to be trained and socialized It is of particular importance because he is so strong willed. Super smart, you won't have any trouble teaching him some basic commands.

He also makes a good watch dog and while he can be aggressive towards other dogs, he is prepared to get along with children in the house who have been disciplined and who know how to treat animals with respect and kindness.

The Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a true companion being even-tempered, intelligent and friendly. He has been specifically developed as a companion dog whether you live in the city or the countryside.

He gets on well with children and with other pets in the home and even towards strangers. Just remember that wherever you choose to live with your sweet little pet, he will still need regular exercise to remain the feisty, happy little dog he is.

It is true that this very active, very 'in-your-face' dog may not be everybody’s cup of tea. He will be discontent if not given the chance to run and be active.

If you’re a super active family who loves swimming, going on hikes or you enjoy sports such as cycling and horse riding, you can count the Russell Terrier in every time.

These dogs make a loving, loyal companion. They'll make you smile and be amused by their antics, bringing you lots of joy and entertainment.

This breed may get some of the typical small-dog health conditions. These can be things such as dental problems, obesity and Patellar Luxation.

Small dogs often have problems with their knees, and patellar luxation is a common orthopedic condition for small dogs. You’ll see your dog walking on 3 legs.

A luxated kneecap can move out of place, but in some more serious instances, it can dislocate completely. Treatment will require a visit to the vet. Sometimes surgery is required.

Small dogs are more prone to dental disease than large dogs. Tartar and plaque form, there is gum recession, and loss of teeth is common with these little dogs.

Check inside his mouth regularly. Brushing the teeth can be of value to the dog and you get special canine dog and toothpaste. A tooth infection can be serious for your pet and cause him to have toxins circulating in the bloodstream that can make him sick.

Side effects can mean eye infections and even organ failure.

The Russell Terrier is a robust little dog who can lead a good, healthy life of 13, 14 or 15 years if well cared for. There are however, a number of common dog ailments that he can succumb to. Some of these are cataracts, deafness and myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia Gravis:

This disorder is caused by a breakdown of the transmission of impulses from the nerves to the muscles. The muscles can’t contract and the dog becomes weak. It’s a disease that can be an inherited congenital defect, and the Russell Terrier is at risk of getting this disease. Symptoms do vary from dog to dog but a common symptom is muscle weakness.

Exercise:

These little dogs will need a walk each day. They also love all sorts of games both indoors and outside.

Grooming:

Brush the hair regularly to avoid matting. Many people tie the hair around the face into a ponytail. If the hair becomes dirty, it can be gently shampooed with a mild, natural shampoo and conditioned. The wet hair will require a wide-tooth comb to comb the hair.

Diet:

Feed your dog the best dry kibble that there is. Check the packaging and make sure the ingredients are the best, full of vitamins and minerals. Try to give him some tasty home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Remember to chop it up very finely. Never give your dog foods such as chocolate, popcorn, peanuts, and spicy food. It can upset his stomach. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

General:

Get your little pet to the vet if he shows signs of illness and make sure his vaccines are up to date to avoid deadly canine illnesses.

Exercise:

This little dog needs plenty of exercise, and being lazy yourself and not exercising him will lead to him becoming destructive through no fault of his.

He will need walks every day as well as runs in the park off his leash. Ball- and frisbee games fill him with delight and he gives chase every time. Even though he is small, he isn’t recommended for life in the city and small properties as he is a small dog with high energy needs and requires a lot of room to run.

Grooming:

The weatherproof coat isn’t going to require much grooming apart from a brushing twice week. Regular checking of the teeth, checking the eyes, looking inside the ears and checking for lumps will be required. He will also need to have his nails trimmed.

Provide him with nice, warm, dry place to sleep.

Have him neutered or spayed if you aren’t wanting puppies.

Keep his vaccines up to date and get him to a vet if you see his is lethargic, miserable and in pain.

Provide him with top quality food, whether it is commercially manufactured food or homemade food.

Your Russell Terrier will be relying on you for good food. Try to include some home-made food for him which can be simply mixed into the kibble twice a week which is easy to prepare and totally uncomplicated.

You can add everything together in one big pot -chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pets dry kibble once or twice a week.

Simple and tasty, your Russell Terrier will love tasty treats like this. Ensure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.